COLUMBUS — In a game where Ohio State’s defense struggled to contain the Indiana Hoosier offense, sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins picked up the slack and led his team to a 49-26 victory.
Although it was a rough start for the Buckeyes offensively, Haskins took control soon enough and had a record day for himself with the best performance of his career on Saturday. Haskins completed 33-of-44 passes for 455 yards and six touchdowns. The 33 completions, six passing touchdowns, and 455 yards marked career highs.
The touchdowns and completions also tied Ohio State single-game records. The player he tied with both records was previous Buckeye starting quarterback, J.T. Barrett.
The 455 passing yards against Indiana was the second-most in a game in program history for a single individual, just three short of Art Schlichter’s 458 dating back to 1981.
When asked about his reactions to the statistical numbers he put up, Haskins was mostly concerned about the scoreboard.
“Every game you want to light it up, but definitely it was a good statistical game,” he said. “I’m glad we got the win most importantly. The end goal is we want to get that championship and win the Big Ten Championship.”
At halftime, Haskins was 19 for 22 passing with 243 yards and three touchdowns. He then threw a 71-yard reception to senior wide receiver Parris Campbell on the opening drive of the third quarter to put him over 300 yards.
He accomplished his record number of passes by spreading the ball to multiple receivers throughout the game.
A total of nine different players recorded receptions on Saturday. Senior wide receiver Terry McLaurin recorded two touchdowns, Campbell recorded two touchdowns, and junior Binjimen Victor and senior Johnnie Dixon each scored a touchdown.
“He’s an accurate passer now,” head coach Urban Meyer said. “You give him time and you give him a good group of receivers, he’s a dangerous guy.”
The chemistry between the receivers and the quarterback has been evident this season. The receivers speak very highly of Haskins and his ability to lead this team.
“For a first-time quarterback to come in do that with our offense, the numbers he’s putting up, I think Coach said he was [close to] some type of record,” McLaurin said. “Helping him out as receivers, the more plays we make for him the more confidence it gives him and then his ability takes over the rest.”
With his 455 yards Saturday, Haskins now has 2,484 yards passing for his career. The performance against Indiana moved him past such names as Rex Kern, Cardale Jones, Kirk Herbstreit, and Cornelius Greene for 16th in school history.