Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Three takeaways from Michigan State win

By Riley Thomas

Sat., Nov. 20, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after a touchdown with teammate Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) during the first quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY Network.Cfb Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes
Sat., Nov. 20, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after a touchdown with teammate Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) during the first quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY Network.Cfb Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes /
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The Ohio State football team made a statement Saturday afternoon, annihilating No. 7 Michigan State, 56-7. The Buckeyes made their case as a national title contender and will be on the move in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings.

Similar to last week, it was an offensive explosion for OSU. This time around the Silver Bullets held strong as well, pitching a shutout in the first half. It was an all-around dominant showing for the Bucks and was one of the most impressive halves for Ohio State in recent memory as they led 49-0 at halftime.

Here are three takeaways from the Scarlet and Gray’s remarkable win over the Spartans.

1. Ohio State football’s receivers continue to break records

As usual, the receiving trio of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba was unguardable.

Each wideout had at least seven receptions, 100 receiving yards, and a touchdown. This was the first time in OSU football’s long history that three players had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in the same game.

The records are starting to pile up for the nation’s best wide receiver corps. Smith-Njigba set the single-game reception record (15 catches) only two weeks ago against Nebraska. The sophomore Smith-Njigba became only the sixth Buckeye WR in the program’s history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in a season vs. Purdue.

Olave (848) and Wilson (939) are also nearing 1,000 yards for the season as well—this will be the first time Ohio State has even two receivers with 1,000 yards in the same year. Against Michigan State, Olave of course broke David Boston’s career-receiving touchdown record at OSU.

Olave will go down as one of Ohio State’s best receivers ever. He can continue to set new career receiving records this season as he closes in on Michael Jenkins’ career receiving yards record (2,898), with Olave sitting at 2,623 career receiving yards.

More records will be smashed by what is the best receiving group in Ohio State football’s history. Smith-Njigba has a chance of setting a new record for most receptions in a season; he currently sits at 69 catches and Parris Campbell has the record with 90 receptions. Smith-Njigba with 1,132 receiving yards through 11 games also has a shot of passing David Boston’s record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,435.

Every Buckeye wideout excelled at what they do best vs. the Spartans. Olave was the constant deep threat with his two long receiving touchdowns. Wilson did everything yet again, he generated explosive plays and broke plenty of tackles. Plus, Smith-Njigba was the security blanket underneath with his 10 receptions.

Everyone already knew this was the best wide receiver unit in college football. On a huge stage, Olave, Wilson, and Smith-Njigba only further emphasized that with perhaps their best performance yet as a group.

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