The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes faced off against Northwestern at Wrigley Field, with the Wildcats playing at the historic venue due to ongoing stadium renovations. As heavy favorites, Ohio State anticipated a dominant performance, but Northwestern came out with a deliberate game plan aimed at shortening the contest. Northwestern received the opening kickoff and took a methodical approach, running down the clock by waiting until the play clock was under five seconds before snapping the ball.
Photo Cred: SI
Their opening drive spanned 11 plays and consumed 7 minutes, though it ended in a turnover deep in Ohio State territory, preventing them from putting points on the board. Ohio State moved the ball effectively on their first possession but failed to score. Meanwhile, Northwestern stuck to their strategy and managed to take a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. This marked the moment when the Buckeyes woke up. From there, Ohio State took control of the game, scoring touchdowns on three consecutive drives. Meanwhile, the defense stifled Northwestern’s offense, forcing three straight three-and-outs to close the half. The Buckeyes went into the locker room with a commanding 21-7 lead.
Photo Cred: SI
Offensive Standouts and a Strong Rushing Attack
Running back Quinshon Judkins led Ohio State’s rushing attack with 76 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. TreVeyon Henderson, not far behind, rushed for 74 yards but was kept out of the end zone. The duo has formed one of the most dynamic backfields in the country, producing at a high level while rotating to keep fresh legs on the field—a strategy that should serve the Buckeyes well in the postseason.
Quick Strikes in the Second Half
After receiving the second-half kickoff, the Buckeyes wasted no time extending their lead. Quarterback Will Howard connected with wide receiver Jerimiah Smith on a crossing route, with Smith taking it 68 yards to set up a first-and-goal inside Northwestern territory. The drive ended with Howard hitting Carnell Tate on an 8-yard slant for a touchdown, putting Ohio State ahead 28-7.
This was Tate’s second touchdown of the game and his first in front of a home crowd. The Chicago native had a standout performance, totaling 52 yards and two touchdowns. His first score came in the first half on a remarkable diving catch that closed out the half. While Tate led the team in touchdowns, Smith was the top receiver for Ohio State, hauling in four catches for 100 yards.
Defensive Dominance
After allowing an early touchdown, Ohio State’s defense shut out Northwestern for the remainder of the game. The Buckeyes limited the Wildcats to just 251 total yards of offense, with 151 of those coming on Northwestern’s first two drives. The defense’s lockdown performance helped the offense, which totaled 420 yards of offense, led by Howard’s 247-yard, two-touchdown passing performance.
A Controlled Victory
Though it wasn’t the blowout some Buckeye fans might have hoped for, Ohio State exerted control over the game and showed its depth and discipline. With a 28-7 win, the Buckeyes now shift their focus to a highly anticipated top five matchup against Indiana in Columbus. The winner of that game will likely claim a spot in the Big Ten Championship, barring any surprises in the final week of the regular season.
