Ohio State’s 59-3 win over Kent State didn’t leave much doubt about who controlled the afternoon, but it did create a few clear takeaways for a Buckeyes team that was coming off a rough week after the loss to Texas.
The biggest headline belonged to Jeremiah Smith. He finished with five catches for 85 yards and passed Michael Jenkins to become the all-time leader in receiving yards for the Ohio State football program.
Even without a touchdown, Smith still came out as one of the game’s obvious winners. That record alone put him in a different category.
Brock Boyd also made his case to get more run. The true freshman receiver caught four passes for 66 yards and flashed on a 39-yard grab in which he stayed in bounds by tapping his toes on the sideline.
He looked like a player whose preseason hype was justified, and he showed the kind of intelligence and savviness that keeps him in the conversation. The question now is why he hasn’t been on the field more, especially with Ohio State still searching for a second receiver to emerge.
Riley Petijohn added another strong outing to his early-season résumé. The linebacker was active throughout the game, finishing with three tackles while the starters saw limited action.
He also picked off a pass, a reminder that his athleticism gives him range at the position. Based on what he’s shown, Petijohn looks like someone who should be part of the starting linebacker mix.
Payton Pierce struggled against Texas, and Petijohn may need to start taking some of those snaps. His game brings shades of Arvell Reese.
Not everyone used the matchup to boost their stock. Devin McCuin, who drew plenty of buzz during fall camp, has not done much since arriving from UTSA.
He had a solid game against Ball State, but over the last two weeks he has only caught three passes. Against Kent State, he managed just two receptions for 29 yards.
Ohio State is still trying to find a dependable second option behind Smith, and that remains a concern with Big Ten play ahead.
Legend Bey had a chance to make something happen after barely seeing the field against Texas, but the opportunity never really materialized. He touched the ball once and was stopped for no gain, then left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. For a true freshman trying to carve out a role, that was a frustrating turn.
Tavien St. Clair also left the game with more questions than answers.
The former five-star recruit has not built on the promise he showed in the spring game, and he now appears to be third on the quarterback depth chart behind Luke Fahey, a true freshman. Against Kent State, St.
Clair threw a rough interception in the fourth quarter that nearly turned into a Kent State pick-six. He continues to stare down targets and doesn’t use his eyes well enough to move defenders.
That’s not encouraging for Ohio State’s future, especially if Sayin leaves after this season.
In Other News...
Ohio States Easy Win Couldnt Quiet One Big Concern
Ohio State handled Kent State 59-3 and put the game away early, taking a 35-0 lead into halftime and never letting the outcome feel in doubt. The Buckeyes still found enough balance to lean on the run, finishing with 145 rushing yards on 38 attempts, with Bo Jackson leading the way with 73 yards and a touchdown.
Even in a blowout, though, the ground game remains a point worth watching. Ohio States rushing offense is still inconsistent overall, sitting 79th nationally at just under 159 yards per game, and that leaves a gap between what this roster can be and what it has shown so far. The schedule will get less forgiving from here, and the Buckeyes will need more than a comfortable win to answer that concern. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Just Got A Clear Warning About Illinois Saturday
Illinois followed its loss to Duke with a much cleaner performance against Southern Illinois, and the part that should have Ohio State paying attention is how much more settled the Illini looked at the line of scrimmage. The offensive line showed progress, the run defense was sturdier, and the overall operation came across as a team that had already made some useful corrections before the matchup in Columbus.
Katin Houser also gave Illinois a steadier passing game by spreading the ball around, which matters because it hints at a more functional offense than the one that stumbled a week earlier. The defense, meanwhile, flashed enough improvement against the run to suggest this is not a team the Buckeyes can afford to overlook, even if the bigger question still hangs over whether those adjustments travel against a much faster and more talented opponent. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Fans Got A Big Noon Reminder Nobody Wanted
A rout should have sounded like a showcase, but Ohio States 59-3 win over Kent State came with a broadcast that drew as much attention as the score. FOX Sports announcer Gus Johnson delivered the game in a flat, muted tone, and he also made a factual mistake while discussing a players touchdown history, a rough combination in a matchup that was already struggling to hold viewers attention.
The bigger issue is one college football keeps circling back to every fall: games like this are increasingly hard to sell, even for a blueblood with a massive fan base. Ohio State can only do so much when the opponent is overmatched, and the broadcast only amplified the sense that fans, and maybe networks, would rather see a more competitive nonconference slate than another predictable Saturday afternoon tune-up. [Read more 🡒]