OSU Report Card: Buckeyes back to winning ways

One week after pointing fingers, the Ohio State Buckeyes were doing it again Saturday. In a good way this time.

Buckeyes pointed to the sky signifying they were No. 1 in the rivalry against Michigan. It was a sharp contrast of emotion following Ohio State’s finger pointing following the loss to Michigan State.

“I feel like, as a team, this week was real hard for us,” wide receiver Michael Thomas said. “The only way that we could prove ourselves or take out our energy and show what we could do to bounce back and correct our mistakes was in this environment in this stadium. That’s the opportunity we had and when the opportunity presented itself, we dominated.”

Ohio State won its fourth straight against Michigan and spoiled the debut of Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh.

Rushing offense: Ohio State's season-high 369 yards rushing were the fourth most in the rivalry against Michigan, a team that was allowing 100.2 yards coming in. Ezekiel Elliott picked up a large chunk with 214 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. His fifth career 200-yard rushing game (second this season) tied him with Eddie George for most in OSU history.

Quarterback J.T. Barrett added 139 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. The veteran offensive line dominated a Wolverines defense that was ranked No. 2 in the nation.

“I think we had to get that hurting feeling out of us,” said Ohio State left tackle Taylor Decker. “The only way to do that is show up and dominate, especially in the rivalry game. This was just a huge game to get this feeling out of us after that tough less. That was the best way to get it out, to dominate over our rivals.” Grade: A+.

Passing offense: Barrett completed 9-of-15 passes for 113 yards and a perfectly-placed toss to Jalin Marshall for a 25-yard touchdown. The short passing game wasn't flashy — no receiver had more than two catches or more than 50 yards — but it did what it needed to sustain drives.

“It all starts up front,” Meyer said. “And I’ll say this, (co-offensive coordinator) Ed Warinner gets blistered and its part of the title that comes with it. He did an excellent job.”

The offensive line allowed one sack. Grade: B.

Rushing defense: Michigan was held to a season-low 57 yards rushing on 25 carries (2.3 yards per carry). Two-way freshman Jabrill Peppers led the Wolverines with 29 yards on seven carries and had the team's longest rush of eight yards. Grade: A.

Passing defense: Michigan's Jake Rudock threw for his fourth straight 250-yard game (263 yards) on 19-of-32 completions. He threw a 5-yard touchdown to Jehu Chesson (eight catches for 111 yards) with one minute left before halftime to pull the Wolverines within 14-10.

OSU’s Joshua Perry and Tyquan Lewis combined for a sack and Joey Bosa’s sack knocked Rudock out of the game.

Back-up Wilton Speight completed 6-of-14 passes for 44 yards. His one interception came on Bosa’s athletic play when he tipped the ball to himself then sprinted 28 yards deep into Michigan territory. Bosa added two quarterback hurries and the defense broke up four passes. GRADE: B+

Special teams: Technically Ohio State punted on its first two drives, but Michigan was called for roughing punter Cameron Johnston in the end zone to keep OSU's second drive alive. It ended in Ohio State's first touchdown. Ohio State forced four punts from Michigan.

Michigan’s Kenny Allen kicked field goals of 25 and 27 yards on an otherwise uneventful day. Grade: B

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