Three Stars of the Game: Lorenzo Styles Jr., Bo Jackson and James Peoples Earn Top Honors for Their Performances Against UCLA

This week, the Eleven Warriors staff selected Ohio State defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr., running back Bo Jackson and running back James Peoples as the Buckeyes' top performers in the team's 48-10 win over UCLA.

First Star: Lorenzo Styles Jr.

When you become the first Ohio State player in 15 years to return a kickoff for a touchdown, you earn our First Star.

After UCLA’s first — and only — touchdown drive, Styles immediately answered with a 100-yard house call, becoming the first Buckeye to take a kick to the end zone since Jordan Hall’s 85-yard return against Michigan in 2010.

STYLES KICK RETURN TOUCHDOWN TO THE @OhioStateFB

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FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2025

On top of ending a 15-year drought, Styles was Ohio State’s second-leading tackler versus the Bruins, finishing behind only his brother Sonny, who recorded seven stops with one tackle for loss.

Through eight appearances this season, Styles has collected 24 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.

Second Star: Bo Jackson

Bo knows a lot — including how to earn one of our Three Stars.

Jackson has been a freshman phenom all season, even if Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate have often grabbed the headlines. With Tate out and Smith limited against UCLA, Jackson delivered one of his best performances of the year, rushing 15 times for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Bo Jackson puts @OhioStateFB on the board first!

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— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 16, 2025

He paced a dominant night for Ohio State’s backfield: Isaiah West added eight carries for 61 yards and a score, while James Peoples chipped in six carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

So far this season, Jackson has 110 carries for 725 yards (6.8 per attempt) and three touchdowns, plus 12 receptions for 124 yards (10.3 per catch) and another score.

Third Star: James Peoples

A year ago, Peoples sat behind TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins as Ohio State’s RB3. Entering 2025, it was easy to assume the former No. 115 overall prospect would slide into a major role alongside West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson. That hasn’t been the story — and as Peoples works through that, he’s learning a lot about who he is.

“When it comes to football, man, just growing in my faith, growing as a person, as a player, and each day coming to work,” Peoples said on Saturday. “(This year) may not be going the way I intended it to go, but that’s life. At the end of the day, man, you just got to keep going. So I’ve learned so much up to this point, man. I’ve trusted in my Father and the Lord God, and he’s keeping my going through this. Just keeping my head down, coming to work tomorrow, we got practice, but celebrating with my team, my family, giving thanks to God.”

He’s also learning how he can help the Buckeyes down the stretch, and he believes his showing against UCLA — 42 yards and two touchdowns — proved that.

PEOPLES HURDLE FOR THE TD @OhioStateFB

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FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2025

“It just tells me that ability that I have,” Peoples said of his performance. “I always could do it. I’m glad it was showcased today.”

The highlight of his night, of course, was the hurdle: a 5-foot-10, 206-pound running back leaping over a UCLA defensive back on his way to his first touchdown.

“That was perfect form,” Peoples said with a smile. “My mom was actually a great hurdler, and my dad was also a hurdler. I kind of have that in my genes.”

As the season continues, we’ll track the stars (or points) each Ohio State player receives in 2025. Here’s how we’ll do it: Each time a Buckeye earns the First Star of the Game, that Buckeye adds three points to their season total. Then, the Second Star and Third Star each add two points and one point to their totals.