Five Things: Top-Ranked Ohio State Blasts Grambling State, 70-0, in Ohio Stadium

By Chris Lauderback on September 7, 2025 at 10:10 am
Bo Jackson
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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After dispatching of then-No. 1 Texas to kick off the 2025 season last weekend in The Shoe, the now-No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes took the field for Game Two yesterday and pitched a 70-0 shutout against FCS foe Grambling State. 

The dramatic step down in competition gave Ryan Day a chance to open up the offense for his first-year starting quarterback and eventually empty the bench on both sides of the ball as Ohio State racked up 651 yards of total offense while holding the Tigers to 166 yards, or a average of 12 yards per possession.

Nine different Buckeyes found the end zone including eight on offense while the defense recorded an interception and a pair of fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and held the Tigers to three yards per play. 

The win moved Ohio State to 2-0 on the young season and set up a primetime clash with an Ohio University squad fresh off a 17-10 win over West Virginia. 

Before we go all in on the Bobcats, here are Five Things from the 70-point win over Grambling State. 

SLINGIN' SAYIN

After last weekend's rightfully conservative gameplan saw Sayin attempt just 20 passes - most of the short and safe variety - the redshirt freshman was given a chance to sling the ball around against the Tigers and he made the most of it. Playing only the first half, Sayin hit on 18-of-19 throws for 306 and four touchdowns. 

The California kid set a new school-record by completing his first 16 throws. The streak ended with his lone mistake of the day as he forced a red zone throw into coverage that was way too late for his intended target near the goal line in what was surely a learning experience. 

That throw aside, Sayin thrived in Ohio State's up tempo attack after the offense was significantly more deliberate a week ago. He delivered dimes throughout, finding seven different receivers including four tight ends and seemed at ease navigating an increased volume of RPOs. His 13-yard touchdown connection with Carnell Tate shown above was easily my favorite strike of the afternoon. 

Yeah, it was Grambling State but the glorified practice still felt like a useful learning experience as Sayin continues to gain seasoning ahead of stiffer competition to come. 

PHILLIP DANIELS APPRECIATION THING 

I wanted to write about Daniels in Five Things last week but there was just too much to dig into. Against Texas, making his first start as a Buckeye and just his fifth overall (4 at Minnesota last year), Daniels set the tone in going toe-to-toe with elite edge Colin Simmons throughout. He even drew a 15-yard penalty from Simmons that extended Ohio State's first touchdown drive in what became a 14-7 win. Throughout that contest, Daniels was mauling dudes, finishing plays and giving back any chirp that came his way. 

Yesterday, Daniels played about a half and was again dishing out punishment and doing his job with vigor. 

Growing up, Daniels wanted to be a Buckeye but the 3-star out of Cincinnati Princeton didn't receive an offer from Ohio State, that is until he entered the transfer portal following his second season at Minnesota. Last winter, Ohio State was the only visit Daniels took after entering the portal and quickly committed to the Buckeyes as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the transfer portal. 

At that time, there seemed to be a solid chance he'd start at tackle but after Ohio State signed Ethan Onianwa from Rice via the portal - a guy Tom Luginbill tabbed as the best tackle available by a wide margin - and then Day kept raving about Austin Siereveld as a tackle in fall camp, Daniels' chance at starting seemed a bit more tenuous. 

But as reviews on Onianwa seemed less impressive as fall camp marched on, Daniels kept grinding and put a stranglehold on the starting right tackle spot. Through two games, it's easy to see why. He's done his part as Ohio State's offensive line has yet to yield a sack and yesterday the run game showed more signs of life with 7.2 yards per carry. 

If you don't find yourself watching the offensive line much throughout a game, just focus on Daniels for any given play and I bet he's giving max effort and intensity. 

JEREMIAH BREAKS FREE

I guess I should lead with the "it was Grambling State" line but it was nice to see JJ have a day as the best receiver in college football hauled in five passes on five targets for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

Smith made some history along the way as his 87-yard touchdown catch was the second-longest in school annals and is also his personal best. 

This 119-yard outburst was Smith's first 100-yard receiving game since the Rose Bowl thrashing of Oregon when he went off for seven receptions, 187 yards and two scores. In the three games between that one and yesterday's outburst, Jeremiah had 12 catches for 134 yards. 

I'm not suggesting there was any worry with Smith obviously but it was indeed good to see him not go a fourth game without at least 100 yards which would've been the longest stretch of his young career. 

BO-HIO

True freshman and third-string tailback Bo Jackson had himself a day with team highs of nine carries for 108 yards in a performance that left most fans eager to see the Cleveland product get some meaningful carries in the coming weeks. 

The four-star averaged 12 yards per attempt buoyed by a 51-yard outburst and also scored his first touchdown on his very first carry as a Buckeye via an 11-yard hit to paydirt midway through the third quarter to put OSU in front 49-0. 

Jackson's success may have caught some fans off guard but Jeremiah wasn't the least bit surprised. When asked about which Buckeye he was most excited to see find the end zone today, Smith gave Jackson some love.  

“Bo Jackson. That’s the guy right there. I’ve been saying it since spring. Bo Jackson is next up, for sure … He’s a tough, tough running back, fast, I mean, he can do it all. Me and him was working out together in the offseason, and I was like, yeah, this guy is going to be the next great running back to come through, for sure.”– Jeremiah Smith

I was happy to see CJ Donaldson and James Peoples run more effectively and for Peoples to show better vision this week. I think those guys can be a solid tandem. That said, I'm not sure either is a game-breaking back capable of turning a game on one play. Could Jackson be that guy? It's hard to say after having a really good day against a really bad team but even if Jackson doesn't prove to be a guy ready for the now it's pretty easy to be excited about what he can be in the future. 

CALLING UP THE RESERVES

Backups probably won't see as many snaps as they did yesterday against any other opponent this season which meant it was a great chance to catch Ryan Day's eye. Obviously Bo Jackson did exactly that based on his performance described above but he wasn't the only young guy and/or reserve to make the most of the opportunity given. 

Fellow true freshman Riley Pettijohn had himself a day with two tackles, a forced fumble, a PBU on 3rd-and-7, and a 23-yard fumble return for a touchdown to put OSU in front 42-0 early in the second half. 

Another true freshman, running back Isaiah West, racked up 42 yards on eight carries and scored his first touchdown in scarlet and gray, a 12-yard burst in the third quarter to make it 56-0 Buckeyes. 

Redshirt freshman Mylan Graham hauled in a 23-yard catch and redshirt sophomore Bryson Rodgers recorded a 21-yard catch and also looked good on punt return with one lengthy jaunt although it was called back due to him (barely?) signaling for a fair catch. Whether he did or didn't signal, the defense didn't look like it thought a fair catch was called and Rodgers decisively moved upfield in a way no punt returner has yet for OSU early this season. 

True sophomore Aaron Scott Jr. also earned a shoutout from Day in his postgame presser. 

Developing depth in games like this is a must and it was great to see so many different reserves come up big when given the chance. 

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Jeremiah Smith scoring his 87-yard touchdown

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