Ohio State Spring Game 2015: Recap, Highlights and Twitter Reaction

Head coach Urban Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes began the march to their title defense at Saturday's spring game, where Team Gray defeated Team Scarlet, 17-14.

Cardale Jones was the star of the event, playing all four quarters and throwing a couple of deep touchdown passes to Corey Smith for Team Gray. 

For Jones, the event served as a way to take an early lead in the three-way quarterback battle yet to unfold, while Smith used the platform to make his case as the No. 1 wideout after offseason departures.

Brandon Castel of The-Ozone.net revealed Smith's final line and award afterward:

Saturday was a day of celebration and moving forward, as Bill Rabinowitz of The Columbus Dispatch illustrates:

As Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch notes in response to a tweet by Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde, fans flocked far and wide to see the defending champions begin their next campaign:

It started with the infamous Oklahoma drill at the 50-yard line, finalized with Jones taking on another quarterback to rile up the players before the actual game.

During the pregame interview, Meyer stressed the importance of finding a guy who could take the top off the defense with Devin Smith on his way to the NFL.

Corey Smith, who caught just 20 passes a season ago, reeled in a 46-yard bomb from Jones on the first drive in response. It seemed to lead to a touchdown reception by Jalin Marshall, but the referees later corrected the call and ruled him down to keep the game tied.

Joey Bosa and the defenses dominated after the non-touchdown until late in the second quarter, when Jones unleashed a 58-yard pass to Smith to put Team Gray up 10-0 going into the break.

Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer put it best:

Smith seemed to be Jones' favorite target on the day, although he did attempt to get the ball deep down the field to Curtis Samuel, Marshall and others in the first half.

The early reviews, such as one by Men of the Scarlet and Gray's Jeremiah, hinted that Smith has what it takes to step into the void and act as the No. 1:

There is competition, though.

For instance, Terry McLaurin brought in a clutch touchdown pass from Stephen Collier to end the half at 10-7, as captured by Ohio State on BTN:

Speaking of the half, Jones put on a show then, too, throwing a football 74 yards to best former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith in the longest pass competition. 

Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod offered thoughts on the matter:

Jones remained in the game for the second half with J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller still nursing injuries.

Most of the other players on the field to run out the clock were younger, though. This was no surprise, as Meyer wants to keep his players both healthy and hungry. He spoke to Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel about the latter before the game:

"

I think we’ll be fine offensively and defensively. Scheme-wise, I’m pushing them [to be] on the cutting edge. On offense, we have two new coaches who came from two great programs. On defense, I love our staff, we’re trying to do more stuff. I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about the development of the young guys, and will we still be that same hungry team that showed up in New Orleans and then Dallas?

"

Collier and other young players took control in the third frame, which happened quickly with no stoppages thanks to a rolling clock. Team Scarlet scored as the frame ended, giving it a 14-10 lead.

Jones and Smith took a late drive the distance, though, as the two converted a 37-yard deep connection to take back the lead, 17-14. Castel explained the degree of difficulty on the throw for Jones:

A last-ditch effort in response from Collier fell short as the Buckeyes' pass rush ramped up to secure the victory for Team Gray.

Ohio State on BTN captured Meyer's thoughts on the game afterward:

For the Buckeyes, the tire has hit pavement for their title defense. Meyer's defense looks as strong as ever, and Saturday proved that his offense will continue to click right along, no matter which of the three talented quarterbacks winds up winning the job.

The road is long throughout the summer for a Buckeyes roster with plenty of jobs still up for grabs. Saturday was a great start and a reaffirmation that Ohio State remains one of the deepest teams in the nation across the board.

Info courtesy of OhioStateBuckeyes.com unless otherwise specified.