Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans can now circle Sept. 21 on their calendars for a Big Noon Kickoff matchup against Marshall at Ohio Stadium. The Big Ten announced that this Week 4 contest will air on FOX at noon, marking Ohio State’s first midday game of the season. This follows earlier kickoffs at 3:30 p.m. against Akron and 7:30 p.m. versus Western Michigan. The Buckeyes will enter the game after an early bye week, well-rested and ready to continue their dominant start to the 2024 season.
Ohio State, currently ranked No. 3, has rolled through its first two games with convincing victories: a 52-6 win over Akron and a 56-0 rout of Western Michigan, both from the Mid-American Conference. Marshall, hailing from the Sun Belt, will also enter the game following a bye week. The Thundering Herd have split their first two games, beating Stony Brook 45-3 but falling to Virginia Tech 31-14.
The Buckeyes have faced Marshall twice before, winning both times in Columbus. The 2004 matchup was particularly memorable, with a last-second field goal by Mike Nugent sealing a narrow 24-21 victory. That game also made history with Ohio Stadium’s first-ever reviewed play. The Buckeyes followed that up with a 45-7 win in 2010, although that victory was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions stemming from the “Tattoogate” scandal.
As Ohio State looks to close out its non-conference slate, Buckeye Nation can anticipate another strong performance before the team shifts its focus to the highly anticipated conference play.
