One team came to play offense, even without its starting quarterback, and the other team forgot how to play offense.
No matter the explanation, in a close game and with 1,000-yard running back Ezekiel Elliott getting only 12 carries, that’s not a good game plan for Ohio State, which lost 17-14 to Michigan State at home on Saturday.
The Buckeyes’ defense was cited for jumping offsides or causing the offense to flinch four times — including on fourth-and-8 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Tyler O’Connor kept for the first down on fourth-and-3. The Spartans went on to tie the score, then drive to the winning field goal on the final play.