The Buckeyes are home.
Ohio State’s opponent for Saturday’s clash in the Shoe is Minnesota — a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team facing a Buckeye squad that looks every bit like a juggernaut. Ryan Day has often said, “It’s always about us,” and that mantra still applies this week. His team will approach the matchup with its usual focus and intensity, even if tougher challenges loom later in the season.
That’s not to say the Golden Gophers are a pushover. They fell to Cal 27-14 a few weeks ago but bounced back with an emotional 31-28 win over Rutgers. Behind redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey, Minnesota’s passing game is gaining momentum, and its defense ranks among the nation’s top 10 in total defense and top 30 in scoring. Still, the Gophers will be running into a Buckeye team that’s been a buzzsaw through the first half of the season.
“They're well-coached and play really, really hard and have good players,” Day said on Tuesday. “I respect P.J. Fleck as much as anybody in the country and their coaching staff and how hard they play. And so it'll be a challenge. You don't play Minnesota and think you're just going to run the ball without a lot of hard work. And so we're working hard this week to put a good game plan together.”
In the Ohio State vs. Minnesota Live Hub, Eleven Warriors has you covered with live updates, key moments, and all the sights and sounds from before, during and after the game in Columbus.
Lincoln Kienholz Runs in a Score
This season, Lincoln Kienholz recorded his first career touchdown pass against Grambling State. Now he's recorded his first career rushing touchdown, pounding the football into the end zone behind a line of barreling offensive linemen and tight ends.
Lincoln Kienholz takes it himself to extend the lead @OhioStateFB up, 42-3.
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 5, 2025
: NBC pic.twitter.com/i9IRVe2lFH
Bo Jackson Extends the Lead
Ohio State freshman running back Bo Jackson, who made his first career start against Minnesota, showed fantastic power on a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Buckeyes up 28-3. Jackson was initially ruled down at the 1-yard line, but the call was overturned to a touchdown after replay review.
After review, this is ruled an @OhioStateFB TD! Bo Jackson punches it through for six
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2025
NBC pic.twitter.com/C3qXroR0dr
Special Teams Trickeration
Ohio State went deep into its bag of tricks to show improvement on special teams, with Brandon Inniss faking a punt return before throwing it across the field to Lorenzo Styles Jr., who launched a 36-yard return to Minnesota's 20-yard line.
"Special teams gets special for the Buckeyes!"
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 5, 2025
Check out this @OhioStateFB lateral on the punt return
: NBC pic.twitter.com/TXtz1mAb8n
Big-Play Tate
Carnell Tate continued a ludicrous first half, cruising past Minnesota's secondary for a 44-yard touchdown. The catch put Tate at six catches for 159 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
44 YARDS TO @carnelltate_ TOUCHDOWN @OhioStateFB
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2025
NBC pic.twitter.com/Tiqwczz9Or
Ohio State's Defense Stuffs Minnesota on 4th-and-1
How great has Ohio State's defense been in short-yardage this season? The Buckeyes denied star Minnesota running back Darius Taylor of 4th-and-1, giving their offense the ball back at the Gophers' 44-yard line. Caleb Downs and Beau Atkinson made the tackle.
Jeremiah Smith Puts Buckeyes Up Two Scores
Smith hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass with some strong hands off an accurate throw from Julian Sayin, putting Ohio State ahead 14-3 in the second quarter against the Gophers.
Sayin finds Smith in the end zone! @OhioStateFB up, 14-3.
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 5, 2025
: NBC pic.twitter.com/6rlPuVVXvY
OCT. 4, 2025
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Exits Game with Injury
Starting Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. exited the Minnesota game with a first-quarter injury.
OCT. 4, 2025
Bo Jackson Makes First Start
Bo Jackson makes his first career start against Minnesota, completing the freshman's ascent up Ohio State's running back depth chart.
Payton Pierce Makes First Career Start
Ohio State opened the game in a 4-3 package against Minnesota, giving No. 3 linebacker Payton Pierce his first career start. He made a tackle on the opening drive.
The Buckeyes Have Arrived
head coach.pic.twitter.com/H8re8UMPJY
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 4, 2025
Caden Curry pic.twitter.com/ukRo25ZO8x
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 4, 2025
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 4, 2025
OCT. 4, 2025
Day, Johnson Talk Path to Greatness
Ryan Day and Larry Johnson talked about Ohio State’s path to “become the greatest team in the country” during Ohio State’s pregame Skull Session before the Minnesota game.
OCT. 4, 2025
Bryson Rodgers Questionable vs. Minnesota
Backup slot receiver Bryson Rodgers is questionable, but all other contributors are available for the Buckeyes against Minnesota on Saturday.
OCT. 3, 2025
Ohio State vs. Minnesota Preview
Ohio State's goal will be to put the Gophers in the ground with a fast start on Saturday, though Minnesota's young quarterback and defense will provide resistance.
OCT. 3, 2025
Last Call: Minnesota
We break down the biggest questions, pick our players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see when Ohio State hosts Minnesota under the Saturday night lights.
OCT. 2, 2025
Minnesota Game Trailer
National champion Roy Hall sets the tone for the Minnesota game, reminding Buckeye Nation that the Horseshoe is a home with roots "engraved by legends."
OCT. 2, 2025
Eleven Warriors Trivia: Minnsota
Are you ready to test your college football knowledge? Look no further! Our weekly trivia game puts your Buckeye knowledge to the test before every Ohio State game.
OCT. 2, 2025
Minnesota Q&A with Randy Johnson
Whatever the weather, Brutus and the Buckeyes will be prepared to face Washington this weekend in Ohio State's first Big Ten matchup and road test of the 2025 season.
OCT. 1, 2025
Your Minnesota Game Poster
The Buckeyes only mean to cause sorrow; the Buckeyes only mean to cause pain. The Buckeyes only want to see the Gophers crying in the Scarlet Rain.
SEPT. 30, 2025
Five Things to Know About Minnesota
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2025/09/158298/five-t...
