It was imagined that today’s matchup between 9-1 Ohio State and 9-1 Michigan State would be competitive.
That has not been the case. In the first half alone, the Buckeyes put up an historic whomping on Sparty as Ohio State quarterback C.J Stroud had rookie setting numbers — 29 completions in 31 attempts for 393 yards and six touchdowns. Michigan State’s defense was helpless to stop Stroud and his preposterous cadre of receivers. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson each caught two touchdown passes, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming each added one of their own.
C.J. Stroud had a ridiculous first half performance: 29-31, 393 pass yards and 6 touchdowns 😳 pic.twitter.com/C1row39Vz6
— ESPN (@espn) November 20, 2021
This caught the attention of a couple of NFL quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown six touchdowns in a game twice in his NFL career (against the Rams and Steelers, both in 2018), and did it twice at Texas Tech (against Baylor in 2014 and 2016).
6TDs 400yds 2 incompletions in the first half Lolol 😂
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) November 20, 2021
Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields also chimed in, knowing full well that the Ohio State single-game passing touchdown record he tied last season (along with Dwayne Haskins, JT Barrett, and Kenny Guiton) against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl was very much under attack until head coach Ryan Day made the decision to take Stroud out of the game.
Too Easy
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) November 20, 2021
It has indeed been too easy for the Buckeyes, who held a 49-0 halftime lead. Stroud, the redshirt freshman, has now thrown 36 touchdowns to just five interceptions this season.
