In the Ohio State football team's 31-7 win over Northwestern, the Buckeyes showcased some strong performances, but there were also areas that need improvement. Here's a breakdown of what went well and what didn't in the game:
What didn’t go well: First quarter defense
Ohio State's defense struggled in the first quarter, allowing Northwestern to rack up 118 yards, nearly matching the yards they allowed for the rest of the game combined (123). While Northwestern didn't score in the first quarter, largely thanks to a key fumble forced by Jack Sawyer, their quarterback, Jack Lausch, had success both running and passing.
Lausch found receivers Bryce Kirtz and AJ Henning for a few highlight catches, which resulted in 65 of Northwestern's 85 passing yards in the opening quarter. Four of Northwestern's six plays that went for 15+ yards also came in that first quarter. Missed sacks were also an issue, as Ohio State defenders had trouble bringing down Lausch, giving him too much time to make plays.
What went well: TreVeyon Henderson's explosive plays
TreVeyon Henderson had a fantastic game, even if the stats don't fully show it. He ran for 74 yards on just 11 carries, providing four of Ohio State's seven rushes of ten or more yards. One of his most exciting moments came when he hurdled a defender after a catch, turning a routine play into a highlight reel moment.
Although Henderson didn’t score, his impact on the running game was undeniable, and he also contributed with solid pass blocking, proving once again how important he is to Ohio State's offense.
What didn’t go well: Injuries
Injuries cast a shadow over the win, with star receiver Jeremiah Smith being a major concern. Smith had a 68-yard catch-and-run, but the play ended with a Northwestern defender twisting his leg, leaving Smith limping.
He did return to the game for a rush of two yards and a target, but after the game, he was seen with a slight limp and ice on his ankle. Although his injury didn’t appear too serious, it’s something to watch. Gee Scott Jr. also had to leave the game after getting hurt in the third quarter, but he remained on the sideline with his helmet on, indicating he could return if necessary.
What went well: Will Howard's deep ball accuracy
Quarterback Will Howard showed improvement in his deep passing game. While his completion percentage wasn’t stellar, Howard attempted five passes of 20+ yards, connecting on two. One of his best throws was a deep ball to Jeremiah Smith, which was controversially overturned by replay.
Howard's willingness to take shots downfield and his growing chemistry with the receivers are encouraging signs for Ohio State’s offense, as this was only the second time this season he has attempted five deep passes in a game. The last time he attempted that many was last week vs Purdue.
What didn’t go well: Finishing tackles
Tackling was an area of concern, especially when it came to bringing down Jack Lausch. Ohio State defenders, including Jack Sawyer, missed key sack opportunities, allowing Lausch to extend plays. Caden Curry even failed to take down the punter, though the punt was still blocked.
The Buckeyes finished with seven missed tackles, which isn’t terrible, but against stronger opponents, missing these chances could be costly. Sawyer, in particular, missed two or three potential sacks due to poor angles and Lausch’s elusiveness, something the defense will need to tighten up.
What went well: Red zone defense
Ohio State's red zone defense remains the best in the country. Northwestern made four trips to the red zone but only managed to score a touchdown once. Ohio State entered the game allowing opponents to score a touchdown on just 31.6% of their red zone attempts, and their performance against Northwestern will improve that mark even further.
The Buckeyes’ ability to keep teams from converting in the red zone continues to be a huge strength, helping them control the scoreboard even when their opponents move the ball.
Ohio State’s victory over Northwestern showcased some promising performances, particularly on offense, with players like TreVeyon Henderson and Will Howard. However, first-quarter defensive lapses and missed tackles were areas that needed attention. Injuries to key players like Jeremiah Smith are also concerning moving forward.
Despite these setbacks, the Buckeyes' elite red zone defense remains reliable as they prepare for #5 Indiana next week and The Game vs The Team Up North in two weeks.