MINNEAPOLIS — C.J Stroud needed help — from his Ohio State football defense, from his fellow playmakers on offense, and from the poised, unflappable leader coaches and teammates insist lies inside him. The redshirt freshman made his first start Thursday night at Minnesota. With a total of zero career passes behind him, he was handed the keys to one of the nation’s most talented offenses for a rainy road opener. At times in the No. 4 Buckeyes’ eventual 45-31 victory, Stroud seemed shaky and shell-shocked. At others, he flashed the ability and intangibles that led Ryan Day to make him the first quarterback he had recruited, developed and anointed as the starter. Stroud completed completed 13 of 22 passes for 294 yards and four touchowns. While it took Justin Fields months to throw his first interception in 2019, Stroud did not make it out of the first half. Yet in…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football’s C.J. Stroud stumbles — and stars — in 45-31 debut victory at Minnesota
