Ohio State football runs away with win after upset scare vs. Minnesota

Ohio State football was on upset alert through the first three quarters against Minnesota. It pulled away to survive and stay among the undefeated few.

Ohio State certainly wasn’t expecting a scare against Minnesota at home on Saturday afternoon. But the No. 3 Buckeyes were only able to pull away for a 30-14 victory after a 10-point run in the final quarter helped them extend the lead with some insurance points.

Dwayne Haskins was 33-of-44 for 412 yards and three scores through the air, showing off his arm and burnishing his Heisman credentials further in the process. Haskins didn’t do much with his legs, but he didn’t need to against the Golden Gophers. Haskins let his aerial exploits do the talking as the Buckeyes pulled clear in the end.

The ground game in general was a point of concern for the Buckeyes. Ohio State finished with fewer than 100 total rushing yards as a team. Mike Weber led the way with 51 yards on 13 carries. J.K. Dobbins added 35 yards on 10 attempts. Nobody managed to put up a run of longer than 11 yards.

Minnesota had a legitimate shot at pulling off the upset on the road. The Golden Gophers got a great game from Mohamed Ibrahim, who racked up 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His hard running opened up holes, punished the Buckeyes front seven, and kept drives going for the Gophers.

Ultimately it was an uneven performance by quarterback Zack Annexstad, who finished 13-of-23 for 218 yards but threw two interceptions, that cost Minnesota valuable points that stymied a better shot at pulling out the victory. Annexstad just couldn’t put together a consistent performance, looking shaky with pressure in his face. That was the difference, as much as anything, between victory and defeat.

Now the Gophers have to pick themselves up and keep trying to play for bowl eligibility. Ohio State, now 7-0 to begin the second half of the season, are ready to threaten for a College Football Playoff spot. They will remain in the top four of the polls this week thanks to the runaway victory at the Horseshoe on Saturday afternoon.