New Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis led dominant run performances versus Ohio State in 2021. Cristobal led Oregon to 269 yards on 38 carries for a 7.1 yard per carry average and three touchdowns versus Ohio State. Gattis led Michigan to 297 yards on 41 carries, 7.2 YPC and six TDs.
The performances by the Ducks and Wolverines were the two most dominant rushing versus Ohio State in 2021. Ohio State finished the 2021 season 11-2 including a 48-45 victory over Utah in the Rose Bowl. Utah defeated Oregon twice in a pair of dominant performances. Oregon was a 14.5 underdog versus Ohio State.
C.J. Verdell was the dominant ball carrier for Oregon against Ohio State. Verdell had 20 carries for 161 yards and two TDs and added three receptions for 34 yards and another score. Quarterback Anthony Brown had 10 carries for 65 yards and a TD and backup running back Travis Dye had eight for 43 and a TD.
Dye also contributed one reception for 10 yards. Oregon did just enough in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Ducks ran 10 times for 36 yards in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 35-28 victory. Oregon entered the fourth quarter with a 28-14 lead. The win was one of the biggest during the Cristobal era in Eugene.
Oregon traveled to Columbus ranked 12th nationally. Ohio State entered the game with Oregon ranked third in the nation. The victory was the only one over a ranked team for Oregon last season. The Ducks had the two losses to Utah plus a Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma after Mario Cristobal left for Miami.
Michigan hosted Ohio State ranked sixth nationally against number two Ohio State. Hassan Haskins led Michigan with 28 carries for 169 rushing yards and five TDs with two receptions for five yards. Backup RB Blake Corum had six carries for 87 yards. Five other Michigan players had five carries for 43 yards and a TD.
The 297 rushing yards versus Ohio State was the fourth highest output of the season for Michigan. Michigan ran for over 300 yards and a combined 15 TDs versus Northern Illinois, Washington and Western Michigan. Gattis will strive for Miami to have the balanced offense Michigan had in 2021.
Michigan was 15th nationally in 2021 averaging 215.36 rushing yards per game. Oregon was 20th in rushing averaging 202.36 YPG. Miami finished 97th in rushing averaging 127.67 YPG. With five capable RBs on the roster, Miami should be able to improve their rushing offense with Mario Cristobal as HC and Josh Gattis as the OC.