Ohio State's tight ends saw an opportunity to prove they're more than run blockers in the matchup against Maryland on Oct. 10.
"We can execute and show other teams that we're a threat," Ohio State tight end Nate Roberts said. "We're a threat in the pass game."
Roberts and Mason Williams both caught touchdown passes in Ohio State's 45-16 win over the Terrpains at Ohio Stadium. Roberts grabbed a 68-yard throw from quarterback Julian Sayin in the first quarter. It was Roberts' lone reception, but the sophomore is the Buckeyes' fourth-most prolific receiver with 10 catches. His 160 yards rank him third on the team, and he has two touchdowns.
Two drives after Roberts scored, sophomore Williams shook off coverage to record his first touchdown as a Buckeye
on a 1-yard reception.
"He's such a smart player, and a gritty player," Roberts said. "And just seeing that right in front of my eyes, the ball was going to him, and it was great seeing him that excited."
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith set an expectation for the tight ends to be more involved in the receiving game, especially once starting wide receivers Brandon Innis and Devin McCuin were ruled out with unspecified injuries.
"He really made an emphasis on the tight end group that we needed to step up for this offense," Roberts said. "That's exactly what we did today. Me and Mason getting into the end zone was big time. So, just trying to develop, and I think we're being challenged each week."
While Roberts wanted to make an impact as a receiver, the tight end group still needed to perform well as blockers to ensure the running backs could also step up behind a patchwork offensive line beset with injuries and illness.
Ohio State ran for 207 yards against Maryland, its first 200-yard rushing game since its season-opening win over Ball State on Sept. 5. Running back Bo Jackson led the Buckeyes with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns, scoring his second on a 2-yard carry made possible by a block from Williams.
The dirty work the tight ends are asked to do makes their scoring opportunities mean even more to their teammates.
"It's awesome to see those guys get in the end zone," Sayin said. "Oftentimes you see them blocking defensive linemen, and then they're out there running routes on safeties and linebackers. So, their versatility is a big weapon to this offense."
The Buckeyes shift their focus to the upcoming road game against No. 5 Indiana, which Roberts said he began thinking about the minute the clock hit 0:00 in the Maryland matchup.
"We're going to have some extra momentum going into this game that we need," Roberts said. "And we're going to take as much momentum going into this game as possible."
bmackay@dispatch.com
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State's tight ends with wide receivers out vs Maryland
