The Buckeye defense responded to the loss at Texas with a win at home
The Buckeye defense was put in a terrible spot last week against Texas and couldn’t hold on. Too worn out and unable to rush the passer, they fell to the Longhorns in a historic loss for the team. They responded against Kent State as you’d expect, just crushing the Golden Flashes with no mercy. Ohio State’s defense has allowed no touchdowns in the first this young season and no touchdowns at home.
The previous two seasons, Ohio State was in the top three in rushing defense, averaging less than 90 yards rushing per game since 2024. They held Ball State to 35 yards in the opener but, worn out and tired, gave up 141 to Texas.
They responded by holding Kent State to 71 rushing yards. The passing defense was also in the top three in the same time frame, providing another high standard for this year’s defense. Ball State was at 120, below the Bucks' usual average. Texas at 195 was above it, but Kent State at 63 was way beneath it.
Total defense and scoring defense were first in the nation in 2024 and 2025. They averaged less than 250 total yards and less than 14 points in those two seasons. This year has been a bit different. Texas had 336 yards and 24 points, while Ball State and Kent State were held to 165 and 134 yards, and only three points each.
The bad news is you can’t really learn a whole lot from mauling MAC teams, but by the same token, they did exactly what they should against those teams, which isn’t always the case in college football, no matter what level you’re playing at.
The level of challenge will increase this coming week with Illinois coming to town. The Illini are 2-1, and both teams will fight hard to avoid a 2-2 start. Illinois quarterback Katin Houser has 758 passing yards and nine total touchdowns. Ohio State will have the chance to show that they’ve improved their pass rush enough to beat a better quarterback than they’ve faced so far this season.
Play of the Game
Jamir Perez' scoop and score!
Big man touchdowns are always fun, especially on defense. The 6’3”, 349-pound freshman from Cleveland made his impact felt in the second half. Perez deflected a pass to get the defense off the field. Chris Henry Jr. scored in one play and put the defense right back out there, but on the first play from scrimmage, Perez and the defense took a Kent State fumble to the house for a touchdown.
Perez picks it up and takes it to the house for 6 🗣️@DabigRootJJ | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/08DKmz0hsH
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 19, 2026
Player of the Game
Linebacker Riley Pettijohn was voted Ohio State player of the game and proved on the field that it was the correct call. Pettijohn had three tackles and an interception for Ohio State. He came into this season behind two teammates on the depth chart but is working hard, playing well, and making it more difficult every week for Ryan Day, Matt Patricia, and linebacker coach James Laurinaitis to keep him off the field.
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