Urban Meyer ecstatic with (almost) perfect game against Rutgers

Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer couldn’t have asked for a better first start of the season for quarterback J.T. Barrett, on all sides of the ball. Deep in the basement of High Point Solutions Stadium Saturday night, the Buckeyes head coach started the postgame press conference not by talking about his exceptional offense, but with kind words for the Silver Bullets.

“It all starts with great defense. I really felt our defense has been getting better all year. We had some big plays against us the last couple of weeks but for the most part, we saw this coming and we have a lot of respect for the Rutgers quarterback. He’s one of the top efficient passers in the Big Ten and the country and then third downs, the leader in the conference at 50 percent, so I thought our defense played outstanding.

“What I saw, J.T. doesn’t surprise me,” said the head coach of his new starting quarterback this season.

The true sophomore may have shown his ability to run the ball when has gotten playing time all season, but Saturday night gave him the opportunity to showcase his arm as well, and he took full advantage of that opportunity against a struggling Rutgers’ defensive backfield. Completing 14-of-18 pass attempts for 223 yards and three touchdowns, Barrett proved that he can throw the ball as well.

Meyer on Barrett’s superb game through the air.

“He was really efficient with throwing the ball, checking downs when you are supposed to check a down, taking a shots, being accurate. We had a couple other shots, where they were threatening us to throw it deep and we completed them. That was the key. That had to happen tonight.”

“I think you ask a defensive coach, anytime you’ve got a guy that can throw and run, that’s a problem. You see loaded defenses where the coverages aren’t very complicated. That’s what J.T. gives us.”

Like he has done in every game he has played in this season, Barrett proved that he is one of the best read-option quarterbacks in the country, finishing with 13 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who finished with 19 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns (and three catches for 29 yards) proved yet again that he is one of the best running backs in the country. The Heisman candidate had has FBS-leading 13th consecutive game of at least 100 rushing yards. Even though he only ran for 15 yards in the first half against the Scarlet Knights, Zeke showcased his ability to run the ball in the final 30 minutes.

Meyer had nothing but praise for his star running back postgame.

“That the thing that’s happening right now, if we are not very efficient throwing the ball, which we are now. We were 17-of-21 and teams know to stop Zeke.  They were doing a good job. They were loading the box. You have to take shots down the field. I should rephrase that, we have to complete shots down the field. Now we’re completing them. There’s some conflict on the defense, you take away Zeke you are going to see some guys singled out. Miller Braxton & Mike Thomas had some big hits down the field for us.”

Heading into a bye week for the Buckeyes, Meyer continued to say what he has said all season to end his postgame press conference, “the best thing about going 8-0 is to have a chance to go 9-0.”

Time to get rested up,” said the head coach, who notched win number 150 in his coaching career Saturday night.