This year at LGHL, the day before Ohio State games we are trying something a little different. “3 & Out” is going to inform you on the upcoming opponent for the Buckeyes. By the name, you probably could
tell we are going to handle things in threes.
Along with highlighting three key players from Ohio State’s opponents, we will shed some light on three things the Buckeyes have to be wary of, and close things out by having a little fun by mentioning three notable alumni or facts from the school that’ll be matching up with Ohio State.
First Down
Players to watch for Rutgers
1) Antwan Raymond
The Rutgers running back is coming off a massive performance two weeks ago when he rushed for 240 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries against Maryland. Raymond gained steam as the game went on, totaling 105 yards in the fourth quarter to break the spirit of the Terrapins.
Along with tying Army’s Cale Hellums for most carries in an FBS game this year, Raymond’s 240 yards is the fifth-most in a game so far this season.
With his output against Maryland, the sophomore now has exactly 1,000 yards this season. Earlier this season, Raymond had a four-game stretch where he had multiple touchdowns, becoming the first Rutgers players to achieve the feat since 1973.
For the season, Raymond has found the end zone 11 times on the ground. Even though the top running back for the Scarlet Knights might have trouble finding room against the best defense in the country, he certainly enters this game with a ton of confidence.
2) Athan Kaliakmanis
Unlike last week when the Ohio State defense was squaring off with a quarterback making his first start, Athan Kaliakmanis has loads of experience, starting 40 games in his college career. After starting his career at Minnesota, Kaliakmanis is in his second season with the Scarlet Knights.
Kaliakmanis threw for 2,696 yards last season, which was sixth-best in school history at the time. This season Kaliakmanis already has 2,705 passing yards, putting him within range of reaching 3,000 yards.
Along with his wealth of experience, Kaliakmanis is coming off one of the best games of his career after he tied his career-high with four passing touchdowns against Maryland. The 18 touchdown passes by Kaliakmanis is currently tied for fifth-most in school history with Gary Nova, Ryan Hart, and Mike McMahon.
With two more touchdown passes, Kaliakmanis would tie Mike Teel for fourth-most in a season in program history. With Ohio State failing to record a sack in each of the last two games, Kaliakmanis could hurt the Buckeyes if they give him time in the pocket.
3) K.J. Duff/Ian Strong/D.T. Sheffield
While technically this makes it six players to watch for Rutgers instead of three, this trio of receivers have been impressive for the Scarlet Knights this season. Duff leads the team with 53 catches for 923 yards and six touchdowns. The sophomore receiver was incredible at Purdue, recording 241 yards on just six catches. Entering this week’s games, Duff’s 923 receiving yards rank second in the Big Ten.
Junior wide receiver Ian Strong is coming on…..strong towards the end of the season. In the last game for the Scarlet Knights, three of Kaliakmanis’ four touchdown passes went to Strong, giving him five scores on the year to go along with 48 catches and 716 yards. Strong became the first Rutgers receiver to score three touchdowns in a game since Leonte Carroo in 2015.
Rounding out the three Scarlet Knight receivers with at least 40 catches is North Texas transfer D.T. Sheffield, who has 40 grabs for 532 yards and four scores. Despite the Ohio State secondary shutting down every passing attack they have seen this year, Rutgers might just have the best trio of receivers Caleb Downs and the rest of the Buckeye defensive backs have lined up against.
Second Down
What Ohio State has to be wary of
1) Don’t try to do too much
It’s not a secret Ohio State is dealing with injuries right now. Head coach Ryan Day has a difficult decision because he has to balance rest versus rust. While you want to go into next week as healthy as possible, you also want the Buckeyes to be as sharp as they can be at kickoff in Ann Arbor next Saturday.
Is it really worth it to ask Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith to push through injuries this week? Ohio State can beat Rutgers without their two star wide receivers. Possibly losing the dynamic duo for next week, and possibly longer, would be a huge blow to the title hopes of the Buckeyes.
Even Julian Sayin was dealing with a gimpy ankle last week, which resulted in the quarterback sitting out most of the second half against UCLA. Ohio State’s goal should be to build a big early lead and get their key starters out as soon as possible. If the Buckeyes are up around 21 points at halftime, it’s probably safe to start pulling guys.
2) Don’t get caught looking ahead
There’s no question what game means the most to Ohio State this year. The Buckeyes have lost four straight to the Wolverines. We have seen this scenario in the past where all eyes are on The Game and there have been some flat performances the week before. It’s natural to take some focus on off an opponent like Rutgers with Michigan on deck.
At least Ohio State has plenty of experience handling their business against lesser teams this season. The Buckeyes have had a really easy schedule but at least they haven’t given their opponents any hope later in games. But, this is the closest they have been to the Michigan game so they need to make sure they are still focused on the task at hands and once they clock hits zeros in the fourth quarter then they can look towards the Wolverines.
3) Rutgers can score in a variety of ways
Along with an offense that is having one of their best seasons in school history, the Scarlet Knights have made a habit of scoring in other ways under Greg Schiano. Not only has Rutgers scored 15 non-offensive touchdowns since 2020, the Scarlet Knights have recorded 66 non-offensive touchdowns in all the years Schiano has been head coach.
If Rutgers is going to be competitive in this game, they are going to need other units beside the offense to put points on the board. Ohio State is only giving up 7.5 points per game, so Rutgers need impact plays from other areas to try and create some momentum. While it might not allow the Scarlet Knights to score the upset, they at least could keep the final score tighter than the Buckeyes are used to in 2025.
Third Down
Ohio State/Rutgers connections
1) Greg Schiano
The most obvious connection between the two programs is current Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, who spent three years in Columbus s the defensive coordinator of the Buckeyes.
Schiano was at Ohio State from 2016 to 2018. In his final season with the Buckeyes, Schiano took on a bigger role during Urban Meyer’s suspension, helping interim head coach Ryan Day in the first three games of the season.
Following the 2017 season it sounded like Schiano would be heading to Tennessee to be the new head coach. After push back from boosters and fans, Schiano didn’t end up getting the job. Schiano spent one more year at Ohio State before taking a year off from coaching.
Schiano would agree later in the year to return to Rutgers, in a move that made sense for both parties. Over his two stints at Rutgers, Schiano is 99-106 heading into this week’s game.
2) Jonah Jackson
The offensive lineman started his career with the Scarlet Knights, spending four years in New Jersey before joining the Buckeyes as a graduate transfer for the 2019 season. Jackson immediately stepped in as the starting left guard, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors in his only season in Columbus.
Following his college career, Jackson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. During his four years in Detroit, Jackson was a fixture on the offensive line, with his best season coming in 2021 when he was a Pro Bowl selection. Last year Jackson moved on to the Los Angeles Rams, but was injured in the second week of the season. Jackson is currently a member of the Chicago Bears.
3) William Kirwan
The former Ohio State president is a graduate of Rutgers. Kirwan received his Ph.D from Rutgers before moving on to Maryland, where he held a number of positions from 1964 to 1998. Following over 30 years at Maryland, Kirwan was hired to replace Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee.
Kirwan spent four years in Columbus but made quite an impact. Because of his work to further diversity at the university, the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Diversity was named after him. Following his time at Ohio State, Kirwan returned to Maryland, where he was employed until 2015.
& Out
Prediction: 38-10, Ohio State
Go Bucks!
