“My first time hurdling someone in football was last year when we played Alabama,” Elliott said. “I’m tired of taking those shots to the legs — those bruises — so I decided to go up top a couple times.”
Here’s how Elliott and the No. 1 Buckeyes (4-0) graded in their final non-conference game of the regular season:
Passing offense: Cardale Jones improved to 7-0 as a starting quarterback. He shook off two lackluster performances against Hawaii and Northern Illinois, completing 19 of 33 passes for 288 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
“I definitely felt more comfortable,” Jones said. “We’re starting to get on the same page. I think everyone felt way more comfortable today.”
Jones could have been better. He overthrew four or five receivers on deep balls, but he opened the game with touchdown passes of 38 and 37 yards to Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall. For the first time since the opener, coach Urban Meyer didn't replace Jones with J.T. Barrett in the second quarter. Grade: B+
Rushing offense: Elliott continues to be the most consistent contributor on offense. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry, rushing 16 times for 124 yards with a long run of 26.
Elliott scored on a 6-yard run on Ohio State’s first drive of the third quarter, giving the Buckeyes a 31-6 lead.
Elliott has rushed for 455 yards in four games with five touchdowns, putting him on pace for 1,365 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 regular-season games.
Curtis Samuel added a 40-yard touchdown rush for Ohio State's final touchdown. Grade: A
Passing defense: Western Michigan quarterback Zach Terrell completed 18 of 33 passes for 169 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Ohio State’s defense couldn’t get off the field in the first quarter. The Broncos had a 16-play, 66-yard drive and then a 14-play, 62-yard drive. They ran almost 14 minutes off the clock, but missed field goals at the end of both drives.
Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown, but the defense also gave up a 55-yard touchdown pass. Grade: B
Rushing defense: The Broncos averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Jamauri Bogan gained 93 yards on 23 carries.
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan led the defense with 16 tackles. Linebacker Joshua Perry had 13 tackles. Grade: B
Special teams: Cameron Johnston averaged 51.5 yards on four punts. Tyvis Powell blocked a field goal. Jack Willoughby kicked a 30-yard field goal. Grade: A+
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