First Posted: 9/9/2014
QUARTERBACKS
J.T. Barrett wasn’t the problem but he wasn’t exactly the solution, either, when Ohio State lost 35-21 to Virginia Tech last Saturday.
The redshirt freshman was 9 of 29 for 219 yards passing with a touchdown and was OSU’s leading rusher with 70 yards on 24 carries. But he also threw three interceptions and was 1 for 12 in one stretch in the second half.
Kent State’s Colin Reardon is in his second season as a starter. He has completed 47 of 81 passes for 477 yard with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Advantage: Ohio State
RUNNING BACKS
Ezekiel Elliott (32 yards on 8 carries) and Curtis Samuel (26 yards on 5 carries) found little room to run when Virginia Tech brought as many as eight defenders close to the line. Elliott got almost half his total on one 15-yard carry and it was even more one-sided for Samuel, who gained 16 of his yards on one pitchout.
Kent State has rushed for a total of 95 yards and averaged 1.9 yards per rushing play in a 17-14 loss to Ohio University and a 23-13 loss to South Alabama. Nick Holley (62 yards on 19 carries) is the leading rusher.
Advantage: Ohio State
RECEIVERS
Michael Thomas (6 catches, 98 yards) was the only OSU receiver who caught more than one pass against Virginia Tech. The Buckeyes had three catches of 40 yards or more but couldn’t connect consistently on deep throws.
Ernest Calhoun, a 5-foot, 6-inch, 151-pound former walk-on who is the son of ex- Michigan running back Rickey Powers, leads the Golden Flashes’ receivers with 14 catches for 119 yards.
Advantage: Ohio State
OFFENSIVE LINE
Ohio State’s offensive line allowed seven quarterback sacks, six of them in the second half, last week. If they don’t dominate this week, it might be time to get really worried. An already shallow depth chart took a hit when Alabama transfer Chad Lindsay left the team because of injuries.
The tragic death of center Jason Bitsko on Aug. 20 left Kent State with only one returning starter on the offensive line, Terrell Johnson. Bitsko died of natural causes in his sleep.
Advantage: Ohio State
DEFENSIVE LINE
End Noah Spence returns sitting out the first two games on a suspension. Teaming him with the other end, Joey Bosa, who has forced fumbles in the first two games, could energize a group that hasn’t dominated so far.
For Kent State, senior Richard Gray is the leader of the line and 295-pound freshman Jon Cunningham has been a contributor right away.
Advantage: Ohio State
LINEBACKERS
Starters Curtis Grant, Joshua Perry and Darron Lee combined for five tackles for losses against Virginia Tech but the one that got fans excited was by 5-star freshman Raekwon McMillan, who has made only brief appearances so far.
Matt Dellinger and Devante Strickland are returning starters for Kent State.
Advantage: Ohio State
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Vonn Bell and Eli Apple had interceptions but OSU’s pass defense was inconsistent last week, especially on third down.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Kent State cornerback Najee Murray, who transferred from Ohio State.
Advantage: Ohio State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Confidence could be an issue for OSU freshman kicker Sean Nuernberger after he missed two field goal attempts last week.
Akron’s Anthony Melchiori handles punts and place kicking. After making 9 of 14 kicks last season he has missed his first two attempts this season.
Advantage: Ohio State
