A grade card on Ohio State’s 52-6 win over Akron. It took a little longer than expected but it eventually turned into the blowout everyone predicted.
OFFENSE: B-
Will Howard’s first game as Ohio State’s quarterback was solid. He didn’t throw an interception and had the confidence that would be expected of a fifth-year player. But he completed only 10 of his first 21 passes, which might have contributed to OSU’s slow start. He also gets a demerit for what coach Ryan Day called “a crazy decision” when he threw a pass while being tackled which ended up going backward and could have been recovered for a fumble.
TreVeyon Henderson (8 carries, 65 yards) got the start at running back and showed a burst of speed on some carries. Quinshon Judkins (13 carries, 55 yard, 1 touchdown) showed some power and some speed.
Left guard Donovan Jackson did not play because of an undisclosed injury, which meant Ohio State had new starters at both guard positions and at center. That might have contributed to the Buckeyes permitting Akron to still be within a touchdown at 10-3 with five minutes left in the first half.
The best part of the offense was the receivers. Freshman Jeremiah Smith was spectacular with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Carnell Tate caught four passes, including a 34-yarder for a touchdown, and Emeka Egbuka also had four catches.
DEFENSE: A
It was an all-around good day for Ohio State on defense. The defense scored two touchdowns — on a fumble recovery by safety Lathan Ransom in the third quarter and on an interception by linebacker Gabe Powers late in the fourth quarter. It had five sacks and 10 tackles for losses and did not allow a touchdown. Akron’s points came on field goals of 49 yards and 48 yards, which meant the Zips’ two most successful drives ended more than 30 yards short of the goal line.
OSU limited Akron to 177 total yards and 47 yards rushing. That dominance started up front with frontline players like Tyleik Williams (7 tackles, 1 sack), Ty Hamilton (4 tackles), J.T. Tuimoloau (1.5 sacks) and Jack Sawyer. It also included contributions from back-ups like Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry, who forced the fumble that Ransom turned into six points.
Linebacker C.J. Hicks, a 5-star junior who had played only occasionally before Saturday, started and had six tackles and a sack. Sonny Styles played well after adjusting to yet another new role. He moved from safety to linebacker in the offseason. And when Cody Simon was unable to play Saturday because of an undisclosed injury, he switched from “will” linebacker to “mike” linebacker and Hicks got the start at “will” linebacker.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Jayden Fielding hit a 40-yard field goal on his only attempt. Joe McGuire was a surprise starter after Nick McLarty had been called the first-team punter by Day last week. McGuire averaged 44.7 yards per punt on three attempts. Brandon Inniss had a 35-yard punt return.
OVERALL: B
Ohio State was never in danger against a team which has won seven of its last 55 games.
