No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes Overcome Slow Start, Survive Maryland Terrapins Scare

The No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes staved off an upset attempt by the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium Saturday.

Safety Lathan Ransom's third-quarter interception helped flip momentum in the favor of the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes, as they defeated the Maryland Terrapins 37-17 Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State's (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) defense helped with what was a scuffling offense early on with a pair of interceptions that led to 10 of the Buckeyes' 37 points. Safety Josh Proctor returned his second-quarter interception 24 yards to the end zone for Ohio State's first score of the game.

Following Ransom's interception, the Buckeyes needed nine plays to go 33 yards — 22 of which came on a completion to tight end Cade Stover — before kicking a go-ahead 24-yard field goal in the third quarter.

It was all Ohio State from there. 

Quarterback Kyle McCord connected on 44- and 17-yard touchdown passes to Stover and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., respectively.

Harrison led all receivers with eight receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown. McCord overcame a 2-for-7 start, completing 19 of his 29 pass attempts for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buckeyes scored on six of their final seven drives to end the game — with their final drive ending the game — outscoring Maryland 27-7 in the second half.

However, Maryland (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) controlled the first half.

Other than a fourth-down stop on an attempted quarterback keeper by backup quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., the Buckeyes were completely out-played in the first quarter.

Maryland gained 83 more yards than Ohio State, which had three drives result in a turnover on downs and two punts. Buckeyes long snapper John Ferlmann snapped to linebacker Cody Simon who was dropped for a 3-yard loss.

The Terrapins capitalized with two 15-yard completions — the latter being a touchdown throw to wide receiver Kaden Prather to open the scoring.