How did Ohio State football grade out against Kent State?

Ohio State football secured a commanding 59-3 victory over Kent State on September 19, marking their final games before the start of Big Ten play. The Buckeyes dominated the matchup, outgaining Kent State 527 to 134 total yards on offense. Despite the lopsided score, Kent State's lone points came in the form of a field goal to avert a shutout.

Quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Running backs Ja Kobi Jackson and Bo Jackson each gained over 5 yards per carry and scored twice. Ohio State's offense, while potent, struggled in short-yardage situations, with quarterback Sayin missing open receivers on multiple occasions.

Defensively, the Buckeyes allowed fewer than 100 yards in the first half, with safety Riley Pettijohn recording his first interception and linebacker TJ Alford nearly forcing another. Special teams also performed without errors, with a successful 31-yard field goal by Connor Hawkins. Coaching was rated favorably, as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith featured more balanced receiver usage and new formation looks. However, the game's excitement was limited due to the substantial margin of victory.