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The Rundown: No. 8 Ohio State at No. 25 Minnesota

Matt Gutridge's picture
November 12, 2014 at 6:28am
11 Comments

I posted this last night, but it went to blog heaven. Apologies to those who already read it.

THE RUNNING START
TV: Saturday, Noon ABC

Ohio State leads the series 43-7 and is 20-4 when visiting Minneapolis.

Minnesota is coming into this contest with a 7-2 record and an impressive 51-14 win over Iowa. Throughout the history of the series, the Buckeyes win by an average score of 31-13.

Below you will find some interesting facts about the teams, key offensive player stats, coach information, team stats and team schedules.

Ohio State

The Last Time...

  • Ohio State and Minnesota played in Minneapolis it was 2010 and it was the first time the Buckeyes played in TCF Bank Stadium. Ohio State won 52-10.
  • The Buckeyes lost to the Gophers it was John Cooper's last year as head coach. Glen Mason and the Gophers left Columbus with a 29-17 victory back in 2000.
  • Minnesota was 5-1 in the Big Ten the year was 1967.
  • The Gophers won six home games in a season the year was 1977.
  • Ohio State lost in Minneapolis the year was 1981 and the Buckeyes lost 31-35 in the Metro Dome.
  • An Urban Meyer coached team lost in November was 2010.

 

On the Horizon...

  • J.T. Barrett has passed or rushed for 34 touchdowns this season. He is two touchdowns away from tying Braxton Miller's record of 36 for a single season.
  • Ezekiel Elliott is 137 yards away from a 1,000 yard season.
  • Devin Smith comes into the game with 110 catches and 26 touchdowns. Smith is one touchdown away from tying Cris Carter (27 TDs) for 2nd all-time.
  • Ohio State has won 21 consecutive regular season Big Ten games. With every B1G win the Buckeyes are setting a new record.

 

Minnesota

Golden Gopher Nuggets...

  • Minnesota was 5-1 in the B1G this season. The last time the Gophers were 5-1 in the Big Ten the year was 1967.
  • The Gophers are 6-0 at home this season. The last time Minnesota won six home games in a season the year was 1977.
  • Minnesota's longest losing streak to Ohio State is 16 (1982-1999)
  • Six Ohioans are on Minnesota's roster.
  • Minnesota is 23-18 when playing in TCF Bank Stadium.
  • This is the third straight year Minnesota has earned bowl eligibility.

 

Today's Trivia Questions

  1. What is the most amount of points Ohio State has scored against Minnesota in a single game?
     
  2. How many times has Ohio State shut out Minnesota?

 

The Series

Ohio State leads the series 43-7. The Buckeyes have won 23 out of the last 24 games and 12 straight in Minneapolis. 

 

Barrett

Freshman Arm
J.T. Barrett left East Lansing with a 49-37 victory and an armful of awards. Barrett was named Athlon Sports Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week. If that wasn't enough hardware the B1G named him Player of the Week and Freshmen of the week as well. The reason he received so much love was his three touchdown 300 yard performance against the Spartans. Barrett also completed an impressive 61.5% of his passes. For the season he has now completed 64.4% of his passes for 2,156 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

 

 

 

Samuel

Freshman Legs
Curtis Samuel did not have a carry against Michigan State. With freezing temperatures and the loss of Dontre Wilson I expect Samuel to get close to double digit carries in this contest. For the season Samuel has 314 rushing yards, is averaging 7.0 ypc and has rushed for four touchdowns.

 

 

Elliott

Seasoned Sophomores
Ezekiel Elliott and Dontre Wilson are making an impact on the 2014 season. Ezekiel Elliot had a game-high 154 rushing yard, two touchdowns and averaged 7.7 yards per carry. He continues to lead the Buckeyes in rushing with 863 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Dontre Wilson possibly ended the 2014 season against Michigan State. Last week, Wilson made plays that infuriated and elated the Buckeye fan base. He finished the game with 2 receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown. For the season Wilson gained 1,064 all-purpose yards. The breakdown: 300 yards by air, 100 yards by ground and 664 in return yards.

With Wilson's two fumbles on kickoff returns last week I will still stand behind these words:

I know many people were happy to see Jalin Marshall get the nod as punt returner, but I am not one of them. Wilson has three things I like in a punt returner. He is sure-handed, knows when, and when not, to fair catch and gains yards. I did not see that in Marshall. Wilson is listed first on the depth-chart at punt returner, where he belongs.

Wilson

Jalin Marshall is good, really good. However, Marshall still makes me nervous receiving punts (first punt return against MSU). Hopefully my fears about Marshall are ill conceived. 

I'm looking forward to Dontre Wilson having a speedy recovery and making plays on the field again.

 

Minnesota's Individual Statistics

PASSING

QB Mitch Leidner (So)

QB Mitch Leidner (So)

Last Game: 10/13 (.769), 138 yards, 4 TDs

2014 Stats: 81/152 (.533), 1,225 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs

Career: 124/230 (.539), 1,844 yards, 13 TDs, 7 INTs

 

 

 

 

 

RUSHING

​RB David Cobb (Sr)

RB David Cobb (Sr)

Last Game: 74 yards, 4.6 ypc, 1 TD

2014 Stats: 1,205 yards, 5.3 ypc, 8 TDs

Career: 2,472 yards, 5.2 ypc, 15 TDs

 

 

 

RECEIVING

TE Maxx Williams (So)

TE Maxx Williams (So)

Last Game: 46 yards, 9.2 ypr, 3 TDs

2014 Stats: 326 yards, 14.8 ypr, 7 TDs

Career: 743 yards, 15.8 ypr, 12 TDs

 

 

 

 

WR Donovahn Jones (So)

WR Donovahn Jones (So)

Last Game: 44 yards, 44.0 ypr, 1 TD

2014 Stats: 253 yards, 23.0 ypr, 2 TDs

Career: 410 yards, 19.5 ypr, 2 TDs

 

 

 

 

Ohio State's Individual Statistics

PASSING

QB J.T. Barrett (Fr)

QB J.T. Barrett (Fr)

Last Game: 16/26 (.615), 300 yards, 3 TDs

2014 Stats: 150/233 (.644), 2,156 yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs

Career: 150/233 (.644), 2,156 yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs

 

 

RUSHING

​RB Ezekiel Elliott (So)

RB Ezekiel Elliott (So)

Last Game: 154 yards, 6.7 ypc, 2 TDs

2014 Stats: 863 yards, 5.8 ypc, 7 TDs

Career: 1,125 yards, 6.3 ypc, 9 TDs

 

 

 

 

RB Curtis Samuel (Fr)

RB Curtis Samuel (Fr)

Last Game: Did not have a rushing attempt

2014 Stats: 314 yards, 7.0 ypc, 4 TDs

Career: 314 yards, 7.0 ypc, 4 TDs

 

 

 

 

RECEIVING

​WR Devin Smith (Sr)

​WR Devin Smith (Sr)

Last Game: 129 yards, 21.5 ypr, 1 TD

2014 Stats: 564 yards, 25.6 ypr, 8 TDs

Career: 2,136 yards, 19.4 ypr, 26 TDs

 

 

 

​WR Michael Thomas (So)

​WR Michael Thomas (So)

Last Game: 91 yards, 30.3 ypr, TD

2014 Stats: 538 yards, 17.4 ypr, 7 TDs

Career: 560 yards, 16.5 ypr, 7 TDs

 

 

 

THE RUNOFF

Coaches

Urban Meyer is 35-3 in November since 2003.

Urban Meyer is 36-3 in November since 2003.

32-3 at Ohio State (3rd year)

136-26 overall (13th year)

Meyer has never coached against Jerry Kill or Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

Jerry Kill has never coached against Urban Meyer or Ohio State.

Jerry Kill has never coached against Urban Meyer or Ohio State.    

24-23 at Minnesota (4th year)

151-96 overall (21st year)

Minnesota is 18-9 when playing at home with Kill as head coach.

 

 

 

 

Cliff's Corner

Cliff Claven's Little Known Facts Corner:

  • Ohio State has won 12 consecutive regular season road games.
  • J.T. Barrett leads the nation in passing touchdown percentage (11.2%).
  • Ohio State is No. 1 in the nation in starting field position (own 39).
  • The Buckeyes are out-scoring opponents 217-60 (24-7) in the first half this season.
  • Kicker Sean Nuernberger leads the B1G in kick scoring averaging 9.1 ppg.
  • 9 different Ohio State players have intercepted a pass this season.
  • Time for a return? The Buckeyes did not return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown in 2013. That broke a ten-year streak of having at least one return in a season.

 

2014 Statistical Comparison
Ohio State

 

     
Minnesota

 

2014 Stats Rank Category 2014 Stats Rank
46.0 4th Points For 30.7 57th
21.8 25th Points Against 21.3 23rd
    OFFENSE    
260.2 13th Rushing Offense 224.3 26th
251.9 46th Passing Offense 140.2 120th
512.1 10th Total Offense 364.6 96th
    DEFENSE    
125.2 21st Rushing Defense 137.6 37th
201.0 30th Pass Defense 197.8 26th
326.2 17th Total Defense 335.3 21st
    OFF. MISC.    
.513 7th 3rd Down Conv. .418 57th
.840 57th Red Zone .886 23rd
12.2 24th Punt Return 10.3 36th
23.6 20th Kickoff Return 23.6 21st
    DEF. MISC.    
.383 57th 3rd Down Conv. .379 49th
.778 33rd Red Zone .917 116th
111.5 24th Pass Eff. Def. 107.4 15th
39.8 23rd Net Punting 38.4 41st
  Total: 11 THE EDGE Total: 5  

 

1983

Today's Trivia Answers:

  1. What is the most amount of points Ohio State has scored against Minnesota in a single game?
    The Buckeyes defeated the Gophers 69-18 in 1983. 

     

  2. How many times has Ohio State shut out Minnesota?
    Seven. The last shut out win was 44-0 in 2006. 

Sources-
Minnesota State Media Guide
ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Future Articles:
The Series History
Ohio State on Nov. 15th

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

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