COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The opponent certainly wasn't the finest Ohio State will face this season. But coming off an upset loss, the Buckeyes were looking for an outlet for their frustration and some reasons to feel good about themselves as they regroup to try to make a run at a Big Ten title.
With a bye week looming, these three Buckeyes stood out the most and could be ready to take some steps forward down the line.
H-Back Curtis Samuel
The true freshman has drawn rave reviews from coach Urban Meyer for his explosiveness, and he really had a chance to show it off against an overmatched Kent State defense. Samuel looked like the football version of an acrobat, spinning away from tacklers, flying through the air to pick up extra yardage and also sticking one notable landing in the end zone when it looked like he could have easily been stopped short of the goal line. The versatile weapon finished with a pair of touchdowns, complementing his 100 yards rushing and 40 yards on four catches in a performance that will keep Meyer excited about his future.
Breaking into the starting lineup still won't be easy with a steady veteran like Curtis Grant in the way at middle linebacker, but McMillan was another newcomer who took advantage of extra snaps in a lopsided victory. McMillan finished as the leading tackler for Ohio State with seven hits, but it was his three plays behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks, that offered a glimpse at his athleticism and ability to read plays and react quickly. After spending the past two seasons low on depth at linebacker, the Buckeyes appear to be on their way to restocking the cupboards.
QB J.T. Barrett
Kent State would have been the ideal opponent for Barrett's first career start instead of his third. Maybe then the redshirt freshman and his inexperienced offensive line would have been able to build some confidence before facing an aggressive, physical defense like Virginia Tech's. Obviously it didn't work out that way for the Buckeyes, but Barrett looked to be in complete command and much more comfortable running the show on Saturday, throwing for 312 yards and tying a school record with six touchdown passes. Barrett still has room to grow, and Meyer plans on working him hard during the bye week, but he showed signs of progress with his accuracy and decisions.
