Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) is flushed out of the pocket by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Dawuane Smoot (91) in the fourth quarter on Saturday.

(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Typically, if Cardale Jones is on the field, Ohio State is winning comfortably.

The Buckeyes' third-string quarterback, forced into second-string duty this year thanks to Braxton Miller's injury, is typically relegated to closer duty late in a game, occasionally running the ball, but never really doing more than getting the fourth quarter clock to 0:00 in the quickest way possible.

On Saturday, with J.T. Barrett nursing an MCL sprain and Ohio State up 31-0 at halftime, Jones found himself with an entire half of football to show he's more than just a mop-up man.

"I think that was the first time we let him play," Urban Meyer said after Ohio State beat Illinois 55-14 on Saturday night. "Usually he gets in there, we just kind of mush it around. He was in there with some really young linemen and still moved the ball. So I thought he did very well."

Jones, who came to Ohio State by way of Glenville High School and Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, finished 5-for-9 for 82 yards and two touchdowns. That's better than either quarterback Illinois used on Saturday.

His 27-yard touchdown pass to Dontre Wilson in the third quarter — the first of Jones' career — was a beautifully thrown over-the-shoulder pass.

Jones also ran seven times for 47 yards.

"I knew he had some jitters that first series," Ohio State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman said. "He missed some things here and there. He's had a great few weeks of practice. I'm very confident in what he can do. Two really good throws on the touchdowns, didn't ask him to do a whole lot other than that."

Perhaps Jones' most impressive play came on a bone-jarring hit he laid on former Glenville teammate and Illinois defensive back V'Angelo Bentley, who picked up a fumble on a play that was eventually called back.

But even that didn't surprise Herman.

"I don't know if I've learned anything earth-shattering, other than the confidence we have in him, that he instilled in us in practice, that's pretty real, save for the first few kind of jittery plays," Herman said.

• Devin Smith had two touchdown receptions, putting him at 25 for his career, tying him for third place with Santonio Holmes on Ohio State's all-time list.

• Buckeyes linebacker Curtis Grant had his first career interception, and a fumble recovery.

"That was a special moment for me tonight," Grant said. "I felt like I needed it. I felt like I was kinda complacent. But you get to realizing you don't have that much time. You think you're good but in reality you're not, it was good to get out there and make some plays for the guys."

• The Buckeyes won their 20th consecutive Big Ten regular season game, tying the record set by Ohio State from 2005-2007.

• Ohio State freshman Curtis Samuel earned his first career start at running back, starting in place of Ezekiel Elliott, who played sparingly.

• Ohio State defensive end Steve Miller had a career-high three tackles for loss.

"I'm just trying to be consistent every week and trying to get better," Miller said. "Learn anything I can to make plays out there."

• The Ohio State men's basketball team scrimmaged at Value City Arena on Saturday ahead of the Buckeyes' game against Illinois. It was our first chance to get a look at the Buckeyes basketball team and star freshman D'Angelo Russell.

Russell looked smooth in the little bit that we saw, but who also jumped out were the big men Thad Matta will have at his disposal this year. Temple transfer Anthony Lee looks like he'll bring a physical presence in the post.