COLUMBUS >> Ohio State coach Urban Meyer made it clear this spring that he wants to throw the ball deep again. Meyer needs quarterback J.T. Barrett to hook up with receivers for more momentum-changing plays downfield, the kind that bring 100,000 fans to their feet and rattle the rafters in old Ohio Stadium. That was a problem last year. The Buckeyes struggled against their best opponent with pass protection, receivers getting open and Barrett’s accuracy. It all manifested itself in the mess that was the College Football Playoff game, a 31-0 drubbing by Clemson. Without being able to establish down-field passing, the Buckeyes limped to 3.8 yards per passing attempt and 215 offensive yards. Barrett’s longest completion was for 21 yards. “I think it was bigger than just a unit coming up short,” receivers coach Zach Smith said earlier this spring. “It was really the offense as a whole had…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football: Spring game shows Buckeyes’ emphasis on throwing the ball
