The Buckeyes began with 9 new starters on defense, including a brand new front four.
Buffalo came out in the wildcat on their first third down, forcing Urban Meyer into an early timeout. Although they looked like they could test the green Ohio State defense on their first series, the pressure appeared to get to Buffalo as they worked their way down the field. The drive stalled, and Buffalo was forced to punt. Their first series ended up netting them 19 yards on seven plays.
The Buckeyes responded with three straight runs (picking up a first down along the way), and then a deep bomb to Devin Smith for a touchdown. The Buckeyes went for 2 and got it, and it became clear early that Urban Meyer is not playing around. 4 plays, 63 yards. 1:09 taken to score.
Buffalo would have wanted to respond, but went three & out on their next possession. Although this isn't a very high level of opposition, the untested Buckeyes D looks like they're already finding a groove.
On the second drive, Braxton was in a groove, hitting freshman Dontre Wilson on a swing pass for a big pickup. On the next play, Miller had all day to pass, and found Chris Fields for a 20+ yard pickup. Two plays later, Braxton rolled to the left and hit Chris Fields for a 7 yard TD pass. 2 possessions, 2 TD's. The Buckeyes went for 2 again, with Ken Guiton hitting Jordan Hall on a swing pass to the left.
Braxton Miller is 4-4 for 89 yards with 2 TD's after 2 drives.
Buffalo is facing a 5 DB set up from the Buckeyes. DL Noah Spence blows up 2nd down and takes down the Buffalo QB for a 4 yard loss on a read option. Buffalo goes long on 3rd down, and overthrows a WR down the left sideline. It looks like another 3 and out for Buffalo...but a personal foul for roughing the kicker gives them new life.
Buffalo moves the ball with a couple of nice plays and gets to around midfield with a new first down. 3 straight plays of great defense by the Buckeyes forces another Buffalo punt. Ryan Shazier is a beast, getting a ton of pressure on the QB of the edge. Corey Brown bobbles the punt briefly but falls on it.
After the punt, OSU starts deep in their own territory, around the 15 yard line. Braxton in a groove, moving team right down the field with a mix of passes, QB runs and hand offs. Braxton scrambles to mid field, which results in an amazing crack-back block by Corey Brown.
After the Buckeyes hit mid-field, Braxton flawlessly operates the read option up the middle and hands off to Jordan Hall for a absurdly easy 49 yard TD run untouched. OSU went for 1 this time, to take a 23-0 lead. Buckeyes looking polished and every bit the #2 team in the country.
The quarter comes to an end with OSU leading 23-0, 216 yards to 63 on offense, and 9 first downs to Buffalo's 6.
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