Social Reactions: The Buckeyes Beat Up on the Boilermakers and There's a New Freshman Wide Receiver King

Ohio State's blowout win against Purdue gave me the opportunity to do a couple of things that I really enjoy during Buckeye games: first, the second-half tedium allowed me to reach a moment of epiphany that gave me insight into football in general, and second, I got a quick catnap that caused me to miss most of the fourth quarter.

Back to the epiphany, though. I was wondering why some blowout wins feel "better" or more "complete" than others, and I came to the conclusion that part of the difference between feeling kind of whatever about a 56-7 beatdown of Directional U and feeling pretty great about destroying the likes of Purdue (aside from the conference/non-conference aspect of it, which actually shouldn't apply here because the Boilermakers are so bad) is the presence of a kickass special teams play.

A blocked kick, a return for a touchdown, a successful fake... these are all the cherries on top that makes a massive win over a terrible team something to celebrate instead of something to merely be happy about. Ohio State got that maraschino on Saturday, and I think that makes this one to grow on.

BUCKEYES

God is Good!! And so are Donjoy knee braces
— Carson Hinzman (@HinzmanCarson) November 9, 2024

To God be the Glory!! Go Bucks!!
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) November 9, 2024

Wonderful game start to finish. Balanced attack offensively. Defense was lights out. Special Teams made big plays. Congrats to @ryandaytime on handling the ups and downs so far this season and having this team looking as sharp as ever heading into the 4th quarter of the season.
— JAY RICHARDSON (@JayRichardson99) November 9, 2024

Theres only 3 things that are guaranteed in life, Death, Taxes, and JEREMIAH SMITH SCORING A TD!! #GoBucks
— Tyvis Powell (@1Tyvis) November 9, 2024

What that a big time play on SPECIAL TEAMS???
— Chimdi Chekwa (@ChimChek) November 9, 2024

Lets Go Buckeyes! pic.twitter.com/z9Sy83uA1f
— Jim Lachey (@JimLachey64) November 9, 2024

CRIS CARTER IS A PSYCHIC

.@Jermiah_Smith1 breaks my 40 year old Freshman TD record today versus Purdue #Buckeyes
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) November 9, 2024

Congrats to #HIM @Jermiah_Smith1 on your new Freshman TD record
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) November 9, 2024

Building on the great legacy of WRS at THE Ohio State https://t.co/kLxVGzzwGi
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) November 9, 2024

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Class of 2042 linebacker Maverick Laurinaitis starting early thanks to Buckeye LB Coach & Dad @JLaurinaitis55 & Mavs 3 sisters who dote on the 2-month old backer in waiting. Mom Shelly gets the props for delivery & the all important handoff. pic.twitter.com/aEhar5HmWn
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) November 9, 2024

Pregame pic.twitter.com/WKwFEAEjZN
— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) November 9, 2024

Back at pic.twitter.com/8mzWpYYiSz
— Brutus Buckeye (@Brutus_Buckeye) November 9, 2024

Nothing like a flyover to get this game started #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/p3pK2Zsn4C
— Ohio State Alumni (@OhioStateAlumni) November 9, 2024

captains.pic.twitter.com/nWgx5mDjHv
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 9, 2024

BLOCKED

Here's another look at Caden Curry's punt block to set up No. 2 @OhioStateFB's first TD #B1GFootball on @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/18vajj08Da
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 9, 2024

Ohio State is on the board! pic.twitter.com/gZ5KsN1EUJ
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 9, 2024

I'm telling you, these NFL-like double 3-minute commercial breaks sandwiching a kickoff after an extended drive are BS.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) November 9, 2024

Some first-half shots. pic.twitter.com/Ml8utgBaHa
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) November 9, 2024

The Best Damn Band In the Land with a welcome to November moment.

I believe that is an animal taking a poop on the Michigan logo.

21 days until The Game. pic.twitter.com/75eUibXZVL
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) November 9, 2024

A moment for our veteran redcoats #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/dYvEBeG47f
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) November 9, 2024

Ohio State cannot be stopped! pic.twitter.com/CrkXezYQgf
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 9, 2024

Lathan Ransom pic.twitter.com/RdMWHsJkFd
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 9, 2024

.@nocontextcfb pic.twitter.com/69WqghZvA5
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 9, 2024

21-26
260 YDS
4 TOTAL TD
0 INT

Will Howard had another big day in No. 2 @OhioStateFB's latest win #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/bYZS2qmdWY
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 9, 2024

The Buckeyes finally broke Gus Johnsons spirit
pic.twitter.com/Ir2R1jJ0mm
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) November 9, 2024

Will Howard celebrating the win with Carmen Ohio. @NewDayForClay @whoward_ pic.twitter.com/0pZfPxu0W3
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) November 9, 2024

That'll do it for this week! Next up is a game against Northwestern at a baseball stadium not built for football, in direct defiance of God's will. See you then!