Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s offense fired on all cylinders Saturday night as the Buckeyes rolled to a 42-3 victory over Minnesota at Ohio Stadium, improving to 5-0 on the season. Behind a near-flawless performance from quarterback Julian Sayin and a masterclass from wide receiver Carnell Tate, the Buckeyes turned what began as a tight first quarter into a complete rout that reminded everyone why Ohio State remains the number one team in the country.
Sayin completed 23 of 27 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns, while Tate torched the Golden Gophers’ secondary with nine receptions for 183 yards and a score. Most of Tate’s production came early, as he racked up 163 yards by halftime, turning the game into his personal showcase for NFL scouts — including representatives from six different teams in attendance. His performance continued what has become a weekly pattern of dominance, building on a season that has already positioned him as one of the top draft-eligible receivers for 2026.
The Buckeyes actually trailed early after Minnesota opened with a 27-yard field goal, but that was the last positive moment for the visitors. Ohio State rattled off 42 unanswered points, starting with a one-yard touchdown run by CJ Donaldson to close the first quarter. From there, Sayin’s precision and confidence took over. Early in the second quarter, he found Jeremiah Smith for a six-yard touchdown before unleashing a 44-yard strike to Tate to push the lead to 21-3.
Ohio State’s defense matched the offense’s firepower with critical stops, including a fourth-down stand at midfield when Caleb Downs and Beau Atkinson stuffed a Minnesota run attempt, setting up the short field for Sayin’s deep touchdown to Tate. On special teams, the Buckeyes added a spark of creativity when Brandon Inniss lateraled to Lorenzo Styles Jr. on a punt return, resulting in a 36-yard gain that set up Bo Jackson’s five-yard rushing touchdown. Jackson, who made his first career start at running back, finished with 63 yards on 13 carries and one score.
Sayin capped his night early in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard touchdown dart to Smith, the sophomore receiver’s second of the game and 20th of his Ohio State career — making him just the 11th Buckeye ever to reach that milestone. Lincoln Kienholz later added a one-yard rushing touchdown, his first in scarlet and gray, sealing the 42-3 win.
Ohio State’s defense smothered Minnesota, holding them to just 162 total yards and one conversion on 11 third-down attempts. The Buckeyes outgained the Gophers 474 to 162 and averaged over eight yards per play. Payton Pierce made his first career start at linebacker, while defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. left early with an injury and did not return.
The night also marked a personal milestone for head coach Ryan Day, whose career winning percentage climbed to 88.2% (75-10), nudging past Notre Dame legend Knute Rockne’s historic 88.1%. While the NCAA won’t officially recognize Day’s percentage until he completes 10 seasons, the accomplishment underscored just how dominant the Buckeyes have been under his leadership.
Day, ever lighthearted, downplayed the milestone after the game. “Well, I’m glad you brought that up because this is the last game I’ll ever be coaching at Ohio State,” he joked. “I’m gonna hang it up and do a walk-off right now.” Then, smiling, he added, “No, a long way to go. It has everything to do with the players, the coaches and this place. I know what the obligation and expectation are here, and so do these players and coaches. We’ll just keep swinging away.”
The Buckeyes’ consistency under Day continues to impress — he’s never lost more than two games in a season and has guided Ohio State to at least 11 wins every year outside the shortened 2020 campaign. His team has now won nine straight games dating back to last season’s playoff run, and this latest performance only strengthened the sense that Ohio State’s national title defense remains firmly on track.
Next up, the Buckeyes hit the road to face Illinois in Champaign next Saturday, looking to keep their unbeaten streak alive in Big Ten play. If the Sayin-to-Tate connection stays as sharp as it looked against Minnesota, there may be no stopping Ohio State’s march toward another championship run.
