If there were flaws in Ohio State’s 42-19 win over Illinois on Saturday, they were mostly on the defense. Ohio State is struggling to replace so many departed stars, especially three top-11 draft picks (who are rocking out in the NFL, by the way). The Bucks gave up a troubling amount of yardage in the victory against the Illini.
Illinois’ 199 rushing yards and 263 passing yards were way too much for this defense to give up. Granted, Illinois has a veteran senior quarterback and is scoring 34 points per game this season, but 462 yards allowed is just too much. Even Texas only totaled 336 in their win, and Ohio State’s second-half meltdown. Despite that, the defense holding Illinois to 19 points is a very good sign. Winning the most important stat speaks the loudest for and about a defense.
Ohio State's back seven has been strong
Ohio State’s secondary is quickly emerging as the biggest strength of the Buckeye defense. They were great against Illinois. Safety and leader Jaylen McClain had eight tackles, five of them solo, and broke up four Illini passes. The Buckeye corners were just as good.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. had seven tackles, three of them solo, and two passes defended. Devin Sanchez, the opposite corner, had eight tackles, five of them solo, and three passes defended. Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. also had six tackles.
Speaking of defensive transfers. Little seems to be the only one who grabbed headlines this offseason and is working out well for Ohio State. A pair of redshirt juniors who’ve been with Ohio State since day one, who were thought to be reserves this season, have been the best along the defensive line. Jason Moore and Will Smith Jr. have been disruptive enough inside to allow the Buckeyes' best playmaker not in the secondary to thrive.
That’s true sophomore linebacker Riley Pettijohn. Pettijohn was a big-time recruit, and had he not been behind two first-round draft picks, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Pettijohn didn’t begin the season as a starter but has earned it through four games. He has 15 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and an interception. Hopefully, his success as an underclassman may help get some other young Buckeyes more playing time.
Ohio State needs some freshmen to step up
Defensive end and freshman Khary Wilder has shown flashes of brilliance, and Ohio State needs another defensive end to play opposite of senior Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and give OSU better matchups for a better pass rush. The Buckeyes have seven sacks on the whole season, which has them tied (with 13 other teams) for 76th in the nation in sacks.
The challenges for this defense will only increase as this season goes on. Iowa isn’t the most dynamic offensive team in college football, but they’ll hit you hard and happily try to wear you out. This team needs to improve, especially on the defensive line, because road trips in the Big Ten can be easily lost in the trenches. Especially against Iowa, which loves that kind of messy, old-fashioned game.
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