Just Terrific Barrett national player of the week – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2014
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The initials in J.T. Barrett’s name stand for Joe Thomas. Last night the initials for the red-shirt freshman, who is leading an Ohio State team that is rolling with seven consecutive wins, stood for Just Terrific. That’s because Barrett simply was just terrific against the nation’s fifth-rated total defense in leading Ohio State to a 49-37 victory over No. 8 Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich.
Barrett completed 16 of 26 passing attempts for 300 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, plus he rushed for 86 yards and two more touchdowns. His efforts earned him Athlons national Player of the Week and its national Freshman of the Week awards this week.
Barrett’s 386-yard total offense day sparked an Ohio State offense that had 568 yards against one of the nation’s best defenses, a total that was nearly 300 more yards than what the Spartans had been allowing per game (279.4). The yards and points scored totals were even more than Oregon managed against MSU in Week 2 at Oregon’s Autzen Stadium (491 and 46, respectively).
Barrett, who earlier this week was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, remains among the national leaders in a handful of key statistical categories, including:
Passing efficiency – 2nd at 172.9; Touchdown passes – 5th with26; Points responsible for – 2nd with 204; Points responsible forper game – 2nd at 22.7; and Total offense – 18th at 304.2.
Taking over the starting quarterback responsibilities in mid-August after sitting out last season, Barrett has led Ohio State to an 8-1 record and a 5-0 mark in the Big Ten Conference. Barrett and the Buckeyes head to Minneapolis, Minn., Saturday for a noon EST game against 7-2 and 4-1 Minnesota, which is coming off a 51-14 victory over a 6-2 Iowa team. ABC will televise the game to a national audience.
