Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Spring Game: Tackling Was Limited But Passing Wasn’t

By Charlie Lockhart

Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer prepares his team for the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer prepares his team for the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Scarlet team defeated the Gray 38-31 in the Ohio State spring game it was quite an aerial display.

In an unexpected twist, the Ohio State spring game was played by rules closer to touch football than tackle football. While the hitting was limited, the number of passes the quarterbacks were allowed to throw weren’t.

It only made sense for Urban Meyer to tone down the violent hits on ball carriers and receivers. With so many returning starters and key backups, it would be a shame to lose any of them to an injury during a scrimmage.

Although the Buckeye defenders weren’t as aggressive in their tackling as fans are used to seeing them be, the same certainly can’t be said of the passing offense. J.T. Barrett, Joe Burrow and Dwayne Haskins combined for 48 completions, 626 yards and 7 touchdowns on 61 passing attempts.

And those numbers were compiled in a 40 minute scrimmage with a running clock in the second half. Here’s a look at some of the key passing and receiving stats of the Ohio State spring game. Thanks to Tim Daniels of Bleacher Report for the info.

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  • J.T. Barrett   8-12  71 yards  1 TD
  • Joe Burrow  14-22  262 yards  3 TD
  • Dwayne Haskins  26-37  293 yards  3 TD
  • Johnnie Dixon  6 receptions  108 yards  2 TD
  • Terry McLaurin  4 receptions  80 yards  2 TD
  • K.J. Hill  6 receptions  62 yards
  • Parris Campbell  5 receptions  46 yards
  • Demario McCall  2 receptions  48 yards  1 TD

There wasn’t a need to work on the running game, with four starters on the offensive line returning along with running back Mike Weber. It was the pass offense that is the biggest area of concern as the Buckeyes head into the 2017 season.

Urban Meyer said he was going to emphasize the downfield passing game this spring, and you can tell that he has. The 10+ passing yards per attempt in the spring game is proof of that.

Next: Young Bucks Ready to Make First Impression

It’s not likely you will see an aerial attack next season like the one that was on display during the spring game. But if the Ohio State offense can again be a threat through the air as well as on the ground, Urban Meyer’s power spread offense will be clicking on all cylinders in the 2017 season.

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