No. 3 Ohio State persisted to beat No. 9 Indiana 42-35 during a curler coaster of a sport on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes had been during a position to survive a couple of turnovers early within the game to require a 28-7 lead into the room at halftime, and it appeared that they had been properly on their technique to a cosy victory. Indiana had different concepts.

Whereas the Hoosiers weren’t during a position to maximize the turnovers early, that they had been during a position to take advantage of Ohio State’s secondary within the last half to form it a sport. Repeatedly, Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. discovered open receivers within the secondary to cut into the Ohio State lead. The Hoosiers came again to form it a 42-35 sport within the fourth quarter after which compelled an Ohio State turnover on downs contained within the Indiana 10-yard line late. that’s when the Buckeyes protection saved the day, forcing a quick three-and-out. The Hoosiers obtained yet one more likelihood however had little time and no timeouts.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields completed with 300 yards passing, 78 yards dashing and three whole touchdowns; nonetheless, he additionally threw three interceptions after not tossing one all season. Fields was outplayed by Indiana’s Penix, who threw for 495 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ohio State improved to 4-0 on the season, whereas Indiana dropped to 4-1 however need to stay extremely ranked within the new AP High 25 on Sunday.

Listed below are 4 takeaways from a incredible Large Ten battle on Saturday afternoon.

1. Ohio State need to make the foremost of its sturdy run sport

I perceive that Fields is wonderful which he’s a official Heisman Trophy candidate, however at occasions, it feels as if Ohio State asks him to try to to an excessive amount of. His first cross of the day was a 65-yard connection to Garrett Wilson. His second was a 10-yard cross to Wilson for a landing to finish off Ohio State’s two-play, 75-yard landing drive to open the game. that they had been stunning throws, however that they had been additionally the ultimate time Fields regarded snug for the rest of the game.

Indiana pressured him with well-disguised blitzes, and it led to Fields throwing three interceptions, some on horrible selections whereas he was underneath strain. within the meantime, on rock bottom, Ohio State was working the ball properly con to the Hoosiers. Grasp Teague completed with 169 yards and two touchdowns, and it had been his 41-yard landing run within the second quarter that established management for Ohio State on the time. Or not but, you thought it did.

Each time it felt a bit like the Buckeyes had been taking management of the game, Ohio State obtained pass-happy another time. Essentially the foremost important instance of this was late within the game with the Buckeyes up a rating. Coach Ryan Day ran a QB draw on third-and-4 contained within the Indiana 10 with Ohio State needing a rating to put the game away permanently. Fields came up a yard brief. Then, with Ohio State averaging over 6.5 yards per keep it up the time, Day determined to travel for it on fourth down. As a substitute of handing off to Teague or working one other QB draw, Ohio State had Fields faux the handoff and roll bent his proper. He had an option to maintain it and run the first or throw it. Fields rushed a throw after being pressured by an Indiana linebacker, and it had been a nasty throw that fell incomplete. Ohio State survived, however had it simply handed off to Teague, he probably picks up the first with ease, ending the game.

2. Penix and therefore the Indiana offense are legit

It is unbelievable sufficient by itself that Penix threw for 491 yards and 5 touchdowns. it’s extra unbelievable while you understand Penix and Indiana’s receivers — Ty Fryfogle caught seven passes for 218 yards and three scores — did all this no matter having no semblance of a dashing assault.

Indiana rushed for -1 yard on 16 carries. Even within the event you’re taking away the yards misplaced to sacks, the Hoosiers nonetheless managed solely 10 yards on rock bottom. Nonetheless, though the Buckeyes protection didn’t need to fret about stopping the run, Indiana tore Ohio State’s secondary aside again and again. it had been a mixture of rub routes liberating crossers over the middle and Indiana receivers profitable one-on-one battles alongside the sidelines and up the seams.

It isn’t the first time we’ve seen Ohio State’s secondary battle this 12 months, however nobody exploited it like Indiana did. it’s one thing to regulate down the road for the Buckeyes, and it’s a cause future defenses need to proceed to concern Indiana.

3. Forcing, capitalizing on turnovers decides video games

All week lengthy, I harped on how I wont to be skeptical of Indiana’s probabilities to win this sport as a results of tons of its offense had been counting on turnovers. Indiana came into Saturday having scored 38.7% of its factors on offense off turnovers, an exceedingly excessive quantity. The common distance of their landing drives had solely been 53 yards due to these turnovers.

My principle was that Ohio State wouldn’t flip the shock almost sufficient for Indiana to reap the advantages of them. Boy, was I improper! Ohio State turned the shock 3 times, however remarkably, Indiana did nothing with these further possessions. Every Ohio State turnover ended with Indiana punting the ball again. On the flip facet, Indiana turned the shock 4 occasions, and Ohio State scored 14 factors off these miscues. These factors loom very giant during a seven-point sport.

4. Ohio State continues to be terrifying

Give it some thought. The Buckeyes didn’t play something remotely resembling their greatest soccer on Saturday. They turned the shock 3 times. The offensive line allowed Fields to be sacked 5 occasions. that they had been solely 6 for 14 on third down. And but, Ohio State nonetheless completed the day with 607 yards of offense and 42 factors. Even when it performs poorly, OSU finds a way to remind you why its the absolute best crew within the massive Ten.