COLUMBUS, Ohio — Going into the primary begin of his profession, Luke Duncan can be going through the nation’s top-ranked workforce in probably the most intimidating environments in faculty soccer with an offensive line lacking its most veteran starter.
It went about in addition to one would possibly anticipate.
Don’t blame Duncan, the UCLA backup quarterback who did his greatest with a conservative sport plan within the absence of Nico Iamaleava. It was simply that the Bruins have been so completely outclassed that they principally had no probability with their star quarterback sidelined by concussion signs he skilled earlier within the week.
Ohio State scored on its first 5 drives on the best way to a 48-10 victory on Saturday at Ohio Stadium, the highlights for the Bruins sporadic sufficient to be counted on one hand.
There was a sack by linebacker Jalen Woods to finish a Buckeyes drive early within the third quarter, forcing them to punt. There was a fourth-down cease on Ohio State’s subsequent drive that gave the ball again to the Bruins. Duncan lastly put his workforce on the board late within the third quarter when he discovered Kwazi Gilmer reducing throughout the sphere for an 18-yard landing.
“He got more and more comfortable, that’s what I was proud to see of him,” UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper stated of Duncan. “That’s a tough deal and just proud of that kid for fighting. He never blinked an eye and just kept moving forward, so he’ll build off of that.”
There was little to have a good time for the Bruins (3-7 general, 3-4 Large Ten) on an evening they have been outgained, 440-222, in complete yardage even after tightening up significantly on protection within the second half.
Duncan more and more discovered a rhythm after halftime and accomplished 16 of 23 passes for 154 yards with one landing and no interceptions. The redshirt sophomore was by no means sacked, an offensive line that was lacking guard Garrett DiGiorgio holding up in opposition to the Buckeyes’ stress.
“It was nice to get in that rhythm,” Duncan stated, “and just wish we could have started earlier.”
Ohio State defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson, high, tackles UCLA operating again Jaivian Thomas throughout the first half Saturday.
(Jay LaPrete / Related Press)
Playcaller Jerry Neuheisel tried to assist Duncan with a sport plan that known as for plenty of brief passes and some direct snaps to operating backs. It led to a comparatively environment friendly efficiency from a quarterback who had not beforehand thrown a move on the faculty stage however didn’t assist the Bruins construct any momentum as they managed solely two first downs within the first half.
“He had his little package of plays that we had for him,” Skipper stated. “We were trying to get him going, you know, get him to ease into the game.”
UCLA didn’t cross midfield till huge receiver Rico Flores Jr. hauled in a 51-yard move late within the third quarter. The Bruins ultimately scored on Gilmer’s landing, however the momentum was solely momentary on condition that the Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0) returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a landing as Lorenzo Kinds Jr. efficiently navigated the protection.
“It was a no-DNA touchdown,” Skipper stated, “I don’t think anybody touched him.”
Ohio State’s offense produced many of the memorable moments in constructing a 27-0 halftime lead. Extensive receiver Jeremiah Smith snagged a move with one hand close to the sideline, drawing audible amazement from the group of 104,168. Operating again James Peoples hurdled UCLA defensive again Cole Martin on a 19-yard landing run, thrilling these followers anew.
Ohio State operating again James Peoples, high, hurdles over UCLA defensive again Cole Martin to attain a landing throughout the first half Saturday.
(Jay LaPrete / Related Press)
Simply when it appeared as if issues couldn’t worsen for a workforce going through a 24-0 deficit within the closing minute earlier than halftime, Will Karoll’s punt went off the aspect of his foot and into the physique of an Ohio State participant. The Buckeyes kicked a subject aim two performs later.
There was little slowing Ohio State’s offense. Operating again Bo Jackson rushed for 112 yards and one landing and quarterback Julian Sayin accomplished his first 11 passes on the best way to throwing for 184 yards and one landing earlier than giving solution to a backup halfway by means of the fourth quarter.
The Bruins waved the white flag within the closing two minutes, permitting Madden Iamaleava to make his collegiate debut in reduction of Duncan.
Duncan stated he came upon he was beginning Friday throughout a workforce assembly on the sphere, occurring to steer the offense by means of a mock sport.
“I gave him the [best] advice ever — just throw the ball to our color jersey,” Skipper cracked, “that’s all I told him.”
As Duncan warmed up greater than two hours earlier than kickoff, Nico Iamaleava stood behind his understudy, carrying sun shades and the hood of his windbreaker pulled over his head. Duncan appeared assured and poised as he took underhanded tosses from a workforce supervisor and fired passes, even bopping his head ever so barely as Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” blared over the stadium loudspeakers.
Duncan stated Iamaleava rewatched performs on an iPad with him throughout the sport, serving to Duncan diagnose the Buckeyes’ protection. Different teammates inspired Duncan, even after the rating grew to become lopsided.
“The whole O-line was cheering me on the whole time, and nobody got negative,” Duncan stated. “It’s just a great group. No one gave up.”
Iamaleava was dominated out after he absorbed a sequence of punishing hits the earlier weekend in opposition to Nebraska.
There was no reduction in what he would see Saturday night time.
