The No. The No. 4 Buckeyes displayed a great offensive display against the Golden Gophers to start the season. (2:06).
MINNEAPOLIS -- C.J. Coach Ryan Day pulled Stroud aside after he began to struggle in his first career game as Ohio State's quarterback.
The fourth-ranked Buckeyes didn't intend to back down from their aggressive offensive game plan. Day expected Stroud to experience growing pains, and he didn't even attempt a pass for Justin Fields' backup in the abbreviated 2020 season. He faced Minnesota on Thursday night. Day said to Stroud that he would not play safe.
Day stated, "He and me had a conversation early in the day that we're going keep swinging, regardless of what happens and we're never going to play close at the vest." "That's not how we do it here. He replied, "But I think it was the men around me."
Stroud, along with a dynamic group receivers and backs, rallied from two half-time deficits to win 35 second-half points. Minnesota was defeated 45-31 at the rainy Huntington Bank Stadium. Stroud completed four touchdown passes in the second half after completing only 58 yards and throwing an interception. He averaged 47.2 yards per completion. Stroud became Ohio State's first player to score three touchdown passes of at least 60 yards in the same game within the last 25 years.
Six of the six Ohio State touchdowns were over 30 yards. Haskell Garrett's 32-yard return for a fumble was also a touchdown. Stroud was able to throw touchdown passes of 70 yards, 61 yards, 56 yards and 38 yards. However, most of the ground was covered by the receptions of Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, as well as TreVeyon Henderson, running back. For the first time since 2006 Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame, Ohio State had at least three touchdowns that were 60 yards or more from scrimmage.
Stroud stated that in the first half, his mind was not right and that he was "kind of all over the place". "I spoke to my teammates, praying a lot and trying to get back in. Although I don't feel terrible, I tried my best to do the best I could.
In the first half, Ohio State used a more conservative strategy with screen passes and shorter routes. Stroud's longest completion was 15 yards. He threw behind Olave which resulted in an interception by Terell Smith of Minnesota.
Stroud began the third quarter by finding Olave crossing deep for a 38 yard touchdown. He then started featuring his teammates on more aggressive plays.
Stroud stated, "I have great teammates but I also think that I'm an excellent player." Although the first half was not as good, I gave my all in the second. The second half was great. There are ups and downs in football. They believe in me. They place me in situations that will get me the ball. That's a huge opportunity for me.
"Coach Day, no matter what I play, good or poor, he trusts in me. He believes in me.
Stroud will be following Fields and Dwayne Hakins, two Ohio State quarterbacks who set records. Both were first-round draft picks in the NFL. He jokes that he hasn’t played football in two years and also has less game experience. After competing against Jack Miller and Kyle McCord at preseason camp, the Rancho Cucamonga native was awarded the starting position.
Day stated that he had told Day early on that there were no expectations. He might throw four interceptions or four touchdowns. Everyone thinks that you can just go out and throw for 300 yards and scores of touchdowns. It doesn't work this way. A young quarterback who has never played can learn a lot.
"This is an unusual situation for someone with zero experience in going into a conference on the road. I was impressed by his ability to keep swinging.
Ohio State will face No. 11 Oregon, which won the Pac-12 championship in both of its previous two seasons. Saturday's opening game of the Ducks season is against Fresno State.
Stroud described his first start as a "great learning experience" "I felt like my head was up and I kept my cool. My teammates kept me going. You never know what might happen when you go into the Oregon week. It's possible it could happen again. But, it all depends on what you do after you get punched in your mouth."
