After a strong start on defense, the Illinois Fighting Illini have started to fall apart in the second quarter, and now trail the Ohio State Buckeyes, 31-6, heading into halftime. They managed to enter the second frame trailing by just a point, but Ohio State rattled off 24 unanswered points to take the commanding lead halfway through this game.
Quarterback Braxton Miller hit Rod Smith for a 51-yard touchdown to give the buckeyes their second touchdown of the second quarter and their third of the day. Prior to that, Carlos Hyde rushed for a 5-yard score to make it 17-6, and it was his second of the day, as he accounted for Ohio State's seven points in the first quarter as well. Near the end of the half, he scored again, this one from 4 yards out.
Nathan Scheelhaase has thrown for just 76 yards for the Illini. He's also picked up 45 yards on the ground, but it hasn't been enough to remotely keep up with the Ohio State offense at this point. He threw an interception in the final seconds of the half.