Ohio State redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett broke Braxton Miller's single-game school record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 189 and accounted for four touchdowns as the Buckeyes downed Minnesota 31-24.
Barrett now has accounted for 38 touchdowns this season, which is a single-season school record; the record had been 36, set by Miller last season.
The win kept Ohio State's playoff hopes alive; the Buckeyes (9-1) rank eighth in the College Football Playoff selection committee's top 25.
Barrett's day -- which came on a snowy day in which the temperature at kickoff was 18 degrees -- was highlighted by an 86-yard TD run that was the first score of the day. It was the longest run by a Buckeyes quarterback in school history and the third-longest scoring run in school history.
Barrett's rushing total came on 17 attempts (11.1 yards per carry). He also was 15-of-25 for 200 yards and three touchdowns, with the touchdown passes accounting for 109 yards.
His 389 yards of total offense was his second-highest total of the season, behind the 409 he had against Cincinnati. It also was the sixth time this season he has thrown at least three TD passes in a game.
Barrett has 29 TD passes; the single-season school record is 30 by Troy Smith in 2006, the season he won the Heisman.
Barrett's big day overshadowed a fine performance by Minnesota senior tailback David Cobb, who showed off his toughness and downhill running ability with 145 yards and all three of Minnesota's touchdowns. He scored on runs of 5, 30 and 12 yards. The Golden Gophers managed just 85 passing yards.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
