The Ohio State defense shut down a high-powered Washington offense in Ohio State's 24-6 victory in Seattle. The win snapped the Huskies' 22-game home winning streak, giving UW its first loss at home since 2021. Last week, Washington scored 59 in the Apple Cup against rival Washington State; this week, all they could manage was a pair of field goals.
This defensive effort was led by two Buckeyes up front. A young gun and a veteran along the Ohio State defensive line, both with their first name pronounced the same way, were the leaders and difference makers. Caden Curry, the defensive end who sat behind Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau in his first three years in Columbus, and Kayden McDonald, the true sophomore, both had their best games as Buckeyes.
McDonald and Curry fed off of one another. Curry had 11 tackles, nine of them solo, five of them for a loss, three of them sacks on the quarterback in what was his best effort and hopefully a breakout game. McDonald had seven tackles, four of them solo, three of them for a loss, and two of them sacks of the quarterback.
Washington quarterback Demond Williams would finish the game with 13 carries for -28 yards because of these two. As a team, the Huskies would only get 61 yards on the ground, averaging only two yards per rush. The pressure and tackles for a loss by Kayden and Caden would also hold Washington to converting only one third down on 11 attempts and only one conversion on three fourth downs.
Coming into 2025, the biggest question mark for the Buckeye defense was along the defensive line. This duo has earned some new nicknames with this performance. The law firm of Kayden and Caden: Quarterback Prosecutors seems to be the answer after the first month of Buckeye football.