Freshman and 3rd-string QB Levi Davis scores winner in 3rd OT in Ohio’s 29-27 victory

Athens, Ga. (AP) — On Saturday night, freshman and third-string quarterback Levi Davis secured a 29-27 triumph for Ohio State University by scoring a winning touchdown in the third overtime against Jacksonville State. Neither team managed a score in the first overtime, with both sides settling for field goals in the second period.

After Davis ran for a 2-point conversion in the decisive overtime, Jacksonville State’s Cade Creel attempted to pass to Darius Cannon, but DJ James-Hamilton managed to stop him just short of the goal line. James-Hamilton also returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during the game.

Earlier in the match, Davis entered the fray with only 1:49 left on the clock when second-stringer Matt Vezza was substituted out after a scramble attempt that ended at Ohio’s 3-yard line. Vezza struggled to gain traction and was subsequently replaced by Davis, who had an impressive collegiate debut before the third quarter.

Davis faced a challenging start, scrambling just short of the goal line on his first collegiate play from scrimmage. However, with Victor Rosa scoring from there to level the score, the tension heightened. Jacksonville State (1-2) had the opportunity to advance the ball down the field, but Garrison Rippa’s 38-yard field goal attempt fell wide right at the end of regulation.

In the second quarter, Ohio State struggled to score, trailing 14-0 early on after a severe hit on Nick Poulos, which was deemed as targeting. Vezza managed to throw one touchdown pass and direct the Bobcats’ offense, but when he had to relinquish the ball to Davis, the outcome seemed inevitable. Creel took the helm, completing 265 yards and scoring a touchdown himself, along with contributing 120 yards from rushing, including an 8-yard touchdown run.