Overview

• Quarterback Julian Sayin opened with 16 straight completions to set an Ohio State mark and finished 18-of-19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns.
• Jeremiah Smith caught five passes for 119 yards, including an 87-yard score that the program labeled the longest pass recorded in Ohio Stadium, a designation some reports noted as disputed.
• Ohio State’s defense scored on Riley Pettijohn’s 23-yard fumble return to start the second half as reserves and freshmen logged extended snaps and first career contributions.
• Backup Lincoln Kienholz directed multiple second-half touchdown drives, including his first scoring throw of the season to Jelani Thurman, as starters were protected after halftime.
• The victory moved the defending champions to 2–0 and kept them atop the polls, with Ryan Day praising the offense’s accuracy and explosiveness ahead of hosting Ohio next week before a bye.