IOWA CITY, Iowa – Here are four things we learned from No. 6 Ohio State’s 31-14 win at No. 14 Iowa on Oct. 3:
Ranked win offers a confidence boost
The Buckeyes had been on the wrong end of their recent marquee games.
The loss at Texas last month marked a third straight loss to a ranked opponent, a skid that began in the Big Ten championship game
against Indiana last December and continued in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Miami.But their triumph at Iowa ended the drought and provided a needed jolt as the Buckeyes enter a formidable stretch of the schedule, including a visit to the defending national champion Hoosiers later this month.
“It builds confidence really,” wide receiver Jeremiah Smith said. “We didn't get a win back in Austin, so getting our first road
win with this team, it means a lot.”
The Hawkeyes were unbeaten at the end of September and had momentum following a win at Michigan last weekend.
Their vaunted defense posed trouble for Ohio State in the early goings. After the Buckeyes capitalized on a turnover by the Hawkeyes for an opening-drive touchdown, they were held in check on subsequent trips to the red zone.
The Buckeyes settled for a 28-yard field goal by Connor Hawkins, then Hawkins' 43-yard attempt hit the left upright.
It left OSU with just a 10-6 lead over the Hawkeyes for most of the third quarter, keeping Iowa within striking distance. But Ohio State made a push and protected its lead, in contrast to last month’s historic collapse at Texas.
“This is an opportunity to say we went on the road in a tough environment against a very good team and we won with a certain style,” coach Ryan Day said. “That will give this team confidence and something to build on.”
Defense takes a step forward
While the Buckeyes remain susceptible to giving up big plays, their reworked unit made strides at Iowa.
It involved creating havoc.
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. started off with a strip sack that set up the Buckeyes for their first touchdown, and safety Jaylen McClain intercepted a pass in the third quarter that put them in favorable field position for another score. It was the first time in a span of eight Big Ten games that the Buckeyes had forced multiple takeaways.
They had two sacks. They also had six quarterback hurries, the most in Matt Patricia’s two years as defensive coordinator.
“We can do a lot,” Jackson said. “If everybody's doing their job, playing as one, flying to the ball, there's no limit to what the defense can do.”
Jackson and McClain were two of three returning starters from last season, but transfers made impacts as well.
Defensive end Qua Russaw had a sack, and defensive tackle John Walker had two hurries, including one that led to McClain’s interception.
Cam Calhoun, who saw an increased role at cornerback as Jermaine Mathews Jr. slid over to fill in for Jay Timmons at nickel back, also broke up a pass he nearly intercepted.
Running back pecking order looks different
Ja’Kobi Jackson has moved up in the Buckeyes’ running back rotation.
He made his first start for the Buckeyes and got the first three carries in the first quarter, gaining 19 yards on the attempts.
Jackson has been near the top of the depth chart since he transferred from Florida for a seventh season, but it was his largest role thus far.
He ran the ball a season-high 14 times for 72 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that put the game well out of reach.
It was the first time this season that Bo Jackson, a 1,000-yard rusher as a freshman last season, did not start for Ohio State.
Bo Jackson split carries with Ja’Kobi Jackson and ran for 70 yards on 16 carries, while Isaiah West also saw a more extended role. West's seven carries were also a season-high as he picked up 21 yards.
Two-minute offense is a weapon
Ohio State has been automatic in the closing moments before halftime this year.
When Smith reached the ball out to cross the goal line with 12 seconds left in the second quarter, it was just the latest two-minute drill the Buckeyes had pulled off.
The Buckeyes have managed a touchdown within the last 15 seconds of the first half of all five games this season.
Field position has rarely mattered in these situations. While the Buckeyes benefited from a turnover on downs at Texas, giving them possession at midfield, the rest of their drives before halftime have begun within their 25-yard line.
The Buckeyes began the series at their 16-yard line at Iowa with quarterback Julian Sayin sprinkling passes to wide receivers Devin McCuin and Brandon Inniss as well as Smith to move into Iowa territory.
Their success in these situations has allowed them to squeeze an extra possession out of the first half and could make a difference in other major matchups.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State needed a big-game win tops the things we learned vs Iowa
