In the first half of Saturday’s Big Ten championship game, it was clear Northwestern came ready to play, while Ohio State uncharacteristically struggled as it tried to boost its College Football Playoff resume.
To be fair, the Buckeyes are playing without 22 players — including star wide receiver Chris Olave — but most people probably didn’t expect the Wildcats to have the lead at halftime. Northwestern entered the break with a slim 10-6 lead in Indianapolis. In fact, as FOX Sports’ broadcast noted, this is the first time Ohio State didn’t score a touchdown in the first half of a game since October 20, 2018 — a game it lost to Purdue.
And it’s partly because of this incredible one-handed interception by freshman defensive back Brandon Joseph.
Ohio State had a chance to take the lead at the end of the first half and was on Northwestern’s 9-yard line on 2nd-and-5 with about 30 seconds left. Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields’ intended receiver was Garrett Wilson in the end zone, but Joseph was right there with him.
Joseph was almost beat, but as it looked like he was falling, he stuck his hand out for an unbelievable interception to keep Ohio State from taking the lead going into halftime.
WHAT A PICK 🤯@NUFBFamily's @BrandonJoseph_1 snatched it out of the air with one hand! pic.twitter.com/6bNAsaLl9r
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
WHAT? HOW?
Not only does Joseph lead the Wildcats with his now-six interceptions this season, but he’s also now at the top of the Big Ten and the FBS with picks this season. It was also only Fields’ fourth interception of the season.
Joseph’s effort and Northwestern’s stifling defense is a big reason why the Buckeyes struggled in the first half of the conference title game.
