After a hard-fought, emotional win on the road at Penn State, Ohio State enjoyed a slightly less stressful win this week. Purdue came to town and Ohio State sent the Boilermakers home with a 45-0 beatdown. It was the program’s second shutout of the year (Western Michigan, 56-0). And there was some program history made, for good measure
The Buckeyes were dominant in every phase, as one should expect from a potential College Football Playoff contender hosting a one-win team. In essence, Purdue’s day could be summed up by its fourth and goal from the three-yard line when it missed a 21-yard field goal.
It was more of the same and plenty of new from the Buckeyes. A lopsided win won’t move the needle for Ohio State but it provided plenty about which to be optimistic moving forward.
Buckeyes Railroad Boilermakers, 45-0; History is Made
He’s a Freshman
Jeremiah Smith, as it turns out, is very good at playing football.
In the history of Ohio State football, no player has had a bigger impact on the field than Smith. Last week, Smith broke the freshman receiving yards mark. This week, he took over the receptions and touchdowns records. At halftime, Smith had seven targets, six catches, 87 yards, and a touchdown. The rest of the Ohio State receivers had seven targets, five catches, and 34 yards.
That was his final statline as he did not receive another target in the second half.
Each of his receptions was for at least nine yards, led by the first reception of the day which went for 25 yards.
It was another clinic by the talented freshman. On his touchdown drive as the Buckeyes were driving to score before the half, Smith showed off his athleticism. On an in-breaking hitch, he made the catch with his momentum going toward the middle of the field. He was able to turn, cut upfield, and get out of bounds for a nine-yard gain.
On his touchdown, he took a crossing route across the face of the defense 19 yards for the score.
In nine games, Smith has 765 and nine touchdowns off 45 receptions.
Dominant Defense
Even if Purdue is a one-win team, shutting out a conference foe is something to be proud of.
On the day, the Buckeyes held Purdue to a total of 206 yards on offense (compared to 433 yards for the Buckeyes’ offense). It was the first game since the win over Michigan State where the defense held the opposition to fewer than 100 yards. At the same time, the 108 passing yards allowed was the second-fewest allowed this year.
The defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown over the last 130:47 of game time. Nebraska’s fourth-quarter score was the last touchdown allowed. It was another impressive effort.
One of the keys heading into this one was to find a pass rush. While it wasn’t quite to the level one should expect, it was better. As a defense, Ohio State forced four sacks and five tackles for loss.
Cody Simon led the way again with six tackles, half of a sack, and half of a tackle for loss for the defense. Butkus Award semifinalist Sonny Styles had a dominant first half and finished the game with five tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. Jack Sawyer and Jaylahn Tuimoloau had a strong outing as well. Tuimoloau was everywhere for the Buckeyes and forced a fumble that was picked up and run in by Sawyer for the senior’s first touchdown.
Tyleik Williams was “available” but, just as was the case against Michigan State, he did not play. Eddrick Houston stepped up. He jumped off the film in run defense and showed a lot of good things for the talented freshman’s career.
In a shutout like this, all of the defense showed up. Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom added to their All-American campaigns. Caden Curry flashed on defense and even broke through to block a punt.
Moving forward, it looks like Jim Knowles’ defense is just getting better and better. Knowles even sprinkled in a little 3-3-5 with that infamous JACK position held down by Mitchell Melton.
Playmakers Make Plays
Quinshon Judkins has had games where he was the go-to running back. This time, it was TreVeyon Henderson. The talented senior helped the Buckeyes railroad Purdue.
Henderson only ran the ball six times but he amassed 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Five of his runs went for at least 12 yards, capped off by a 29-yard burst.
In the passing game, he had another solid game in protection and even added three receptions for 43 yards. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Chip Kelly threw out a wrinkle. Instead of Henderson in the backfield, they split him out wide and lined Gee Scott, Jr. up. Will Howard hit Henderson down the sideline with a perfectly-placed ball for 32 yards.
Howard finished the day 21/26 for 260 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers.
Moving Forward
At 8-1, the job is not done. A trip to Wrigley Field awaits the Buckeyes as they face Northwestern next week. The Wildcats are 4-5 this year and watched this game closely. Just as it will against Indiana, Ohio State faces Northwestern off a bye.
The path to the College Football Playoff is still clear: win out. Each of the program’s three goals is still on the table with Michigan up in three weeks.
It was business as usual for the Buckeyes. Day remains unbeaten against unranked foes, a fact his predecessor could not boast.
