Yes, UCLA's run defense is one of the worst in the country. But paper is hardly worth what it's printed on. Ohio State put its ground game to action on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes gouged the Bruins for 233 rushing yards at a clip of 6.7 yards per carry, their highest rushing total and highest per-carry average against any Power 4 opponent this season. Bo Jackson led the way with 15 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown, but Isaiah West and James Peoples followed closely behind.
West collected 61 yards on eight carries and one score. Peoples grabbed 42 yards in just six carries, with an insane highlight reel hurdle granting him the first of two touchdowns he scored. All three backs averaged seven yards or more per carry.
Speaking of highlights, Ohio State's special teams recorded two big plays of their own. The first came on a blocked punt by Caden Curry to set up a quick Buckeye field goal before halftime, even if it was booted directly at him by UCLA's punter. Lorenzo Styles Jr. produced the much grander highlight, breaking the Buckeyes' 15-year kickoff return touchdown drought with a 100-yard kick return score in the third quarter.
Ohio State's defense dominated again, too, with UCLA failing to cross into Buckeye territory until late in the third quarter during the 48-10 win by the Scarlet and Gray. On a night where Ohio State’s passing game was without Carnell Tate for the entire game and Jeremiah Smith for most of the night, every other phase of the game stepped up to carry the Buckeyes to a blowout win.
Eleven Warriors' Andy Anders and Dan Hope break it all down on our post-UCLA episode of After Carmen, which you can watch at the top of the page.
