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Justin Fields explains how he can improve for Week 2 matchup with Penn State
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Justin Fields has the required perspective as No. 3 Ohio State navigates a 2020 season in which they’re striving for a national championship.
The talented quarterback was stellar in a 52-17 victory vs. Nebraska in Week 1. Fields was incredibly efficient, completing 20 of his 21 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing score.
Ohio State has a road showdown at No. 18 Penn State on Saturday next up on the docket (6:30 p.m CST/ABC). With a single loss potentially curbing their dreams, Fields is maturely taking a one game at a time approach.
Justin Fields said he doesn’t think it’s hard to stay focused on one week at a time, because he and his teammates know that if they lose just one game, that could prevent them from achieving their goals.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 28, 2020
Fields is devoting all of his energy on Penn State; not on the success against Nebraska or anything else down the line.
Fields says he has to manage expectations and not get ahead of themselves or dwell in the past. They have to just focus on Penn State right now, and not worry about what did or didn’t happen against Nebraska, and can’t look ahead at the Playoff or something else.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) October 28, 2020
Fields’ spin move touchdown against Nebraska was impressive to fans and the media, but he actually didn’t consider it A-worthy.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields meeting with the media this morning.
Said he would grade his spin move on Saturday’s rushing touchdown as a “B.” pic.twitter.com/Nn1008tzjO
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 28, 2020
Additionally, Fields isn’t resting on his laurels. Fields lists a couple areas in which he’s aiming to improve.
Fields says he knows he needs to keep his eyes downfield longer, and also probably needs to throw the ball away more.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) October 28, 2020
Fields believes Nebraska defenders were using dirty tactics against him but doesn’t anticipate the same from Penn State.
Fields says guys tried to twist his ankle in the pile at times last weekend. He said that tends to happen more against teams that are bigger longshots.
He says better teams, which are better coached, don’t tend to do that as much in his experience.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) October 28, 2020
Fields raves about the communication he has with center Josh Myers. The duo work in tandem on each play to make sure everything is set properly.
Fields says his communication with Josh Myers is a two-way street. Myers sets the line, but if Fields recognizes something, he can move the protection somewhere else.
The quarterback trumps the line because he can see the whole field better than the line.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) October 28, 2020
Fields added that the tremendous touchdown reception by Jaxon Smith-Njigba comes as no shock to his teammates.
“It’s not really surprising to see that catch he made. He does it all the time in practice.” – Justin Fields on Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s circus catch for a touchdown against Nebraska.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) October 28, 2020
Plenty of fascinating quotes by Fields. It’ll be fun to see what kind of performance he puts up on the national stage on Saturday night.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.