Top-ranked Ohio State made sure the absence of suspended standout defensive end Chase Young was not a factor by dominating Maryland 73-14 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday.

Justin Fields, playing the first half only, was 16 for 25 for 200 yards and three touchdowns and had 28 yards rushing and a score to complement the 90 first-half yards and two rushing TDs by J.K. Dobbins for the Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten).

OSU backup running back Master Teague added 111 yards on 18 carries.

The Terrapins (3-7, 1-6) have lost five straight and were outgained 705-139, including 192-1 in a first quarter in which the Buckeyes led 21-0.

OSU was up 42-0 at the half by compiling 363 yards compared to Maryland's 66 against the best scoring defense in the country (7.9 points per game).

Young, a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, was suspended indefinitely while the NCAA investigates a possible improper loan. He leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13 1/2 sacks, a sack shy of breaking the school record.

His absence was not expected to have a major impact against Maryland or an overmatched Rutgers on Nov. 16 if the suspension is extended, but the Buckeyes host No. 4 Penn State and play at No. 14 Michigan on successive weeks to end the regular season.

Ohio State had touchdowns on its first six possessions in the first half (the final one was a knee to end the half), starting with a 12-yard scoring pass to Binjimen Victor. After Fields' 4-yard scamper for a 14-0 lead, the Buckeyes recovered an onside kick and went 57 yards in eight plays, capped by a 4-yard TD reception by K.J. Hill.

Maryland's first TD -- a 26-yard pass from Josh Jackson to Dontay Demus with 3:00 to play in the third quarter to make it 52-7 -- was aided by an Ohio State unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and two personal fouls on three straight plays.

Jackson threw for 35 yards, completing 4 of 9.

--Field Level Media