The Ohio State Buckeyes pulled away in the second half to beat Rutgers 42–9 on Saturday in Columbus, improving to 11–0 on the season and 8-0 in Big Ten play. Even without their top two wide receivers — Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate — the Buckeyes showed they could dominate in other ways, thanks in large part to a physical running game and opportunistic defense.
Quarterback Julian Sayin was efficient, completing 13 of 19 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He opened the scoring with an 11-play, 98-yard drive that he capped by hitting Brandon Inniss in the back of the end zone before halftime. His second scoring strike came when Max Klare, the tight end, found open space in the third quarter and hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass — Klare finished as OSU’s top receiver with seven catches for 105 yards.
Ohio State leaned heavily on the ground throughout the afternoon, amassing 254 yards and four touchdowns. Bo Jackson led the rushing attack, totaling 110 yards and two touchdowns, including a 15-yard run in the first quarter and a 10-yard burst later in the game. CJ Donaldson and James Peoples also contributed on the ground, with Donaldson punching in a 5-yard score in the fourth and Peoples breaking free for a 49-yard touchdown late to seal the win.
Defensively, Ohio State asserted control early and often. The Buckeyes held Rutgers to minimal total yards, limiting their ability to mount any serious offensive threat. Senior Caden Curry delivered a key strip sack in the third quarter, forcing a fumble at the Rutgers 1-yard line that set Ohio State up for one of its touchdowns.
Rutgers’ only sustained offensive success came via a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter, and later a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth, as the Buckeye defense held the Scarlet Knights to just 147 yards of total offense.
With this win, Ohio State not only stays unbeaten but also turns its focus confidently toward next week’s big showdown in ‘The Game’ at the Big House.
TOP TAKEAWAY
We made it to Hate Week. Now it’s time to get healthy and kick some Wolverine tail!
It’s officially Hate Week! More on the game against That Team Up North later…
For now, another game where the ground game dominated. With Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate out, the rushing attack was going to be the primary focus, as it was against UCLA. It again showed flashes of explosiveness with the James Peoples 49-yarder. Max Klare proved he can be a dangerous weapon in the receiving game, and this defense is still playing out of its mind. Buckeyes roll, no surprise, we move forward.
Okay, let’s talk mentality. There is no more important weekend to have a razor-sharp mentality than the one post-Thanksgiving. Ryan Day and this team have had their issues with the rival in the past. Last year, the game plan was horrible. The mentality was horrible.
Yet, there’s a different look to this team and a different feel from this program. Ryan Day has had a different look in his eye. Players who were on this team last year have a different intensity to them, most notably Caleb Downs. This team seems ready to end the streak…
But that’s exactly what this whole fanbase thought last year. Michigan is a better team than they were last season and the series is shifting to Ann Arbor. Ohio State better come ready and come healthy. If one, heaven’s forbid both, of Smith and Tate are unavailable, one of two things must happen. One: get Max Klare and Brandon Inniss involved in the offense, and have the confidence to let them attack defenders. Two: the run game has to be a factor. For the latter, dare to recollect what happened a season ago. Smith and Tate should be fine. There is very little worry that they will play.
The line of scrimmage will be a big point of emphasis. The Buckeye d-line and blitz backage turned it up against Rutgers, and the o-line looked good. Physicality is vital to winning this game, and so is playing your game. For Ohio State, that’s the pass game and utilizing those weapons on the outside. Asserting your might is important, sure, but don’t stray from your identity. The run game has been the focus of the past two weeks because it has had to be, and now it has confidence. This defense is about to go up against an offense that possesses unique challenges, but also matches up well.
These articles have long said Ohio State is saving something. They are not running at full strength yet, and this is the week many have theorized that this is the week they fire up the booster packs. Speaking for all fans of Scarlet and Gray, we hope so.
This game should be the first really big test since Texas. Michigan has a great defensive coordinator It will be a fantastic affair that will have all of us on the edge of our seats. Can’t wait!
GAME RECAP
1st Quarter
13:00 – Rutgers Three-and-Out
Ohio State forces an immediate punt after winning the toss and deferring.
7:48 – Bo Jackson Fumbles at the Goal Line
Jackson carries OSU to the 1, but fumbles into the end zone. Rutgers recovers for a touchback. Still 0–0.
5:47 – Rutgers 4th-and-Inches Stop
Greg Schiano gambles at his own 30, and OSU’s defense stuffs the attempt. Buckeyes take over with a short field.
4:01 – Bo Jackson 15-Yard Touchdown Run
Jackson redeems the mistake with a weaving 15-yard TD.
4 plays, 29 yards, 1:46. (OSU 7–0)
2nd Quarter
11:50 – Rutgers Field Goal
Rutgers converts a 44-yard FG after stalling in OSU territory. (OSU 7–3)
10:50 – OSU Out of Sync
A dropped pass by David Adolph ends a disjointed Buckeye drive. OSU punts.
6:44 – OSU Moves Out of Its Own End
Rutgers pins OSU at the 1, but the Buckeyes slowly march to the 29.
6:30 – Sayin Hits Klare for 39 Yards
A big explosive pass gets OSU near the Rutgers 30.
2:27 – Sayin to Brandon Inniss Touchdown (7 yards)
Sayin drops it perfectly in the corner for the score. A roughing-the-passer call kept the drive alive.
11 plays, 98 yards, 6:50. (OSU 14–3)
0:30 – OSU Gets a Defensive Stop Before Half
The Buckeyes hold Rutgers and run out the clock.
3rd Quarter
14:00 – Ohio State Offense Struggles Out of Halftime
OSU opens the half cold and punts, still leading 14–3.
7:40 – Caden Curry Strip-Sack and Recovery
Curry blows off the edge, strips the QB, and recovers inside the 1. OSU takes over.
7:00 – Sayin to Max Klare Touchdown (10 yards)
With key receivers out, Klare becomes a focal point, hauling in a red-zone TD.
3 plays, 1 yard, 0:40. (OSU 21–3)
6:06 – Another Defensive Three-and-Out
Buckeyes force Rutgers to punt again; OSU takes over at its own 30.
2:30 – Bo Jackson 10-Yard Touchdown Run
Jackson circles left and scores his second TD.
7 plays, 70 yards, 3:36. (OSU 28–3)
0:00 – Another Defensive Three-and-Out
OSU stuffs Rutgers again at the end of the quarter; Lincoln Kienholz enters at QB. (OSU 28–3)
4th Quarter
11:39 – CJ Donaldson 5-Yard Touchdown Run
Donaldson extends the lead with a tough inside run.
7 plays, 70 yards, 4:18. (OSU 35–3)
6:43 – Rutgers Touchdown
The Knights mount a long drive against OSU’s depth defenders and punch it in. (OSU 35–9)
4:17 – James Peoples 49-Yard Touchdown Run
Peoples busts around the right edge and outruns everyone for the explosive score.
4 plays, 75 yards, 2:26. (OSU 42–9)
2:00 – OSU Fourth-and-Short Stop to Seal It
Rutgers goes for it again on 4th down and comes up short. OSU runs out the clock.
The Buckeyes will now prepare for ‘The Game’ against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale. Pregame starts at 10:30 a.m. with kickoff at noon. Listen live on 98.3 WPKO HERE.
