COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State coach Ryan Day says he’s still trying to determine just how good the Buckeyes are after a fourth straight blowout win.
He might start to find out more next week.
The sixth-ranked Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) trounced Miami (Ohio) 76-5 on Saturday and now prepare for a rugged stretch of Big Ten games beginning with a visit to Nebraska and then a home game against Michigan State.
“Maybe midway through the season, we’ll have a better idea,” Day said. “I do think that we’re playing with a lot of passion, we’re playing hard, we’re playing tough. That’s clear to see, but again, we go on the road and that’s a big test next week. I think I’ll have a better idea next week.”
One thing for sure is that quarterback Justin Fields is turning out to be something special.
The sophomore Georgia transfer threw four touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores in the second quarter alone before taking a seat and letting his two backups mop up in the second half. Fields has accounted for 19 touchdowns in the first four games.
The Buckeyes — victimized by an early Fields end-zone fumble and safety — only led 7-5 after the first quarter. But that changed quickly as Fields hit K.J. Hill with a 53-yard touchdown pass — the longest of his career — and then ran for a 7-yard score just 32 seconds later. It was all Ohio State the rest of the way.
Fields finished 14 for 21 for 223 yards, also throwing two touchdown passes to Chris Olave and another to Binjimen Victor .
“We defended him as well as we could,” Miami coach Chuck Martin said. “We just couldn’t get the big son of a gun on the ground.”
Miami freshman quarterback Brett Gabbert was 5 for 15 for 48 yards and an interception before getting injured and leaving the game in favor of Jackson Williams in the second quarter. The RedHawks (1-3) were held to 130 total yards.
The game was suspended because of lightning with 2:40 left and then was declared over by consent of the two head coaches.
BAD BREAK EARLY
Fields committed his first turnover of the season when Miami linebacker Myles Reid batted the ball out his hand and it trickled out of the back of the end zone for a safety that gave the RedHawks an early lead. Miami kicked a field goal and led 5-0 before Ohio State scored the next 76 points.
Fields says falling behind didn’t startle him.
“Coach always tells us we’re eventually going to get punched in the face,” he said. “It’s just about how we respond.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Miami: The RedHawks, despite hanging tough in the opening quarter, are probably glad to have this one behind them. They didn’t have the talent to keep it close.
“We got a good bounce early and that helped us early, and then they settled in,” Martin said.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are speeding along and flattening overmatched opponents. Fields continues to show his immense potential. The larger challenges are still ahead in the dog days of a tough Big Ten stretch.
“We’ve got a lot of momentum right now,” linebacker Baron Browning said. “We just need to keep our momentum going and keep getting better, not focus on who we’re playing, just keep getting better. That was our focus and the mission for the day.”
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Another blowout of an overmatched team likely isn’t going to impress voters, even with gaudy numbers from Fields.
CHASING THE QB
All-America defensive end Chase Young delivered two sacks, both of which led to Miami fumbles that the Buckeyes recovered. Young has recorded seven sacks this season.
“It was just a good, good defensive effort,” Young said. “Hopefully we can try to do that against Nebraska.”
QUOTABLE
“It’s pretty awesome, it’s not fun to go against, but pretty awesome to see how many explosive athletes they got,” Martin said.
UP NEXT
Miami: Hosts Buffalo next Saturday.
Ohio State: At Nebraska next Saturday night.
Ohio State stats
Miami (Ohio) 5 0 0 0 = 5
Ohio St. 7 42 14 13 = 76
First Quarter
MOH—safety, 12:00
MOH—FG Sloman 21, 7:25
OSU—Dobbins 26 run (Haubeil kick), 5:16
Second Quarter
OSU—Hill 53 pass from Fields (Haubeil kick), 14:36
OSU—Fields 7 run (Haubeil kick), 14:04
OSU—Fields 6 run (Haubeil kick), 8:37
OSU—Olave 13 pass from Fields (Haubeil kick), 5:06
OSU—Victor 30 pass from Fields (Haubeil kick), 2:14
OSU—Olave 10 pass from Fields (Haubeil kick), :53
Third Quarter
OSU—Wilson 38 pass from Chugunov (Haubeil kick), 9:00
OSU—Crowley 7 pass from Chugunov (Haubeil kick), 2:15
Fourth Quarter
OSU—J.Williams 61 pass from Hoak (Haubeil kick), 13:59
OSU—Chambers 2 run (kick failed), 3:02
———
MOH OSU
First downs 10 30
Rushes-yards 43-70 42-227
Passing 60 374
Comp-Att-Int 7-20-1 22-30-0
Return Yards 11 64
Punts-Avg. 9-36.66 2-53.5
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 2-1
Penalties-Yards 4-50 6-52
Time of Possession 30:00 27:02
———
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Miami (Ohio), M.Thomas 8-44, Burton 5-12, Kahn 7-12, Gabbert 4-9, Shelton 6-9, D.Johnson 6-4, Mayer 1-2, (Team) 2-(minus 2), J.Williamson 4-(minus 20). Ohio St., Chambers 8-63, Dobbins 8-52, Fields 9-36, Teague 11-34, Crowley 4-22, McCall 1-10, McMahon 1-10.
PASSING—Miami (Ohio), Gabbert 5-15-1-48, J.Williamson 2-5-0-12. Ohio St., Fields 14-21-0-223, Chugunov 6-7-0-86, Hoak 2-2-0-65.
RECEIVING—Miami (Ohio), Sorenson 4-42, Mayock 1-10, M.Thomas 1-4, Maye 1-4. Ohio St., Wilson 4-54, Victor 3-42, Olave 3-30, Hill 2-78, J.Williams 2-74, Ruckert 1-24, Teague 1-17, Berry 1-16, Gardiner 1-10, Dobbins 1-9, Hausmann 1-9, Crowley 1-7, McCall 1-4.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.