The Bucks' defense was once again in lockdown mode. Ohio State beat Rutgers 42-9 as the defense held their ninth opponent to 10 or fewer points this season. No team has scored 17 or more on Ohio State in 2025. Tim Walton and Matt Patricia’s defense does it with the entire team, too.
Not just a few superstars. Linebacker Arvell Reese had a quiet game today, but defensive end Caden Curry stepped up. Star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald didn’t grab headlines either, but Caleb Downs had a great game. That has been a calling card of the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes; if you can avoid one or two great players, the other ones get you.
The Buckeyes' first-ranked scoring defense (giving up 7.5 points per game) held Rutgers to nine. Their first-place total defense (allowing 212.6 yards per game) held the Scarlet Knights to 145 total yards. Ohio State’s rushing defense (second in the nation, allowing 81.4 yards per game) held Rutgers to 66 rushing yards. Their passing defense (also second in college football, allowing 131.2 yards per game) shut down the Rutgers passing game, allowing only 81 yards through the air.
Ohio State is also first in fewest first downs allowed per game, averaging 12.8 per game. They allowed Rutgers only 12 first downs. Their third-down defense, which is fourth in the nation, was slightly above their average, allowing a 35.7% conversion rate compared to the 27.8% they were allowing coming into the game.
Their fourth-down defense (14th in college football, allowing a 39.1% conversion rate) stopped the Scarlet Knights on both their fourth-down attempts.
Caden Curry was the Buckeyes’ best player on this Saturday. Curry had six tackles, two tackles for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble that was a touchdown, but was called short. The senior was playing what he hoped was his last home game in Ohio Stadium and played fantastic football for a send-off.
He wasn't down until he got the ball over the goal line. Ohio State will need more from him like this next week! https://t.co/MzxKD4eR55
— Phillip Riggs (@phillipriggs85) November 22, 2025
Though not a senior, Caleb Downs gave a farewell to the Ohio State faithful as well. Downs had three tackles, all of them solo, and a tackle for a loss and a sack on a safety blitz play that was run to perfection by all eleven Buckeyes. They allowed Downs to come free and make the play.
Ohio State will need all hands on deck next week. There have been games this year in which some Buckeye stars were held in check, while the rest of the team stepped up for the win. In The Game, they will need everyone to play their best football since January 20th. That team up north will try to wear down this Buckeye defense.
Beat them by keeping them on the field and tired. They have to be prepared to be on the field a lot and never give an inch when they are. While Michigan’s cheating has rendered its wins void, Ohio State still hasn’t had an outright victory since 2019. It’s time to end that.
This defense has been called the best all season, and they’ve had the numbers to back it up. Now, it’s time to show it on the biggest stage in any college football regular season, beat that team up north.