Ohio State’s defense lives up their high rankings against Illinois

The Buckeye defense came into the game at Illinois as one of the best defenses in the nation. The numbers and national rankings didn’t lie, and neither did the Ohio State defense. They lived up to the billing in their win at Illinois

Ohio State ranked first in the country in points allowed per game, giving up an average of only 5. Illinois scored more than any Ohio State opponent has against them this year. The Illini still only got 16. Ohio State is now giving up an average of 6.8 points per game.

They were high in yards per game and yards per play as well. They were third in both categories with 215.3 yards per game and 3.84 yards per play allowed. Against Illinois, they gave up 295 total yards, moving that average up to 229 yards per game. They allowed 4.15 yards per play, moving that average to 3.90. Both are still enough that the Buckeyes will likely still be in the top ten going into next week.

The Bucks' passing defense was top five, and their rushing defense was top 20. The Buckeyes allowed only 124.4 passing yards per game, which was fourth best in the nation. Illinois had 248 passing yards, moving that up 145 a game.

They had been allowing 91.4 yards rushing, but held Illinois to only 47 yards! They’ll be averaging allowing 84 rushing yards a game. The rush and pass defense of the Buckeyes will probably both be in the top 20 this week.

Ohio State had been great on third down this year, allowing a first down to be converted only 20.3 percent of the time. That was good enough for second in college football. Illinois was 4 of 14, only converting 28.5 percent against the Bucks. Ohio State’s average is still only at 21.7 percent. They had only allowed a fourth-best 61 first downs and allowed 22 to Illinois, maybe their only flaw on defense in this game.

The Bucks added four sacks to their 14, which was 21st in the nation, and six tackles for a loss to their 33, which was 27th in the nation. Ohio State’s defensive stars play great, particularly along the defensive line. Kayden McDonald had three tackles, including taking the ball away from the Illinois running back and forcing a turnover.

Caden Curry had two tackles, a sack, and a tackle for a loss. Cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. had a terrific game as well. Mathews tipped a pass that was then intercepted and had a strip sack of Luke Atlmyer that forced another turnover.

The best unit of the day was the Buckeye linebackers. Payton Pierce intercepted the pass that Mathews tipped. Sonny Styles had 10 tackles, eight of them solo. No one, however, had a better game in Ohio State's 34-16 victory than linebacker Arvell Reese. Reese had nine tackles, eight of them solo, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Ohio State’s defense should have a solid outing next week against the struggling Wisconsin Badgers.