By MITCH STACY, AP Sports Writer
COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio State came into the opener with a stand-in coach and a new starting quarterback after a truly bizarre preseason that led to a three-game suspension for coach Urban Meyer.
The day worked out OK for the offensively prolific No. 5 Buckeyes, though their defense might still be more of a work in progress than expected.
New starter Dwayne Haskins Jr. threw for a record five touchdowns as Ohio State scored on five of its first six possessions and cruised to a 77-31 rout of overmatched Oregon State on Saturday.
The Buckeyes shook off Meyer’s first absence from the sideline in six years, piling up 721 yards and tying the record for points scored in an opener.
Meyer will be allowed to return to practice on Monday, although his suspension by the university will last for two more games. He was sanctioned after an investigation showed he mismanaged former assistant Zach Smith, who was accused of domestic violence and other bad behavior.
The scandal has dogged the program for the past month.
Acting coach Ryan Day wasn’t surprised the Buckeyes started strong, jumping ahead 21-7 in the first quarter and going ahead 42-14 at halftime.
“There was a quiet confidence about this team all along,” said Day, the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Haskins, who took the keys from four-year starter J.T. Barrett, was 22 for 30 for 313 yards. The five touchdowns and yards gained are records for a first-time Ohio State starter.
Day coached from the sideline, with co-offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson in the press box.
“I didn’t notice anything different,” Haskins said. “Just having coach Wilson on the field vs. coach Day, they both did a great job giving advice, communicating with me after the drives. There wasn’t any stress with that.”
RUNNING BY COMMITTEE
One of the questions in training camp was how Ohio State was going to use talented backs Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins.
Day platooned the pair Saturday until the backups took over in the second half.
Weber was the star , showing the form he displayed two seasons ago when he rushed for over 1,000 yards. A leg injury slowed him last year and that allowed true freshman Dobbins to grab the limelight.
Weber had 20 carries for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Dobbins had 15 for 74 yards.
“We talked about it, think about it a lot,” Weber said. “It’s the reason I came back. We knew that we were going to split carries. But splitting carries is actually good on the bodies for both of us.”
The Buckeyes host Rutgers on Saturday.