A 24-point second quarter propelled the Buckeyes to a 34-10 victory over Purdue. Saturday’s game was headlined by the usual suspects: Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, and Caleb Downs. Sayin had his usual efficient game with another 300+ yard performance and over 80% completion percentage. Notably, however, a few key pieces for the Buckeyes were absent due to injury. Here are five things you need to know about Ohio State’s 34-10 win over Purdue.
1. Human Highlight Reel: Jeremiah Smith
We have all come to expect greatness every time Jeremiah
Smith steps on the field. Somehow, though, he still manages to exceed expectations. Smith had 10 receptions for 137 yards and 1 touchdown. The 10 receptions were a single-game career high for Smith.
Smith’s performance was highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. However, an equally impressive play came on a mere 8-yard reception where there was a pass interference penalty. Smith got tackled by the defensive back as the ball was on the way, fell down, tipped the ball up to himself, and came up with the catch; week in and week out greatness.
2. Tate’s Absence
Despite not being listed on any injury reports, Carnell Tate did not play on Saturday. Tate could be seen on the sideline, in his uniform and pads, but without his helmet. When asked about Tate’s absence, Day referenced that Tate felt some tightness during warmups and that he was held out for precautionary reasons.
Tate’s status will certainly be monitored going forward, and we can only hope it was truly just a precautionary measure. With Tate out, Max Klare was the Buckeyes’ second-most-targeted pass catcher. Klare had five catches for 59 yards against his former team.
3. Bo Jackson, Almost
Once again, Jackson led the team in carries. Jackson had 14 carries for 75 yards, and he added a 10-yard reception as well. Yet, for those who might not have had the game on yet and missed the first offensive snap for Ohio State, those stats don’t fully reflect Jackson’s day.
Jackson had a 70-yard dazzling touchdown run on the Buckeyes’ first offensive snap of the game. Unfortunately, the touchdown was called back due to a block in the back penalt,y and the Buckeyes would end up punting. For a run game that has been mediocre thus far this season, Jackson’s 70-yard touchdown would have been a very welcome sight. CJ Donaldson did find the end zone twice on Saturday.
4. Laying Down(s) Hits
When a defense has been as successful as Ohio State’s has been, usually the safeties in the back end of the defense don’t have to make a ton of plays. That remained true on Saturday, but when his time came, Caleb Downs was a menace on Saturday.
Downs had a perfectly timed pass break-up over the middle of the field in the second quarter that led to a tipped ball ultimately to be intercepted by Jermaine Mathews Jr. Earlier in the game, on a wide receiver screen, Downs read the play and came down from his safety position to lay down one of the best hits the Buckeyes have had all season.
5. Banged-up Buckeyes
Ohio State, notoriously sneaky about injuries, had a few notable players other than Tate who were either totally absent or missed a few series. Phillip Daniels, who has been Ohio State’s right tackle all season, did not play due to injury, and Ian Moore played in his place. Moore, a Sophomore from Indiana, had a relatively quiet day —- a great thing for an offensive lineman.
Also on the offensive line, Joshua Padilla, an important rotational depth lineman, did not play due to injury. In Padilla’s place, Gabe VanSickle, a Sophomore from Michigan, got some time on the field. Arvelle Reese was also absent from the game for a few defensive series and would ultimately return to the game. The Buckeyes have remained quite healthy (knock on wood) up until this point in the season, and health only becomes more important as the weather gets colder and the games get bigger.
