Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) – J.T. Barrett had an outstanding performance
as No. 13 Ohio State thrashed Rutgers 56-17 on Saturday in the first-ever
meeting between the teams.
Barrett completed 19-of-31 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, adding
107 yards and two scores on the ground.
The Buckeyes (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) set a school record by scoring at least 50
points for a fourth straight game.
Ohio State sacked Rutgers’ Gary Nova four times. Nova finished 17-of-28 for
192 yards and one interception.
Desmon Peoples amassed 83 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for the
Scarlet Knights (5-2, 1-2), who had their winning streak snapped at three
games.
The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives, building a
21-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Ohio State’s fourth possession resulted in a three-and-out, but Janarion Grant
fumbled after a catch on the first play of the next Rutgers drive. Rashad
Frazier forced the turnover with a jarring hit from behind and Eli Apple
scored on a 4-yard return.
The Buckeyes went up 35-7 on Rod Smith’s 3-yard TD run, then the defense
delivered another big play when Doran Grant picked off Nova’s pass in the
end zone just before halftime.
In the third quarter, Barrett scored on runs of 33 and five yards before Evan
Spencer made a one-handed grab for an 11-yard TD.
Game Notes
The Buckeyes finished with 585 yards of total offense. It was their fourth
consecutive game with at least 500 yards, tying the school record set by the
1998 team … Ohio State posted its 18th consecutive Big Ten regular-season
win … The Scarlet Knights haven’t beaten a ranked opponent on the road since
a 54-34 victory at then-No. 17 Pitt on Oct. 25, 2008 … Buckeyes wide
receiver Devin Smith caught his 100th career pass.
