Dwayne Haskins, Dante Booker named LGHL Week 4 MVPs

Despite the fact that the vast majority of starters were out by halftime, watching the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Tulane Green Wave 49-6 on Saturday was a ton of fun. The Buckeyes put up 570 yards of total offense, 14 players caught passes, and the starting quarterback didn’t have a single designed-run called for him.

Against Tulane, Dwayne Haskins continued to prove that he is one of best quarterbacks (if not the best quarterback) in the country, and with 14 players catching pass, there was a lot to be excited about on offense. However, while the Buckeye defense was tough throughout, one player stepped up and put injuries and setbacks behind him to have a great day.

So, without further ado, the Land-Grant Holy Land Week 4 MVPs.

Week 4 Offensive MVP: Dwayne Haskins

21-for-24, 304 yards, 5 touchdowns (less than one half of action)

Look, I don’t want to overreact or anything here, but Dwayne Haskins is the best quarterback in college football, and he is the best passer in Ohio State history. His 16 scores on the season rank second through four games in the history of the Big Ten conference, even though he has only played roughly five halves this entire season thus far.

Coming into the year everyone knew that Haskins had an incredibly strong arm, but it has been his accuracy, touch, and decision making that have been most impressive so far in 2018. In his less than one half of play on Saturday, Haskins completed 87.5 percent of his passes, and did so on pinpoint passing.

For example, on his second touchdown of the day, Haskins hits Terry McLaurin around the 4-yard line, but because the QB was able to lead his receiver, McLaurin caught it in stride, and took it into the end zone.

However, his pinpoint accuracy was not reserved for short throws. Though technically a 37-yard touchdown pass, Haskins threw the ball on this TD pass about 50 yards in the air, and dropped it perfectly into the waiting hands of Parris Campbell (more on him later).

Despite being the starting quarterback at Ohio State, Haskins has been a bit under the radar this season, in part because of the hype surrounding Tua Tagovailoa. However, if #7 continues to put up numbers even approaching these in games against better competition, it will be nearly impossible to keep him away from the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York this December.

Week 4 Defensive MVP: Dante Booker

4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack

Dante Booker has had an up-and-down career at Ohio State. One of the few players remaining on the roster that played during the 2014 National Championship season, knee and shoulder injuries have prevented Booker from living up to the potential that he’s showed when healthy.

Even though he is listed as a second-string linebacker, he tied for the team lead in tackles and sacks against Tulane, and had the most solo tackles and TFLs. If Booker is able to make the most of his playing time and work himself into the first team rotation, his veteran leadership would be a welcome addition to the inexperienced, and underwhelming unit.

In the video below, he showed his speed and tackling ability en route to racking up 21 lost yards on back-to-back plays early in the third quarter.

Honorable Mention:

Parris Campbell:
8 receptions on 9 targets, 147 yards, 2 touchdowns

Austin Mack:
3 receptions on 4 targets (no drops), 32 yards, 1 (really impressive) touchdowns