Ohio State routs Minnesota 52-10

What started out as a tight first quarter duel between a veteran Minnesota quarterback and an Ohio State team that sometimes struggles on the road turned into a rout as the fourth quarter progressed. Ohio State won their 8th game of the season but remains behind in the national BCS rankings with strength of schedule weighting them down.

By Steve Patterson

Terrelle Pryor passed for 222 yards on the day with two touchdown throws while tailback Daniel Herron ran for 114 yards and a score. Herron’s first 100 yard game put the Buckeyes back in the hunt for a share of the Big Ten title this year. With Michigan State losing to Iowa on the road, Ohio State has to worry about Wisconsin finishing higher in the BCS ranks when the season ends to secure the Big Ten title for a 6th straight time. Finishing out with three wins is also required as the Buckeyes will have to travel to Iowa in the middle of November.

Pryor was more mobile on the day, rushing for 55 yards and a score. A good sign for Ohio State who needs his production on the ground to pressure defenses down the stretch as they face Penn State, Iowa and Michigan.

Marqueis Gray was a bright spot for Minnesota, as he finished with 81 yards on three catches. The passing game of Weber to Gray and other receivers Da’Jon McKnight and Tiree Eure was the one thing that did work for the Golden Gophers during the game. Long passes to the middle of the field were completed for chunks of yards before Ohio State decided to blitz Weber from the cornerback and linebacker positions. Getting to Weber before long pass plays developed, ended any threat Minnesota presented.

With the win Ohio State moved up to the 8th spot in both the AP Top 25 and the USA Today poll. But the computers that make up 33% of the BCS ranking, scores Ohio State poorly keeping them outside the top 10 at number 11.