Ohio State Overcomes Frustrating Start, Overpowers Ohio

In Ohio State’s first night game of the season, the Buckeyes were seemingly in a slugfest with reigning MAC champion Ohio. For a while, if you were scrolling the scoreboard section on your favorite app, it would look like the Buckeyes were at risk of an upset. However, despite the 37-9 final score, it was never quite as close.

All in all, it was not the Buckeyes’ cleanest efforts. Even then, it’s good to get the kinks out in Week 3 against a lesser opponent with an off week up next.

Ohio State Overcomes Frustrating Start, Overpowers Ohio

Red Zone Woes

The reason for the closeness of this one was due to the Buckeyes’ inability to finish drives. Ohio State’s first three drives ended at the nine, 20, and two-yard lines. The Buckeyes walked away with six points after field goals on the latter two drives. The first drive of the game ended with a sack of Julian Sayin, who was not as sharp as he was last week. Even then, he finished 25-of-32 for 347 yards and three touchdowns.

Ohio State’s fourth drive broke the trend thanks to a 16-yard scramble drill touchdown from Sayin to Max Klare in the back of the end zone. Then, on Ohio State’s first drive of the second half, it drove down to the Ohio 10. On third down, Sayin found CJ Donaldson for what looked to be another touchdown, but the running back stepped out at the four. It was another red zone trip resulting in three points.

The Buckeyes didn’t need to worry about the red zone until the fourth quarter, thanks to a few big plays. The next trip was capped off by a Jeremiah Smith end-around score. The talented sophomore ended his 19th career game with 153 receiving yards and one touchdown. He added a 17-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

It could have been an instance where Brian Hartline was trying new stuff in the red zone to see what could be done. In reality, the Buckeyes could have just lined up as they did against Texas and Grambling State and run the ball. Thankfully, it didn’t come back to haunt them.

 A Full Mag of Silver Bullets

In a game that saw the Ohio State offense leave points on the field, it could have gotten out of hand if the Ohio offense had taken advantage. However, the Bobcats could not get anything going against the Silver Bullets on the other side of the field.

Ohio finished the game with 181 yards of offense. 64 of those came on one play.

The Ohio State defensive line, led by Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald, dominated the Ohio offensive line. In total, the Buckeyes recorded four sacks and seven tackles for loss. Ohio wanted to establish the run with Parker Navarro, Sieh Bangura, and Duncan Brune. Ohio State knew that and trusted its secondary on islands to load the box and turn the Bobcats one-dimensional.

Navarro was knocked out for a short time after being hit by Beau Atkinson, but he returned in the second half to lead the Bobcats on a two-play touchdown drive.

This game was taken over by the Ohio State front seven. Matt Patricia’s unit rallied to the ball and made life hell for the Ohio offense. Arvell Reese continued his breakout campaign, and Akinson has earned more playing time in the rotation.

With a better offense waiting in Washington in two weeks, Ohio State feels up to the challenge.

Bo Knows

Plenty of Buckeyes stepped up and played well against Grambling State last week. Considering the game ended 70-0, and the Tigers were thoroughly outmatched, the Buckeyes made sure plenty of young guys earned playing time. The one offensive player who made the most of his opportunity was Bo Jackson. Last week, he led all Buckeyes with 108 yards and a score off just nine carries.

Against Ohio, the Buckeyes tried running with Donaldson and James Peoples. RB1 and RB2 combined for 86 yards off 16 carries. Jackson came in and immediately showed that he has the vision and explosiveness to take over the backfield. Carried by a 64-yard burst on his first carry of the second half, Jackson led the Buckeyes again with 109 yards off nine carries.

If you’re keeping track at home, that’s 12.06 yards per carry for the true freshman.

Jackson doesn’t have that TreVeyon Henderson breakaway speed. However, he makes up for it with a certain decisiveness in the hole that the Buckeyes were missing with Donaldson and Peoples.

At this point, it looks like he is the best back in the room. Even if the coaches do not share that opinion, Jackson has earned more opportunities as Big Ten play opens up in two weeks.