THE RUNNING START
TV: Saturday, Noon, ABC
The Buckeyes travel to College Park to take on Maryland. The Terrapins may be without their starting quarterback. C.J. Brown left the win against Indiana with a wrist injury. Stefon Diggs, a player highly recruited by the Buckeyes, is a dangerous wide receiver and return man.
The Last Time...
- Ohio State lost a Big Ten opening game was 2011 against Michigan State (7-10).
- The Buckeyes lost a Big Ten regular season game was 2011 against That Team (34-40).
- Ohio State played Maryland in football was...never
- An Urban Meyer coached team lost in October was 2010.
- The Buckeyes rushed for 300+ yards and passed for 300+ yards was against Eastern Michigan in 2010.
Maryland Minute
- The Terps have scored 20 or more points in nine straight games.
- William Likely is averaging 15.9 yards a punt return (program record) and has two punt return touchdowns.
- Stefon Diggs is averaging a program best 27.3 yards per kickoff return.
- Maryland's defense has only allowed 33 points in the second half this season.
Today's Trivia Question:
Can you name the last time the Buckeyes lost a Big Ten opening game on the road?
The Series:
This is the first game between Ohio State and Maryland in football.
Maryland's Individual Stats
PASSING
Last Game: 10/15 (.667), 163 yards, 1 TD
2014 Stats: 73/128 (.570), 996 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs
Career: 321/577 (.556), 4,080 yards, 27 Tds, 16 INTs
Last Game: 12/18 (.667), 198 yards, 2 TDs
2014 Stats: 21/32 (.656), 316 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Career: 110/207 (.531), 1,595, 11 TDs, 7 INTs
RUSHING
Last Game: 34 yards, 2.3 ypc
2014 Stats: 182 yards, 4.2 ypc
Career Stats: 564 yards 4.2 ypc, 2 TDs
RECEIVING
Last Game: 112 yards, 18.7 ypr, 1 TD
2014 Stats: 398 yards, 13.7 ypr, 2 TDs
Career: 1,833 yards, 15.7 ypr, 11 TDs
Ohio State's Individual Stats
Last Game: 26/36 (.722), 330 yards, 4 TDs
2014 Stats: 70/110 (.636), 1,087 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
Career: 70/110 (.636), 1,087 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
RUSHING
Last Game: 182 yards, 6.5 ypc, 1 TD
2014 Stats: 323 yards, 5.9 ypc, 3 TDs
Career: 585 yards, 6.9 ypc, 5 Tds2014
RECEIVING
Last Game: 67 yards, 16.8 ypr, 2 TDs
2014 Stats: 278 yards, 30.9 ypr, 4 TDs
Career: 1,850 yards, 19.1 ypr, 22 TDs
Freshman Arm:
J.T. Barrett continued his pin-point passing by throwing for 330 yards against Cincinnati. Barrett has thrown for 642 yards and 10 touchdowns in the last two games. For the season he has connected on 63% of his passes.
Freshman Legs:
True freshman Curtis Samuel became the first Buckeye to rush for 100 yards this season. Samuel ran for 100 yards (6.7 ypc) and two touchdowns against Kent State. For the season Samuel has 192 rushing yards. To date he is averaging 6.0 ypc and has rushed for two touchdowns.
Seasoned Sophomores:
Ezekiel Elliott and Dontre Wilson are making an impact on the 2014 season. Ezekiel Elliot ran for a career high 182 yards, averaged 6.5 yards per carry and rushed for a touchdown against Cincinnati. He now leads the team with 323 yards on the ground. Dontre Wilson did not have a rushing attempt against Kent State and had 2 receptions for 22 yards. Against the Bearcats Wilson had one rush for 21 yards and led the team with 6 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. I believe the Buckeyes will continue to lean on Elliott in the running game, but I think Samuel or Marshall will take touches away from Wilson this week.
Block That Kick:
Since Urban Meyer arrived at Ohio State the Buckeyes have 9 blocked kicks/punts. Will Maryland be the second victim of the 2014 season? I hope so, because Meyer coached teams are 23-0 since 2005 when they make a block on special teams.
THE RUNOFF
Coaches
Urban Meyer
27-3 at Ohio State (3rd year)
131-26 overall (13th year)
This is Meyer's first game against Maryland.
Randy Edsall
17-25 at Maryland (4th year)
91-95 overall (16th year)
Cliff Claven's Little Known Facts Corner:
- 121 of Ohio State's 171 points have been scored by freshmen and sophomores.
- The Buckeyes are 86-9 in Ohio Stadium since 2001 (includes 8 vacated wins from 2010).
- Ohio State has won 16 consecutive regular season Big Ten games.
- The Buckeyes have had 88 consecutive home games of 100,000 plus in attendance.
- Maryland's all-time record in the Big Ten is 1-0. Ohio State is 474-171-24.
- 10 different Ohio State players have scored touchdowns this season.
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2014 STATS | CATEGORY | 2014 STATS |
42.8 (14th) | Points For | 36.8 (41st) |
20.0 (32nd) | Points Against | 19.8 (31st) |
OFFENSE | ||
241.5 (22nd) | Rushing Offense | 155.2 (78th) |
279.8 (37th) | Passing Offense | 262.4 (48th) |
521.3 (17th) | Total Offense | 417.6 (66th) |
DEFENSE | ||
153.0 (65th) | Rush Defense | 171.0 (80th) |
162.5 (13th) | Pass Defense | 234.2 (61st) |
315.5 (22nd) | Total Defense | 434.8 (89th) |
OFF. MISC. | ||
.460 (32nd) | 3rd Down Conv. | .405 (69th) |
.857 (55th) | Red Zone | .867 (50th) |
13.7 (23rd) | Punt Return | 22.5 (5th) |
21.5 (61st) | Kickoff Return | 25.3 (20th) |
DEF. MISC. | ||
.349 (47th) | 3rd Down Conv. | .381 (60th) |
.875 (77th) | Red Zone | .588 (5th) |
83.3 (7th) | Pass. Eff. Def. | 104.0 (18th) |
36.1 (90th) | Net Punting | 34.3 (106th) |
Total: 11 | THE EDGE | Total: 5 |
Today's Trivia Answer:
Can you name the last time the Buckeyes lost a Big Ten opening game on the road?
Answer: 2004 against Northwestern (27-33 OT).
Sources- Maryland Football, Ohio State Media Guide and stats.ncaa.org
Photos- elevenwarriors.com