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CJ Stroud makes bold statement following Ohio State win over Penn State

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner10/31/21

Jonathan Wagner

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Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud has been very productive this season while leading the Buckeyes’ offense. On Saturday, Stroud led Ohio State to a 33-24 victory over Penn State in Columbus. In the win, Stroud completed 22 of his 34 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown.

After the game, Stroud made a bold claim while giving high praise to the Ohio State offense.

“We were shooting ourselves in the foot. And then we just got rolling,” Stroud said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. “I feel like we’re the best offense in the country and when we get rolling nobody can stop us.”

Stroud’s claim might not be far fetched at all. Ohio State has led the nation by gaining 547.6 yards per game this season. The Buckeyes average 346.3 passing yards per game, which is sixth in the country. Ohio State’s 47.3 points per game also leads the nation.

Saturday’s game against Penn State was only the second time Ohio State has failed to score 41 points in a game. The other occurrence was in Week 2’s loss to Oregon. Coming into the weekend, Ohio State’s offense had been downright dominant with at least 52 points in four consecutive games.

Stroud on Ohio State’s offense: ‘We’re just blessed’

It was an all-around solid effort by Ohio State on Saturday. In addition to Stroud’s strong game, the running game was productive as well. Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed 28 times for 152 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Garrett Wilson each had at least six receptions and 82 yards, while Chris Olave caught a touchdown.

Stroud admitted that Saturday’s game wasn’t the best from Ohio State’s offense. But the young quarterback knew he had to be a leader, and that is exactly what he did. Stroud went on to praise the entirety of Ohio State’s offense, including the line and other playmakers.

“Yeah on my part, I just had to be a leader,” Stroud said. “It wasn’t the greatest game we played. I thought we could do a lot better but we got the job done. On my part, I feel like we all did a great job. Linemen did a great job, running backs, tight ends, receivers. We’re just blessed.”

Ohio State is now 7-1 on the season and Stroud has enjoyed a great season. He has thrown for 2,270 yards, 23 touchdowns, and three interceptions on the year. All three of Stroud’s interceptions came in the first three weeks of the season.