COLUMBUS — TreVeyon Henderson's 75-yard touchdown to begin the second half highlighted his 146 yard rushing performance and help blow the game wide open, as the Ohio State Buckeyes blew out the Minnesota Golden Gophers 37-3 on Saturday.
The Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) struggled in the first half, taking a 13-0 lead into the locker room.
Ohio State took an early lead on Henderson’s 9-yard touchdown that capped an 85-yard drive that included five plays of 10 yards or more. The only other points the Buckeyes managed were Jayden Fielding field goals of 47 and 26 yards in the rest of the first half.
Just like the first half, Henderson would score to begin the second half with a career-long 75 burst on the first play from scrimmage to blow the game wide open.
Minnesota (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) turned the ball over on their ensuing possession, and the Buckeyes scored again — 55 seconds later — when Marvin Harrison Jr. caught a 4-yard touchdown pass to extend Ohio State's lead to 27-0.
Kyle McCord was 20 of 30 passing for 212 yards and two scores. Harrison had just three catches for 30 yards and a score in less than three quarters. Henderson was also rested midway through the third, finishing the game with15 total carries.
Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis completed 11 of 19 passes for 89 yards with an interception and a lost fumble.
Minnesota was able to avoid the shutout with a 54-yard field goal by Dragan Kesich with 6:54 to play.
Ohio State will head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on Saturday in the regular-season finale.
The Wolverines have beaten the Buckeyes the last two seasons (42-27 in 2021; 45-23 last season).
“We say we prepare for it 365 days a year and I truly believe that,” McCord said. “The guys on the team, we think about it every day, especially the way the last two years have gone."
Minnesota 0 0 0 3 — 3
Ohio State 7 6 17 7 — 37
First Quarter OSU—T. Henderson 9 run (J. Fielding Kick), 9:22. Second Quarter OSU—J. Fielding 47 field goal, 13:05. OSU—J. Fielding 26 field goal, 4:51. Third Quarter OSU—T. Henderson 75 run (J. Fielding kick), 14:48. OSU—M. Harrison Jr. 4 pass from K. McCord (J. Fielding kick), 13:53 OSU—J. Fielding 32 field goal, 10:17. Fourth Quarter OSU—C. Stover 1 pass from K. McCord (J. Fielding kick), 13:43. MIN—D. Kesich 54 field goal, 6:43.
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