Smith and Sayin Help No. 1 Ohio State Prepare for Texas with 56-3 Rout of Ball State
Julian Sayin threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score as the Buckeyes held Ball State to 165 total yards, officials said.
- On Saturday, the No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes opened the 2026 season with a 56-3 victory over Ball State at Ohio Stadium, powered by returning juniors Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin.
- Saturday marked the first-ever meeting between the Buckeyes and the Cardinals, who faced the top-ranked Ohio State program holding an all-time record of 487-113-19 at Ohio Stadium.
- Quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught two scores including a 48-yard reception; running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson added long rushing touchdowns of 65 and 49 yards.
- Ball State received a $1.9 million payout for the matchup, while freshman quarterback Luke Fahey replaced Sayin midway through the third quarter as the Buckeyes' backup option.
- The Buckeyes travel to face the Texas Longhorns at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium next week, presenting a significant step up in competition after the dominant season-opening victory.
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45 Articles
OSU routs Ball State; Tressel joins Ring of Honor
COLUMBUS — Jeremiah Smith had two highlight reel-worthy touchdown catches, Julian Sayin passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns, and top-ranked Ohio State tuned up for next week’s matchup against No. 5 Texas with a 56-3 rout of Ball State on Saturday. The Buckeyes (1-0) went three-and-out on their opening drive before finding the end zone on eight of their next 11 possessions. Coach Ryan Day gave his team “about 15 minutes” to savor the victor…
Top 25 roundup: No. 1 Ohio State blasts Ball State
By Field Level Media Sep 05 (Field Level Media) - Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught two TD passes and No. 1 Ohio State ran through Ball State in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, 56-3, in the teams' season opener. The Buckeyes' prep for a showdown at No....
Sayin, Smith shine in Ohio State’s season-opening thrashing of Ball State - Peak of Ohio
2026, Week 1: No. 1 Ohio State 56, Ball State 3 Ohio State football has finally returned to grace our eyes, ears, radios, and televisions for the 137th season of the Scarlet and Gray. The Buckeyes opened the 2026 college football season with a dominant […]
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