Rutgers came into its game with Ohio State with a New Jersey-sized chip on its shoulder thanks to what it perceived to be a lack of respect. At least in the first 30 minutes, the Scarlet Knights showed why the respect may have been lacking.
Through the first two quarters of play, Ohio State has dominated every facet of play and took a commanding 35-7 lead into halftime. A 21-0 second-quarter spurt turned what was a relatively close game, at least on the scoreboard, into a first-half blowout that shows no sign of abating in the last two quarters.
The Buckeyes have outgained the Scarlet Knights 249-156 thus far, an advantage that could’ve been even wider if quarterback J.T. Barrett hadn’t started misfiring on some easy throws in the second quarter.
That said, Barrett was once again a significant reason for the Buckeyes’ offensive success. Barrett finished the half with 147 yards passing and a pair of scoring tosses. The redshirt freshman, who’s fast approaching on-the-radar Heisman status, added a team-high 50 yards on the ground.
Tight end Nick Vannett was on the receiving end of both Barnett scoring tosses after entering the game with one all season.
The Buckeyes’ defense scored on a second-quarter fumble return and held the Scarlet Knights to just 2.2 yards per carry. Over half of Rutgers’ first-half yardage (83) came on the last drive of the second quarter, a drive that ended with an end-zone interception by the Buckeyes’ Doran Grant with just :12 left in the half.