Northwestern University VS Ohio State Buckeyes
The Big Ten East Champions Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) faced off against the Big Ten West Champions Northwestern University ((8-4).
The Wildcats won the toss and deferred the ball to the second half. The Buckeyes started their first drive from their own 23. The Buckeyes drove down the field with ease as D. Haskins hit T. McLaurin for a TD, a 10 play 77 yard drive in 4:29. Extra Point was good. Northwestern 0 Ohio State 7.
Northwestern could not get much going on their first possession of the game and had to punt the ball away.
With 6:45 left in the 1st quarter J. Moten took a hand off and ran 77 yards to the house to tie the game at 7 apiece. Extra point was good. Northwestern 7 Ohio State 7
Ohio state wasted no time going back down field and putting up 7 more as J.K. Dobbins ran up the middle to complete an 8 play 65 yard drive in 2:58.
End of 1st Quarter Northwestern 7 Ohio State 14
During the first half of the 2nd quarter both quarterbacks made bad decisions as they both threw interceptions.
Chase Young put his stamp on the game forcing a Northwestern fumble as he hit Wildcat quarterback (C. Thorson) for the second Wildcat turnover of the game. The Wildcats were able to get a moral victory as the defense held the Buckeyes to a field goal. Northwestern 7 Ohio State 17
Just when you thought the 1st half was going to end with the score Northwestern 7 Ohio State 17 D. Haskins hit McLaurin for a long TD Pass. Extra Point was good. Northwestern 7 Ohio State 24
Dwayne Haskins 18/22 249 yards, 2TD, 1Int (Most in 1st half in Big Ten Championship game history)
Northwestern 7 Ohio State 24
The beginning of the second half started and it appeared it was a good decision for the Wildcats to defer the ball in the 1st half as they came out and scored on their first possession of the 2nd half. The drive went for 5 plays 75 yards, Thorsen 18 yard rushing TD. Northwestern 14 Ohio State 24
Northwestern’s defense stood their ground as the Buckeyes had to punt the ball back to the Wildcats, the Wildcats were moving downfield without much resistance from the Buckeyes and had a scare at the Buckeye two yard line, as it looked as if they fumbled the ball on the two. After a pause in action to review the play, the play was called a catch by the Wildcats, 1st and goal. Wildcats called a play fake and scored on a 2 yard TD pass to C. Green. Extra Point was good. Northwestern 21 Ohio State 24
The Ohio State University forced an interception with about 6 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, giving themselves at least a chance at a field goal. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes the Wildcats’ Jordan Thompson forced a turnover of his own stripping Buckeye RB Weber and causing a turnover. The Wildcats defense refused to give up handing their offense the ball once again.
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With less than 1:30 left in the 3rd, Haskins hit freshman C. Olave for a 29 yard TD pass. XP good. Northwestern 21 Ohio State 31
Northwestern again caught a break as the Buckeyes attempted a field goal but instead got blocked by the Cats. The Wildcats special teams unit gave the Wildcats offense another chance to close the gap. The Wildcat offense came out firing after the missed field goal, completing passes of 33 and 15 plus yards. They then got to the 17 yard line of Ohio State after a pass interference call. After 3rd and goal the Wildcats decided to kick a field goal to cut the game to a one score game. 21 Yard field goal was good. Northwestern 24 Ohio State 31
Ohio State responded in no time with a Haskins TD throw, Buckeyes score. Northwestern 24 Ohio State 38
It appeared the Buckeyes sealed the game with 6:41 left on the clock forcing the Wildcats to turn the ball over on downs.
The Buckeyes took that opportunity to put more points on the board as Buckeye QB Haskins hit RB Dobbins for another TD. Haskins 499 passing yards 5TD and 1Int. Northwestern 24 Ohio State 45
Ohio State Back to Back Big Ten Champs!!! Will they get a playoff birth????