B1G East First Place Showdown Saturday Night in The Shoe
10/1/2019 10:11:56 AM | Football
One of the marquee matchups in the Big Ten Conference takes place this first weekend of October as No. 4-ranked and 5-0 Ohio State will put its 11-game winning streak on the line against a physical and tough and tested Michigan State team that is 4-1 and ranked No. 25. Both teams are unbeaten in Big Ten play with 2-0 records.
Two terrific defenses will be among the featured attractions: Ohio State is No. 2 nationally in total defense allowing 223.8 yards per game and Michigan State checks in at No. 7 allowing just 253.8 yards per game. Both are stingy at scoring defense, too: Ohio State ranks fourth nationally at 8.6 points/game and Michigan State is No. 15 at 15.0 points/game.
THE BASICS
Michigan State vs. No. 4 Ohio State • Sat., Oct. 5 • When: 7:30 p.m. ET • Where: Ohio Stadium • TV: ABC • Play by Play: Chris Fowler • Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit • Sidelines: Maria Taylor
Ohio State will play host to its 98th homecoming game Saturday vs. Michigan State. Among the many festivities surrounding the weekend, the Buckeyes will be donning their alternative uniforms for 2019. Fans are encouraged to wear black and create a raucous environment for the visiting Spartans.
The Buckeyes are 72-19-5 all-time in homecoming games. The record does not include the result from the 2010 season.
- The Buckeyes have scored 20 or more points in 31 consecutive game. That streak is tied with UCF for the second longest in the nation.
- Ohio State has outscored its five opponents 173-22 in the first half so far this season.
- Justin Fields is the only quarterback in the country to have a passing and rushing touchdown in all five games this season.
- The Buckeyes have allowed fewer than 300 yards of total offense in each of the first five games.
- Ohio State holds a 72-19-5 all-time record in Homecoming games.
3,000 YARDS FOR DOBBINS
- J.K. Dobbins passed four Buckeyes during his 177-yard game vs. Nebraska and in the process toppled the historic 3,000-yard plateau to move into 10th place in school history with 3,110 yards. It marked Dobbins’ 12th 100-yard game and the Buckeyes are unbeaten in those games.
THE CHASE IS ON
- Eight sacks so far this season leaves junior Chase Young needing just two to tie Mike Vrabel as the only Ohio State Buckeyes with two 10-or-more quarterback sack seasons.
- Young continues to lead the nation in quarterback sacks with eight and in sack yardage, with negative 58 yards. His 1.60 sacks per game total is second-best nationally.
SILVER BULLETS D-UP
- Ohio State’s defense ranks in the top 15 nationally in rushing defense (15th, 85.0 yds./game), total defense (2nd, 223.8 yds./game), red zone defense (3rd, 53.8%), passing yards allowed (6th, 138.8/game), sacks (2nd, 4.80/game), tackles for loss (2nd, 10.4/game) and third down defense (5th, 24.7%).
FAST STARTS
- Ohio State is averaging 34.6 points per first half.
- The team has outscored its opponent by 155 points in the first half, 173-18.
- It has scored 63 points in the first quarter and 110 in the second while allowing just 8 and 10, respectively.
3
Jeff Okudah has recorded three interceptions in the past two weeks and is playing as well as any cornerback in the nation with six passes defended.
23
Fields has accounted for 23 touchdowns so far – 16 passing and seven rushing – and his 138 points responsible for is second nationally.
60-5
Ohio State’s record vs. Big Ten teams since 2012. Two of the losses are to Michigan State: the 2013 Big Ten title game and in 2015 in Columbus over No. 1 Ohio State.
109
Ohio State’s 109 touchdown passes since the start of the 2017 season are the most of any team in the country.
- Like Ohio State, the 25th-ranked Spartans are 2-0 in the Big Ten and coming off a 40-31 win at home over Indiana last Saturday.
- Michigan State boasts the nation’s fourth-ranked rushing defense, giving up an average of just 55.8 yards per game. That unit is led by linebacker Joe Bachie (46 tackles, 4.5 TFL, four PBU) and defensive lineman Kenny Willekes (34 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks).
- Senior quarterback Brian Lewerke has completed just under 60 percent of his passes for a Big Ten-leading 1,325 yards and 10 touchdown against just one interception.
- Lewerke’s favorite target has been WR Darrell Stewart, who leads the conference with 35 receptions for 556 yards and three touchdowns. Teammate Cody White has caught 20 passes for 257 yards and a pair of scores.
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