In Week 1 of the NFL, Ohio sports fans were treated to the professional “Battle of Ohio” between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Fast forward to Week 3 of the college football season, and fans across the state got the collegiate version of that clash, as the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes hosted the Ohio University Bobcats in Columbus.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
The Bobcats, representing the Mid-American Conference, came into the Horseshoe with nothing to lose and showed no fear against one of the nation’s premier programs. From the start, they made it clear that this wasn’t going to be a routine blowout. Ohio State received the opening kickoff and quickly marched down the field, but the Bobcats defense held firm on a dramatic fourth-and-goal stop, setting the tone for a surprisingly tense first half. For much of the opening two quarters, the Buckeyes struggled to break through.
Ohio’s defensive front applied steady pressure and forced mistakes, keeping the score to just 6-0 deep into the second quarter. Finally, quarterback Julian Sayin found tight end Max Klare on a 16-yard touchdown strike right before halftime, giving Ohio State a bit of breathing room and a 13-0 advantage going into the locker room. Sayin’s performance was a mix of brilliance and growing pains.
The young quarterback finished the night completing 25 of 32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions that briefly gave the Bobcats momentum. Still, his ability to spread the ball across the field kept Ohio off balance. Eight different Buckeyes caught passes, with touchdowns going to star freshmen Jerimiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare. Smith and Tate each surpassed the 100-yard mark, proving once again that Ohio State’s receiving corps is among the most dangerous in college football.
Ohio came out swinging to start the second half. On their opening drive, quarterback Parker Navarro connected with Chase Hendricks on a stunning 67-yard touchdown strike that electrified the Bobcats sideline and cut the lead to 13-9. For a brief moment, it felt like the upset-minded Bobcats could turn the tide. But Ohio State immediately responded. Sparked by a 64-yard run from true freshman running back Bo Jackson, the Buckeyes rattled off 24 unanswered points, silencing any chance of an upset and cruising to a 37-9 victory.
Photo Cred: Ohio State
Jackson once again showed flashes of stardom, leading the Buckeyes in rushing for the third straight week. He carried the ball nine times for 109 yards, continuing to prove his explosiveness in limited touches. He and CJ Donaldson shared the team lead in carries, but Jackson’s ability to break off long runs has quickly made him a fan favorite.
While the win wasn’t as polished as many expected, Ohio proved to be a scrappy opponent and reminded everyone why they are one of the MAC’s most respected programs. For the Buckeyes, the game served as both a wake-up call and a valuable test before conference play begins. Now, Ohio State heads into its Week 4 bye at 3-0, with time to recover and prepare for the gauntlet ahead.
