Off-Script Ohio: Buckeyes get exactly the response they needed against Kent State

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There was no drama this time. Ohio State scored touchdowns on each of its first four drives, built a 35-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 59-3 victory over Kent State on Saturday.

After blowing a 20-point fourth-quarter lead against Texas one week earlier, the biggest question wasn’t whether the Buckeyes would win. It was how they would respond, and Ohio State answered that question quickly.

Episode 36 of “Off-Script Ohio” breaks down the biggest takeaways from the dominant win, including Julian Sayin’s efficient afternoon, Jeremiah Smith making Ohio State history, young players making their case, and a defense that looked much more like the unit we expected coming into the season.

The response Ohio State needed

Ohio State finished with 518 yards of offense while holding Kent State to just 119 yards. The Golden Flashes converted only 4-of-14 third downs and never seriously threatened the Buckeyes.

Was Kent State a great measuring stick? Obviously not. But after the Texas collapse, Ohio State needed a game where they played with urgency from the opening snap. The Buckeyes scored 21 points in the first quarter and had the game essentially finished before halftime.

It doesn’t erase what happened in Austin, but it was the kind of response Ryan Day needed to see before Big Ten play begins.

Sayin, Smith and the young playmakers

Julian Sayin was efficient without needing to do anything spectacular, completing 18-of-22 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. He looked comfortable operating the offense and avoided the mistakes that can turn easy games into unnecessary problems.

He even connected with Brandon Inniss on a 49-yard Hail Mary on the final play of the first half. Jeremiah Smith also made more Ohio State history. The junior broke Michael Jenkins’ school record for career receiving yards and finished with five catches for 85 yards.

But perhaps more importantly, Ohio State finally got contributions from some of the young receivers around him. Five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. turned a short pass into a 75-yard touchdown, while Brock Boyd caught four passes and continued to show why he could become a bigger part of the offense. Luke Fahey also got extended fourth-quarter action, throwing for 141 yards and a touchdown despite an interception.

These aren’t necessarily players Ohio State needs to rely on right now. They could become much more important later in the season.

The defense looked like itself again

This was probably the most encouraging part of the response. Ohio State’s defense had plenty to answer after Texas, particularly after struggling to generate pressure and close out the game late. Against Kent State, there was never much doubt.

The Buckeyes held the Golden Flashes to 119 yards and three points, while the defense consistently created negative situations and kept Kent State from finding any rhythm. There were even a few memorable moments, including freshman defensive tackle Jamir Perez scooping up a fumble and returning it 25 yards for a touchdown at 349 pounds.

The defensive end rotation is worth watching heading into Big Ten play. Zion Grady missed the game after his injury against Texas, allowing Qua Russaw to start opposite Kenyatta Jackson Jr., while Beau Atkinson also saw opportunities.

Now the real season starts

Kent State was exactly the type of opponent Ohio State needed after Texas. The Buckeyes handled their business, got young players valuable reps, and entered Big Ten play with some of the questions from Austin at least temporarily quieted.

Now comes the real test. Can Sayin maintain this level of efficiency against Big Ten defenses? Can the defensive front consistently create pressure? And what does the rotation look like once Grady returns?

The Texas loss isn’t erased. But 59-3 was about as clean a response as Ohio State could have asked for. Now we find out whether the lessons actually stuck.

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