Two games into the 2018 season, the Ohio State passing attack looks virtually unstoppable. The Buckeyes racked up an even 700 yards through the air in blowout wins over dreadful Oregon State and Rutgers teams.
However, the road to a perfect season and historically-great offense is about to get a lot tougher when No. 4 OSU travels to Texas to take on No. 15 TCU.
The Horned Frogs held SMU to just 2.8 yards per pass in a 42-12 win on Friday night. In their season opener against Southern, the TCU defense had almost as many interceptions (2) as completed passes allowed (5).
While Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell have been historically-great so far, it’s their receivers that could help keep them there.
Through two games, 15 different Buckeyes have caught at least one pass. Five members of Zone 6 have at least five receptions and 85 yards each. Six different players have a touchdown grab.
In the week one win over the Beavers, senior Terry McLaurin was the standout at the Z position, with 121 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 51-yard touchdown against Rutgers, but didn’t record any other catches.
That was okay because Saturday marked the season premiere of The Johnnie Dixon Show. Dixon had only one catch for 10 yards against Oregon State, but ripped off two long touchdowns against Rutgers.
K.J. Hill’s 82-yard opening game from the H position was followed by a quiet 25-yard performance against the Scarlet Knights. But Parris Campbell was there with a 64-yard day, a week after he had just 22 yards.
Each week, a different Buckeye receiver seems to step forward to make the big plays the team needs. That unpredictable production means opposing defenses can’t just key one one or two players to stop the offense.
For an offensive coordinator like Ryan Day, it means there’s always someone ready to step up and make a big play.
“You just don’t know what’s going to happen,” Day said. “Last week Terry McLaurin has a big game. Then we turn around and now Johnnie Dixon hits two home runs.”
If every eligible receiver knows that Haskins could look their way on any given snap, the quarterback says that keeps all of them engaged in the offense.
“I told the receivers that it doesn’t matter what game it is or what day of practice it is, anybody can get the ball,” said Haskins. “Whether it’s Terry one week or anybody else another week, I just want them to run the routes like they’re getting the ball every single time and calling the play.”
That message has gotten through to those receivers. Campbell said he had a conversation with Dixon and McLaurin just a few days before the Rutgers game about just that.
“It can be Johnnie one day, Terry one day, me one day, K.J. one day. You just never know who it’s going to be, and that’s why you’ve always got to go into the game locked in and ready to execute,” Campbell said.
Wide receivers are often stereotyped as selfish divas, but Campbell said that couldn’t be further from the truth in the OSU wide receiver room. Rather than worrying about stats, they know that spreading the ball around helps make all of the receivers better.
“Some people ask ‘do you get jealous when another wideout is making plays?’ Honestly, it’s not like that at all. You’re excited as if it was you,” said Campbell. “Having that depth is great because we’re able to roll guys in and out, get fresh legs in there.”
If the game against the Horned Frogs comes down to the fourth quarter, those fresh legs could pay off in those crucial final minutes. If the same TCU defensive backs have to spend all night chasing a rotating group of Buckeye receivers, fatigue could end up being the difference between a win and a loss.
What we have here is an embarrassment of riches! Nice problem to have.
Great article, Tom!
It’s hard to get into a game rhythm when a pass play is called but your quarterback doesn’t trust his arm enough to put the ball on them down the field, so he pulls it down and runs. Receivers should be good blockers down the field, but when that becomes their primary function it’s mighty difficult to stay engaged and play fast on every down. It’s really fun watching the Buckeye receivers getting a chance to show what they can, are engaged and that if they get just a yard or more separation chances are the ball is actually going to be thrown to them. That’s so far been routine in this young season from both Dwayne and Tate. I have a feeling that the next guy to suddenly appear is going to be Ben Victor. Hoping that he erupts against TCU.
How cool to talk about all these great receivers, and to realize we didn’t even mention Austin Mack or Bin Victor? Not only have they had their share of nice grabs this year, but their work on the outside helps set up our H backs one on one with Linebackers or late-to-arrive safeties. It’s like playing 5 on 4 basketball – someone is gonna be open, and Dwayne has been finding them.
Sure is great to talk about receivers actually getting passes rather than just blocking.
Last year against PSU it wasn’t the receivers who “finally” stepped up, it was the QB finally throwing to them and the coaches having confidence that it would work. When they’re “required” to have at least 5 yards of separation before the QB will even consider them, how are they supposed to have fun and play each play like it’s their last?
This offense with the 4 headed monster at tailback, and a 2 QB’s who aren’t afraid to BE quarterbacks rather than tailbacks allows the offense to blossom into unpredictability. It’s engaging to watch.