Three Key Stats: Defense Gets a Shutout and Holds WMU Below The Century Mark, Offense Racks Up Yardage, and Buckeyes Collect Six Rushing Touchdowns

Unlike No. 2 Ohio State’s season-opener against Akron, the Buckeyes put their foot on the gas pedal from the opening snap and never let up — exploding to a 56-0 victory over Western Michigan in a well-rounded performance from all three units.

These three key stats indicate just how much the Buckeyes imposed their will over the outmatched Broncos.

99 YARDS, ZERO POINTS ALLOWED

From top-to-bottom, Ohio State’s defense played with a vengeance on Saturday — registering its first shutout since the Buckeyes 42-0 victory over Cincinnati in 2019.

Even more impressive, Ohio State only allowed 99 yards of total offense during Saturday’s contest. After the Broncos racked up 94 yards in the first half, the Buckeye defense shut off the water — holding Western Michigan to just five second-half yards, including a third quarter in which the Broncos finished with -6 yards of total offense. This marked the first time Ohio State held an opponent below the century mark since the Buckeyes’ 62-14 win over Maryland in 2017, in which the Terrapins only collected 66 yards of total offense.

Western Michigan ran just 48 plays in the loss, averaging only 2.1 yards per play. In the running game, the Broncos could only muster an average of 0.9 yards per carry. The Broncos also punted 11 times, the most by an Ohio State opponent since Indiana in 2022.

683 YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSE

While the Ohio State defense registered what might be its most dominant performance of the 2020s, the Buckeye offense was equally effective.

Ohio State racked up 683 yards of total offense in the 56-0 win, its most since a 77-21 win over Toledo in 2022 — in which the Buckeyes collected an unthinkable 763 yards. The Buckeyes’ 410 passing yards — spread across the trio of Will Howard, Devin Brown and Julian Sayin — also marked their most since that same Toledo game, in which C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord combined for 482 yards.

On the ground, the Buckeyes collected 273 rushing yards — their most since running for 340 yards against Indiana in 2022.

SIX RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS

Speaking of Ohio State’s ground game, the Broncos struggled to keep Buckeye ball carriers out of the end zone.

The Buckeyes ran for six touchdowns — in addition to a pair through the air — with four different rushers finding paydirt. Ohio State’s six rushing touchdowns mark its most since its 73-14 win over Maryland in 2019.

Leading the charge of the Buckeyes’ rushing assault was the two-headed monster of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, who each found the end zone twice in the win. Judkins crossed the century mark for the first time as a Buckeye, plowing ahead for 108 yards on just nine carries, while Henderson rushed for 66 yards on 10 attempts.

Q said thank you very much
pic.twitter.com/erX4g5l032
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 8, 2024

TOUCHDOWN BUCKEYES @OhioStateFB is cruising! pic.twitter.com/A7C27lprhV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 8, 2024

True freshman running James Peoples also left his mark on the contest, rushing for his second touchdown in as many games late in the third quarter.

The Buckeyes’ ground game also got a boost from Howard, whose lone carry resulted in a six-yard touchdown to push Ohio State’s advantage to 35-0 midway through the second quarter.