Ohio State scores in their win over Illinois (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)
Ohio State had a solid win over Illinois and kept the Illibuck trophy with the 34-16 win. The Buckeyes were again led by their defense, the best in college football. Ohio State’s offense was good, but it can still be even better. Next, the Bucks will play at Wisconsin.
#1 Ohio State 34, Illinois 16
The Buckeyes got the ball to start and drove down the field to the Illinois 13-yard line. The Buckeyes’ Red Zone troubles returned. Two three-yard runs and a two-yard pass, and Ohio State had to settle for a field goal. Illinois got the ball, but then the defense struck. Jermaine Mathews Jr. hit an Illinois receiver a moment after the ball arrived, popping it up to be intercepted by Payton Pierce. It was the first time Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer had been intercepted this season.
Five runs and one pass later, the Buckeyes got a touchdown courtesy of CJ Donaldson. Ohio State and Illinois would exchange punts, and then Illinois would get stuffed on a fourth-down attempt. This would lead to another field goal. Trailing 13-0, Illinois would start a drive that was only one play, when Kayden McDonald hit the Illinois running back behind the line and took the ball away from him.
The Ohio State offense would again capitalize on the turnover. The Buckeyes would eventually score on a touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to Bo Jackson. Illinois would get on the board with a field goal before halftime, but the Buckeyes would lead 20-3.
2nd Half
Illinois would open the second half with a touchdown drive to cut the Buckeye lead to ten. Ohio State would answer and push their lead back to 17. A 14-play, 63-yard drive that took 7:52 off the clock would end with CJ Donaldson’s second touchdown of the day. Illinois would get the ball back, but not for long. Jermaine Mathews Jr. would strike again.
After the fumble forced by Mathews, Ohio State would put the final nail in the coffin. Jeremiah Smith’s touchdown made the score 34-10, Ohio State. It was Smith’s 22nd touchdown catch in his 22nd game as a Buckeye. He has seven this season. Illinois would get a garbage-time touchdown for a final score of 34-16, Buckeyes.
On to Wisconsin
The Buckeyes travel to Madison this Saturday to play the Wisconsin Badgers. Until recently, this would have looked to be a tough road game, but Wisconsin is just flat out bad this season. The Badgers are 2-4, and this is not a good matchup for them. The Buckeyes average 421.5 yards per game and 36.8 points per game on offense. The Wisconsin defense allows 317 yards and 22.7 points per game.
While the Buckeye offense against the Badger defense looks reasonable, the Wisconsin offense for the Ohio State defense indicates things could get ugly. Wisconsin is averaging 292.5 yards and 15.5 points per game, 127th and 131st out of 136 nationally. They’ll be going up against the top-scoring defense in the nation, in Ohio State, who is only allowing 6.8 points per game. Ohio State is almost as good in total defense, allowing only 229 yards per game, which is fourth best in college football. Ohio State should overwhelm Wisconsin to get to 7-0.
