November, 24, 2013 Nov 24 9:00 AM ET COLUMBUS, Ohio — A closer look at the standout performers in No. 3 Ohio State’s 42-14 win over Indiana on Saturday at the Horseshoe to clinch a berth in the Big Ten title game. LB Ryan Shazier: If that’s the final appearance at Ohio Stadium for the junior, he certainly left on a high note. Shazier was an absolute force from start to finish, piling up a staggering 20 tackles, making five plays in the backfield, tallying a sack, forcing a fumble and also flying from out of nowhere to break up a pass. He stressed earlier in the week that his focus was solely on Indiana and that he wasn’t even thinking about the NFL, but the pro scouts surely have to be devoting a lot of thought to what Shazier could do at the next level in an outing that will go down as one of the most prolific in Ohio State history.
QB Braxton Miller: Bad weather seems to have an impact on his passing, and the combination of wind and snow made it a challenge at times for the Buckeyes to air out the football. But sloppy conditions barely even slow Miller down as a rusher, and he has rarely looked better than he did against the Hoosiers. He showed off his otherworldly acceleration on a 37-yard touchdown that he finished with a stylish flip into the end zone, and he was fearless in leaping up to take on a defender at the goal line on his 5-yard rush on an end around after lining up as a receiver. He also delivered a gorgeous strike to Devin Smith for a 39-yard touchdown, finishing with 304 total yards and four touchdowns to keep his name in the Heisman Trophy conversation.
CB Bradley Roby: Completing the trifecta of juniors stealing the show on Senior Day, Roby was a sure tackler on the perimeter, used his great closing speed to break up three passes and again helped swing momentum with a huge play on special teams. Roby’s blocked punt in the second quarter seemed to wake up an offense that briefly struggled for a couple of drives, setting up the Buckeyes with field position inside the 10-yard line and sending them on their way to another blowout. Of the three stars, Roby is the only one who has publicly revealed his intention to head off to the NFL draft, but if it’s the final appearance for those Buckeyes, they ensured they will be remembered fondly. Covers Ohio State and the Big Ten.Joined ESPN in 2012.Attended the University of Wyoming.
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