Ohio State Dominant, Sloppy in Homecoming Victory

Ohio State Buckeyes displayed a dominant yet sloppy performance in their homecoming victory against Maryland on October 10, 2026. Head coach Ryan Day was seen yelling at defensive lineman Beau Atkinson after a roughing the passer call. The game took place at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, during Hurricane Isaias. The Buckeyes were sloppy and undisciplined, likely due to the weather, despite their offensive prowess which was similar to past games.

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had a remarkable game, despite not reaching his usual 200-yard mark. He was targeted just five times, but managed to collect four receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdowns were scored on two simple drag routes, untouched, for 33 and 40 yards respectively.

Smith's performance added to his already impressive career totals with the Ohio State Buckeyes. In comparison to DeVonta Smith's 2020 Heisman campaign, Smith has 48 receptions, 916 yards, and 11 touchdowns compared to Smith's 56 receptions, 759 yards, and 8 touchdowns.

The defensive performance was equally impressive, particularly against Maryland's offensive star Malik Washington. Eddrick Houston led defense with one-and-a-half tackles for loss, and the front seven, including Payton Pierce, TJ Alford, and Riley Pettijohn, played well. Washington only threw for 64 yards, and the Buckeyes' defense limited him to 82 yards on the ground, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry.

The rushing attack, however, was less impressive. Bo Jackson managed a 20-yard run, but the rest of the running backs struggled. The offensive line also struggled, with multiple injuries and a shuffle in the lineup. Running backs Ja'Kobi Jackson and Carlos Locklyn had issues, and the line's performance was a concern moving forward.

Penalties were a recurring issue throughout the game, with Ohio State receiving five accepted penalties totaling 45 yards. The most notable penalties came from Beau Atkinson, who was hit with a roughing the passer penalty and an additional late hit penalty out of bounds. Indiana and USC are next on Ohio State's schedule, followed by Nebraska the week before Thanksgiving.