Ohio State Football: 3 takeaways from Big Ten opening win over Rutgers

Ohio State football summoned a convincing 52-3 win at home against Rutgers. What were three takeaways from the victory?

Ohio State has dominated Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten in 2014. In the four meetings against Ohio State prior to this one, Rutgers had only posted 17 points while being shut out in two straight meetings.

Much of the same result persisted Saturday as the Buckeyes pulled away early for a runaway win at home, notching their first Big Ten victory by a final score of 52-3.

Here are three takeaways from the game against Rutgers.

3. The Buckeyes have plenty of options and will roll teams

It’s not uncommon to see the Buckeyes run up the score as it has done on several occasions in recent memory. Take last week’s 77-31 drubbing of Oregon State for example. It is also not unusual to see Ohio State capture a victory — as the Buckeyes do very often.

The Buckeyes have a seemingly limitless supply of talent, even when it comes to players coming off the bench. The depth that Ohio State owns will benefit it in almost every game this season and will certainly play to the Buckeyes’ advantage on a weekly basis.

Ohio State utilized a slew of different players against Rutgers. In fact, six different players scored touchdowns in the game. Safe to say the Buckeyes did what they were supposed to do against their intradivision foe.

Dwayne Haskins showed off his arm and accuracy by completing 20-of-23 passes for 233 yards and four touchdown passes. He made elite-caliber throws and displayed a strong grasp of the Buckeyes’ offense that jumped out to a great start right away.

Backup quarterback Tate Martell stepped in to receive a decent amount of playing time and completely shined with the opportunity. He completed all of his ten passes and ended the game throwing for 121 yards and one touchdown.

The redshirt freshman even broke off 47-yard touchdown run that put the game well out of reach for Rutgers to even mount a feasible comeback attempt.

The running game remained relatively quiet compared to most other games, however, don’t overlook the combination of J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber, the two primary tailbacks that potentially make up one of the best running back duos in the country.

Rutgers simply couldn’t match up with Ohio State and had no answer for either the run or the pass. Ohio State shredded a depleted Rutgers secondary.

Ohio State was highly efficient on 3rd down conversions as it went 10-15 in that category. The Buckeyes’ offense racked up 310 yards in the first half and 579 total yards throughout the game compared to Rutgers’134 total yards.

Rutgers isn’t exactly the cream of the crop or the most fearsome Big Ten squad but the Buckeyes dispatched the Scarlet Knights with ease.

If anything, the blowout win showed Ohio State’s might as the Buckeyes will likely stand somewhere near the top of the Big Ten.

This team has a ton of depth and this factor will definitely be something to keep in mind as the season continues.