Another week and another opponent gets its stats stuffed.
THAT TEAM'S OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
That Team started the season as a run heavy offense. However the four contests prior to The Game Our Rivals threw for over 1,200 yards. Which team would the Buckeyes face? With little success on the ground against the Silver Bullets That Team had to turn to Jake Rudock's arm. The Wolverines rushed 25 times for 57 yards (2.3 ypc) and had 47 pass attempts for 307 yards.
Ohio State was able to force That Team into several third and long situations. However Our Rivals were still able to convert 50% of their third downs. Key catches by Jake Butt and Jehu Chesson were a big reason why the Wolverines had any offensive success.
Before playing Ohio State That Team averaged 32.2 points (51st) 161.4 yards rushing and 227.7 yards passing per game. The Silver Bullets held the the Wolverines under their season average in points scored, rushing yards and total yards offense.
THAT TEAM'S DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
That Team came into the game with the highest ranked defense Ohio State faced this season. Our Rivals came in ranked 2nd in total defense (263.1 yards) and 4th in both rushing (100.2) and passing (162.9) defense. With Ohio State's inexplicably conservative offensive play calling last week many feared the Buckeyes' chances. Those fears were not warranted.
Urban Meyer's signature ground game came through as Ohio State rushed for 369 yards and sprinkled in key passing plays to humiliate That Team's defense. The Buckeyes scored over 27 points Our Rivals' average and gained 218.9 more total yards than their average. It most certainly was a blue Saturday.
Ohio State's offensive leaders were Ezekiel Elliott with 214 yards rushing (7.1 ypc) and 2 touchdowns. J.T Barrett added another 139 yards on the ground (7.3 ypc) and 3 touchdowns. Michael Thomas led the receivers with 50 yards and 2 receptions and Jalin Marshall had a 25-yard touchdown reception. J.T. Barrett finished the game 9/15 (.600) for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Amazing what better weather, better execution and better play-calling does.
THAT TEAM'S SPECIAL TEAMS
Our Rivals' special teams were solid. Jourdan Lewis added some excitement on kickoff returns, but his best effort was called back on a penalty. He averaged 20.5 yards a return which is just over 10 yards less than the team's season average. The place kicker Kenny Allen was perfect on field goals (2/2) and extra points (1/1). It's always a good thing when the opponent's kicker sees limited action. Punter Blake O'Neill followed the game plan by not giving Jalin Marshall an opportunity for a return.
THE MOST IMPORTANT STAT
Ohio State 42, That Team 13
Ohio State is now 5-2 on November 28th.
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| 2015 STATS | CATEGORY | Against Ohio State | Stat Difference |
| 32.2 | Points For | 13 | - 19.2 |
| 14.9 | Points Against | 42 | - 27.1 |
| OFFENSE | |||
| 161.4 | Rushing Offense | 57 | - 104.4 |
| 227.7 | Passing Offense | 307 | + 79.3 |
| 389.1 | Total Offense | 364 | - 25.1 |
| DEFENSE | |||
| 100.2 | Rushing Defense | 369 | - 268.8 |
| 162.9 | Pass Defense | 113 | + 49.9 |
| 263.1 | Total Defense | 482 | - 218.9 |
| OFF. MISC. | |||
| .436 | 3rd Down Conv. | .500 | + .064 |
| .935 | Red Zone | 1.000 | + 0.65 |
| 11.4 | Punt Return | ----- | No Attempts |
| 30.7 | Kickoff Return | 20.5 | - 10.2 |
| DEF. MISC. | |||
| .232 | 3rd Down Conv. | .538 | - .306 |
| .840 | Red Zone | .833 | + .007 |
| 92.8 | Pass Eff. Def. | 119.0 | - 26.2 |
| 36.2 | Net Punting | 34.3 | - 1.9 |
| MISC. | |||
| - 0.5 | Turnover Margin | - 1 | - 0.5 |
| 6.9 | Penalties Per Game | 7 | - 0.1 |
| Total: 13 | THE EDGE | Total: 6 |
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Ezekiel Elliott became Ohio State's second all-time leading rusher on this play. He passed Heisman winner and Buckeye great Eddie George. Elliott finished the game with 214 yards. That was his fifth game over 200 yards rushing.
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| 2015 STATS BEFORE OHIO STATE | NATIONAL RANKING | CATEGORY | 2015 STATS AFTER OHIO STATE | NATIONAL RANKING | DIFFERENCE |
| 32.2 | 51st | Points For | 30.6 | 55th | - 1.6 |
| 14.9 | 6th | Points Against | 17.2 | 11th | - 2.3 |
| OFFENSE | |||||
| 161.4 | 81st | Rushing Offense | 152.7 | 92nd | - 8.7 |
| 227.7 | 60th | Passing Offense | 234.3 | 54th | + 6.6 |
| 389.1 | 72nd | Total Offense | 387.0 | 71st | - 2.1 |
| DEFENSE | |||||
| 100.2 | 4th | Rushing Defense | 122.6 | 19th | - 22.4 |
| 162.9 | 4th | Pass Defense | 158.8 | 3rd | + 4.1 |
| 263.1 | 2nd | Total Defense | 281.3 | 4th | - 18.2 |
| OFF. MISC. | |||||
| .436 | 34th | 3rd Down Conv. | .443 | 27th | + .007 |
| .935 | 7th | Red Zone | .939 | 3rd | + .004 |
| 11.4 | 32nd | Punt Return | 11.4 | 32nd | No Change |
| 30.7 | 2nd | Kickoff Return | 28.4 | 2nd | - 2.3 |
| DEF. MISC. | |||||
| .232 | 2nd | 3rd Down Conv. | .256 | 3rd | + .024 |
| .840 | 64th | Red Zone | .839 | 64th | - .001 |
| 92.8 | 2nd | Pass Eff. Def. | 95.0 | 1st | - 2.2 |
| 36.2 | 90th | Net Punting | 36.1 | 96th | - 0.1 |
| MISC. | |||||
| - 0.5 | 102nd | Turnover Margin | - 0.5 | 104th | No Change |
| 6.9 | 88th | Penalties Per Game | 6.9 | 90th | No Change |
| Total: 12 | THE EDGE | Total: 8 |
Urban Meyer is now 4-0 against That Team. Francis A. Schmidt is the only other Ohio State coach to accomplish this feat.
MISS THE GAME OR WANT TO SEE A PLAY AGAIN? HERE'S A HIGHLIGHT COLLECTION
Jalin Marshall with the catch of the day:
J.T. Barrett finishes the scoring with this 17-yard run:
Joey Bosa secures the win with this athletic play:
1st half video highlights
2nd half video highlights
Time to cheer for Florida, North Carolina and USC. #SaturdayShakedown
