Ohio State Shuts Down USC Offense in Cotton Bowl
The Ohio State defense was just too much for the trojan offense on Friday night. USC could only manage 57 yards on the ground the whole game. They also coughed up the ball 4 times, throwing an interception and fumbling the rock 3 times.
Despite USC’s offensive struggles, quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 356 yards and a touchdown. Ronald jones II also rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort.
For the Buckeyes, JT Barrett completed 11 of 17 passing attempts for 114 yards, he also ran 16 times, for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Ohio State defense was tenacious all night, forcing 4 turnovers. Jordan Fuller had 10 tackles on the night, Damon Webb collected 5 tackles and a pick-six for the Buckeyes.
This game was really played in the first half, as neither team scored in the second half of the game.
JT Barrett started the scoring with a 1-yard TD run with 12:25 left in the 1st quarter. OSU led 7-0.
In the 2nd quarter, Sean Nuernberger nailed a 26-yard field goal to extend Ohio State’s lead to 10.
On the ensuing possession, Damon Webb intercepted Sam Darnold and returned it 23 yards to the house, to take a 17-0 lead with 14:42 left in the 1st half.
With 5:27 remaining in the half, Barrett ran in another score, this time from 28 yards out. OSU took a commanding 24-0 lead.
USC finally got on the board when Ronald Jones II ran for a 1-yard touchdown to cut the OSU lead to 17.
The OSU lead may only have been 17 points at the half, but their defense prevented USC from scoring at all in the second half and gave the Buckeyes a 24-7 win in this years Cotton Bowl.
