COLUMBUS — The Ohio State offense reverted to type on Saturday, and wow is that a fun type to watch.
The Buckeyes struggled, for them, through a couple of subpar offensive performances in their last two wins over Penn State and at Nebraska. OSU scored just two touchdowns in their previous nine trips into the red zone, too.
But coach Ryan Day’s team looked like it might have the nation’s best offense in destroying Purdue 59-31 in a chilly, windy Ohio Stadium.
“We score 59 points on offense, and the defense gave up 31. So, the good news is that we’re kind of helping each other out, but we’re still looking for that complete game,” Day said. “We’ve had some complete games, but that’s that’s part of winning football in November. Bringing it every week. You have to help each other out.”
The fifth-ranked Buckeyes improved to 9-1 overall, 7-0 in the Big Ten with two monster challenges looming against a pair of Top 10 foes — home next week vs. Michigan State and the regular-season finale at Michigan.
“It is going to be a challenge,” Day said. “They are both very good teams. Michigan State’s coming in here and we have to get back to playing consistent football.
“That’s what it is in November. This is a typical November game in the Big Ten. It’s the wind, it’s cold, and so that’s what we’ve got to do. The best teams play well in November.”
The Buckeyes scored on nine of their 11 possessions. OSU finished their first six drives with touchdowns and rolled up 624 yards of offense against the No. 19 Boilermakers, who dropped to 6-4, 4-3.
“We want to make sure every drive we’re scoring touchdowns,” Day said. “We did much better tonight.”
Purdue coach Jeff Brohm became a believer after seeing the offensive juggernaut shred his defense.
“Everyone knows Ohio State has a ton of talent,” Brohm said. “Their line is sensational. Their quarterback is really good. They got skill guys all across the board, running backs as well. If they want to pass every play they can. If they want to run every play they can and still go down and score.”
Ohio State flashed its versatility from the opening kick. It was 21-7 after the first quarter, and 45-17 at halftime.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud hit 31-of-38 passes for 361 yards and five touchdowns. Receiver Garrett Wilson had an enormous return after sitting out last week to injury. He became the first player in school history to score three touchdowns receiving and one rushing. He caught 10 passes on 11 targets for 126 yards and added a 51-yard TD dash.
“You want a guy like Garrett out there,” Stroud said. “He’s a great player to have. His routes speak for himself – he gets open time in and time out. Last week, the younger players stepped up well, but it’s great to have G5 (Garrett Wilson) out there.”
Without Wilson, the Buckeyes struggled at last-place Nebraska, earning a 26-17 win that wasn’t clinched until the final two minutes. The Texan’s dynamic skill set showed up immediately against Purdue.
“Honestly, I just came out here and did what I love doing,” Wilson said. “I missed last week not being able to be out there with my brothers and to come back and be able to go out there on offense and have the game I had, it feels good for sure.
“I feel very confident with the ball in my hands. I’ve always had the ball in my hands so, again, I’m just doing what I love and it’s fun to be out there for sure. Running into the end zone with Buckeye Nation cheering is definitely exhilarating.”
Day said the offensive lapses in the last two weeks, which included settling for eight field goals, created pressure to finish drives with seven points instead of three.
“I thought we moved the line of scrimmage,” Day said. “It’s certainly something we’ve spent some time talking about as an offense. Finishing drives in the red zone, it’s always something we talk about a lot but the last couple weeks have been a point of emphasis, so that was well done across the board.”
Defensively, some of the cracks that were seen earlier this year were again exposed.
Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell completed 40-of-52 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver David Bell had 11 catches for 103 yards while teammate Milton Wright collected seven receptions for 98 yards and a score. Brohm’s squad registered 28 first downs and 481 yards of total offense.
“We dropped eight a lot. With a three-man rush, you’re not always going to get as many (pressures),” Day said. “That’s the decision that’s made and I think, again, we’ll learn from it and figure out if it’s efficient or not.
“But certainly, you don’t want to give up 31 points in a game. I think when you look at the last couple of weeks, when the offense hasn’t been exactly stellar, the defense played really, really well.”
Still, Ohio State’s explosive offense was simply too much to overcome.
Running back Miyan Williams gained 117 yards on 14 carries and freshman TreVeyon Henderson added 98 yards on 13 attempts, including a 57-yard TD jaunt. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught nine passes for 139 yards and a score, while Chris Olave added nine receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
“They were hitting on all cylinders today, they’re a playoff caliber team,” Brohm said. “They outplayed us, outmanned us, and beat us in every category. They easily have a chance to win it all.”
