MY THOUGHTS.....WASHINGTON

 

The Ohio State Buckeyes travelled west and, despite a slow offensive start, pulled away from the Washington Huskies to earn a 24-6 victory, snapping Washington’s 20-game home win streak.

                The Ohio State defense was ferocious the entire game, giving up a mere 234 yards and a pair of field goals to a Washington offense averaging over 530 yards and 55 points per game.  Through four games, the Ohio State defense has yet to give up more than 9 points to an opponent, which hasn’t happened since 1973.  The Ohio State defense so dominated Washington’s high-powered offense, the Huskies managed only one out of eleven third-down conversions.  Washington averaged a paltry 1.3 yards on those 11 third down plays and also went 1-for-3 on fourth down conversion tried.  Caden Curry played, by far, his best game, with 11 tackles, a whopping five tackles for loss and three sacks.  He, along with Kayden McDonald (7 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks) were instrumental, especially in the red zone, in limiting the Huskies offense.  Arvell Reese made several stops of elusive Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. and Davison Igbinbosun had his best game of the season thus far, with six tackles and a couple of key coverages on deep throws. 

                Julian Sayin entered the game ranked number one in the FBS with a 78.9% completion rate and against the Huskies, he lived up to that mark, completing 22-of-28 passes (78.6%) for 208 yards and two touchdowns.  He played efficient, mistake-free football in the first road start of his collegiate career.  Bo Jackson continued where he left off the last game, leading the ground game with 80 yards, averaging nearly five yards per carry.  C.J. Donaldson added a rushing and receiving touchdown and Sayin picked up a first down running on a third-and-twelve.  Jeremiah Smith showed why he is the best receiver anywhere, hauling in eight receptions for 81 yards and the first touchdown, while Bandon Innis, Carnell Tate, and James Peoples each contributed with three catches. 

                All in all, the Buckeyes got the conference season off to a good start, despite their early struggles and come back for their only home game in the month of October next Saturday against Minnesota.