The Buckeyes offense was as explosive as advertised in the first half, finishing with 429 yards (285 passing yards and 144 rushing yards). Four of Ohio State’s five touchdowns were over fifteen yards. Two of those were over 50 yards. 

On nearly every drive, Ohio State rarely had to worry about third down conversions. The offense gained chunk yardage on a consistent basis, constantly applying pressure to Michigan State's defenders.

Besides tossing an interception in the first quarter, OSU quarterback CJ Stroud was clinical against MSU. He entered the locker room with 285 yards and four touchdowns, completing 15 passes on 18 attempts. Michigan State's secondary made life easy for Ohio State's elite receiving core, consistently blowing coverage and allowing massive gains and explosive touchdown passes. And, with a strong start from running back TreVeyon Henderson, MSU couldn't afford to simply focus on the air-raid offense.

The Buckeyes did not punt once in the first half. The only miscue on offense was a Stroud pick-six tossed in the first quarter. 

Offense a bit tepid

After a rough showing against Maryland last weekend, MSU’s offense didn’t look great against OSU in the first half. 

Redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne wasn’t terrible, completing 11 of 17 passes. However, there was absolutely no ground game to speak of. MSU went into halftime with just four rushing yards. In total, Michigan State’s offense only racked up 117 total yards. 

Michigan State’s only offensive scoring drive of the day was bailed out by a pair of Ohio State penalties. The two personal fouls came at essential situations for MSU’s offense (a second and long and a third down), putting the Spartans at the Buckeyes 18. Redshirt senior Jayden Reed made OSU pay for the penalties with an 18-yard touchdown reception in man coverage. 

First interception of the year

Six games into the season, Michigan State finally notched its first interception of the year. 

Following a three-and-out from MSU’s offense, the Buckeyes had the ball on their own 25 yard line. Stroud dropped back in the pocket and threw a quick seven-yard pass to the wide receiver on his left. Thanks to a miscommunication, Stroud’s receiver kept streaking down the field, leaving only MSU’s sophomore cornerback Charles Brantley open for the pass. 

He cashed in on the error, intercepting the pass and taking it to the house.

The pick-six was responsible for seven of MSU's 13 points at the half. It was by far Michigan State's most explosive play of the half, creating some energy and giving fans a glimpse of hope.