Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans might have sweated for a moment, but the Buckeyes left little doubt by the final whistle. After struggling to convert early red-zone chances and watching Ohio briefly pull within four points, the Buckeyes erupted for 24 unanswered second-half points to secure a 37-9 victory under the lights in Ohio Stadium. The win pushed Ohio State to 3-0 heading into a bye week before Big Ten play begins at Washington on Sept. 27.
The night started with some frustration. The Buckeyes marched into scoring position on each of their first three drives but came away with just six points, turning it over on downs once and settling for two Jayden Fielding field goals. Julian Sayin eventually found Max Klare in the back of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown late in the first half, but a tipped-ball interception gave Ohio new life and led to a field goal, trimming the halftime margin to 13-3 despite Ohio State outgaining the Bobcats 278-28.
Things got even more uncomfortable right after the break when Parker Navarro returned from a first-half hand injury and promptly hit Chase Hendricks for a 67-yard touchdown. The missed extra point kept it 13-9, but Ohio State’s lead was suddenly just one possession. Fielding’s third field goal gave the Buckeyes some breathing room, and then the dam broke.
Sayin, who finished 25-of-32 for 347 yards and three touchdowns, hit Jeremiah Smith for a 47-yard strike, then connected with Carnell Tate on a 49-yard bomb. Smith later added a 17-yard rushing score, the second of his career, to put the game well out of reach. Smith tied a career high with nine catches for 153 yards to go with his two touchdowns, while Tate had his second career 100-yard receiving game with five grabs for 101 yards.
On the ground, freshman Bo Jackson once again showed his explosiveness, rushing for 109 yards on just nine carries, including a 64-yarder. The Buckeyes piled up 572 total yards and never punted, marking the first time since 2021 they’ve gone an entire game without calling on the punting unit.
The defense held Ohio under 130 total yards until the Bobcats’ final drive, with linebacker Arvell Reese posting a career-high seven tackles and two pass breakups. Depth pieces also got their chance, with Riley Pettijohn, Aaron Scott, and several young running backs making plays in extended action.
The win reinforced Ohio State’s dominance over in-state competition. The Buckeyes are now 53-0-1 in their last 54 games against Ohio schools, with their last loss coming to Oberlin in 1921. Against current MAC teams, Ohio State improved to 39-1 all-time, winning 39 straight since a 19th-century loss to Akron.
With NFL scouts from the Chiefs and Seahawks in attendance, the Buckeyes put plenty of talent on display. Smith and Tate continued to look like one of the best receiving duos in the nation, Sayin shook off his two interceptions with confidence, and the defense showed no drop-off even when the reserves rotated in.
Now, after three straight home wins to open the year, the focus shifts to a tough Big Ten road test at Washington. But for Buckeye fans, the 37-9 win over Ohio was another reminder that this team has both the depth and star power to make 2025 special, but they aren’t no where near where they need to be to win a back-to-back National Championship.
