J.T Barrett Sets New Ohio State Record for Total Offense, Most Touchdown Passes

When Braxton Miller went down with season-ending shoulder surgery in August, Ohio State fans were concerned. And with good reason. Redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, who had never taken a collegiate snap, was the Buckeyes’ new starting quarterback.

Turns out, no one had any reason to worry. Following a slow start, Barrett has been exceptional as Ohio State’s starter. Saturday afternoon, he set Ohio State records for total offense in a season and touchdown passes in a season in the Buckeyes’ 42-27 win over Indiana. OSU also clinched the Big Ten East title and a berth in Dec. 6's Big Ten title game. 

Barrett’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jalin Marshall was his 31st touchdown pass of the season, breaking the record held by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith in 2006. He also passed Miller’s single-season total offense mark of 3,310 yards, set in 2012.

Barrett finished the game completing 25 of 35 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions, adding 78 yards rushing. 

It was his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season, and Barrett also has a pair of 100-yard rushing games this season. He has emerged as a legit Heisman Trophy candidate, and while OSU coach Urban Meyer began the season by saying Miller would get his job back without question next fall, that isn’t an open-and-shut case any more.

Last week, Meyer told Doug Lesmerises of The Cleveland Plain Dealer that "competition brings out the best" in players and said that OSU was “fortunate” to have both players in the fold.

Barrett is a dangerous passer and runner. He entered Saturday as the Buckeyes’ No. 2 rusher and has clearly improved with every week. He’ll be a huge asset for Ohio State’s program going forward, and these will be far from the last records he breaks in an OSU uniform.