Ohio State crushes Rutgers

J.T. Barrett had an outstanding performance as No. 13 Ohio State thrashed Rutgers 56-17 on Saturday in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

Barrett completed 19-of-31 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, adding 107 yards and two scores on the ground.

The Buckeyes (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) set a school record by scoring at least 50 points for a fourth straight game.

Ohio State sacked Rutgers' Gary Nova four times. Nova finished 17-of-28 for 192 yards and one interception.

Desmon Peoples amassed 83 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for the Scarlet Knights (5-2, 1-2), who had their winning streak snapped at three games.

The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives, building a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Ohio State's fourth possession resulted in a three-and-out, but Janarion Grant fumbled after a catch on the first play of the next Rutgers drive. Rashad Frazier forced the turnover with a jarring hit from behind and Eli Apple scored on a 4-yard return.

The Buckeyes went up 35-7 on Rod Smith's 3-yard TD run, then the defense delivered another big play when Doran Grant picked off Nova's pass in the end zone just before halftime.

In the third quarter, Barrett scored on runs of 33 and five yards before Evan Spencer made a one-handed grab for an 11-yard TD.