Huskies’ offense stifled in 24-6 loss to No. 1 Buckeyes

After running through their non-conference schedule undefeated, the Huskies took on the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes. UW put its 22-game home winning streak on the line against the nation’s best team on Saturday. Looking to make a statement as they opened Big Ten conference play. On Saturday, the Huskies faced their biggest test to date when they took on the Buckeyes.

Huskies have roller coaster first quarter

Playing the top-ranked team in the country, Jedd Fisch knew his team needed to play a clean game and complete it. The Huskies’ defense came up with a big stop on the Buckeyes’ first possession of the game. The Husky defense stopped Buckeyes running back CJ Donaldson Jr. for no gain on 4th and 1 from its 5-yard line. The Husky offense took over but was unable to build any momentum due to self-inflicted wounds. Fisch and the Huskies’ sideline picked up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls and then had to punt. On the ensuing punt, UW forced a fumble, which the Huskies recovered. UW then went on a 10-play, 69-yard scoring drive. Finishing with a Grady Gross field goal to take a 3-0 lead to start the second quarter.

Penalties and miscues derail the Huskies’ promising first half

UW was effective at moving the ball throughout the first half. Unfortunately, penalties continued to be a problem. Though the Huskies out-gained the Buckeyes 165-138, they had five penalties for 34 yards to Ohio State’s five yards. They also failed to convert a questionable fake field goal call at the Ohio State 27 on fourth down. Instead of potentially going up 6-0, the Huskies end up with no points, as kicker Grady Gross’ pass sailed incomplete.

Ohio State seizes momentum going into halftime.

A 10-play, 73-yard TD drive gave the Buckeyes momentum going into the halftime break. After keeping Ohio State’s star receiver Jeremiah Smith quiet for most of the first half, Smith got loose. Buckeye’s QB Julian Sayin hit Smith on a crossing pattern for an 18-yard TD catch and run to put Ohio State up 7-3 before the half. The Huskies held Smith to three catches for 33 yards in the first half, but were unable to keep him silent. The Buckeyes then forced a stop before halftime, taking a 7-3 lead into the half.

QUESTIONABLE PENALTY STARTS THE SECOND HALF

The Husky defense looked like it had forced a third and long on the Buckeyes’ first possession of the second half. A questionable penalty gave the Buckeyes’ offense new life. Washington was called for roughing the passer on an incomplete pass from Sayin on second and 20. Instead of third and 20, the Buckeyes had a first down in the red zone. Ohio State took advantage of the penalty, as RB C.J. Donaldson eventually punched in a one-yard touchdown run. The Buckeyes took a 14-3 lead early in the third quarter.

UW’s offense moves the ball, but is still unable to get into the end zone

Three times the Huskies drove the ball into Buckeye territory and were unable to score touchdowns. After QB Demond Williams made a nice throw to TE Decker Degraaf, UW had the ball inside the Ohio State 10. On the Huskies’ second opportunity in the red zone, they were stopped on third and goal from the three. Williams was sacked on third down, and the UW was forced to settle for a field goal, cutting Ohio State’s lead to 14-6. Jedd Fisch spoke after the game about his frustration with his team’s inability to score touchdowns in the red zone:

“Well, you know, we had first and goal on the one, and we ran the ball and got stopped, and second and goal on the two, and then we false-started. And we went backwards five yards, and that makes things very challenging. Because now its second and seven, on the seven. And now we, they wind up playing certain coverages where they’ve got guys really playing zone, whole players all throughout the end zone. So it made it challenging.”

Ohio State’s defense deserves credit for bending and not breaking. They have played exceptional defense all season and had great schemes to stop the Huskies in the red zone. Ultimately, to beat the best, UW needed better execution to finish drives with touchdowns instead of field goals. In their previous game, the Huskies scored touchdowns all three times they were in the red zone. The Buckeyes’ defense was just better, as they were determined to shut down UW’s red zone offense.

Buckeyes’ defense too much for the Huskies

Ohio State eventually added another field goal and a touchdown to win 24-6. The story of the game was the Buckeyes’ defense. UW came into this game with one of the nation’s best offenses, averaging over 55 points per game. Ohio State made a statement with its defense, as the Huskies were held to just six points and 234 total yards. After leading the team in rushing last week, QB Demond Williams was ineffective running the ball. Williams had -28 yards rushing and was sacked six times. He finished 18-22, with 173 yards passing, and no touchdowns. This is what Fisch had to say about his QB’s struggles:

“Yeah, I mean, Demond was 18 for 22, I got to help Demond understand that an incompletion is okay sometimes. That leads to holding the ball, you know, a little bit longer and unfortunately, at times, could turn into a sack. But Demond is exceptionally accurate, he’s really good with ball, he makes extremely good decisions. He protects the ball at all costs. So, I mean, if you’re a quarterback and you throw you’re at 82%, probably 80% on the year at this point, no matter who you’re playing, you know you’re going to have a great year.”

Ohio State’s coverage was effective in today’s game, which helped their strong defensive line. Demond Williams’ struggles were a combination of holding the ball too long and the Buckeyes’ defense having a good defensive game plan. The Huskies also needed to do a better job of running the football to protect their quarterback. RB Jonah Coleman ran for 70 yards, but ultimately, UW finished with just 61 rushing yards. When the Huskies travel to Maryland next week, they expect to be better offensively after a frustrating loss to the nation’s best team.

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