Carnell Tate’s career night showed why Ohio State’s offense might be ready to reach an entirely new level.
The number that best defines Ohio State’s 42–3 dismantling of Minnesota isn’t total yards, points
scored, or turnovers forced, it’s 183. That’s how many receiving yards sophomore wideout Carnell Tate posted on nine catches Saturday night — the most of his Ohio State career and one of the most complete performances by a Buckeye receiver in recent memory.
For much of this season, Tate has been the steady No. 2 option next to sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith. But against Minnesota, he looked every bit like an elite WR1, un-coverable on deep routes, surgical on timing routes, and lethal after the catch.
His 183 yards weren’t just numbers on a stat sheet. They represented a turning point; Proof that this offense can be unstoppable when both Smith and Tate are firing at the same time.
A breakout long in the making
Carnell Tate’s skill set has always been obvious. The junior has elite route precision, smooth hands, and the ability to manipulate defenders mid-route. What Saturday showed, though, was a confidence and freedom in Julian Sayin’s connection with him.
Sayin went to Tate early and often, whether it was the back-shoulder fade on third down, the deep crosser behind Minnesota’s zone, or the 41-yard bomb that set up an early score. Every time the Gophers adjusted, Sayin and Tate found another way to exploit space.
By halftime, Tate already had crossed the 100-yard mark. By the third quarter, he was making it look effortless.
Changing the ceiling of the offense
Ohio State’s offense has already been efficient, but Tate’s breakout adds something else: balance. Defenses can no longer tilt coverage as much toward Jeremiah Smith, who still managed two touchdown grabs of his own.
With Tate ascending to elite form, tight end Max Klare thriving as a versatile pass-catching weapon, Will Kacmarek setting the tone as a physical in-line blocker, and the backfield duo of Bo Jackson and CJ Donaldson improving weekly, this offense has no glaring weakness.
It’s no longer about finding one mismatch. It’s about choosing which one to exploit first.
Jackson continues to look more confident with each carry, showing burst and patience behind a line that’s finding rhythm. Donaldson, meanwhile, adds thunder and toughness in short-yardage situations, giving Ohio State a true one-two punch.
When you pair that evolving ground game with two elite wideouts and a reliable tight end duo, you’re looking at a unit that can beat teams any way it wants.
Why it matters
Saturday wasn’t just another lopsided win. It was a statement of offensive evolution.
Tate’s 183 yards were more than a breakout. They were confirmation that this is no longer Jeremiah Smith’s show alone. It’s a two-headed monster, backed by a quarterback in Sayin who looks increasingly comfortable attacking every level of the field.
As Ohio State heads to Champaign next weekend, Ryan Day’s offense suddenly looks like one of the most complete in college football — balanced, explosive, and still improving.
If Carnell Tate keeps playing like this, the Buckeyes’ ceiling isn’t just a playoff berth. It’s a national title.
