The #1-ranked Ohio State football squad rolled to a 56-3 win over Ball State in the Buckeyes’ season-opener at Ohio Stadium. The Bucks got to see a good part of their roster on the field in the victory as they look ahead to their game at #5 Texas next Saturday night. Here are our three takeaways from Saturday’s game:

1.    The Buckeyes’ stars were just that in the win against the Cardinals. Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 48-yard score. Junior quarterback Julian Sayin was 21-for-25 for 320 and three touchdowns. He also ran for a a TD. Sophomore Bo Jackson and senior Ja’Kobi Jackson, a transfer from Florida, both ran for 83 yards and a touchdown.

2.   The OSU defense played well, holding Ball State to just 165 yards of total offense. Sophomore linebackers Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford paced the Buckeyes with six and five tackles, respectively. Alford also came up with Buckeyes’ only interception. Sophomore defensive end Epi Sitanilei recorded the lone Ohio State sack on the afternoon.

3.   Two true freshman – Chris Henry Jr. and Legend Bey – started slowly but finished the game well. Henry Jr. dropped the first two passes that came his way, both of which could have been scores, but caught the third thrown to him for his first college touchdown. Bey returned two kickoffs for less than average yardage to start his OSU career, but finished with what might have been the play of the day (see below).