Ohio State's offensive flipped the recent narrative and jumped out to a 35-3 halftime lead over Michigan State. The quick start enabled Ryan Day to play 13 true freshmen in a Ohio State's 38-3 victory. Amazingly, the final score is the first time in program history that the Buckeyes won a game by a score of 38-3.
Hartford starts again
With Josh Proctor unavailable, Malik Hartford started a game for the second time this season. He not only filled in for Proctor, but the Lakota West alum played 49 snaps, tying Cody Simon for the most defensive snaps Saturday night. Hartford finished the game with a career-high four tackles.
Freshman firsts for Kienholz and Thurman
With Devin Brown on the shelf with an ankle injury, Lincoln Kienholz was called upon in the fourth quarter to close out the game at quarterback. The first-year signal-caller attempted three passes, completing two for 18 yards in his first action as a Buckeye.
Jelani Thurman was on the receiving end of Kienholz's two completions, marking the first receptions of the tight end's career. Thurman was also an upback for Ohio State's last punt of the game. Pro Football Focus graded the talented tight end with a high grade of 88.9.
Lincoln Kienholz completes the first pass of his college career!
— Digital Z South Dakota (@DigitalZSD) November 12, 2023
pic.twitter.com/mvf5hf1iNe
Thurman is a large human with soft hands who likes to run people over when blocking or running with the ball. He will be a weapon for Ohio State in the coming years.
Tate sets up Stover's touchdown
Carnell Tate took 28 offensive snaps and hauled in two passes for 26 yards. His first completion came in the waning moments of the first half and was a crucial play in the Buckeyes' last touchdown drive of the game.
Ohio State was on its 46-yard line and Tate took a short pass 19 yards to the Michigan State 35. On the next play, Kyle McCord connected with Cade Stover on a perfectly timed 35-yard touchdown pass to put the Buckeyes up 35-3.
Tate caught a pass for the sixth consecutive game. He has caught at least one pass in nine of Ohio State's 10 games and has 245 receiving yards on the season.
Mathews making the most of his time
Jermaine Mathews Jr. played 26 snaps against Michigan State: 15 on defense, seven on the kickoff team and two with the punt and FG block units. Even in limited action, the cornerback from Winton Woods still tied his career-high with three tackles and made a pass breakup. The future in the defensive backfield appears bright with Hartford and Mathews showing their teeth as young players.
Burnt shirts
Kayden McDonald took five defensive snaps and Arvell Reese participated on the kickoff team and punt return unit. Both freshmen played in their fifth game of the season, which means neither will redshirt this year.
Rest of the class
Brandon Inniss, Luke Montgomery, Bryson Rodgers and Noah Rogers took snaps on offense against Michigan State. Calvin Simpson-Hunt, who has now played in back-to-back games, played nine defensive snaps and was on the kickoff and punt return teams. Joshua Mickens played one snap in his first game appearance as a Buckeye.
Ohio State hosts Minnesota next week, which could provide more opportunities for the freshmen to see the field in what will likely be the season’s final chance for the Buckeyes to play deep into their depth chart.
Through ten games, 14 of Ohio State's 21 scholarship true freshmen have seen the field with seven – Hartford, Inniss, Mathews, McDonald, Montgomery, Reese and Tate – now ineligible for a redshirt as they have played in five or more games. Rogers will shed his redshirt if he plays in one more game.
| NAME | POS | DEBUT | MICHIGAN STATE STATS | GP | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARNELL TATE | WR | Indiana | 2 catches, 26 yards | 10 | 16 catches, 245 yards, 1 TD |
| MALIK HARTFORD | S | Indiana | 4 tackles | 9 | 10 tackles, 2 PBU |
| BRANDON INNISS | WR | Indiana | 4 offensive snaps | 9 | 1 catch, 58 yards, 1 TD |
| JERMAINE MATHEWS JR. | CB | Indiana | 3 tackles, 1 PBU | 9 | 13 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 TD |
| LUKE MONTGOMERY | OL | Indiana | 6 offensive snaps | 8 | 34 offensive snaps |
| KAYDEN McDONALD | DT | WKU | 5 defensive snaps | 5 | 1 tackle, 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU |
| ARVELL REESE | LB | Indiana | Special teams | 5 | Special teams |
| NOAH ROGERS | WR | Indiana | 3 offensive snaps | 4 | 14 offensive snaps |
| JELANI THURMAN | TE | WKU | 2 catches, 18 yards | 3 | 2 catches, 18 yards |
| BRYSON RODGERS | WR | Purdue | 3 offensive snaps | 2 | 6 offensive snaps |
| CALVIN SIMPSON-HUNT | CB | Rutgers | 9 defensive snaps | 2 | 9 defensive snaps |
| LINCOLN KIENHOLZ | QB | MSU | 2/3 passing, 18 yards | 1 | 2/3 passing, 18 yards |
| JOSHUA MICKENS | DE | MSU | 1 defensive snap | 1 | 1 defensive snap |
| JASON MOORE | DT | WKU | 1 | 3 defensive snaps | |
| JAYDEN BONSU | S | ||||
| NIGEL GLOVER | LB | ||||
| CEDRICK HAWKINS | S | ||||
| JOSHUA PADILLA | OL | ||||
| AUSTIN SIEREVELD | OL | ||||
| WILL SMITH JR. | DT | ||||
| MILES WALKER | OT |
(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)
- #1 Ohio State 38, Michigan State 3
- • Buckeyes Stomp Spartans, 38-3
- • Marv's Heisman Campaign Gains Steam
- • McCord at His Sharpest vs. Spartans
- • Marv Makes History
- • Ohio State Postgame • Michigan State Postgame • Photos
- • Notebook • Five Things • Social Reax
