Ohio State QB Justin Fields bounces back from shaky performance

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields showcased his dual-threat ability that many scouts questioned after his unusual performance

It took a couple of weeks, but Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields finally avenged his three-interception game against Indiana. After a one-week hiatus, due to COVID-19 canceling their game against Illinois, Fields and the Ohio State offense came out guns blazing against Michigan State.

Even with a shaky offensive line performance and a back-up center who could barely snap the ball starting, Justin Fields seemed unfazed under pressure. Fields was able to find his receivers all day.

The former five-star recruit threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Fields also completed 70% of his throws with no interceptions. After his last game, improved accuracy and decision-making were crucial to prove to scouts that his three-interception game was nothing but a fluke. His best throw of the day was a 40-yard touchdown pass to his favorite target Chris Olave. The throw showcased his beautiful deep ball that scouts have been drooling over.

https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1335321271639355393

Fields did not just torch the Spartans’ defense through the air, but also on the ground. He was masterful in executing the read-option. Fields, no matter if it is a read-option or RPO, always makes the right decision on when to keep the ball in his hands. Ohio State kept going back to the read-option, one of which Fields took for 44 yards.

Fields did not just run on designed plays either. He displayed the pocket awareness and mobility that had scouts on the Fields’ hype-train to start the season. He ended his day with 104 rushing yards, not to mention two rushing touchdowns. One of which was just a two-yard run, but he was able to dodge a four-man pass rush to escape the pocket and get to the pylon.

Even with a bounce-back performance, many scouts still have questions about Fields. Fields will have a couple of more games to prove his worth (assuming no more games are canceled because of COVID) to NFL scouts. The combine and pre-draft interviews should erase the doubt that Justin Fields should NOT be the second quarterback taken in this year’s draft. The 52-13 rout against a Michigan State team that upset Northwestern the previous week should prove that.