Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes believe they're starting to peak at the right time offensively

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Buckeyes believe they’re starting to peak at the right time offensively

The outside world saw an up-and-down and occasionally limited offensive performance from Ohio State at Rutgers on Nov. 4. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day saw his team taking a step forward.

A step before a breakthrough.

“Although it was a little clunky at times, I said that a lot of guys graded out well,” Day recalled postgame Saturday night. “I felt like watching the film, it was encouraging, and it was coming. And so I kind of felt like something like this was right around the corner.

“We were knocking on the door.”

A week removed from piling up its fewest total yards of offense this season (328) against Rutgers’ two-high safety shell, Ohio State erupted for its second-highest yardage output of the year (530) amid a 38-3 rout of Michigan State.

The Buckeyes had 200 yards by the end of the first quarter, as they handled a struggling, three-win Spartans squad. Tight end Cade Stover, who didn’t play the previous week at Rutgers, returned to action and tied a season and career high with seven receptions, all of which came in the first half. Also in the first half, running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 63 yards and extended his streak of consecutive games he’s played in with a touchdown to six in a row.

Most notably, however, Heisman Trophy candidate Marvin Harrison Jr. accounted for three total scores (one rushing and two passing), all in the first half. He finished with seven catches for 149 yards, too.

“I just feel like we’re getting all of our pieces back,” Day said. “And I think you’re starting to see our identity start to forge a little bit, what we’re doing on offense.”

It started with quarterback Kyle McCord playing the best game of his Buckeyes career. He completed 21-of-25 first-half attempts for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He rounded out the night with a personal-best 335 passing yards despite not playing in the fourth quarter.

McCord’s ball placement was great, thanks to improved footwork, and he looked better on his wrapped up left ankle as well. And, maybe most importantly, McCord was turnover free.

“I feel like we’re starting to peak at the right time and get things rolling, which is good,” McCord said postgame. “But, obviously, I think that all starts during the week — the reps in practice and watching that extra film. I think that’s really what allowed me to play a step ahead today.”

The next step for the Buckeyes is them carrying over their fast start against Michigan State to this week’s Senior Day home finale versus Minnesota, the program’s last tune-up before The Game on Nov. 25.

Ohio State holds steady in Week 12 AP Top 25

Although the Buckeyes were No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for the second week in a row, they remained No. 3 in the Week 12 AP Top 25.

Georgia, which received 54 first-place votes this time around, is still No. 1 after its 52-17 blowout win over now-No. 13 Ole Miss. Michigan stayed at No. 2 in the aftermath of its 24-15 victory at now-No. 12 Penn State — a triumph that came without head coach Jim Harbaugh, who isn’t allowed on the Wolverines’ sidelines the rest of the regular season.

For the complete Top 25, head on over here.

Report card: Grading Buckeyes blowout win over Michigan State

Ohio State improved to 10-0, including 7-0 in Big Ten competition, with its 35-point win over Michigan State this past weekend. The Buckeyes finally got to breathe easy in the second half, emptying out their bench and getting the youth of their roster valuable snaps.

Lettermen Row put a bow on Ohio State’s runaway victory versus the Spartans with grades for each side of the ball and the overall performance.

Check it out here.

RELATED

• Buckeye Leaves: After game of firsts and Heisman buzz, Marvin Harrison Jr. still true to himself

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Minnesota: 5 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 12 days

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