Rapid Reaction: Ohio State struggles to hold off Maryland, but gets by 43-30

A week before the Big Ten’s dream matchup, both teams nearly suffered nightmares.

First, Michigan waited until the final seconds to edge Illinois, and then Ohio State ended up following a similar script before putting away Maryland 43-30 to stay undefeated into next weekend’s matchup with the Wolverines.

The Buckeyes were in real danger until the final minute, when a defensive touchdown with 9 seconds left put the game away. The Terps put up a heck of a fight a week after being shut out 30-0 by Penn State.

The game featured 50 combined points in the second half after Maryland led 13-10 at the break.

TreVeyon Henderson returned for the Buckeyes, but struggled to assert himself in the ground game, although he did manage a 31-yard touchdown reception. Freshman running back Dallan Hayden played well instead, managing 3 rushing touchdowns and eclipsing 100 yards rushing.

OSU QB CJ Stroud struggled with consistency, although he did eclipse 240 yards and emerged with the victory. Maryland was led by junior QB Taulia Tagovailoa, who had a nearly perfect first half to try to spring the upset, and approached 300 yards passing for the game.

Ohio State opened the game with a 6-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Stroud connecting with Henderson for the 31-yard score. The extra point made it 7-0 Buckeyes with 13:28 left in the first quarter and seemed to suggest a potential blowout.

But Maryland answered with a 61-yard drive that ended in a 31-yard field goal by Chad Ryland to pull within 7-3. After a 3-and-out from Ohio State, Maryland drove for another field goal, this one a 21-yard kick for Ryland to pull the Terps within 7-6 with 3:52 left in the first quarter.

After the teams traded punts, Ohio State extended its lead with a 33-yard Noah Ruggles field goal. That drive included a pair of 3rd down passes from Stroud to continue moving the ball, including a 3rd-and-10 connection with Julian Fleming for 25 yards from OSU’s own 10. Ohio State led 10-6 with 10:02 remaining in the first half. But Maryland responded with a 75-yard march in 14 plays. The drive finished with a 1-yard pass from Tagovailoa to CJ Dippre to give Maryland a 13-10 lead, which the Terps held into halftime.

After intermission, Ohio State took control initially with special teams. On Maryland’s first drive, Ohio State’s Lathan Ransom blocked his second punt in 2 weeks. Denzel Burke scooped up the block and returned it to the Maryland 14-yard line. Two plays later, freshman running back Dallan Hayden ran left for an 8-yard touchdown to return Ohio State to the lead, 17-13. After a 3-and-out, Ohio State drove for a 47-yard Ruggles field goal, extending the Buckeyes’ edge to 20-13 with 7:52 left in the third quarter.

Ohio State then opened the edge farther with an 11-play, 88-yard march to end the quarter, finishing with Dallan Hayden scoring his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run.  Hayden converted a pair of 3rd down runs earlier on the drive. A third down pass interference penalty also helped keep the drive alive, to the angst of Maryland coach Mike Locksley. Ohio State then led 27-13 with 16 seconds left in the third quarter. In total, the third quarter featured a 125-45 yardage edge for the Buckeyes, in addition to the 17-0 bump on the scoreboard.

Maryland opened the 4th quarter with a 6-play, 75-yard drive to pull within one score. Tagovailoa rushed 5 yards for the touchdown and then completed a 2-point pass to Jacob Copeland to pull Maryland within 27-21 with 13:53 to play.

Special teams again rescued the Buckeyes, as Xavier Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 46 yards to give the Buckeyes a short field. Ohio State capitalized with a 13-yard run for Hayden to push the OSU edge back to 33-21, although Maryland blocked the extra point and returned it for 2 points, making the score 33-23 with 12:36 to play.

Tagovailoa and the Terps answered, marching 74 yards on 7 plays. Maryland went for a 4th-and-goal at the 1 and Tagovailoa seemed to have no real options before firing a scoring dart to Jeshaun Jones at the last second. The extra point made it 33-30 with with 9:49 left.

Ohio State turned the ball over on downs, but the Buckeye defense stiffened and forced a punt.

Ohio State moves to 11-0 and will finish with 11-0 Michigan next week in the game that will be the talk of the nation. Maryland falls to 6-5 and will host Rutgers next Saturday.

Joe Cox

Veteran college writer Joe Cox covers Ohio State and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.