Ohio State delivered a complete performance in its 34–0 rout of Wisconsin to move to 7-0 overall, and 4-0 in Big Ten play. They remain the top-ranked team in the country.
Quarterback Julian Sayin had his best performance as a Buckeye, completing 36 of 42 passes for 393 yards and 4 touchdowns. Carnell Tate was his top target, hauling in 6 catches for 111 yards and two scores. Brandon Inniss added a touchdown grab, while tight end Will Kacmarek chipped in another score through the air. Jeremiah Smith led the team in receptions with 9 for 97 yards.
Though the ground game was less explosive, youngster Isaiah West provided steady production with 55 yards on nine carries as Ohio State used the run to control the tempo in the second half.
Defensively, the Buckeyes were dominant from start to finish, pitching their first shutout of the season.
Sonny Styles intercepted a tipped pass early, and the front seven consistently pressured the Wisconsin quarterbacks, recording 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and forcing repeated three-and-outs. The defense allowed just 144 total yards and held Wisconsin to 2-for-11 on the money downs.
Special teams were solid as well, with Jayden Fielding converting two of three field goal attempts and Inniss averaging over 12 yards per punt return. From Sayin’s precision passing to the relentless defensive effort, Ohio State controlled every phase of the game and made a statement with one of its most complete performances of the year.
TOP TAKEAWAY
Chaos has run rampant across the country, but Ohio State has been the model of consistency.
Yes, only one takeaway today. What else needs to be said that hasn’t already? This team is ridiculously talented, extremely well coached, and, dare this series continue to say, is not playing its best football.
While that last statement can be taken negatively, don’t let its demeanor cloud your judgment. That’s a positive thing that this version of the Buckeyes hasn’t hit full stride yet. Their best football is still ahead of them, and they keep getting better and better every single week.
Sayin started off with his usual underthrows and ever-so-slight inaccuracy, but he balled out on Saturday. These receivers are so good, and although the backs struggled, we know what they are capable of.
Defensively, it’s official that Matt Patricia is an upgrade from Jim Knowles. It’s a better unit than last year, but beyond the X’s and O’s, the bond and relationship Patricia has with his players is something we never saw when Knowles was in Columbus.
Looking around the country, if you had told any college football fan any one of these things would be true at the halfway point of the season…
- Indiana is ranked second
- Texas, LSU, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Clemson all have multiple losses
- Vanderbilt, yes Vanderbilt, is a top 10 team
…they would have called you crazy. Well, it’s all true, and there is so much more chaos that could be discussed.
However, one thing has remained consistent in this season of utter confusion: Ohio State has looked like the best team in the country from start to finish. Period. Has it been flashy? No, but this next sentence should be all you need to know.
Every ranking 2 through 25 changed from last week in the AP Poll, and Ohio State was the lone constant atop that list. Chaos has stayed clear of Columbus, and you hope that’s a trend that doesn’t change.
GAME RECAP
1st Quarter
8:25 – Ohio State TD: Julian Sayin caps off Ohio State’s opening drive with a highlight-reel 33-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate, who outjumps two defenders and hauls it in while losing his helmet on the play. The Buckeyes strike first after a 9-play, 89-yard drive. (7–0 OSU)
7:10 – Ohio State Interception: A Wisconsin pass ricochets off the receiver’s hands and into the arms of Sonny Styles, giving Ohio State the ball back in great field position.
4:40 – Ohio State FG: The Buckeyes add three more after Wisconsin holds near the red zone. Jayden Fielding drills a 38-yard field goal to extend the lead. (10–0 OSU)
0:04 – Ohio State TD: Just before the end of the quarter, Julian Sayin finds Carnell Tate again — this time on a 10-yard fade into the corner of the end zone. Another efficient drive (6 plays, 70 yards) puts the Buckeyes up big early. (17–0 OSU)
2nd Quarter
9:43 – Ohio State Sack: Arvell Reese gets home on a terrific pass rush to put Wisconsin behind the sticks after picking up a big first down on the previous play.
5:30 – Wisconsin Punt: The Badgers are forced into another three-and-out. Ohio State’s defense remains airtight, giving the offense another chance to extend the lead.
1:07 – Ohio State missed FG: The Buckeyes drive deep into Wisconsin territory in the final minutes of the half, but come up empty when Jayden Fielding pushes a 38-yard field goal wide right.
3rd Quarter
8:42 – Ohio State FG:
After stalling inside the 25, Jayden Fielding connects from 37 yards out to cap a 57-yard, 11-play drive. (20–0 OSU)
1:15 – Ohio State TD: On a 13-play, 83-yard drive lasting 6:21, Julian Sayin hits tight end Will Kacmarek on a play-action rollout for a 2-yard touchdown — Sayin’s third of the day. (27–0 OSU)
0:00 – Ohio State Sack: The quarter ends with Caden Curry sacking the Wisconsin quarterback on 3rd down, forcing a 4th-and-long to open the 4th quarter.
4th Quarter
15:00 – Wisconsin Fake Punt: Down big, Luke Fickell dials up a risky fake punt on 4th-and-19 from deep in his own end. The punter scrambles for 20 yards and a first down, keeping the drive alive after several missed tackles by OSU.
5:31 – Ohio State TD: Julian Sayin throws his fourth touchdown of the game — a 13-yard strike to Brandon Inniss, who gets into the end zone for the first time this season. (34–0 OSU)
0:45 – Ohio State Goal-Line Stop: The Buckeye defense rises again, stuffing Wisconsin inside the 20 on 4th down to preserve the shutout.
The Buckeyes are on bye this upcoming Saturday.
