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.
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.
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
- What is the most amount of points Ohio State has scored against Minnesota in a single game?
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
32-3 at Ohio State (3rd year)
136-26 overall (13th year)
Meyer has never coached against Jerry Kill or Minnesota.
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 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.
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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 |
Today's Trivia Answers:
- 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. - 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