Ohio State needed a response after its heartbreaking loss to Texas last week, and the Buckeyes delivered.
No. 6 Ohio State dominated Kent State from start to finish Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 59-3 victory at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on each of their first four drives and never allowed the Golden Flashes to seriously threaten the game.
Julian Sayin led the way through the air, completing 18 of 22 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. One of his biggest plays came right before halftime when he connected with Brandon Inniss on a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown, giving Ohio State a 35-0 advantage heading into the break.
The afternoon was also historic for Jeremiah Smith.
The star wide receiver entered the game just 26 yards shy of Michael Jenkins’ Ohio State career receiving record. Smith broke the record on a 23-yard reception during the Buckeyes’ second drive, becoming the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He finished the afternoon with five catches for 85 yards.
Ohio State continued pouring it on after halftime.
Ja’Kobi Jackson scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon, while freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. provided one of the biggest highlights of the game with a 75-yard touchdown catch. Freshman defensive tackle Jamir Perez then got in on the action, scooping up a fumble and returning it 25 yards for another touchdown.
The Buckeyes’ defense was equally impressive. Kent State managed only 134 total yards and three points, with Ohio State consistently shutting down the Golden Flashes’ offense.
After falling just short against Texas, Ohio State now has some momentum heading into Big Ten play.
The Buckeyes will open conference play next week against Illinois, looking to carry Saturday’s dominant performance into the rest of the season.
