Five Things: Ohio State Runs Over Rutgers to Remain Undefeated, "The Game" Up Next

By Chris Lauderback on November 23, 2025 at 10:10 am
Caden Curry
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Playing without all-everything wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Ohio State's pass offense left much to be desired but with the rushing attack and defense humming, the Buckeyes ran past Rutgers, 42-9, yesterday afternoon on Senior Day in Ohio Stadium. 

Quarterback Julian Sayin tied a season low with 13 completions while his passing yards (147) and completion rate (68.4%) were his second-worst of the 2025 campaign-to-date. Those numbers were certainly impacted by the absence of Smith and Tate as Ohio State's wide receiver room combined for four catches on seven targets for 33 yards and one touchdown. 

But hey, you can overcome that against Rutgers when your run game goes for season-highs against power-four competition of 254 yards and four touchdowns and your defense allows just 2.7 yards per play while giving the OSU offense starting field position at the Rutgers 1 and 29-yard line, leading directly to 14 points. 

The victory improved the Buckeyes to 11-0 on the season and sets up a showdown against That Team Up North next Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor. 

I know we all want to turn the page to that one but real quick, here are Five Things from a Senior Day blowout of the Scarlet Knights. 

BO LEADS RUN GAME

No. 1 tailback Bo Jackson continued showing why he deserves the most touches in the RB room as he tallied a season-high 19 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Eight of his attempts went for at least 10 yards, including both scores, thanks to a nice combo of size and speed, shifty cuts and improving vision. 

Jackson's now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in three of his last four games, churning out 402 yards on 6.6 per carry. 

With Jackson leading the way, the Buckeyes ripped off 254 rushing yards on 6.7 per try. Isaiah West still looks to be RB2 with 48 yards on 6.0 per pop while James Peoples continued his late-season resurgence as RB2.5 with a 49-yard touchdown as part of a 55-yard outing. Backup QB Lincoln Keinholz also got into the act via some interesting/odd insertions into the lineup leading to 37 yards on three carries. 

It must be noted Rutgers features one of the worst run defenses in the country but while shredding the Scarlet Knights isn't all that impressive, the execution up front looked really nice on numerous plays. If nothing else, the run game should be feeling pretty good about itself heading into next weekend's matchup with a Wolverines defense ranked No. 12 in yards per carry allowed entering yesterday's action. 

MAX POWER

Not only did Smith and Tate miss the game but reserve wide receiver Quincy Porter didn't play and Mylan Graham didn't see the field until the second half (even then, very sparingly).

That meant Ohio State really needed tight end Max Klare to step up and he did exactly that with seven catches on eight targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. 

Klare's 100-yard game was just the sixth by a Buckeye tight end since 1960 and the first since Jeff Heuerman put up 116 on Purdue back in 2013.  

Klare's caught 17 balls for 190 yards (5.7 rec, 63 yds per game) over the last three games as the Buckeyes have been shorthanded in the wide receiver room. His blocking has also improved as the season's worn on. 

Even as Smith and/or Tate hopefully return soon and stay healthy, I'm expecting much of Klare's late-season production to continue as it seems he's in a groove right now. 

CURRY FAVOR

Likely playing his last game in The Shoe, senior defensive end Caden Curry played with his hair on fire posting a team high six stops along with two sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and fumble recovery against the Scarlet Knights. 

Only one of his six tackles saw Rutgers gain positive yardage as Samuel Brown picked up one yard on a 3rd-and-1 snap. Curry's other five stops resulted in 0, 0, -5, -9 and 0 yards. 

Curry was hot right from the start as he made an athletic play to get to the sideline and shut down a quick pass to running back Antwan Raymond for no gain on the game's opening snap. On the next series, he teamed with Jaylen McClain to stone a 4th-and-1 run for no gain and a turnover on downs. 

His play of the day came on Rutgers' first possession of the second half as he came off the edge on 2nd-and-9 to and punch the ball out of quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis' hand before recovering the ball at the Scarlet Knights 1-yard line. I felt like he broke the plane for a touchdown off a nifty scoop and spin but Ohio State's offense would instead score three plays later to make it 21-3 good guys midway through the third quarter. 

Yesterday's effort was a continuation of an incredible season-to-date from Curry who is tied for third on the team with 49 tackles and leads in TFLs (13.5), sacks (9.0), quarterback hurries (5) and fumble recoveries (2). 

BULLETS KEEP FIRING

Behind Curry's big day the OSU defense was its usual smothering self. And while nobody is saying the Rutgers offense is elite, it had at least been functional entering the game ranked No. 22 in passing offense and No. 39 in total offense. 

Matt Patricia's group wasn't having it however as it suffocated Rutgers to the tune of: 

  • 147 total yards allowed - 7th time in 11 games the OSU defense held its opponents to 200 yards or less
  • 66 rushing yards allowed - 10th straight game the defense has kept the opponent under 100 rush yards
  • 81 passing yards allowed - 5th time an OSU opponent failed to throw for at least 100 yards 
  • 10 completions allowed - second-fewest this season (Wisconsin, 7) 

The defense also allowed just 2.7 yards per play, stopped the Scarlet Knights 2-of-2 times on 4th down and held them to four plays or less on 5-of-10 drives. 

One thing to watch this week will be any word on the health of nickel back Lorenzo Styles who took a blow to the shoulder and didn't return. Bryce West came in to replace him whereas in past instances of playing without Styles, Jermaine Mathews Jr. shifted to nickel and reserve freshman corner Devin Sanchez took Mathews' spot. 

I thought West played well and I would be more than fine with him being the nickel starter next week if Lorenzo can't go (no word on him postgame either way) instead of Mathews moving inside and Sanchez starting in his spot. 

Sanchez did have a mop up duty interception today and I think he's going to be really, really good for Ohio State but right now, West might be a better option. Hopefully all of this is moot and Styles is fine but again, something to keep an eye on this week. 

PROMISE OF A NEW DAY

Yeah, that's probably the first time Paula Abdul lyrics have appeared in Five Things. 

I read a lot of angsty tweets during yesterday's game about the playcalling, substitution patterns, Day's overall game plan etc. but heading into Michigan Week, I'm not sure how a sane person can hate on the job Day's done so far this year. 

The team in 11-0, he's clearly had a plan to reduce wear and tear on the players in the form of slowing the offensive tempo to reduce snaps while still developing some depth in most position rooms. He's been pretty damn masterful in developing Sayin. He's at least tinkered with the run game trying to give the young guys snaps while still land on what/who works best so the room is ready for matchup games ahead. The team hasn't really had a letdown game that caused a scare. Of course nobody would love every single thing he's done (I am still baffled as to why Jeremiah played against UCLA, for instance) but the dude has been on it overall so far this season. 

I have no idea if he's going to solve his Michigan Problem on Saturday. I mean I think he will. I do know I like how he's approached the season so far, I like how he moved up the band visit to practice so it's not this week, and I'm more confident than in the past that he won't try to win The Game via a plan that isn't necessary or less conducive to winning. 

Now if he talks Tuesday about needing to outrush the Wolverines, I might start to get tight but if stays as loose as he's been, and he gets at least one of his receivers back, count me as bullish on the plan he's going to construct and how it enables his players to be at their best in the Big House in six days.

It's time for war. 

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