The Buckeyes, fueled by five touchdown passes from Dwayne Haskins Jr., rolled despite their coach’s serving the first game of a three-game suspension.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — With Coach Urban Meyer serving a suspension, the new starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. had a record-setting day, throwing for five touchdowns Saturday as No. 5 Ohio State routed Oregon State, 77-31, in the opener for both teams.
After a preseason fraught with drama, the Buckeyes shook off Meyer’s first absence from the Ohio State sideline in six years, scoring on five of the first six possessions and overcoming some defensive sloppiness.
The Buckeyes piled up 721 yards and tied the team record for points in an opener. Meyer will be allowed to return to practice on Monday, although his suspension by the university will last for two more games.
He was punished after an internal investigation showed he had mismanaged the former assistant Zach Smith, who was accused of domestic violence and other poor behavior.
The scandal has dogged the program for the past month. The acting coach, Ryan Day, said he was not surprised the Buckeyes started strong, jumping ahead, 21-7, in the first quarter and having a 42-14 lead at halftime.
“There was a quiet confidence about this team all along,” said Day, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Day coached from the sideline, with the other offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, in the press box.
“I didn’t notice anything different,” Haskins said. “Just having Coach Wilson on the field versus Coach Day, they both did a great job giving advice, communicating with me after the drives. There wasn’t any stress with that.”
Haskins, who took over from the four-year starter J. T. Barrett, was 22 for 30 for 313 yards. The five touchdowns and yards gained are records for a first-time Ohio State starter. Mike Weber rushed 20 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
Oregon State quarterback Conor Blount found some holes in the Ohio State defense, throwing for 169 yards and two touchdowns, but he also was sacked five times in the first half, twice by the all-American defensive end Nick Bosa. Running back Artavis Pierce slashed the Ohio State secondary for touchdowns of 80 and 78 yards on two of the Beavers’ first three plays from scrimmage in the second half, after an 82-minute weather delay. Oregon State piled up 392 offensive yards.
“Obviously, falling short isn’t fun,” Blount said, “but when you go out and put 31 points on a defense like that, I think it says there’s a bright future here.”
