Ohio State dispatches a reeling Maryland team 45-16 and sets sights on a massive matchup against the Hoosiers next week.

Ohio State hosted the Terrapins amidst what may be the toughest stretch of schedule in the country (@Iowa, MD, @IU, @USC and Oregon). With both teams banged up, the Buckeyes looked to take care of business and get the roster healthy for the tough road ahead.

Ohio State would start their opening drive from their 32 yard-line. The run game struggled to get going on the opening drive as OSU was forced to punt from their own 48, leading to yet another touchback punt from Joey McGuire. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, the defense forced a three-and-out, followed by a 31-yard punt return by Phillip Bell to the Maryland 36. On Ohio State’s third play, a red-hot Jeremiah Smith caught a short pass 33 yards to the house as OSU struck first for a 7-0 lead.

After committing a kickoff penalty, Maryland followed up with a false start on the first play of their drive. Unable to gain yardage, the Terps were forced into another three-and-out. Ohio State would take over at their own 31 with just under 7:00 to go in the first quarter. On 3rd and 7, while trying to escape the pocket, Julian Sayin was hit from behind, fumbled, and Maryland recovered at the OSU 32.

The Terps got one first down but were stifled from there and settled for a 39-yard field goal to make it 7-3 OSU. Quality man coverage in the end zone on 3rd down from Safety Earl Little Jr. proved to be the difference on the drive. Legend Bey took the kick but slipped around the OSU 30, and the Buckeyes took over with under 4 minutes to go in the quarter.

On the very first play of the drive, Julian Sayin found Nate Roberts up the seam for an explosive 68-yard touchdown reception, extending the OSU lead to 14-3. Whatever Ryan Day said to Julian after his fumble apparently resonated with him.

Maryland would take over as the rain fell harder in Columbus. On their first 3rd down, Terps WR Chris Durr Jr. would have a would-be conversion slip through his hands. However, a roughing-the-passer penalty on Beau Atkinson bailed out Maryland and immediately moved them to midfield as the first quarter came to a close.

After a pair of runs and a James Smith offsides penalty moved the Terps into OSU territory, RB DeJuan Williams gashed the Buckeyes for 13 yards into the red zone. After reaching the OSU 9, the Buckeyes committed back-to-back penalties. One erased a tackle for loss, and the other nudged Maryland even closer to the end zone. The Terps capitalized and punched it in to cut Ohio State’s lead to 14-10. Penalties were becoming a major issue, and Coach Day was visibly livid on the sideline.

After establishing a solid run game for the first time in the contest, OSU marched into Maryland territory with ease. Then, lightning struck again as Jeremiah Smith showcased his speed and took a bubble screen 40 yards to the house for his second touchdown. With that, OSU took a 21-10 lead with 8:32 to go in the half.

Maryland once again took over on offense amid constant rain and again struggled to move the ball. The Buckeyes’ defense bows up to force another three-and-out as Earl Little Jr. once again makes a clutch pass break up on 3rd down. OSU takes over at their own 36 after the punt.

On the second play of the drive, Julian Sayin finds Chris Henry Jr. downfield for a 46-yard reception, and the Buckeyes quickly get into the red zone. Unfortunately, OSU’s sixth penalty of the half backed them into a 3rd-and-20 that they couldn’t convert. Connor Hawkins then made a 40-yard field goal to put Ohio State up 24-10 with 5:55 remaining.

Maryland managed one first down, but the OSU defensive line forced Terps QB Malik Washington to run backward and heave the ball out of bounds to force a punt. However, Maryland tried to fake the punt, but OSU stuffed it, much to Coach Day’s delight.

After taking over in their own territory, OSU’s run game steamrolled down the field on Ja’Kobi Jackson’s legs. Once in the red zone, Jeremiah Smith made one of the more surreal one-handed catches you’ll ever see for a first down- in the rain. Julian Sayin then rolled out to his right on a 4th-and-goal and delivered a bullet to TE Mason Williams for his fourth TD pass of the half. The Buckeyes extend their lead to 31-10 at halftime.

Notable Halftime Stats:

Julian Sayin: 9/14 for 203 yards and 4 TD

Jeremiah Smith: 3 receptions for 81 yards and 2 TD

Eddrick Houston: 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL

The Terrapins began the second half with the ball but were quickly forced to punt, largely due to an 8-yard loss at the hands of Qua Russaw. OSU ran the ball six of the first seven plays of the drive that started at its own 13-yard line. That said, after a near interception and fumble from Julian Sayin while battling the elements, the Buckeyes were forced to punt.

After yet another stalled drive from Maryland, Ohio State would take over at its own 31. A 12-yard reception would start the drive, followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Maryland. However, immediately after the penalty, Terps linebacker Daniel Wingate picked Julian Sayin’s errand pass at the 52-yard line for a pick-six as Sayin was hit, cutting the OSU lead to 31-16 after a failed 2-point conversion.

Ohio State stormed back on the next drive as Sayin operated with ruthless efficiency. Once the Buckeyes got into Maryland territory, Bo Jackson tore through the Terrapin defense for a 25-yard touchdown run to put OSU up 38-16 with just over 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Ryan Day finally saw the explosive run he’s been waiting for out of these backs. After taking over on offense, the Terps could only sustain a drive to finish the quarter, punting back to OSU at the start of the 4th.

The Buckeyes then put together a masterful touchdown drive, a theme for OSU in the 4th quarter this year. Day’s offense ran 16 plays for 72 yards while eating just under 10 minutes of game clock. Bo Jackson capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and OSU’s lead swelled to 45-16.

45-16 would be the final tally as Ohio State takes care of a struggling Maryland squad. Austin Siereveld’s status will be something to watch throughout the week, but OSU finished the game with no major injuries or concerns. Ryan Day’s team will now look ahead to a massive clash with Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers next week.