Ohio State didn’t need Saturday’s 59-3 rout of Kent State to learn much about the scoreboard. That part was never in doubt. The real value came in the details - the kind of wrinkles that can show up again once the competition gets sharper.
The Buckeyes, favored by 52.5 points, improved to 2-1 after bouncing back from the loss at Texas and stayed perfect all-time against Kent State at 4-0. But the bigger story was how Ohio State used the game to experiment with personnel, especially on offense and in the return game, while also expanding the role of a rising defender.
One of the clearest developments came with sophomore offensive lineman Jake Cook. He has drawn plenty of praise this offseason from position coach Tyler Bowen and head coach Ryan Day, but the path to snaps looked crowded with Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld and Gabe VanSickle all ahead of him on the interior.
Against Kent State, Ohio State showed a way Cook can get on the field anyway. He lined up as the Buckeyes’ sixth lineman in a series of heavy packages, wearing No. 81 instead of No.
- Instead of bringing in an extra tight end, Ohio State leaned on Cook, and the move paid off quickly: Ja’Kobi Jackson scored on an 11-yard run on Cook’s second snap.
That usage matters because Ohio State’s run game has been inconsistent the last two seasons, especially near the goal line. Cook may end up being part of the answer.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Riley Pettijohn kept building momentum. He had already logged a sack and two “stops” at Texas, according to Pro Football Focus, and then added an interception against Kent State. After dealing with injury last season and missing spring work, Pettijohn fought back into the mix during preseason camp and has settled into the linebacker rotation with Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro and TJ Alford.
His snap counts have climbed, from 30 against Ball State to 37 against Texas, and Ohio State kept pushing to feature him more against Kent State. The flexibility of the linebacker group made that possible.
Pierce handles the Mike spot, while Pettijohn can work at Will next to him. When Pierce comes off the field, Alliegro and Alford can shift over to Mike.
That gives defensive coordinator Matt Patricia plenty of combinations to deploy, and Pettijohn has made a strong case as the most explosive piece in the group.
Ohio State also used the game to test options in the return game. Brandon Inniss has been the Buckeyes’ main punt returner the last two seasons, bringing back 31 punts for 288 yards, and he kept that role early this year with three returns for 26 yards. He also logged seven punt return snaps against Ball State and Texas.
But against Kent State, sophomore receiver Phillip Bell got a chance to handle punt returns. He finished with two returns for 11 yards. Bell’s offensive role has grown this season - most notably with nine snaps at Texas - and his quickness in the slot gives Ohio State another possible weapon in space.
The Buckeyes also gave freshman running back Legend Bey another look as a kick returner. Bey opened the season in that role before giving it up after a pair of shaky returns against Ball State.
Inniss handled kick returns against Texas, but Day went back to Bey at home against Kent State. The shutout meant Bey never got a chance to return one, yet the message was clear: Ohio State still believes he can be one of its most explosive players.
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