COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football sputtered briefly on offense Thursday night at Minnesota, and certainly must clean up some issues on defense. The Buckeyes, though, could reliably turn to explosive plays to fuel a 45-31 victory. Minnesota predictably executed a ball-control strategy, and nearly doubled up the time of possession, 38:41 to 21:19. Yet Ohio State nearly doubled up on yards per play, 10.3 to 5.4. Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim set up one touchdown with a 56-yard run and scored one of his own on a 19-yard run. But the Gophers managed only one other play beyond 20 yards. Add a huge score-and-momentum-swinging defensive play alongside four scoring plays of 56 or more yards, and the Buckeyes’ fireworks simply overwhelmed Minnesota’s possession parade. Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck spoke with a measure of exasperation about OSU’s offensive balance. “That’s one of the better offenses I’ve ever coached against, because…
Continue Reading: How Ohio State football’s big-play fireworks overshadowed Minnesota’s possession parade
