Wisconsin can’t stop Ohio State as Buckeyes fly to 31-7 lead: Doug Lesmerises halftime thoughts

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Halftime ideas from Ohio Stadium with the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes forward of the Wisconsin Badgers 31-7:

* Ohio State was held to a area aim on its fifth drive of the half. It was the primary time within the final two video games that the Buckeyes had the ball within the first half and didn’t rating a landing. They hit the tip zone on all six first-half possessions towards Toledo final week, and on the primary 4 possessions Saturday night time.

* The Buckeyes are taking part in with out their prime three cornerbacks due to harm — Denzel Burke, Cam Brown and Jordan Hancock. It didn’t matter. Second-year participant J.Okay. Johnson and true freshman Jyaire Brown began at nook and held it down. On a Wisconsin third-down throw late within the half, Brown’s protection on Wisconsin receiver Skyler Bell pressured an incompletion. I assumed Wisconsin may attempt to run broad extra to place these younger corners in place to should cease the run, however that didn’t occur a lot. Three accidents at a place that was already possibly the thinnest on the roster felt prefer it could possibly be an issue. It wasn’t.

* Ryan Day schemed up revered Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and had his approach. Wisconsin was giving up a mean of 9 performs per recreation of 10 yards or extra coming into the sport. Ohio State gained at the least 10 yards on 14 of its first 22 performs. C.J. Stroud picked aside the Badgers’ secondary, finishing 10 of 15 passes for 142 yards. He did miss a pair throws, main tight finish Cade Stover too far on a ball that would have been a landing to arrange a area aim on the fifth drive. On Ohio State’s sixth drive, Stroud missed Marvin Harrison Jr. and was intercepted for the primary time this season.

* Ohio State’s offensive line blew open massive holes persistently. Miyan Williams averaged 9.2 yards per carry (11 for 101) and TreVeyon Henderson averaged 6.5 yards (12 for 78).

* Oh, Ohio State’s finest ability participant, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, remains to be out with a hamstring harm. He’s not taking part in for the third straight recreation since getting damage within the first half of the opener towards Notre Dame. Which means Harrison and Julian Fleming have been the surface receivers and Emeka Egbuka changed JSN within the slot. Egbuka had two catches for 46 yards.

* Stover continues to be a fully major a part of the passing assault. He had 4 catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns and will have had extra. One potential catch was jarred unfastened after he went up for a excessive Stroud move over the center and was flipped on the sort out and landed on his head, and the ball popped out. And Stroud practically had him on that different throw to the tip zone.

* I requested all offseason, “What if Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is sweet?” He wasn’t. He performed fairly properly by way of the primary three video games, however his early misfire on the primary drive was intercepted by Tanner McCalister to arrange an OSU TD. He missed different throws, didn’t regarded comfy within the pocket, was no risk when he tried to run, and completed the half 6 of 12 for 49 yards.

* Star Wisconsin working again Braelon Allen? Simply eight carries for 36 yards.

Extra OSU protection

Denzel Burke not taking part in towards Wisconsin; Ohio State soccer down each beginning cornerbacks

What Denzel Burke and Cam Brown’s absences imply for Ohio State soccer’s cornerbacks vs. Wisconsin

What Jaxon-Smith Njigba’s absence means for C.J. Stroud and Ohio State soccer’s different receivers

Which Ohio State soccer gamers are unavailable towards Wisconsin?

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: Watch dwell school soccer for FREE (9/24/22)

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin soccer preview: All the things you want to know earlier than kickoff

Ohio State soccer vs. Wisconsin: Recreation Time Selections for the Buckeyes’ recreation towards the Badgers

Get the newest Ohio State Buckeyes merchandise: Right here’s the place you possibly can order Ohio State soccer gear on-line, together with jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and far more.

Should you or a liked one has questions and wishes to speak to an expert about playing, name the Ohio Downside Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Nationwide Council on Program Playing Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.