The Ohio State Buckeyes rolled to an easy 70-0 victory over the Grambling State Tigers on Saturday afternoon. This marks the first time the Buckeyes have played an FCS team since 2013 (Florida A&M) and was the first-ever meeting with the Tigers. The nation’s No. 1 team now moves to 2-0 on the year.
Former Bellefontaine quarterback Tavien St. Clair made his collegiate debut, helping to lead a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter.
The Buckeyes showed up in every facet of the game, featuring an all-around dynamic performance.
The offense exploded for 651 total yards, and the coaching staff gave starting quarterback Julian Sayin more opportunities to throw the ball downfield, and he did not disappoint. The redshirt freshman had one mistake, throwing a pick at the goal line as his only incompletion. Otherwise, he threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns on 18-for-19 passing. Two of those touchdowns went to star wideout Jeremiah Smith, and one each to Carnell Tate and tight end Will Kacmarek. One of Smith’s touchdowns went for 87 yards, making it the longest pass play in the history of Ohio Stadium and the fourth longest play in Buckeye football history.
Sayin also now holds the record for most consecutive completed passes to start a game with 16. The rushing attack was also heavily featured, as the team averaged 7.2 yards per carry and totaled 274 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Tigers were held to just 166 yards on 3.02 yards per play. The Silver Bullets allowed just seven first downs and forced three turnovers in an excellent performance.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Okay, how much should you take away from this game? Honestly, probably not much. However, the following are some noteworthy things to keep in mind as the season progresses.
This offense is going to be deadly, and there is still room for improvement.
Let’s keep these short, shall we?
In last week’s article, it was mentioned how dangerous this offense is believed to be when they open up the playbook. Yes, it’s Grambling State. For the most part, there was still nothing crazy that was flashed yesterday. Yet, Sayin was dynamite. The receiver’s routes were crisp. Everything was in rhythm, on target, and so clean. The run game was dynamic and highly effective, getting some great pushes from the offensive line.
Again, it’s an FCS team. This was the expectation level, and they delivered. There are plenty more wrinkles head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Bryan Hartline can mix in. They flashed it against the Tiger defense, with some tricky-to-defend route combinations and even a fun-looking reverse play. There is still more to be shown…
Secondary is lethal, d-line needs more work.
Matt Patricia was a great hire as defensive coordinator. Period.
Over the first two games of the season, opponents’ passing offenses are 28-for-52, that’s a 53.8% completion percentage, for 242 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Caleb Downs tacked on the second pick yesterday afternoon, and he leads a ferocious secondary unit that doesn’t give an inch to wideouts.
The Buckeye defensive front did a much better job, as compared to last week, of creating pressure and being able to generate negative plays. They came up with nine tackles for loss. However, and this is admittedly very nitpicky, they need to finish more of their pass-rushing efforts with sacks. The Buckeyes only have three sacks this year, and there are many instances where opposing QBs have a day and a half to throw the football.
Now, does it affect anything major as of this moment? No, because this secondary is playing out of their minds! However, down the stretch, the pressure needs to see the ultimate payoff. Whether that means sending more blitzes or simply perfecting the technique, the sacks need to come at a higher clip.
Youngsters shine to prove how deep this roster is.
With the game going the way that it did, that paved the way for some of the young guns to showcase their talent, and did they ever deliver!
Offensively, true freshman running back Bo Jackson was sensational. He only carried the ball nine times for 108 yards, including a 51-yard run, and a touchdown.
Defensively, true freshman linebacker Riley Pettijohn gathered two tackles, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble that he took to the house.
There are more young players to highlight who played well, but those two were the best of the bunch. This team can go well beyond the first stringers, and it may show some of the depth is capable of making an impact in high-leverage situations. Even when the “backups” were brought in, this team never skipped a beat. Sure they took their foot off the gas, but they were still sharp on most every play.
GAME RECAP
Here is a full recap of scoring plays, turnovers, and other big moments:
1st Quarter
12:39 – Ohio State TD: 47-yard TD pass from Julian Sayin to Will Kacmarek (7-0)
8:54 – Ohio State TD: Jeremiah Smith 87-yard TD catch from Sayin (14-0)
4:10 – Ohio State TD: Brandon Tate 7-yard back-shoulder TD catch (21-0)
Grambling Turnover: Missed 36-yard FG attempt by Theodore Caballero
2nd Quarter
11:38 – Ohio State TD: Smith 9-yard TD reception (28-0)
Grambling Turnover: Caleb Downs interception at Grambling 21
Sayin Turnover: Intercepted at the Grambling 1 by Tyrell Raby
0:57 – Ohio State TD: CJ Donaldson 2-yard TD run (35-0)
3rd Quarter
14:50 – Ohio State TD (DEF): Riley Pettijohn 23-yard fumble return (42-0)
(Forced by Kayden McDonald)12:04 – QB Change: Lincoln Kienholz enters
8:24 – Ohio State TD: Bo Jackson 11-yard run (49-0)
6:16 – Ohio State TD: Isaiah West 12-yard run (56-0)
(Fumble forced by Pettijohn, recovered by Epi Sitanilei)
4th Quarter
14:55 – Ohio State TD: Jelani Thurman 4-yard TD catch from Kienholz (63-0)
10:39 – QB Change: Tavien St. Clair enters
0:31 – Ohio State TD: Sam Dixon 1-yard run (70-0)
