Ohio State opened its 2026 season with a commanding 56-3 victory over Ball State, giving the Buckeyes a confidence boost before traveling to Austin to face No. 5 Texas on September 12.
Offensive fireworks
Quarterback Julian Sayin was in fine form, completing 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a career‑first rushing touchdown on a 3‑yard run in the second quarter. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hauled in eight catches for 151 yards, including a spectacular 48‑yard one‑handed grab for his first touchdown.
Smith extended the lead to 28-3 just before halftime with a short 3‑yard reception. The Buckeyes’ early dominance set the tone, though they went three‑and‑out on the opening drive.
Running game finds its stride
After a modest 35 rushing yards in the first half, Ohio State’s ground attack exploded in the second half. Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson combined for two long touchdown runs—65 and 49 yards respectively—propelling the team to 202 rushing yards after the break. Bo Jackson finished with nine carries for 83 yards, while Ja’Kobi Jackson added 83 yards on eight carries.
Coach Ryan Day gave his squad about 15 minutes to savor the win before reminding them that the real test comes next week. “The minute we leave the locker room, it’s on to Texas,” he said.
Ball State’s effort
Ball State’s only points came from a 54‑yard field goal by Brody Boehm late in the second quarter. Freshman quarterback Keldric Luster, making his first collegiate start, completed 18 of 33 passes for 89 yards. He praised his team’s composure, saying they stayed “level‑headed, cool, calm, and collected.”
Honoring a Buckeye legend
During the first quarter, former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was inducted into the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor, joining Paul Brown and Woody Hayes. Tressel reflected on his tenure, noting the program’s continued success and expressing pride in the current generation.
Looking ahead
Ohio State will travel to Austin to take on Texas on September 12, while Ball State heads to Stony Brook for its next game. Both programs will look to build on the lessons learned from this matchup.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
