
Although this Ohio State football season is replete with backstories and subplots- probation, the first year for Urban Meyer, the surprise undefeated streak that
reached ten in Saturday’s 52-22 rout of Illinois at the Horseshoe- perhaps the main storyline is the emergence of Braxton Miller as a transcendent player in program history. Though the true sophomore is a work in progress as a passer, his spectacular playmaking ability has lifted his team all season. He’s the biggest reason why Ohio State, with an otherwise somewhat ordinary team, is 10-0 for only the ninth time in program history.
All of Miller’s talents- active and latent- were on display Saturday against the overmatched Illini. Although he finished with a modest 73 rushing yards on 17 carries, he made his usual eye-popping plays with his legs. But where Braxton really shone was in the passing game. Looking comfortable in the pocket and firing strikes downfield, he went 12-of-20 for 226 yards and two touchdowns. In the 24-point second quarter that blew the game open, Miller completed 4-of-8 for 128 yards and fired a 51-yard scoring bullet to Rod Smith off a wheel route.
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