MINNEAPOLIS – When CJ Stroud began wrestling early in his first career as an Ohio State quarterback, coach Ryan Day sidelined the first year from the red shirt.
The Buckeyes quarterbacks had no intention of backing down their typically aggressive game plan in attack. The day was fully awaiting the growing pains for Stroud, who didn’t even try to pass as Justin Fields ’backup during an abbreviated 2020 season, as he faced Minnesota on the road Thursday night. But Day told Stroud he wouldn’t play safely.
“He and I had a conversation at the beginning that we’ll keep swinging, no matter what, and we won’t play near the vest,” Day said. “That’s not how we do it here. And he responded, but I think it was the guys around him.”
Stroud and a dynamic group of receivers and backs around him came together from two deficits in the middle of the game to add 35 points in the second half and beat Minnesota 45-31 in a summery Huntington Bank Stadium. After passing just 58 yards with an interception in the first half, Stroud fired four touchdown passes from the second half and averaged 47.2 yards per shot. Stroud became the first Ohio State player with three passing touchdowns of 60 yards or more in the same game in at least the last 25 years.
The Ohio State’s six touchdowns lasted more than 30 yards, including Haskell Garrett’s 32-yard return. Stroud threw 70, 61, 56, and 38-yard touchdown passes, though most of the ground was covered after receptions from receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, and runner TreVeyon Henderson. Ohio State has recorded at least three touchdowns of 60 yards or more since the batting for the first time since its 2006 Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame.
“In the first half, my mind wasn’t right, it was everywhere,” Stroud said. “I talked to my teammates, praying a lot, trying to shut myself in again. I don’t feel terrible, but I definitely do the best I could.”
Ohio State seemed to use a more conservative game plan in the first half, with screen passes and shorter routes. Stroud’s longest finish was 15 yards, and he threw behind Olave, which resulted in an interception by Minnesota’s Terell Smith.
Stroud opened the third quarter by finding Olave on a deep crossover route for a 38-yard touchdown, and began starring his teammates in more aggressive plays.
“I have great teammates, but I think I’m a great player too,” Stroud said. “Maybe the first half didn’t prove it, but I did my best in the second [half]. In the second, I did very well. In the game of football, you have ups and downs, and they believe in me. They put me in situations to get the ball to them, and this is a great opportunity for me.
“Coach Day, he told me I’m playing, good or bad, he trusts me. He believes in me.”
Stroud follows two Ohio State quarterbacks, Fields and Dwayne Haskins, who became first-round draft picks in the NFL. But he also arrives with much less gaming experience, joking that it’s been “two years since I’ve played football.” The native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the starting job last month after competing with Jack Miller and Kyle McCord in the preseason.
“I told him early on,‘ No expectations, you could make four interceptions, make four touchdowns, I don’t know what’s going to happen, ’” Day said. lots of touchdowns. It doesn’t just work that way. There are many things to prosecute for a young quarterback who has never played.
“This is a very unique situation for someone who has really no experience to participate in a conference game on the road like that. Very, very impressed with their way of continuing to swing.”
Ohio State returns home to face No. 11 Oregon, who has won the Pac-12 in each of the last two seasons. The Ducks open the season Saturday at home against Fresno State.
“It’s a great learning experience for me,” Stroud said of his first start. “I felt like I kept my head up, kept positive, and my teammates just kept pushing me. Going into Oregon Week, you never know what might happen. It could happen again, but it’s all the that is you “. you will do it when they punch you in the mouth. “