COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Adhering to Ryan Day’s motto of “leave no doubt,” the Buckeyes did just that on Saturday night against Western Michigan.
In front of 102,665 fans at Ohio Stadium, No. 2 Ohio State dominated the Broncos from the opening kickoff, winning 56-0 to improve to 2-0 this season.
The Buckeyes used an extensive ground game with four different rushers finding the endzone. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins scored two touchdowns each while quarterback Will Howard and freshman back James People each added another.
Howard completed 18 of 26 passes for 292 yards a touchdown before bowing out in the third quarter when the Buckeyes led 42-0. His lone throwing score came in the first quarter when he connected with freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 70-yard touchdown to put Ohio State up 14-0.
The Buckeyes enter the first of two bye weeks before returning to Ohio Stadium to host Marshall on Sept. 21.
Scroll below for the latest updates from Saturday’s game against Western Michigan.
Buckeyes sack!
On Western Michigan’s third down, Cody Simon brings down QB Hayden Wolff for a loss of seven yards. OSU defense forcing a three and out on the first drive of the game.
Coin toss
Ohio State won the toss and will defer to the second half. Western Michigan will receive the football and will defend the north endzone.
The Buckeyes are on the field
And we’re minutes away from kickoff.
First meeting between Buckeyes and Broncos since 2015
These two schools have only met once before, back in 2015 when OSU was ranked No. 1 and the defending national CFP champion. Ohio State won that game 38-12.
Here are three things to watch for as the game unfolds.
Injury report
Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson and linebacker Cody Simon are both available and off the injured list after missing last week’s season opener. Just four Buckeyes players are on this Saturday’s injured list for Week 2.
You can read the full injury report here.
Good evening from Ohio Stadium
Hello from Ohio Stadium where the Buckeyes are back in action after a 52-6 win over Akron in Week 1. This week, OSU faces another MAC opponent in Western Michigan, which lost to Wisconsin last Friday in a bit of a nailbiter.
I’ll have updates from the press box but hope you’re enjoying this fine evening wherever you’re tuning in/reading from.
– David