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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Myan Williams carried the load for Ohio State’s No. 3 running back, rushing for a career-high 189 yards and five touchdowns as the Buckeyes beat Rutgers 49-10 on Saturday.
Williams got a chance to go with a career-high 21 carries when TreVeyon Henderson was a late scratch with an unspecified injury. Williams, a third-year player, had a 70-yard TD run in the third quarter along with four short snaps.
The 2-yard TD in the fourth quarter, his fifth of the game, set an Ohio State rushing record. He is the first quarterback to throw five touchdowns in a game since Keith Byars in 1984. Pete Johnson also did it in 1974.
Williams had the best game of his career at Ohio State on a day when quarterback C.J. Stroud wasn’t as sharp as usual. The Heisman Trophy favorite completed 13 of 22 passes for a career-low 154 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Rutgers took a 7-0 lead after Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka fumbled on a punt, setting up a 14-yard TD pass from Evan Simon to Sean Ryan. It was the first time the Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) had trailed in a game since going down 3-0 in the opener against Notre Dame.
Ohio State tied the score on its next possession when Williams’ 32-yard rumble set up his 2-yard TD two plays later.
Stroud took advantage of the Rutgers turnover with his best pass of the half, a dime that found running back Julian Fleming up the middle for a 36-yard touchdown. Williams’ third TD gave Ohio State a 28-7 halftime lead.
Stroud threw his second interception of the season early in the second half, but the Scarlet Knights (3-2, 0-2) could only score on Jude McTomney’s 35-yard field goal.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights had decent defense at times, but little came of it. Williams rushed for more yards (189) for Ohio State than the Scarlet Knights offense had all day (172).
Ohio State: Williams came off the run and blocked almost every time until he was benched with about 11 1/2 minutes left in the game. He has shown he can be the bell-ringer in the Buckeyes’ explosive offense, whether he gets the chance again or not. He usually shares carries with Henderson.
The Buckeyes did what they had to do against the conference’s weaker team. Most likely, they will stay where they are.
Rutgers: Hosts Nebraska next Saturday.
Ohio St: at Michigan State, first road game of the season, next Saturday.
