MY THOUGHTS.....Illinois

 

The Ohio State Buckeyes won their 10^th consecutive game and a road win against a ranked, and decent Illinois team, 34-16.

                Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin continues to excel in the role Coach Ryan Day has for him: a game manager.  Sayin completed 70 percent of his throws for 166 yards and Jeremiah Smith led the receivers with five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.  Bo Jackson showed his versatility out of the backfield as a receiver, catching two passes, including one in which he tight-roped the sidelines on a 17-yard catch-and-run for a score.  Carnell Tate contributed four receptions and so did Max Klare who again displayed his receiving abilities he developed at Purdue.  The running game still appears to be a work in progress, but Bo Jackson and C.J. Donaldson were able to get a push, as the offensive line was able to knock the Illinois defense off the ball down around the goal line, which is where Donaldson was able to score twice.  The offensive line also allowed a time-consuming drive in the second half that put the game away.  The offense averaged a mere 4.3 yards per play and their longest play from scrimmage was 22 yards.  This was the result of a more conservative game plan than last week against Minnesota and due to very good starting field position thanks to Illinois turnovers.  The offense converted eight of 15 third-down tries and scored four touchdowns in the red zone.

                The Ohio State defense finally yielded their first touchdowns in the red zone this season.  Sonny Styles led the way with 10 tackles, while Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs pitched in with nine.                Reese also had two sacks as he and the rest of the defensive front seven was usually in the face of Illinois quarterback Luke Altmeyer, forcing a pick and a fumble.  The three turnovers forced by the defense led to three Ohio State touchdowns.  Jermaine Matthews, who moved to nickel cornerback in place of the injured Lorenzo Styles Jr., had the interception that led to Ohio State’s first touchdown, while Kayden McDonald and Caden Curry pounced on Illini fumbles to also set up short touchdown drives. 

                Next week, Ohio State goes on the road for the second consecutive week to Madison to face Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin squad who appears to be struggling a bit.