In the sanctuary of the locker room, at least among players that get along with each other, the Bro Code acknowledges a strict policy of discretion.
So, although none of the Ohio State players will ever publicly cop to it, Saturday’s 66-17 pounding of Maryland was what is known as “Stats Day.”
The result, barring something miraculous, was never in doubt. The Buckeyes badly outclassed the Terrapins at virtually every position. So when such a talent discrepancy is in place, it’s time to get the numbers to pad for lesser days against better teams.
Seventh-ranked Ohio State (5-1 overall, 3-0 in the Big Ten) followed that script perfectly in the blowout at Ohio Stadium.
“I definitely think that we’re putting up the numbers and we’re doing the right things,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “We practice harder than anybody, so we grind and it just feels good for it to pay off. If we can be the best offense in the country, I think that’s something that we can reach.”
Stroud completed 24-of-33 passes for 406 yards and 5 TDs. Chris Olave had 7 catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Garrett Wilson caught 5 aerials for 84 yards and 2 scores. Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauled in 5 catches for 103 yards. Freshman TreVeyon Henderson ran for 102 yards on 16 carries and added a pair of TDs.
It was the second straight week Stroud has thrown for 5 touchdowns.
“I think his preparation has been excellent,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “I think he sees the field well, he’s got some good players around him and he’s also making some really good throws.
“His timing’s been right, he’s seeing the field, he’s making good decisions, so that’s allowing us to run the offense and be very efficient.”
Ohio State racked up 598 yards and drove for a touchdown on every first-half possession save for a kneel-down in the final seconds. That effort made it 35-10 at halftime.
“Our coverage technique was obviously poor. It looked like guys were falling out of airplanes they were that wide open,” Maryland coach Mike Locklsey said. “Again, as a coaching staff, we got to do a better job calling [plays] that the guys we have can execute.
“We made that adjustment at the end of the half and started playing cover two, which took away the deep ball. We needed to stop the deep ball. We gave up too many yards. It was like 7 vs. 7 out there in the first half.”
The Ohio State defense turned in a solid effort, a major step forward from the beginning of the year. Maryland (4-2, 1-2) registered 335 total yards, and went on three long drives in the first half, but managed just 10 points.
That was nowhere near enough to keep up with the Buckeyes.
“I think when you go through a loss (against Oregon), you have to figure out what the issues are and kind of get them fixed the best you can,” Day said. “You’re not always going to be right and you want to act, but you also don’t want to overact.”
The Buckeyes have a bye next week before traveling to Indiana on Oct. 23.
The schedule really cranks up after that, with Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan among the final five foes.
