COLUMBUS, Ohio — Oho State football’s Twitter announcement for defensive player of the game from Saturday’s 56-7 victory over Michigan State featured several linemen sharing a Donato’s pizza.
They should have been full after feasting on the Spartans for the previous four hours.
The Buckeye defensive line collected 12 quarterback hurries, four knockdowns, six tackles for loss, five tipped passes and 2.5 sacks. They were also instrumental in limiting MSU running back Kenneth Walker III — the nation’s leading rusher coming in — to 25 yards on six carries before the Spartans simply shut him down.
The performance was clearly a gratifying one for the defensive front. Ever since Minnesota and Oregon ran so effectively in the season’s first two games, the OSU defense has been waiting for another true test on the ground to prove it could not be gashed quite so easily anymore.
Saturday’s lopsided score certainly played a role in MSU’s inability to establish a ground game, but the defense also had its say in why the Spartans folded so quickly.
“We have a lot of new faces, or we had a lot of new faces,” defensive tackle Haskell Garrett said. “Now those guys have experience with the older guys, and the chemistry has been built on the field. We know how to communicate with each other and each week it’s gotten better.”
Another test in the trenches approaches Saturday in The Game. Michigan, led by running back Hassan Haskins, ranks 21st among Power 5 offenses with 5.08 yards per carry and 15th overall with 218.36 rushing yards per game.
C.J. Stroud and Chris Olave shared the spotlight on Saturday and the offensive player of the game honor on Sunday.
Stroud completed 32 of 35 passes for 432 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. He took his growing Heisman Trophy candidacy to a new stage and shined while tearing apart a top-10 opponent.
Olave caught all seven of his targets from Stroud for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Those scores made him the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions, passing David Boston.
Stroud was recognized for the fourth time, while Olave was chosen for the first time since the season-opening victory at Minnesota.
Senior cornerback Demario McCall earned special teams player of the week honors. After serving as the kickoff returner the past two seasons, the super senior has served on various coverage teams this season.
McCall was recognized for the second time this season.
Ohio State 2021 Players of the Game
MICHIGAN STATE, Nov. 20 (W, 56-7)
Offense: QB C.J. Stroud, WR Chris Olave
Defense: Entire defensive line
Special teams: CB Demario McCall
PURDUE, Nov. 13 (W, 59-31)
Offense: WR Garrett Wilson, QB C.J. Stroud
Defense: S Lathan Ransom
Special teams: WR Chris Booker
At NEBRASKA, Nov. 6 (W, 26-17)
Offense: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Defense: BUL Ronnie Hickman, DE Tyreke Smith
Special teams: K Noah Ruggles, P Jesse Mirco
PENN STATE, Oct. 30 (W, 33-24)
Offense: None
Defense: DT Jerron Cage
Special teams: K Noah Ruggles
At INDIANA, Oct. 23 (W, 54-7)
Offense: QB C.J. Stroud, TE Jeremy Ruckert
Defense: DE Zach Harrison
Special teams: LB Teradja Mitchell, CB Demario McCall
MARYLAND, Oct. 9 (66-17)
Offense: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Defense: LB Steele Chambers
Special teams: WR Emeka Egbuka
At RUTGERS, Oct. 2 (W, 52-13)
Offense: QB C.J. Stroud
Defense: BUL Ronnie Hickman
Special teams: LB Cade Kacherski, CB Demario McCall
AKRON, Sept. 25 (W, 59-7)
Offense: OT Dawand Jones, WR Garrett Wilson
Defense: DT Tyleik Williams
Special teams: P Jesse Mirco
TULSA, Sept. 18 (W, 41-20)
Offense: RB TreVeyon Henderson
Defense: S Cameron Martinez
Special teams: LB Cade Kacherski, WR Xavier Johnson
OREGON, Sept. 11 (L, 35-28)
None
At MINNESOTA, Sept. 2 (W, 45-31)
Offense: WR Chris Olave; RB Miyan Williams
Defense: DE Zach Harrison
Special teams: TE Mitch Rossi
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