Ohio State starting quarterback Cardale Jones struggled in the first half against Northern Illinois, and may have lost his starting job after throwing two interceptions. Ohio State’s first possession of the game lasted just four plays before Jones was picked off by Shawun Lurry, and the Huskies scored the opening touchdown of the game one minute later.
An Ezekiel Elliott fumble ended the next Buckeyes drive, and Ohio State scored just three points from its first six drives. After Lurry intercepted Jones a second time with NIU leading Ohio State 7-3, head coach Urban Meyer benched Jones for backup J.