Recap
Ohio State entered Week 2 riding high after its emotional win over Texas, and the Buckeyes wasted no time proving there would be no hangover. Behind a record-setting performance from quarterback Julian Sayin, Ohio State dismantled Grambling State 70-0 in its first game as the nation’s No. 1 team since 2015. The Buckeyes scored on eight of their first nine possessions and never punted until midway through the fourth quarter, posting the ninth 70-point victory in school history and their sixth shutout of that magnitude.
Ryan Day’s offense looked like a completely different unit compared to last week’s grind-it-out win over Texas. The Buckeyes had 208 yards in the first nine plays alone, surpassing the total yardage from the entire Texas game (203). Sayin completed his first 16 passes, setting a program record for consecutive completions to open a game, and finished 18 of 19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns — all in the first half. The sophomore’s only blemish came on a red zone interception in the second quarter, but by that point Ohio State was already in full control.
The fireworks weren’t limited to the quarterback. Freshman star Jeremiah Smith delivered the game’s highlight with an 87-yard touchdown reception — the second-longest pass play in program history — on his way to 119 yards and two scores. Carnell Tate continued his streak of making circus catches, hauling in a contested 13-yard touchdown over Grambling’s Tyrell Raby in the north end zone. On the ground, the Buckeyes unleashed their young backs in the second half: true freshman Bo Jackson led the way with 108 yards and a touchdown, while Isaiah West and James Peoples each added scores of their own.
Defensively, Jim Knowles’ group (with Matt Patricia running the calls) was suffocating. Grambling’s only trip into Buckeye territory ended with a missed field goal, and the Tigers mustered just 94 rushing yards and 72 passing yards for the entire afternoon. Linebacker Riley Pettijohn added a defensive touchdown by scooping up a fumble and returning it 23 yards to open the second half, putting an exclamation point on an effort that overwhelmed an overmatched opponent.
The victory marks Ohio State’s second-ever game against an HBCU, the first since 1979 when the Buckeyes beat Central State. Just as that day celebrated the opening of Ohio Stadium, this one reminded fans why the Shoe remains one of college football’s true fortresses.
Turning Point
It didn’t take long for the rout to take shape. On Ohio State’s opening drive, Sayin connected with tight end Will Kacmarek for a 47-yard touchdown down the seam, setting the tone for an explosive afternoon. Grambling never recovered — and after Jeremiah Smith’s 87-yard sprint down the sideline less than five minutes later, the Tigers were essentially buried.
Stars of the Game
As always, we rank the top stars of the game, with each Buckeye leaf representing a reward (3 leaves it the 1st place earner)
Bo Jackson – In his first extended action, the true freshman ran for 108 yards and a touchdown on just 9 carries, averaging 12.0 yards per attempt. He looked every bit like Ohio State’s next star back.
Jeremiah Smith – The freshman phenom again showed why he might already be the best receiver in college football. He finished with 5 catches for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns, including an 87-yarder that will be on highlight reels all season.
Julian Sayin – The sophomore’s efficiency was off the charts. He went 18 of 19 for 306 yards and 4 touchdowns in one half of football, breaking Will Howard’s record for consecutive completions to start a game.
Report Card
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Offense: A
From the first snap, the Buckeyes imposed their will. Julian Sayin was in complete command, starting 16-for-16 and tossing four touchdowns before halftime, including an 87-yard strike to Jeremiah Smith that electrified the crowd. The offensive line kept him spotless, and once the backups came in, the ground game took over. Bo Jackson exploded for 108 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries, while James Peoples and CJ Donaldson ran with authority. The only blemish was Sayin’s lone interception in the red zone, but in every other respect, this was a near-perfect day. -
Defense: A
A shutout is always the gold standard, and Ohio State’s defense delivered. Grambling managed only 94 rushing yards on 33 attempts and just 72 passing yards, with their best drive stalling at the Buckeye 19 before a missed field goal. The front seven lived in the backfield, tallying nine tackles for loss and two sacks, while the secondary stayed disciplined and added an interception from Caleb Downs. The real win here was how cleanly the Buckeyes played — few missed tackles, no busted coverages, and backups held the standard late. -
Special Teams: B+
There weren’t many high-leverage moments, but the units did their jobs. Jayden Fielding went 6-for-6 on extra points, and Brandon Inniss showed some juice with a 17-yard kickoff return and an 8-yard punt return. The lone punt of the afternoon traveled 45 yards. The only nitpick? No explosive return moments, though with the offense scoring at will, opportunities were limited. -
Coaching: A
Ryan Day and his staff did exactly what you want in a tune-up game after an emotional win over Texas. The starters were sharp, the tempo was high, and the younger players were rotated in early to gain valuable reps. Matt Patricia’s defense looked organized and disciplined again, while Brian Hartline’s receivers feasted across the board. The balance between letting Sayin open things up and leaning on the run game late showed a clear plan. -
Overall: A
Ohio State couldn’t have asked for a cleaner performance. The Buckeyes showed explosiveness on offense, discipline on defense, and got plenty of young talent meaningful snaps. After a gritty, physical opener against Texas, this was the exact kind of confidence-building blowout they needed before turning to their Week 3 in-state matchup with Ohio University.
Playoff Picture
The Buckeyes did exactly what the top-ranked team in the country is supposed to do: take care of business emphatically against an overmatched opponent. Style points aren’t always necessary, but when the race for playoff seeding gets tight, a 70-0 statement win never hurts. Combined with last week’s triumph over Texas, Ohio State looks every bit like the most complete team in the nation.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State (2-0) will remain at home next week for an all-Ohio matchup with Ohio University, another opportunity for Ryan Day’s staff to rotate younger players while continuing to refine the offense around Sayin.
For Grambling State (1-1), the Tigers return to Louisiana to host Kentucky State and refocus on building toward SWAC competition.
Photo Credit: NBC4