Ad Disclosure
Rapid Reaction: Ohio State overwhelms Cincinnati, looks flawless against in-state rival
Published:
Final Score: #5 Ohio State 42 Cincinnati 0
Brief Recap: Ohio State-Cincinnati was supposed to be a hard-fought football game, but by halftime, the Buckeyes led 28-0. It was the same score that Ohio State took into halftime against Florida Atlantic to start the season. The difference in this game was that the Buckeyes dominated from start to finish. The offense kept its foot on the gas and the defense didn’t let up. The Owls scored 21 points, but against a more talented Cincinnati offense, Ohio State kept at it, which was impressive in what ended up being a shutout.
Key Moment: In the early part of the second quarter, Buckeye defensive end Chase Young blocked a field goal when Ohio State led 7-0. Cincinnati had a chance to gain momentum and tighten the game as the contest was still close. On this play, however, Young showed his brilliance. He ripped through the defender and used his athleticism to shut the door on Cincinnati’s best chance at scoring points all afternoon long.
Key Stat: Ohio State ran the ball 46 times for 270 yards. Again, Cincinnati is no joke. If there has been an issue with the Buckeyes’ offense over the last year and change, it has been the fact that they have been a much better throwing team than a running one. In this game, quarterback Justin Fields was brilliant through the air. But between running backs J.K. Dobbins and freshman Master Teague III, the Buckeye backfield tandem combined for 201 yards on 28 carries while scoring two touchdowns. Hats off to Ohio State’s offensive line showing its dominance.
Key Player: Justin Fields. Ohio State’s QB was making his second-ever start as a Buckeye and many were wondering how he would fare against an upset-minded Bearcats team. The stat-line shows it all, as the Georgia transfer and former five-star prospect finished the game going 20-of-25 for 224 yards and 2 TD. If Fields continues to play like this against B1G opponents, the Buckeyes should be favored in every game.
What it Means: Ohio state was supposed to win this game. The question was going to be how the Buckeyes — and Fields — would look against a better team in Cincinnati. That question was answered when Fields was consistently great and the Buckeyes kept dominating on both sides of the ball throughout the entire football game. They currently look like the best team in the Big Ten, and in Columbus, that is always the expectation.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.