Ohio State picks its spot: Jordan Hancock's 93-yard interception return for a TD sparks No. 3 Buckeyes past Rutgers after struggling first half

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Ohio State has been finding ways to win the close games all season, and they added another one against a team they have traditionally blown out. Cornerback Jordan Hancock woke up the No. 3 Buckeyes early in the second half with a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown and Ryan Day's team rallied from its first halftime deficit of the season to beat vastly improved Rutgers 35-16 Saturday. "We were not worried. we've been a second-half team all year," said Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who caught two of Kyle McCord's three touchdown passes on a day he was limited to four catches for 25 yards. "It's unfortunate we haven't gotten off to the start we would like, but we weren't worried." Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten, No. 1 in CFP) got a lot of big plays in the final 30 minutes. Besides the pick-6, McCord and Harrison connected twice for TDs (4 and 2 yards) in the fourth quarter, and TreVeyon Henderson ran for 78 of his 128 yards in the second half as the Buckeyes beat Rutgers (6-3, 3-3) for the 10th straight time. "Our goal is to be No. 1 at the end," Day said. "All it means is we're off to a good start and we've beaten some good teams. It doesn't mean anything to us. It's good for the fans. We know we're going to take everyone's best shot and we did today. Give Rutgers credit." Gavin Wimsatt threw a touchdown pass to JaQuae Jackson, Jai Petel hit three short field goals and Kyle Monangai ran for 159 yards for his third straight 100-yard game as the Scarlet Knights dented the Buckeyes defense for 361 yards. "We're just not there," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. "We're getting better. I don't know how to put it other than we are not there yet. We are a work in progress. We are getting better. We are just not there against the No. 1 team in the country, not quite yet." This was the Buckeyes' first game since they were ranked No. 1 in the CFP and they certainly didn't look like the best team in the country. They trailed 9-7 at the half and Rutgers appeared ready to add to that lead when they took the opening kickoff and drove to the Ohio State 20. On second down, Wimsatt tried to loop at pass over the front seven to Monangai around the 5-yard line. The running back and safety Josh Proctor collided and the ball popped in the air. Hancock grabbed the fluttering ball, turned and headed upfield and never stopped to give Ohio State a 14-9 lead. "I said before the first possession of the second half we needed a turnover and we got it," said Hancock, who gave Proctor and his blockers credit for the go-ahead touchdown. Monangai said he was trying to make a play on the ball and got hit. "The safety made a great play," said Monangai. "It was a tipped ball." Henderson scored on a 9-yard run to stretch the lead to 21-9 late in the third quarter. Rutgers got within five points on Jackson's TD catch and they had the ball deep in Ohio State territory before failing on a fourth-down pass. Ohio State, which was limited to 328 yards, made the margin look bigger in a game it was clearly tested. Rutgers, which had never lost to Ohio State by less than 22 points in nine previous meetings, took a 9-7 halftime lead on second-quarter field goals of 22, 21 and 20 yards by Patel. A Mohamed Toure interception near midfield set up the last kick, but the play that woke up the crowd at SHI Stadium was a trick play on fourth-and-1 from the Scarlet Knights 43 in the second quarter with Ohio State ahead 7-0. Wimsatt took the snap on what appeared to be a sneak, but he just as quickly handed the ball to Monangai with a second snapping motion. It fooled the Buckeyes defense and Monangai broke out to his right and ran 45 yards, the longest play against Ohio State this season. McCord (19-of-26 for 189 yards) had hit Gee Scott Jr. on a 14-yard TD pass in the first quarter. The takeaway OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes still have not given up more than 17 points this season. If they keep playing good defense, they can be No. 1. This was the first time in the last four games the defense allowed more than 260 yards. RUTGERS: The Scarlet Knights have closed the gap on the Buckeyes in a big way. Schiano's team proved it can play with anyone in the league. Poll implications Ohio State figures to stay at No. 3 for another week but holding on to the No. 1 College Football Playoff ranking might be tough. Up next OHIO STATE: Returns home to play Michigan State on Saturday night. RUTGERS: Travel to Iowa to face the Hawkeyes. No. 3 Ohio State 35, Rutgers 16 Ohio State&emsp;&emsp;7&emsp;&emsp;0&emsp;&emsp;14&emsp;&emsp;14&emsp;&emsp;—&emsp;&emsp;35Rutgers&emsp; &emsp;0&emsp;&emsp;9&emsp; &emsp;0&emsp; &emsp;7&emsp;&emsp;—&emsp;&emsp;16 First Quarter OSU—Scott 14 pass from McCord (Fielding kick), 8:35. Second Quarter RUTG—FG Patel 22, 7:49. RUTG—FG Patel 21, 2:03. RUTG—FG Patel 20, :01. Third Quarter OSU—Hancock 93 interception return (Fielding kick), 9:49. OSU—Henderson 9 run (Fielding kick), 2:39. Fourth Quarter RUTG—J.Jackson 19 pass from Wimsatt (Patel kick), 14:07. OSU—Harrison 4 pass from McCord (Fielding kick), 12:02. OSU—Harrison 2 pass from McCord (Fielding kick), 2:07. A—53,703. &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;OSU&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;RUTGFirst downs&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;15&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;22Total Net Yards&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;328&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;361Rushes-yards&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;29-139&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;43-232Passing&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;189&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;129Punt Returns&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;0-0&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; 0-0Kickoff Returns&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; 1-5 0-0Interceptions Ret.&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; 1-93 1-5Comp-Att-Int&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; 19-26-1 10-25-1Sacked-Yards Lost 1-9 1-7Punts 4-39.0 4-32.5Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0Penalties-Yards 5-57 3-30Time of Possession 24:24 35:36 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—Ohio State, Henderson 22-128, Trayanum 2-6, X.Johnson 1-5, Egbuka 1-4, Mirco 1-2, McCord 2-(minus 6). Rutgers, Monangai 24-159, Wimsatt 13-49, S.Brown 6-24. PASSING—Ohio State, McCord 19-26-1-189. Rutgers, Wimsatt 10-25-1-129. RECEIVING—Ohio State, Henderson 5-80, Egbuka 4-29, Harrison 4-25, Scott 3-24, Tate 2-31, X.Johnson 1-0. Rutgers, Dremel 5-69, Jackson 3-41, Langan 1-13, Washington 1-6. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.