BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — It was a homecoming of sorts for JK Dobbins, as he returned to the scene of his first collegiate game and once again lit up the Indiana defense, this time to the tune of 193 yards rushing on 22 carries in Ohio State’s 51-10 win over the Hoosiers.
Back in 2017, Dobbins exploded as a true freshman with 181 yards rushing on 29 carries against Indiana, and he nearly bettered that in the first half of this game alone. Dobbins also added two receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown on Saturday as well.
Indiana’s start in this game was a premonition of things to come, as they lost four yards in three plays and then committed a kick catch interference on the ensuing punt. The Buckeyes drove it a little ways on their first possession, but came up empty following a Blake Haubeil missed field goal from 32 yards out.
Indiana’s next drive only lost three yards, which was a slight improvement. Ohio State’s second drive never saw a third down and eventually found the end zone via a Justin Fields’ 3-yard run to make it 7-0.
Indiana answered the Ohio State scoring drive with a 59-yard drive that led to a 29-yard field goal by Indiana kicker Logan Justus, making it 7-3 Buckeyes.
Like last week, the second quarter was once again a flood of stellar play for the Buckeyes.
On OSU’s first possession of the second quarter, Fields found sophomore receiver Chris Olave on a post route for a 37-yard touchdown to make it 14-3. Fields completed 14-of-24 passes for 199 yards on the day with three touchdowns.
Indiana’s next drive lost five yards on three plays, and then Olave blocked the Hoosiers’ punt out of the end zone to make it 16-3. The score soon become 23-3 a couple of minutes later. A few plays after Dobbins ripped off a 56-yard run, Fields found H-back KJ Hill in the corner of the end zone for a 9-yard score.
Dobbins struck again on OSU’s next possession, this time scoring on a wild 26-yard run by spinning in and out of tackles. Indiana struck back on their final drive of the second quarter by scoring on a double pass from a wide receiver Donovan Hale to tight end Peyton Hendershot for a 49-yard score to make it 30-10.
That would be the end of Indiana’s scoring on the day, but the Buckeyes had more work to do.
On Ohio State’s first drive of the third quarter, and following passes of 15 and 21 yards to Binjimen Victor, Fields found Dobbins on a rollout in the end zone from four yards out to make it 37-10. Redshirt freshman running back Master Teague added a 40-yard touchdown run on OSU’s next drive.
Teague had his first career 100-yard day, rushing for 106 yards on 10 carries, scoring once. The final score of the day came via a 96-yard interception return by senior cornerback Damon Arnette, who spied a throwback pass the entire way. He jumped in front of the intended receiver and then weaved in and out of traffic, utilizing all 10 of his blockers at times.
The Ohio State defense was again stellar on the day, holding Indiana to 42 yards rushing on 31 attempts. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey completed 19-of-33 passes for 162 yards with an interception. The Hoosiers finished with 257 total yards to the Buckeyes’ 528 yards.
Defensive end Chase Young once again dominated, notching two sacks, which gives him 5.0 in three games this season. Young was not the only defensive end getting in on the sack party, as sophomore Tyler Friday, redshirt freshman Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and true freshman Zach Harrison all put their names in the scorebook with a sack a piece.
Offensively for the Buckeyes, it may have been an understated game for Justin Fields, but the passing game wasn’t all that necessary. The Ohio State running game was simply dominating as the Buckeyes rushed for 314 yards on 41 attempts (7.7 ypc) and were never really challenged in the trenches.
Up next for the Buckeyes is Miami (Ohio) next weekend at 3:30 pm.
Ryan Day is following one of OSU and the country’s greatest and very successful
coach in Urban Meyers. I have actively followed OSU football since the mid-1950’s. After three games, the 2019 team is very special. OSU alumni and fans should enjoy this year.
My two sisters, brother-in-law, and numerous friends are Miami graduates. I am afraid of the outcome for Miami.
Three games in and not one 80 or 90 yard run by the other team. Keep it up defense.
Sounds like the perfect game to resurrect that Monday Morning QB Club 😉
These defensive lines are just insane. You gotta go back to when John Simon (still playing for the Pats) was seemingly doing it by himself, to even sniff a “just decent” line.