Eric Boggs
Ohio State secured its first road win and first Big Ten victory of the 2024 season in commanding fashion, defeating Michigan State 38-7 in East Lansing. The Buckeyes’ performance mirrored their strong non-conference start, as they improved to 4-0 with a dominant second-half showing, scoring 28 unanswered points after a slow start.
Jeremiah Smith Shines Jeremiah Smith was the highlight of Ohio State’s offense, delivering two second-quarter touchdowns that sparked the Buckeyes’ separation from Michigan State. Smith’s first score came on a 19-yard end-around run, his first rushing touchdown as a Buckeye. Moments later, Smith added a spectacular one-handed catch for a 17-yard receiving touchdown, bringing his total to six touchdowns in just four games. His performance made him only the second Ohio State freshman receiver to score both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game, joining Ted Ginn Jr.
Early Struggles and Defensive Turnaround Ohio State’s defense initially showed vulnerability, allowing Michigan State to threaten on four of their first five possessions. The Spartans scored once and nearly added more points, but key defensive plays, including fumble recoveries by Sonny Styles and Jack Sawyer, kept Michigan State at bay.
The Buckeyes’ offense got off to a hot start, driving into the red zone on their opening possession before settling for a 30-yard field goal. Ohio State extended its lead on their second drive when Gee Scott Jr. caught a 3-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-goal, marking his first touchdown of the season.
Michigan State responded after a Will Howard interception set them up deep in Ohio State territory. The Spartans scored on a short pass from Aidan Chiles to Jaron Glover, cutting the Buckeyes’ lead to 10-7. However, that was the last time Michigan State found the end zone, as Ohio State’s defense stiffened, and the Spartans were held to just 65 yards of offense in the second half.
Strong Finish Ohio State’s offense exploded in the second half. Will Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka on a 33-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-5 to extend the lead to 31-7. Shortly after, Denzel Burke intercepted Chiles, giving Ohio State prime field position at Michigan State’s 12-yard line. Howard then ran in for a 6-yard touchdown, making it 38-7 and putting the game out of reach.
The Buckeyes’ defense was relentless, preventing Michigan State from reaching midfield on seven straight possessions and keeping the Spartans out of scoring range until the final minute of the game.
Key Stats and Milestones
- Jeremiah Smith’s two touchdowns moved him into elite company, tying Garrett Wilson for the third-most receiving touchdowns by an Ohio State freshman through four games.
- TreVeyon Henderson crossed 3,000 career rushing yards, highlighting a strong ground game that helped Ohio State maintain control throughout the contest.
- Ohio State’s win over Sparty marked their ninth consecutive against the green team from the state up north, which is the most consecutive victories over Michigan State in a row in school history.
- The Buckeyes’ pass rush matched last season’s high for sacks in a conference game with four. J.T. Tuimoloau, Sonny Styles, Mitchell Melton, and C.J. Hicks contributed to a dominant defensive effort.
- After giving up 181 yards in the first half, Ohio State held Michigan State to just 65 yards in the second, continuing their trend of strong halftime adjustments.
Looking Ahead Ryan Day reached 60 career wins as Ohio State’s head coach, becoming the second-fastest in school history to hit that milestone. The Buckeyes will look to carry this momentum into their first Big Ten home game against Iowa next Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
