The Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1, 41 Big Ten) came into Saturday’s matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats (4-4, 3-2) as a multi touchdown underdog.
The Buckeyes offense struggled once again, just as they did last week when they were upset at Penn State, but this time were able to hold on and win at home 24-20 against a tough Wildcats team.
Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson and the offense had a chance near the end of the game but a two yard loss, a holding penalty and two incomplete passes forced a Field Goal. Coach Pat Fitzgerald was banking on his defense to stop the Buckeyes but his plan failed as Buckeye quarterback J.T. Barrett connected on a 3rd and 8 and dashed for a 35 yard run on a 3rd and 10 to basically put the game away.
“We had two chances to get stops on long third downs, and we didn’t get it done,” Fitzgerald said.
“It was a pretty good chess match back and forth, and I just loved the way we finished it off,” stated Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.
Thorson finished the game completing 25 of his 42 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown and one interception. His favorite target once again is the Big Ten’s leading receiver, Austin Carr, who caught eight of his passes for 158 yards. Running back Justin Jackson tallied 76 yards on 17 carries.
“It obviously didn’t start the way we wanted it to, spotting them a couple scores, but the guys didn’t flinch and kept swinging,” Fitzgerald stated. “And, you know, we ended up one punch short.”
“We came here to win, and not getting it done is bitterly disappointing,” Fitzgerald said.
Next up for the Wildcats is a home date against #11 Wisconsin Badgers.
