COLUMBUS — The Ohio State defense used constant pursuit and relentless aggression in a 42-0 shutout win of the Cincinnati Bearcats (1-1) on Saturday.
For the second week in a row, the #5 Buckeyes (2-0) used the first half to show the world what they were capable of. This time around, however, they also used the second half to impress some people.
Ohio State went to the half with a 28-0 lead and tacked on two more touchdowns in the second half, all the while the OSU defense remained its salty self by flying to the football on every snap.
This game didn’t quite start as hot as last week’s, but it maintained its temperature for a much longer period of time.
Unlike last week, the Buckeyes didn’t score until their second drive of the game. The drive only went 41 yards, aided by the Bearcats being pinned on their previous possession. On first and goal from the 7-yard line, Fields looked for a receiver before pulling the ball down and running up the middle for the score.
Following the game, OSU head coach Ryan Day called that play his favorite Fields moment of the day.
Early in the second quarter, Cincinnati drove down into the red zone, but had a 31-yard field goal attempt blocked by Chase Young. The Buckeyes would respond with an 87-yard touchdown drive featuring a 20-yard completion to Binjimen Victor, a 24-yard run by JK Dobbins, and a 21-yard pass to Chris Olave. It was capped by a JK Dobbins’ run from four yards out.
That would be the first of three second-quarter touchdowns for Ohio State.
On OSU’s next possession, Dobbins went 60 yards through the left side of the line for a score. It was the second-longest rush of his career. Dobbins finished with 141 yards rushing on 17 carries with two scores.
More big plays followed on the next possession, as Fields hit Chris Olave on a deep pass down the sideline for 39 yards to put OSU at the Cincinnati 11-yard line. The drive ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to true freshman receiver Garrett Wilson to make it 28-0. It was the first catch of Wilson’s career.
The Bearcats opened the second half with the football, but Chase Young closed their first drive with a sack on third down. Young finished with 1.5 sacks for the second week in a row.
Cincinnati mounted a 53-yard drive and an 80-yard drive in the second half, but both drives ended in turnovers. Their final drive featured a fumble into the end zone, which was recovered by OSU defensive back Marcus Williamson.
Justin Fields was responsible for the Buckeyes’ final two touchdowns. The first being a 4-yard run and the second a 5-yard completion to senior H-back KJ Hill.
Hill caught eight passes for 57 yards on the day.
Redshirt freshman running back Master Teague rushed for 60 yards on 11 attempts.
Cincinnati was held to 107 yards rushing, with 79 of those coming on their final drive with OSU’s defensive reserves in the game.
Senior linebacker Malik Harrison led the Buckeyes with 2.5 tackles for loss.