Despite a slow start in the first half, the Ohio State
Buckeyes coasted in the second half to a 42-9 victory over Rutgers in the final
home game of the 2025 season. Playing without
Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, the pass offense was way below the numbers it
has put up in earlier games, with a mere 176 yards through the air. However, the rushing attack continues to make
strides, and the defense gave up one touchdown when the game was already in
hand. With Smith and Tate out, TE Max
Klare was able to step up with a season-high seven receptions for 105 yards and
a touchdown. David Adolph saw his most
extensive playing time of his career and he and Brandon Innis each accounted for
two receptions. Bo Jackson cracked the
100-yard mark with 110 yards, averaging nearly six yards per carry and two
touchdowns. James Peoples saw extensive
action for the second consecutive week, getting 55 yards and one
touchdown. Isaiah West also saw
extensive playing time, with eight carries for 48 yards. The run game churned out 254 yards, the best
against a B1G opponent.
Caden
Curry was the star on defense, leading the way with six tackles, two sacks and
the fumble recovery at the one-yard line.
Payton Pierce saw extensive playing time and responded with five tackles,
along with Sonny Styles. Rutgers’
offense was hardly elite, but they entered the game ranked 22nd in
passing offense and 39th in total offense. The Buckeyes defense put a blanket on that
offense for most of the game, giving up only 147 total yards and 81 passing
yards. They also allowed a mere 2.7
yards per play, stopped the Scarlet Knights on both their fourth-down tries and
held them to four plays or less on five-of-ten drives.
Next
week, the competition and stakes really ramp up as the annual battle against
Michigan looms up in Ann Arbor. The
Buckeyes hope to have Jeremiah Smith and Carnel Tate healthy as well as
continued improvement in the ground game, which will be needed to come out of
there with a victory.
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