Ohio State has built its 4-1 start on Jeremiah Smith’s historic production, a defense that has delivered when it needed to, and Julian Sayin running Arthur Smith’s offense efficiently enough to keep the Buckeyes moving. But through five games, the third phase has been the one area dragging behind.
For a first-year special teams coordinator in Robby Discher, the early returns in Columbus have been rough.
The clearest blemish came in the Buckeyes’ lone loss to Texas. With Ohio State up 20 and looking like it had the game under control at DKR Stadium, kicker Connor Hawkins missed a field goal that could have helped slam the door.
Texas seized the moment, grinding out a 12-play, 73-yard drive that erased any real chance for Ohio State’s offense to answer. Sayin then threw an interception on the final, desperate possession.
Hawkins also missed a kick in the win over Iowa, though that one didn’t end up changing the result in the 31-14 finish. Even so, it’s been enough to raise eyebrows.
Discher appears willing to stick with Hawkins, which makes sense considering how young some of the other options are in the room. Still, it does leave the question hanging: did Ryan Day make things harder by not bringing in more help at kicker?
The issues haven’t stopped at placekicking. Ohio State’s return game has had its own share of breakdowns, even if they came in wins.
In Week 5 at Kinnick Stadium, Phillip Bell couldn’t secure a punt, and the Hawkeyes wound up with the ball at the Buckeyes’ two-yard line. Then there was Legend Bey’s pair of decisions to bring kickoffs out of the end zone against Ball State in Week 1, a sequence that prompted Day to call him out at halftime and has apparently kept him in the doghouse since.
The Buckeyes still haven’t produced a touchdown in the return game, which means special teams has offered little help to JJ Smith and the offense on the scoreboard.
Punter Joe McGuire has been part of the problem too. He’s averaging 41 yards per punt, which leaves him No. 16 in the Big Ten in net punting average. Ohio State hasn’t needed him often, but when the Buckeyes have asked for more from the third phase, they haven’t gotten it.
So far, Discher’s debut hasn’t produced a single obvious bright spot. That may not be alarming yet, but Ohio State fans have every reason to be on edge after Noah Ruggles’ missed kick in the 2022 CFP semifinal against Georgia. For a team with big offensive expectations and a defense that’s done its job, special teams remains the one area that could still trip things up.
In Other News...
Ryan Day, Ohio State Accused Of Creating An Ugly Fox Standoff
Dave Portnoy says the buildup to Ohio States trip through FOXs Big Noon Kickoff orbit turned into something far messier than a standard TV disagreement. The Barstool Sports founder claimed the Buckeyes and Ryan Day objected to his presence from the start, with complaints reportedly made to the Big Ten and FOX as the network tried to manage a pregame-show situation that was never especially subtle to begin with.
Portnoy also said he was blocked from accessing Ohio States stadium and later told by FOX to stay home from a scheduled appearance because the Buckeyes would not cooperate if he showed up. For Ohio State, the episode adds another awkward layer to an already closely watched relationship with one of college footballs biggest media partners, even as the full chain of decisions behind the standoff remains the part everyone is still talking around. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Can Turn Homecoming Into A Bigger Big Ten Problem
Ohio State comes into homecoming weekend in a familiar spot, riding a convincing 31-14 win over Iowa and setting up another Big Ten test against Maryland. The Buckeyes have already handled one physical conference opponent, and now they return home with the kind of matchup that usually asks more about focus than talent. Maryland arrives with plenty of pressure attached, and Ohio State is favored to keep its strong start rolling.
Mike Locksleys situation adds another layer to a game that already matters in the standings. The Terrapins uneven season, along with the broader body of work under their coach, has made his position a talking point, and another lopsided result would only intensify that conversation. For Ohio State, the task is straightforward enough: take care of business and avoid giving a struggling league opponent any kind of foothold on a weekend meant to feel festive. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Won But These Buckeye Mistakes Wont Fly Much Longer
Ohio State handled Iowa 31-14 and kept its Big Ten footing secure, but the win came with enough sloppiness to leave the Buckeyes looking less polished than the final score suggested. False start penalties on Gabe VanSickle and Austin Siereveld broke up drives, and the pass defense drew scrutiny again with interference flags involving Devin Sanchez and others, a reminder that even in a comfortable result the details still matter for a team with bigger goals ahead.
The same was true on special teams, where Connor Hawkins missed a field goal and added to a night that had more frustration than the scoreboard would indicate. Coaching choices and some inconsistent officiating also became part of the conversation, but the broader point was hard to miss: Ohio State can keep winning this way for a while, yet the margin for cleaning up those recurring mistakes is shrinking. [Read more 🡒]