Ohio State dominated Minnesota from start to finish. The Buckeye defense was suffocating, the offense was explosive, and even the special teams put on a show as the Buckeyes cruised to a 42-3 victory.
Here are five things you need to know about Ohio State’s 42-3 win over Minnesota.
1. Zero Red-Zone Touchdowns
The Buckeyes have played five games, 20 quarters, and the defense has yet to allow a touchdown in the red zone. Ohio State’s defense has only allowed two touchdowns thus far. But once teams have entered the 20-yard line of Ohio State, they have yet to score a single touchdown.
If the defense can continue to keep teams out of the endzone as effectively as they have so far, this is an extremely tough team to beat. Sustained dominance from this Ohio State defense is especially sweet on a day that the former defensive coordinator allowed 42 points to an 0-4 UCLA team…
2. Julian Sayin’s Deep Accuracy
While Sayin had another effective and efficient day, it was his deep ball accuracy that stood out most. Many Buckeye fans, in our nitpicking ways, have called for Ohio State to let Sayin loose and avoid playing so conservatively. Those calls were answered.
Sayin completed passes of 48 yards, 49 yards, and a 44-yard touchdown that dropped perfectly into the hands of Carnell Tate. Sayin’s arm talent was on display all night, and he finished 23-for-27 with 326 yards and three touchdowns.
3. Carnell Tate’s Big Day
Not Buckeye fans, but many college football fans across the country forget about Carnell Tate simply because of Jeremiah Smith’s presence. Saturday night’s performance from Tate was not one that the country can ignore.
Tate reeled in nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. Tate had multiple 40+ yard receptions, and he was giving Minnesota’s secondary trouble all game long. Tate now has a touchdown in four of Ohio State’s five games thus far.
Come April, Tate will join the lineage of Ohio State wide receivers drafted in the first round.
4. Offensive Line Dominance
A key reason for Sayin’s early success has been the offensive line. Sayin was kept upright all game, with the Buckeyes’ offensive line holding Minnesota to 0 sacks. Ohio State has only allowed two sacks all season. No quarterback can survive without proper protection, and right now, the front five are dominating.
Offensive linemen usually receive little praise, but Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Tegra Tshabola, and Phillip Daniels deserve the recognition for their performance through the first five games of the season.
5. Tight End Depth and Emergence
Ohio State has unprecedented depth in the tight end room. As many as 5 tight ends have been appearing regularly in games: Max Klare, Will Kacmarek, Bennet Christian, Jelani Thurman, and Nate Roberts.
While it is clear that Ohio State’s offense loves the multiple tight end blocking sets, I believe one tight end has separated himself in the passing game. Max Klare, a transfer from Purdue, reeled in five catches for 63 yards, including a 29-yard catch.
That was Klare’s best game of the season, and the best receiving game for a Buckeye tight end this season as well. I think moving forward, Klare will continue to separate himself as the primary pass catcher in a deep tight end room.
