COLUMBUS, Ohio _ Chase Young or no Chase Young, Ohio State figured to roll over outmanned Maryland on Saturday.
The Buckeyes did.
Ohio State didn't miss the star defensive end in a 73-14 pummeling of the Terrapins in front of an announced crowd of 101,022 at Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes, who were atop the initial College Football Playoff rankings this week, improved to 9-0 (6-0 Big Ten).
Young was held out of the game because of a possible NCAA violation related to an improper loan. He was not seen at the stadium.
Young may be the centerpiece of the Buckeyes' defense, but he is not the only star. The Terrapins rolled up 535 yards a year ago in a 52-51 overtime loss to Ohio State.
The current Buckeyes' defense bears no resemblance to last season's, and it held Maryland (3-7, 1-6) to only 139 yards. Running back Anthony McFarland, who ran for 298 yards against Ohio State last year, was held to 7 yards on six carries.
The Buckeyes offense was just as dominant. Their starters scored touchdowns on all six of their first-half possessions, excluding a last-minute kneel-down, before resting the entire second half. Quarterback Justin Fields threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-25 passing and scored on a run.
Running back J.K. Dobbins ran for two touchdowns and 90 yards on 12 carries.
But don't think the Buckeyes didn't play _ and coach _ with an edge just because their starters didn't play in the second half. Coach Ryan Day called for an onside kick with the Buckeyes ahead 14-0 early. It was executed perfectly as Chris Olave caught Blake Haubeil's pooched kick in stride.
After Ohio State scored on a Dobbins 20-yard run with 52 seconds left in the second quarter to make it 42-0, Day called two timeouts on Maryland's ensuing possession. The Buckeyes then nearly blocked the Terrapins' punt before taking the kneel-down.
Ohio State steamrolled Maryland from the start. The Buckeyes forced a three-and-out on the game's first possession and drove 47 yards for their first touchdown, a 12-yard pass to Binjimen Victor.
Ohio State then went 71 yards for their next touchdown. After Olave's onside kick recovery, K.J. Hill scored on a 4-yard pass from Fields. Olave then scored on a 2-yard pass to make it 28-0. At that point, Ohio State had outgained Maryland 261-1.
The Buckeyes added two more touchdowns before letting reserves take over in the second half. They closed the scoring with touchdown runs of 5 and 20 yards by Demario McCall.
The Terrapins ended the Buckeyes' shutout bid with 3 minutes left in the third quarter on a 26-yard touchdown catch by Dontay Demus from Josh Jackson, who started the game but was benched before returning.
The Buckeyes play next week at Rutgers, which lost 48-7 to Maryland on Oct. 5.
