Ohio State Spring Game 2018: Gray Beats Scarlet as Joe Burrow Shines

Gray defeated Scarlet 37-14 in the Ohio State Spring Game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday.

The competition to replace J.T. Barrett at quarterback took center stage, and all three candidates acquitted themselves well in appearing for both teams.

Joe Burrow led the way with 238 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-22 passing, while Dwayne Haskins threw for 120 yards and two scores on 9-of-19 passing.

Tate Martell had the toughest day from a passing perspective, as he completed just five of his 16 attempts for 28 yards and one interception, but he did plenty of damage with his legs in rushing for 69 yards and one touchdown.

Wide receiver Demario McCall was perhaps the biggest star of the game, with 11 receptions for 165 yards and two scores.

Saturday's contest started with a feel-good moment: former Ohio State and current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier serving as an honorary captain.

As seen in the following video courtesy of Big Ten Network, Shazier received a huge ovation from the massive Ohio Stadium crowd:

Shazier will miss the entire 2018 season after suffering a major spinal injury last season.

Following Shazier's appearance, Scarlet and Gray locked horns, with most of the focus on Burrow, Haskins and Martell and whether any of them would be able to separate from the field.

Early indications are that Martell is significantly behind Burrow and Haskins from a passing perspective, but as seen in the following GIF from Eleven Warriors, his supreme athleticism was on full display:

While there are undoubtedly questions regarding OSU's quarterback situation, the Buckeyes are likely to boast a strong running game in 2018.

That was made apparent Saturday when running back Mike Weber ripped off a 63-yard run in the second quarter, as shown by Ohio State Athletics:

In limited action behind Barrett last season, Haskins flashed some major potential that suggested he could be the heir apparent.

He did little to squash that perception Saturday in making some big-time throws, including this second-quarter touchdown pass to Jaylen Harris:

Haskins is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat opposing defenses in myriad ways, but the biggest key to him possibly winning the quarterback competition may be his deep-ball accuracy.

In the third quarter, Haskins hit Binjimen Victor in stride for a big play that set up Gray to extend its lead to 24-14:

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports expressed his belief that Haskins could be a great fit as Ohio State's starter in 2018 given how much dynamism the team boasts at wide receiver:

While Haskins did some great things in the third quarter, the fourth belonged to Burrow, who added some intrigue to the quarterback battle.

Burrow and McCall developed some chemistry in the final frame, beginning with a 50-yard scoring strike after McCall got behind the secondary:

The combination then hooked up again for another score from 42 yards out on the final play of the game:

Burrow was quarterbacking for Gray on both touchdowns, which finalized the winning 23-point margin.

Head coach Urban Meyer likely still has plenty to consider over his quarterback situation, but both Haskins and Burrow look like quality options.

The Buckeyes' skill-position players made explosive plays on offense as well, which suggests that whichever quarterback is named the starter will be placed in an ideal position to succeed.