Kenyatta Jackson Jr. didn’t sugarcoat Ohio State’s run defense after the Buckeyes gave up 199 rushing yards to Illinois. He called it out for what it was, and he didn’t hide his frustration.
“It wasn't acceptable,” Jackson said. “200 rushing yards is terrible.”
Jackson went even further in describing what he saw from the Buckeyes on the ground. He called Illinois’ production “ridiculous” and said Ohio State “should have beat the brakes off of them.” Instead, the Illini popped five runs of 15 yards or more, and Jackson pointed to discipline as the problem.
“I think people were just trying to make plays, trying to play hero ball instead of doing their jobs, standing in the gaps,” Jackson said.
The numbers made the point loud and clear. Illinois’ 199 rushing yards were the most Ohio State has allowed on the ground since the Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri that closed the 2023 season.
The Buckeyes did not give up more than 174 rushing yards in any game during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, when they owned the country’s best defense. Illinois also averaged more than six yards per carry, the highest mark Ohio State has surrendered in a game since Michigan averaged 7.2 yards per rush against the Buckeyes in 2022.
Even with those issues, Ohio State still rolled to a 42-19 win over Illinois. But the run defense has to clean itself up quickly, because Iowa is next, and the Hawkeyes bring one of the Big Ten’s top rushing attacks into the matchup. Iowa ranks second in the conference with 6.53 yards per carry this season.
“They're real big up front,” Jackson said. “Their stretch game, that's who they are, so we just have to have a lot of knockback on the line of scrimmage and then get off the blocks … those are two main things that we need to do up front.”
Ryan Day echoed the same basic diagnosis after the game, saying Ohio State’s effort was there but the execution wasn’t.
“We just have to make sure that we're just executing at a high level across the board in terms of, like, everyone doing their job. You saw effort, but just not good enough execution,” Day said.
“We did do a few more things in terms of some more pressure, some more man, and so when that happens, you have to kind of play through some of that. But too many explosive plays, that goes without saying.”
Jackson said the issues were addressed quickly by defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and defensive line coach Larry Johnson on Sunday. He also said the defensive line is carrying a chip on its shoulder after what happened against Illinois.
“For a fact, I know that me and my guys will be ready on Saturday with Iowa in the run game,” Jackson said. “They like to run the ball, so Saturday, it's our job to stop the run, and that's what we're going to do.”
In Other News...
Ohio State Defense Faces A Road Test Iowa Can Expose
Ohio State heads into a ranked road matchup at Iowa with the kind of test that can sharpen a defense or expose a flaw. The Buckeyes will have to deal with a difficult environment and an Iowa offense that leans on quarterback Hank Brown, a productive backfield and a defense led by linebacker Cam Buffington and safety Zach Lutmer, while the bigger worry for Ohio State is whether it can hold up against the run and stay sound in coverage against tight ends.
The Hawkeyes have enough moving parts to make this more than a routine Big Ten trip, especially at home where the crowd can turn every series into a grind. Ohio States defensive front will be under pressure to set the tone early, because if Iowa can keep the Buckeyes guessing and force them to chase the game, this matchup could become a lot more uncomfortable than the rankings suggest. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Defense Isnt In Trouble But One Concern Isnt Going Away
Ohio States defense has spent enough time under the microscope already this fall, and a former Buckeye who has been watching the unit closely sees a group with real room to grow rather than a unit in panic mode. He pointed to the kind of issues that can show up early in a season, including miscommunications and the absence of veteran star power, while still saying defensive coordinator Matt Patricia remains effective in his job. He also gave credit to Illinois quarterback Katin Houser for making the defense work for it.
The bigger takeaway, though, is that the concerns do not appear to be structural in his view. He expects the Buckeyes defense to keep improving and believes it will be good by the end of the season, even if the ceiling may not be quite elite. For a program used to treating every defensive hiccup as a minor crisis, that is a useful reminder that some early-season problems can be real without being fatal. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Day Sounds Different As Ohio State Heads Into Kinnick
Ryan Day spent part of the week laying out where Ohio State stands as it heads to Kinnick Stadium, and the conversation touched just about every corner of the roster. He gave updates on player availability, pointed to Julian Sayins continued growth, and said the running backs have made progress as the Buckeyes keep sorting out roles for Jeremiah Smith, Khary Wilder and Kyle Parker. It was the kind of check-in that comes with a road game like this, where the details matter and the margin for error tends to shrink.
Kinnick has a way of making even experienced teams feel uneasy, and Day acknowledged the challenge while framing Ohio States current state as a product of steady development since the season began. He also left open a few questions about how the lineup will look once the Buckeyes get through the week, including one involving Legend Bey and how much he can get done in practice before a decision has to be made. [Read more 🡒]