COLUMBUS — Despite their top-10 defense, an inept Hawkeye offense couldn't keep pace with an explosive Ohio State offense, as the second-ranked Buckeyes drubbed Iowa 54-10 on Saturday.
The Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) capitalized on six Iowa turnovers Iowa, that were the most by the Hawkeyes since committing that many against Indiana in 2009. It was also the most points allowed by Iowa since a 56-35 loss to Ohio State back in 1995.
On Iowa’s first play from scrimmage, Spencer Petras threw a pass right into the arms of Tanner McCalister. Ohio State took over at the Iowa 32 but would be forced to settle for a 46-yard field goal.
Following an Iowa punt on their second drive, Hawkeye defensive end Joe Evans came through the middle untouched and smashed into C.J. Stroud, forcing him to fumble at his 11. Evans scooped up the loose ball and headed for the end zone for what would be Iowa’s only touchdown of the game..
Defensively, the Hawkeyes (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) managed to keep things in check for most of the first half, holding the Buckeyes to settle for four field goals from Noah Ruggles.
But despite the efforts of the Iowa defense, the Buckeye defense did just as much damage. With under four minutes left in the second quarter, Tommy Eichenberg picked off another Petras pass and returned it for another Ohio State score and a 26-10 lead at halftime.
Stroud found his rhythm in the second half and the Hawkeyes couldn’t keep a lid on the potent Buckeye offense, that saw Stroud throw second-half touchdowns to four different receivers.
Back up Alex Padilla took over for Petras in the third quarter and on his second play in, was picked off by McCalister at the Iowa 15.
Four plays later, Stroud threw a frozen rope to Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 6-yard scoring pass and furthered the Buckeyes lead late in the third with a 13-yard toss to Emeka Egbuka.
In the final quarter, Stroud hit Julian Fleming in stride tearing down the middle for a 79-yard score and then threw a short scoring pass to Mitch Rossi to finalize the score at 54-10.
Ohio State will be at Penn State next Saturday.
Iowa 7 3 0 0 — 10
Ohio S. 16 10 14 14 — 54
First Quarter
OSU — Noah Ruggles 46 field goal, 14:02.
IOWA — Joe Evans 11 fumble return (Drew Stevens kick), 13:00.
OSU — Miyan Williams 2 run (Noah Ruggles kick), 8:15.
OSU — Noah Ruggles 41 field goal, 4:30.
OSU — Noah Ruggles 35 field goal, :00.
Second Quarter
IOWA — Drew Stevens 49 field goal, 10:07.
OSU — Noah Ruggles 26 field goal, 3:38.
OSU — Tommy Eichenberg 18 interception return (Noah Ruggles kick), 3:25.
Third Quarter
OSU — Marvin Harrison 6 pass from C.J. Stroud (Noah Ruggles kick), 9:36.
OSU — Emeka Egbuka 13 pass from C.J. Stroud (Noah Ruggles kick), 4:43.
Fourth Quarter
OSU — Julian Fleming 79 pass from C.J. Stroud (Noah Ruggles kick), 13:26.
OSU — Mitch Rossi 3 pass from C.J. Stroud (Noah Ruggles kick), 7:59.
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