Ohio State’s defense has gone through 11 games and remains the No. 1 unit in the country in both scoring defense and total defense.
Now the Buckeyes go up against another challenge at quarterback back in true freshman Bryce Underwood.
Head coach Ryan Day called the Michigan signal caller “dangerous” on Tuesday and it’s easy to see why.
In 11 games this season, Underwood had completed 171 of 275 passes for 2,166 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also run for 322 yards and five scores on 68 attempts.
While the QB may have had some freshman moments this season, he seems to be putting it together at the right time. Against Maryland, he was 16-of-23 passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns with 20 yards rushing.
Senior linebacker Sonny Styles acknowledged the attention the Buckeyes will have to give Underwood in the game.
”He’s kind of like Nico (Iamaleava) in a way,” Styles said. “Kind of similar speed. He’s got great arm talent. We’ve got to be aware of him at all times and keep him in the pocket. We have to be aware on third downs, seeing him scramble.”
Ohio State has done very well against quarterbacks who are able to get out of the pocket and run this season. Against Washington, the Buckeyes held quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to minus-28 yards rushing in the 24-6 win. Arch Manning had 38 yards on the ground, and Parker Navarro of Ohio was kept to just 3 yards rushing.
In those games, Arvell Reese was used often as the QB spy, and he performed very well in that role.
And the Buckeyes defense has done well against younger quarterbacks as well, with disguised coverages deployed by defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to confuse the opposing signal caller.
Junior safety Caleb Downs seems to believe that does provide an advantage to the Buckeyes in The Game.
“Bryce has played at an elite level the whole year,” Downs said. “He’s a really good quarterback. He does what he does really well. I think it’s going to be a challenge either way, but Coach (Patricia) does have a lot of experience playing against rookie quarterbacks and stuff like that. So, we’re confident in what we can do.
