COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly shuffled past the press-box crowd to the booth before the second half against Iowa.
The Buckeyes were up 7-0 against the Hawkeyes after a sloppy first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Was that first half too much of a look-ahead to next week’s top-10 showdown at No. 6 Oregon?
Kelly wore a blank expression that didn’t tip any emotion – but perhaps he knew what was to come. Kelly figured out Iowa and defensive coordinator Phil Parker in the second half. No. 3 Ohio State used the run to set up the pass in the second half – and a one-handed touchdown catch by freshman Jeremiah Smith kick-started a 35-7 blowout against the Hawkeyes that properly set up the showdown with the Ducks.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard hit 21 of 25 passes for 209 yards, four TDs and an interception. He added 28 rushing yards and a TD. Quinshon Judkins (13 carries, 78 yards) and TreVeyon Henderson (11 carries, 61 yards) combined to average 5.8 yards per carry against a tough Iowa defense. Emeka Egbuka scored three TDs and the defense forced three second-half turnovers. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the offensive line was the starting point for that well-rounded performance, which Kelly put into motion.