The 95th annual Ohio State football spring game was dominated by Matt Patricia’s Silver Bullets in a rainy 35–26 win, wrapping up the spring practice season. This year’s result gives the defense its second win in four years of the ‘Offense vs. Defense’ format.
40,240 fans braved the rough forecast to pack Ohio Stadium, and early on, the offense gave them something to cheer about with a couple of scoring drives. But once the defense settled in, everything flipped. The Buckeye defense took over and made life difficult on every possession, showing why Patricia’s return could be one of the most impactful in the country.
Senior defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. led the charge with back-to-back sacks, while Alabama transfer John Walker added another. Beau Atkinson came up with a tipped interception, and the secondary held strong despite missing Florida State transfer safety Earl Little Jr.
The offense was short-handed, missing projected starting running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, along with freshman Legend Bey and multiple offensive linemen. Even so, there was still plenty to be excited about. Returning Heisman finalist Julian Sayin went 8-for-15 for 82 yards and a rushing touchdown, while former Bellefontaine standout Tavien St. Clair threw for 166 yards and a score, connecting with Chris Henry Jr., who finished with 96 receiving yards.
With the backfield thin, Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson carried eight times for 20 yards and added three catches for 35 yards, while freshman Favour Akih led all backs with 16 touches for 50 yards.
Baylor transfer kicker Connor Hawkins went 2-for-3 on field goals, hitting from 46 and 42 yards.
Game Summary
Scoring for the Spring Game was traditional for the offense, while the defensive scoring breakdown is below:
- Touchdown: 6 points, extra point goes to defense.
- Takeaway: 3 points.
- 3 and out: 3 points.
- Sack: 2 points.
- Force punt: 1 point.
As for the format of the game, it scripted out as follows:
- 1st Quarter– 15 mins – clock runs/stops as usual
- 2nd Quarter– 12 mins – clock runs/stops as usual
- Halftime will be 12 minutes
- 3rd Quarter– 12 mins – Clock Management via Coach Day
- 4th Quarter. – 10 mins – Clock Management via Coach Day
The offense opened sharp — Julian Sayin led a 14-play, 65-yard drive and finished it with a 4-yard touchdown run on fourth down. Tavien St. Clair followed by leading a scoring drive that ended in a 46-yard field goal, then later connected with Chris Henry Jr. for a 40-yard touchdown to build a 17–5 lead late in the first quarter.
From there, everything flipped. The defense started piling up points with pressure and takeaways — Beau Atkinson came away with a tipped interception and added a sack, while Kenyatta Jackson delivered back-to-back sacks to stall another drive. The offense struggled to finish possessions, and a mix of three-and-outs and a turnover on downs helped the defense turn a 17–5 deficit into a 27–17 halftime lead as rain moved in.
The second half followed the same script. The defense kept control with more stops, including a fourth-down stand deep in its own territory, stretching the lead to 33–17. Connor Hawkins added a 42-yard field goal late, but consistent offense was tough to find.
There was one final spark — freshman quarterback Luke Fahey broke free on a third-down scramble for a 68-yard touchdown — but the offense couldn’t cash in on a late red-zone chance.
In the postgame press conference, head coach Ryan Day, senior defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson, and returning junior starting quarterback Julian Sayin spoke to the media about the results of spring camp and what they took away from the annual Spring Game.
Five Takeaways
This defense is still awesome!
If you needed any validation that Matt Patricia’s defense isn’t a fluke (and somehow those people are out there) you probably don’t anymore. With just three starters returning after heavy NFL Draft losses, the Silver Bullets didn’t look like they skipped a beat.
They especially dominated the second half, getting pressure on nearly every snap and overwhelming a beat-up offensive line. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. got his sacks, Beau Atkinson took another step forward, and Alabama transfer John Walker made his presence felt up front.
The secondary has its pieces in place, too. Jaylen McClain and Jermaine Mathews return, while Duke transfer Terry Moore, coming off injury after being the country’s best graded safety in 2024, flashed brilliantly, Georgia transfer Dominick Kelly fit right in, and Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. is still working back from knee surgery.
They have the talent in every position, and a notable difference from last year is the depth that they now have at every position. The transfers definitely help, the returners are getting even better, and this freshman class has some studs waiting in the backends.
Bottom line being if this group hits its ceiling, it’s scary good. At worst, this looks like a top-15 defense nationally.
Tavien St. Clair is going to be a star.
Rise up, Chieftain fans! The former Bellefontaine quarterback was one of the stars of the afternoon, as the redshirt freshman made some very impressive deep throws to Chris Henry. He also made a cross-body throw rolling to his right, even though it was dropped, he hit Henry in the chest. That throw is one of the hardest to make.
St. Clair showed the biggest jump of anybody who suited up, after a rough outing in last spring’s game with two picks and even struggling in practice right before this year’s annual scrimmage. Yet, everything he is capable of was on display. The elite arm talent and accuracy, the poise in the pocket, and the ability to work outside of the pocket and make things happen on the run.
As Ryan Day said in the postgame, “He threw some really nice balls down the field and then, you know, missed as well.” With every young quarterback, you take the bad with the good. There were throws he tried to force and decisions that you probably want back. Let’s be clear, the good far outweighed any negatives, and if St. Clair continues on the path he is on, he is set to be the next great QB to walk through that locker room.
Super Sayin has unlocked another superpower: the run game.
Now, to the presumptive starter when the fall arrives. Last season, Julian Sayin did not disappoint as a first-year starter. He finished as a Heisman finalist, earned the highest completion percentage in Big Ten history, third in college football history, and showed everything he is capable of…except for the ability to take off and run.
He changed that during his few drives, and whether he would’ve made it to the endzone in live play or not, the fact that he took the initiative to extend plays is going to provide a massive lift to the Buckeye offense. Some of the moments where fans were screaming at Julain to take off and run, it seems like he will take advantage of those opportnities moving forward.
This wide receiver room will be better than last year’s.
Losing Carnell Tate, Mylan Graham, and Quincy Porter, and yet the room is better…it’s an Ohio State thing.
True freshman Chris Henry Jr is every bit the player he is advertised to be. He flashed his terrific hands and especially his downfield speed as he broke away from a defensive back on a pair of beauties from St. Clair.
True freshman Brock Boyd lost his black stripe in March, well before any other player in camp, and Kyle Parker and Devin McCuin will be impact transfers as they all will pair swimmingly with Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss.
Add in the new receivers coach in Cortez Hankton from LSU, one of the very best position coaches, joining an already loaded staff, and a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, who brings a ton of professional experience, much like Patricia did for the defense, the passing attack is sure to be a deadly weapon.
Don’t overreact to the offensive line…not yet, at least.
We all know that the front line for the Buckeyes is by far the biggest question mark heading into the season. The concept of “setting the edge” is what is sure to be vital for that unit this season. And the coaching staff took a gamble. They didn’t bring in any significant transfer, meaning they are trusting the development of the guys they have in the building already.
Individually, there were some good efforts and moments. As a unit…erm, well, it wasn’t great. That defensive pass rush feasted on the o-line and stuffed them in run blocking schemes. It seems to be more of the same, until you consider this fact…
Both starting tackles were out with injury and many other depth pieces are working through new positions or minor injuries. The conversation can become if it’s the o-line really struggling against a great defensive, or is it a mid defense really exposing very bad protection?
Here’s a hint, glass-half-full. Believe the former. The o-line should find its rhythm and footing to improve from last year. If we get into the season and it doesn’t, then we can ring the panic alarm.
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With spring practices now concluding, Ohio State can get down to the really serious business in summer camp. The Buckeyes begin their season on Saturday, September 5th, in ‘The Shoe’ against the Ball State Cardinals.
