The Ohio State Buckeyes were very lucky to escape with a 52-51 win over Maryland in overtime Saturday.
The Buckeye defense struggled for much of the game, and needed a late touchdown just to force the overtime period. Ohio State got the ball first and scored, while Maryland answered only moments later.
Maryland interim coach Matt Canada decided to go for the jugular and attempt a two-point conversion to beat the Buckeyes, and it might have worked had quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome not missed wide receiver Jeshaun Jones, who was wide open in the end zone.
Ohio State SURVIVES after Maryland fails to connect on a 2-point conversion pic.twitter.com/cWXgVtNEqc
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 17, 2018
A further look shows just how uncovered Jones was if Pigrome had only been able to execute on the throw.
Wide open might be an understatement. Crazy game. pic.twitter.com/YcvLuUguGf
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 17, 2018
Canada’s call will be understandably controversial. The Maryland offense had been rolling over Ohio State all day. There was an argument to be made that Ohio State couldn’t stop them over four downs, and boiling the entire game down to one do-or-die game was short-sighted on the part of the Terrapins. One can understand Canada’s desire to clinch the upset, and frankly, had his quarterback been able to execute, he’d be praised for a very gutsy call. Instead, it’s a heartbreaking loss.
