Win #2 of the 2022 football season is in the books, as Ohio State beats the Arkansas State Red Wolves by a final score of 45-12. The Buckeyes unfortunately did not cover the spread, since they were favored by 44.5 points, and only won by 33. But aside from that, I was pleased with the vast majority of the game. Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory to see how Ohio State looked in this one.
Impose your will early with the running game: The Buckeyes were getting the job done on the ground today. As a team, they rushed for a total of 168 yards on 26 carries. TreVeyon Henderson carried the ball 10 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while Miyan Williams had eight carries for 46 yards. Ohio State also averaged 6.5 yards per carry as a team. Solid day carrying the rock all around.
Take shots in the passing game: The offense struggled to get going until later in the game through the air last week against Notre Dame. That wasn't the case today against Arkansas State. CJ Stroud had a very efficient day, going 16-24 for 351 yards and four touchdowns, including averaging 14.6 yards per play through the air. Marvin Harrison Jr. was Stroud's favorite target on the day, as he hauled in seven catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns, including a beautiful 45-yard grab in stride that he took to the house!
Don't look ahead: Even though Ohio State can always improve and get better every week, it certainly didn't look like they were sleepwalking. The big, glaring issue that needs work before next week's game? Penalties. Ohio State was called for nine penalties that added up to 85 yards. That has to get better. These penalties often came at bad times, killed drives for Ohio State, and extended drives for Arkansas State. The Buckeyes got away with that this week, but they won't be able to get away with another game like that in the penalty department against teams like Wisconsin, Michigan State or Michigan once they enter the "meat grinder" part of the Big Ten schedule.
Overall, it was a pretty good day for the Buckeyes. Stroud found his footing in the passing game, the running game continued rolling along from the end of last week, and the defense kept the Red Wolves out of the end zone. But there's always room for improvement. This is certainly a talented Buckeye team. But they're also still learning to gel and work together as a cohesive, complete team. It takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day, and if these guys go anywhere big, this team won't be built in a day either. The most important thing though? Ohio State got to 2-0! Next up? A night game against the Toledo Rockets next Saturday at 7 PM. GO BUCKS!
Sources: ESPN, Buckeyes Wire via USA Today
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
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