Ohio State defense first thoughts: Forcing opponents to be perfect, and a look at Zion Grady

A quick look at the OSU defense after the Buckeyes held Minnesota to three points on Saturday night.

Caleb Downs and the Buckeyes shut down Minnesota on Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State)

COLUMBUS — Defensive thoughts on the Buckeyes as Ohio State beat Minnesota 42-3.

Ohio State forces you to be perfect

Honestly, are we sure Ohio State made a bunch of adjustments after the first drive, when Minnesota marched 66 yards on 13 plays for a field goal?

The Buckeyes defensively want to make you play perfect football. They don’t want any receivers getting behind them, they’ll drop eight and play zone and make you hit throws, and then they’ll see if you can do it again and again and again.

First-year Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey did play almost perfect football on that drive. He completed his first seven passes, including a 25-yarder to tight end Jameson Geers into a hole in the middle of the zone. And what did the Gophers get out of it? A field goal.

The perfection didn’t last. Lindsey’s first incompletion was thrown away when it seemed Minnesota was looking to roll right and throw back left and the Buckeyes shut it down. The second incompletion on third down came when Lindsey did have a crosser with a step, but his throw was a bit wide and couldn’t be pulled in. Not perfect. No touchdown.