Even a road game against a Washington team that hadn't lost at home since 2021 proved to be no problem for Ohio State.
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Much like it has through the first four games of the season, the Buckeye defense was superb again Saturday afternoon. In a raucous environment in Seattle for Ohio State's first road game of the season, it leaned on the Silver Bullets throughout the game before Julian Sayin and company took over in the second half to give the Buckeyes a dominant 24-6 win over the Huskies.
Let's take a look at some Proof Points from Ohio State's win over Washington to advance to 4-0 on the season:
22 Points Allowed So Far This Season
Matt Patricia is special, and so is his defense. Saturday was yet another reminder of that.
Ohio State's defense has proven time and time again through the first four games of the season, and now, the Buckeye defense has done something that hasn't been done in Columbus in over 52 years.
The Buckeyes have allowed only 22 points this season, including holding its opponents to single digits in each of the first four games of the season, which Ohio State hasn't done since 1973, when the defense allowed only 13 points in the first four games of the season.
Patricia's unit has been dominant in all areas of the field, especially the back seven, and it might only get better under the first-year defensive coordinator.
Caden Curry Has 11 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 5 Tackles for loss
On a defense filled with so much talent, Curry has been arguably the biggest surprise so far, in a very good way.
Curry's dominance on the edge continued in Seattle, as the defensive end finished with a team-high 11 tackles, three sacks, and five tackles for loss. His five tackles for loss tied an Ohio State record, as seven other Buckeyes – Chase Young (2019), Ryan Shazier (2013), John Simon (2012), Antonio Smith (2006), Andy Katzenmoyer (1996), Jayson Gwinn (1993) and Judah Herman (1991) – have done the same.
Caden Curry is a monster pic.twitter.com/KZHiJiy7b4
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 27, 2025
Eye black all over his face. Warrior pic.twitter.com/rLKhUfcSQB
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) September 27, 2025
To put Curry's numbers from the win over Washington into perspective, the senior combined to have five sacks and 10 tackles for loss in his first three seasons as a Buckeye.
Kayden McDonald has 7 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 3 Tackles for loss
Not to be completely outdone by Curry, McDonald also had a career game against the Huskies. The defensive tackle finished with seven tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss, as the Ohio State duo upfront proved to be unstoppable, or, should I say, unblockable.
Kayden McDonald is a freak pic.twitter.com/JMSsdCQExH
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 27, 2025
When the 6-foot-3, 326-pounder wasn't eating up blocks in the middle of the defensive line, he was in the Husky backfield. The third-year Buckeye had only one sack in his career before Saturday, doubling that number against Washington.
Curry, McDonald and the rest of Ohio State's defense not only kept Washington's dynamic, high-scoring offense in check all afternoon, but they made a living in the Huskies' backfield as well.
Washington's dual-threat quarterback finished with 13 carries for -28 yards, as Ohio State's defense, led by Curry and McDonald, finished with six sacks for -46 yards.
Honorable Mentions
Julian Sayin
The fact that Sayin couldn't be one of the three Proof Points proves just how dominant Ohio State's defense was in Seattle.
In his first road start of his career, the first-year starter was superb and did exactly what he had to do to lead the Buckeyes to yet another win. Sayin completed 22 of 28 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He even showed off his ability to escape the pocket as Sayin also ran for 12 yards on four carries.
His composure, ability to create plays with both his arm and his legs and overall ability to lead Ohio State's offense to another dominant victory proved yet again that he has what it takes four starts into his career as a Buckeye.
Ryan Day on Julian Sayin's performance against Washington:
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) September 27, 2025
"He's got composure. He's got poise," Day said. "He's got a bright future ahead of him."pic.twitter.com/3fvUKLmXNV
Jeremiah Smith
While it was a slow start for Ohio State's passing game, Ryan Day and Brian Hartline leaned on it much more as the game went on. More specifically, the Buckeyes made sure to give the ball to the best player in college football, as Smith finished with eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, including a crucial 18-yard touchdown reception to give Ohio State a 7-3 lead with 1:14 left in the first half.
Caden Curry is a monster pic.twitter.com/KZHiJiy7b4
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 27, 2025
(Top photo: © Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images)
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