The #1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) beat Ohio University (1-2) by the final score of 37-9. The Buckeyes drove inside the Bobcat 20-yard line on their first three drives but came away with just six points. On their first series of the game, they turned the ball over on downs after driving to the OU four-yard line.

The Bobcats came into the game after upsetting West Virginia in Athens last week and falling by just three points at Rutgers the week before. After Ohio State added a touchdown on a pass from Julian Sayin to tight end Max Klare, the Bobcats kicked a field goal late in the second quarter to trail just 13-3 at the break.

Ohio starting quarterback Parker Navarro, who missed much of the first half with an injury to his non-throwing hand, returned to begin the third quarter. He drove the Bobcats quickly down the field culminating in a 67-yard touchdown pass to Chase Hendricks. The extra point sailed wide and Ohio was within four points at 13-9.

After that, Ohio State began to pull away with a field goal and a touchdown in their next two drives. The TD came on a Sayin to Jeremiah Smith pass play that went 47 yards. Smith finished the night with nine catches for 153 yards. The Bucks scored again to begin the fourth quarter when Sayin found Carnell Tate from 49 yards out.

Ohio State’s final touchdown came with just less than three minutes remaining in the contest. Smith added a rushing touchdown of 17 yards. That would be the last scoring for either team on the night. Sayin finished 25-32 passing for 347 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions to give him three in as many games.

Smith was the leading receiver for the Bucks with Carnell Tate adding five receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. OSU’s leading rusher was Bo Jackson, who went for 109 yards on nine carries, including a 64-yard scamper. James People added 47 yards on seven carries, while C.J. Donaldson ran for 39 yards on nine attempts.

The Ohio State defense, with the exception of OU’s long touchdown reception, had another stellar outing. Even with that 67-yard throw, they allowed the Bobcats only 181 total yards of offense compared with the Ohio State output of 572 yards. Linebacker Arvell Reese paced OSU with seven tackles, which included a sack.

The Buckeyes get a week off before traveling to Seattle to take on Washington (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Huskies were off this week after beating Colorado State and UC Davis convincingly. This upcoming Saturday, they travel to Pullman, Wash. to take on Washington State in the battle for the Apple Cup.