Ohio State Buckeyes

Meyer pulls Cardale Jones for J.T. Barrett as Buckeyes enter red zone

Published Oct. 10, 2015 12:54 p.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

COLUMBUS — Urban Meyer mentioned during the week leading up to Ohio State's homecoming game against Maryland he might use J.T. Barrett in the red zone.

Then he did it in the first quarter on Saturday.

And it worked.

After Cardale Jones led the Buckeyes to the Maryland 25-yard line on their second offensive possession, Barrett replaced him for a second-and-4 play. He ran 6 yards on a designed keeper for a first down and three plays later connected with Michael Thomas for 20 yards on third-and-16.

JT Barrett gets his number called for the #Buckeyes. Runs for a first down on his first play. pic.twitter.com/HeFYFfuYR4
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) October 10, 2015

After Ezekiel Elliott was stuffed on a first-down run, Barrett scored on a designed run and Ohio State tied the game with Jack Willoughby's PAT kick.

TOUCHDOWN #Buckeyes! JT Barrett dives in from three yards out. Game tied at 7 - http://t.co/Jtb5iXP90a pic.twitter.com/ZjV88tVDLR
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) October 10, 2015

The next time the Buckeyes took possession at the Maryland 40, Jones was back at quarterback and moved the OSU offense to the 13-yard line.

After lining up at wide receiver while Braxton Miller took a direct snap and ran for 8 yards, Jones left in favor of Barrett again.

This time Elliott did most of the damage, running three times for 7 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run that came one play after Elliott was stopped for a 1-yard loss on a sweep.

Jones started the game 4-for-5 passing for 32 yards before Barrett entered for the first time.

The Buckeyes ultimately won 49-28 with both quarterbacks playing well.

Jones completed 21 of 28 passes for 291 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. He also ran for 19 yards on six carries.

Barrett, who also got some snaps as the quarterback outside the red zone in the second half, completed 2 of 2 passes for 26 yards. He ran for 62 yards on 12 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Asked after the game if this would be the new permanent plan for the quarterbacks, Meyer chuckled as he said, "Sure, until next week."