No. 2 Ohio State cruised to a commanding 56-0 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday, showcasing their dominance early with 35 points in the first half. Quinshon Judkins made a significant impact, rushing for 108 yards and scoring two touchdowns, while freshman standout Jeremiah Smith contributed with 119 receiving yards and a touchdown.
In his second start, Will Howard demonstrated his skills by completing his first 10 passes, finishing the game with 18 completions on 26 attempts for 292 yards, along with a rushing touchdown before exiting late in the third quarter.
Judkins showcased his speed and agility with two end-around scoring runs, each covering 26 yards. TreVeyon Henderson also added to the scoreboard with two rushing touchdowns, further highlighting Ohio State’s offensive depth.
Smith, the highly-rated recruit from the 2024 class, electrified the crowd with a thrilling 70-yard touchdown after catching a short seven-yard pass from Howard in the first quarter. He had already made a mark in his debut last week, catching two touchdown passes against Akron.
Ohio State’s offense was relentless, amassing a staggering 683 total yards while limiting Western Michigan to a mere 99 yards. The Broncos struggled significantly in the second half, managing only five yards of offense.
The takeaway
After a tough match against Wisconsin in Week 1, Western Michigan faced a much more formidable opponent in Ohio State. Unlike their previous game, the Buckeyes came out strong from the start, with six different players finding the end zone.
Ohio State’s performance showcased their offensive prowess, making a statement as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.
Poll implications
The Buckeyes’ powerful display against a mismatched opponent highlighted their capabilities, yet No. 3 Texas’s impressive victory over No. 10 Michigan, winning 31-12 on the road, raised questions about the rankings as the Longhorns made a strong case for a higher position.
Next week, Western Michigan will host FCS team Bethune-Cookman, while Ohio State will take a week off before continuing their schedule with a matchup against Marshall from the Sun Belt Conference the following Saturday.
