Three Key Stats: Ohio State's Defense Flourishes Again in the Red Zone, Jeremiah Smith Notches 100 Yards and Carnell Tate Scores Two Touchdowns Back in Chicago

By Josh Poloha on November 16, 2024 at 5:15 pm
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Ohio State started slow but took care of business at Wrigley Field.

While Northwestern's offense seemed to be in control early on, the Buckeyes' took some time to get going, especially defensively, on their way to a 31-7 win over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon.

Ohio State had another dominant defensive performance, especially in the red zone, Smith's third 100-yard game of the season and Carnell Tate scoring two touchdowns back in his hometown of Chicago.

We dig into three key stats in the Buckeyes' ninth win of the season.

Four Red Zone Trips, Seven Points

It was another great game by the defense. After Northwestern totaled 24 plays for 151 yards on its first two drives, the Wildcats had just 100 total yards of offense the rest of the game. While Ohio State's defense finally waking up played a role in that, the Buckeyes once again leaned on their dominant defense inside the red zone.

Ohio State came into the game allowing just 57.9% of opponents' red zone trips to turn into points, the second-best mark in the FBS. For comparison's sake, the Buckeyes allowed 74.1% of their opponents' red zone trips to turn into points in 2023, the 11th-best mark last season. That trend continued against Northwestern, as the Wildcats scored just seven points on four trips to the red zone.

Northwestern's four trips to the red zone:

  • Quarterback Jack Lausch fumbles at the 18-yard line on the opening drive of the game
  • Lausch runs for an 8-yard touchdown on the Wildcats' second drive of the game
  • Northwestern turns it over on downs following a 2-yard loss on 3rd-and-8 and an incomplete pass on 4th-and-10
  • The Wildcats turn it over on downs after a 10-yard sack by C.J. Hicks and Arvell Reese on third down and an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal at the 16-yard line

100 For Jeremiah Smith

For the first time since Ohio State's loss at Oregon on October 12, Smith has hit the 100-yard mark.

A model of consistency considering he has notched at least 70 receiving yards in all but one game this season, Smith led the Buckeyes with four catches and 100 yards through the air against Northwestern.

Smith almost had an outstanding one-handed touchdown early in the game but the ball hit the ground before he could secure the catch.

That said, the freshman phenom had a great 68-yard catch-and-run early in the third quarter. Ohio State scored two plays later.

Unfortunately, though, Smith hobbled off the field at the end of that play. Although he came back into the game after getting his ankle re-taped, the wideout had ice wrapped around his left ankle and was walking with a limp following the game.

The Chicago Kid Shines Back in Chicago

Tate scoring a touchdown in his first game back in his hometown of Chicago seemed inevitable. Given all that he has been through paired with all of the comments that were made about Tate by Ryan Day and other Buckeyes leading up to this game, a breakout game by the wideout was bound to happen.

But to enjoy it even more, he scored twice.

He was very close to having a third, too.

With over 35 friends and family members in attendance, the sophomore caught four passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns after totaling three touchdowns in his first 21 games as a Buckeye.

What a well-deserved moment (and game) for Tate.

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