Big Ten Championship Game Recap

Ohio State beat Northwestern 22 – 10 to win their fourth straight Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes did not dominate the game as they were expected to, but managed to overcome a Covid outbreak that caused several key players to be out and a tough Northwestern defense that was determined to shutdown the Ohio State passing attack.

The Buckeyes were expected to win going away, but their ability to adapt when things are not working and find different ways to win was on full display. Northwestern played exactly as you would expect a Pat Fitzgerald coached team to play, they fought hard, were not overwhelmed by the moment and didn’t quit. In the end, Ohio State’s talent advantage and powerful running game proved to be too much for Ohio State.

A Very Northwestern First Half

Ohio State started with the ball and drove the length of the field. The Buckeyes were successful running the ball and hit several short passes to move the chains. The Buckeyes appeared to cap the drive with a touchdown, but a holding call negated the score and Ohio State had to settle for a field goal. While Ohio State moved the ball on their first possession, they played at a slower than usual pace, often using the entire play clock before snapping the ball. The Buckeyes lacked a sense of urgency and appeared lethargic, a more up tempo pace could have helped the energy level and worn down the Northwestern defense down.

Northwestern was energized by their redzone stop. They played with energy and tempo to attempt to keep the Ohio State defense from being able to adjust. The Wildcats often switched in and out of their wildcat package pre-snap to keep Ohio State off balance. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey found a cutback lane and scrambled for a 34 yard gain that set up Northwestern inside the Ohio State 10. They capitalized with a touchdown and seized the early momentum in the game.

Both teams would add another field goal in the half but the story of the half was the Buckeyes lack of willingness to run the ball. The Buckeyes were successful running the ball, but refused to commit to the running game for an extended period of time. Northwestern’s defense was prepared to defend the pass and played to avoid giving up big plays in the passing game. The strategy worked because Ohio State kept trying to make big plays in the passing game, instead of sticking with the running game that was chewing up yardage. The Buckeyes spent the first half playing into Northwestern’s hands.

Northwestern made plenty of big plays in the first half on both sides of the ball, while Ohio State let them slip through their hands. A perfect example came near the end of the half. On third down, the Ohio State pass rush forced Peyton Ramsey out of the pocket and he made an errant throw downfield. The ball was tipped and fluttered to safety Josh Proctor. The ball slipped right through his hands and fell harmlessly to the ground. Proctor had a full head of steam and with no one in front of him, he was likely to score on the play.

Ohio State took over on the ensuing possession and marched down the field, quickly reaching the Northwestern nine yard line. The Buckeyes seemed to have captured the momentum, but as they did all first half Northwestern had an answer again. Justin Fields lobbed a pass toward the corner of the endzone for star receiver, Garrett Wilson, but the ball was slightly under-thrown and Brandon Joseph made a one handed interception while falling to the ground.

The dropped pick six by Ohio State, then the interception in the endzone to save a touchdown by Northwestern was a microcosm of the first half. Ohio State just couldn’t make the plays that were readily available to them and Northwestern was making championship level plays.

An Unexpected Hero on Defense

Ohio State had played poorly in the first half of the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game as well, but leaders like Chase Young and Jeff Okudah made big plays for the Buckeyes in the second half. In 2020, it was obvious the offense needed to commit to the running game and they would be able to move the ball. The question was who would make big plays for the Ohio State defense.

Justin Hilliard started the Big Ten Championship Game because Baron Browning was out due to Covid and the related contact tracing. He didn’t look at all out of place on the field for the Buckeyes. Hilliard’s story is one of struggle and perseverance. He was a highly touted recruit in the 2015 recruiting class for Ohio State but has battled through a slew of injuries in his career. Hilliard is now in his sixth year with the program and has carved out a role for himself as a backup linebacker. On Saturday, he was the defensive MVP for the Buckeyes.

On Northwestern’s opening possession of the second half they moved the ball efficiently to the Ohio State 9 yard line and were primed to extend their lead. Peyton Ramsey saw a one on one match-up against Hilliard and lofted the ball for his receiver. Hilliard was in perfect coverage, turned and located the football, then secured the interception to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard. The veteran linebacker was just getting warmed up.

Later in the third quarter with the score still 10 – 6 in Northwestern’s favor, Hilliard made another huge play for the Ohio State defense. Back to back penalties against the Buckeyes (roughing the passer and horse collar tackle) had set Northwestern up at the Ohio State 25 yard line. The Wildcats were again in position to add to their lead and again it was Justin Hilliard that turned them away. On first down, Northwestern tried a reverse pass but Hilliard was not fooled and closed on Riley Lees before he could turn the corner or throw the ball, making the tackle for a 9 yard loss. The play forced Northwestern off schedule and resulted in a long field goal attempt that was no good. Hilliard had stepped up and saved points again.

Hilliard was not done. Early in the fourth quarter, Ohio State held a 13 – 10 lead but Northwestern had the ball. Peyton Ramsey ran up the middle for an 11 yard gain, but fumbled the football. Of course it was Justin Hilliard who recovered the fumble and set the Buckeyes up with excellent field position. The Buckeyes would add a field goal on the ensuing possession extending their lead to 16 – 10.

Justin Hilliard made the most of his opportunity on Saturday, making big plays throughout the game for the Buckeyes. The sixth year senior made 9 tackles, with 2 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. Hilliard’s path has not been an easy one, but the former five star recruit turned in a five star performance for the Buckeyes when they needed it the most.

Record Breaking Rusher

Continuing the trend of unlikely heroes, Ohio State’s offensive hero was not even on the team last January. Trey Sermon transferred from Oklahoma to Ohio State in the spring. Without spring practices and a proper fall camp, it has taken Sermon some time to find his rhythm in the Buckeyes’ offense. Sermon was OK the first four games of the season and appeared to get better each week. He had a mini breakthrough against Michigan State two weeks ago when he ran for 112 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, but no one could have predicted his historic performance on Saturday.

Trey Sermon ran the ball well in the first half, but Ohio State kept getting cute and going away from the running game. In the second half they committed to it and let Sermon have his way with the Northwestern defense. Sermon had big holes to run through, he hit them with speed, broke plenty of arm tackles and made defenders miss for extra yardage. He carried the Buckeyes in the second half, breaking off big runs over and over again, until he wore the Northwestern defense down and helped the Buckeyes put the game away.

By the end of the game Sermon had not just had a big game, he had a record setting game. Sermon ran for 331 yards and 2 touchdowns on 29 carries, breaking Eddie George’s record for most rushing yards in a game by an Ohio State player. Sermon averaged a mind-blowing 11.4 yards per carry for the game and seemed to make a first down every time he touched the ball. It may have taken until the Big Ten Championship Game, but Ohio State found their lead running back in time for the 2020 College Football Playoff.

Impact going forward

Ohio State has now won four straight Big Ten Championships and is clearly the class of the conference. The Buckeyes are headed back to the Playoff with a re-match against Clemson looming. The team has had their depth tested the last two games with double digit players out because of Covid in both games, but Ohio State has found ways to win. They have proven they can throw the ball well, but when the passing game is not there they have also run the ball with attitude. Ohio State will now aim to avenge last year’s semifinal loss against Clemson and qualify for the National Championship Game. It’s an excellent result in a season that almost never happened.

Northwestern has become a strong contender in the Big Ten under Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats won the Big Ten West in 2018, but had a tough 2019 season. They bounced back and had an incredible run through the Big Ten to get to Indianapolis again. They went toe to toe with Ohio State for most of the game and showed the toughness and character their coach preaches. With several quality younger players contributing in 2020, Northwestern should be a contender in the Big Ten again in 2021.

Ohio State Big Ten Champions Gear

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Ohio State Buckeyes Image taken by Erik Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0.