Ohio State’s final nonconference opponent arrives this weekend before Big Ten play begins.
Calling Ohio a “cupcake” might be a stretch considering the way its season has opened. The Bobcats nearly upset Rutgers on the road in a 34-31 loss, then followed up with a 17-10 win over West Virginia — one of their biggest regular-season victories in years.
An in-state opponent has never beaten Ohio State in the Horseshoe, and the Buckeyes have a 47-game win streak over Ohio teams, but the Bobcats arrive in Columbus confident and battle-tested. They’ll bring a dual-threat quarterback and a defense fresh off smothering the Mountaineers, both of which could challenge the Buckeyes before Big Ten play begins.
For Ohio State, though, anything short of dominance will feel underwhelming. This is the final tune-up before conference action, and the expectation will be to iron out details, build momentum, and give younger players valuable reps.
“They’re a really good team. We’re not gonna underestimate them,” linebacker Payton Pierce said Wednesday. “They play fast, got a fast quarterback. We’re just gonna do our job. It’s never really about them. It’s about us.”
Eleven Warriors has you covered with live updates, key moments, and all the sights and sounds from before, during and after the game in the Ohio State vs. Ohio Live Hub.
Convoy Leads Jeremiah Smith to the End Zone
A convoy of Max Klare, Austin Siereveld and Carson Hinzman led Jeremiah Smith to the end zone on a reverse. It marked the second rushing touchdown of Smith's career, following his score against Michigan State last season.
Might as well give Jeremiah Smith a TD run, right?
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) September 14, 2025
: Peacock pic.twitter.com/gjdA1kLObQ
Julian Sayin Drops Another Dime to Carnell Tate
Julian Sayin and Carnell Tate connected on a 49-yard strike to put Ohio State ahead 30-9. It was Sayin's second well-placed deep ball, following his 47-yard strike to Jeremiah Smith, which can be seen in the update below.
This time, Julian Sayin goes deep to Carnell Tate for the @OhioStateFB TD.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2025
: Peacock pic.twitter.com/nFGKtFni2l
Julian Sayin Delivers 47-Yard Strike to Jeremiah Smith
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith connected on a 47-yard post route to regain separation for Ohio State at 23-9. The ball traveled 55 yards in the air off Sayin's arm and was capitalized by a beautiful in-air adjustment from Smith.
Sayin Smith
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2025
Jeremiah Smith reels in Julian Sayin's deep ball to extend No. 1 @OhioStateFB's lead.
: Peacock pic.twitter.com/9BONayPPA4
Lorenzo Styles Jr. Leaves Game With Injury
Ohio State nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr. left the contest against Ohio in the third quarter with an apparent upper-body injury. Styles reached in to try and break up a pass and came up favoring his left arm. Freshman Devin Sanchez came on to play outside cornerback as Jermaine Mathews Jr. slid inside to nickel.
Ohio Cuts Buckeyes' Lead to One Score
The Bobcats struck in the first minute of the second half after star wide receiver Chase Hendricks burnt Lorenzo Styles Jr. in coverage for a 67-yard touchdown.
What a way to start the second half @ChaseHendricks_ | @OhioFootball | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/ysaY4xqpAW
— MACtion (@MACSports) September 14, 2025
Jaylen McClain Delivers Massive Hit to Force Key Incompletion
Following an Ohio State turnover late in the first half, safety Jaylen McClain injected some life back into the Ohio Stadium crowd with a destruction of Ohio wide receiver Max Rodarte to force an incompletion and a third down. The Buckeyes held for a field goal from there, taking a 13-3 lead into halftime.
Jaylen
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) September 14, 2025
Jaylen McClain breaks up the potential Ohio reception.
: Peacock pic.twitter.com/XQdqmMZNEd
Max Klare Scores First Ohio State Touchdown
After getting a lot of hype as the No. 1 tight end in the transfer portal this offseason, Max Klare is starting to flash in Week 3 for Ohio State. Sayin found Klare while scrambling to his right on 3rd-and-10 against Ohio for a 16-yard touchdown, the tight end's first in a Buckeye uniform.
Max Klare has his first @OhioStateFB TD.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2025
: Peacock pic.twitter.com/ONfB2ZDIGg
Ohio Quarterback Parker Navarro Taken to Medical Tent in First Quarter
Following a big hit from Ohio State defensive end Beau Atkinson, Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro was escorted to the Bobcats' medical tent, favoring his left arm after the third-down play.
Jeremiah Smith Fastest Ever to 1,500 Yards
Ohio State star sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith became the fastest player in school history to reach 1,500 career receiving yards with a 42-yard catch against Ohio, reaching the landmark just two games into his second season.
1/1.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 13, 2025
Jeremiah Smith becomes the fastest player in Ohio State history to reach 1500 receiving yards pic.twitter.com/PnMRGb84wk
The Buckeyes Have Arrived
Brutus is all business pic.twitter.com/zJfiFavADo
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 13, 2025
WR1 at Ohio State. WR1 in college football. pic.twitter.com/Cnb9MDQvy2
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 13, 2025
head coach. https://t.co/t3MgO2eirX
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 13, 2025
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 13, 2025
SEPT 13, 2025
Tywone Malone Jr. starts at defensive tackle
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
In a surprise twist, Tywone Malone Jr. got the starting nod over Eddrick Houston at defensive tackle when Ohio State's first-team defense took the field against Ohio on Saturday. Houston was injured early in preseason camp, but it's unclear to what extent that injury is impacting him. He was listed as available for Saturday.
SEPT 13, 2025
"We Gotta Kick Some Ass"
Carnell Tate said Ohio State is “going to dominate from the first play to the last play” and Ryan Day says “we gotta kick some ass“ at Skull Session before the Ohio game.
SEPT 13, 2025
Bennett Christian Out, All Starters Available
Rotational tight end Bennett Christian is out for Ohio State's game against Ohio, but the Buckeyes' starters all remain available.
SEPT 12, 2025
Last Call: Ohio
We discuss our biggest questions, pick some of the top players we’ll be watching and make some predictions for what we’ll see when Ohio State hosts Ohio on Saturday night.
SEPT 12, 2025
Last Call: Ohio
Ohio will provide stiffer resistance than Grambling State with a Power 4 win and a dual-threat QB, but Ohio State still holds a big talent advantage in its final nonconference game.
SEPT 11, 2025
Ohio Game Trailer
The Buckeyes fight for the Brotherhood, for Ohio State and for the great state of Ohio.
SEPT 11, 2025
Ohio Q&A with Cam Robertson
Athens Messenger sports editor Cam Robertson thinks Ohio is the “team to beat” in the MAC and the Bobcats will put up a fight vs. Ohio State before the Buckeyes pull away.
SEPT 10, 2025
Day: "Well-Coached" Ohio Will "Play Hard" in the Shoe
Ryan Day compliments the Ohio football program and head coach Brian Smith, calling the Bobcats a "well-coached" team who will come to the Shoe and "play hard" on Saturday.
SEPT 10, 2025
Mic Check: Ohio
Ryan Day lamented the punt return unit's performance last Saturday versus Grambling State. Truth be told, the unit has underperformed for years.
SEPT 10, 2025
Your Ohio Game Poster
Look out, Rufus. Brutus has been waiting a long time for payback.
SEPT 8, 2025
Five Things to Know About Ohio
Ohio provides a step back up in competition for the Buckeyes with dynamic dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro, but the Bobcats should be one last tune-up before Big Ten play.
