Four straight losses. Hell is real.
The Game did not end with an Ohio State victory for the fourth straight season. After Saturday's brutal 13-10 loss, a fourth consecutive freshman class has tasted the agony of defeat in the season's biggest game.
As is par for the course, The Game is not the time for young players to see much playing time. This year, four freshmen tested the waters of the rivalry.
Jeremiah Smith caught five passes for 35 yards and the team's only touchdown. His 10th touchdown catch of the season tied the game at 10-10 just before the halftime break. Smith became the 17th Ohio State player with 10 receiving touchdowns in a season and is the only freshman to reach this milestone.
Jeremiah Smith ran the defender over for the TD @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/7Hpra9Qu9g
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
On the opening kickoff, Payton Pierce pummeled Michigan's Jordan Marshall at the 14-yard line and energized the already pulsating stadium. Jaylen McClain joined Pierce on the kickoff coverage and return teams throughout the game. Eddrick Houston saw limited action with two snaps at defensive tackle.
With the regular season now over, six Ohio State freshmen used a year of eligibility by playing in more than four games this year: Houston, McClain, James Peoples, Pierce, Aaron Scott Jr. and Smith. The rest of Ohio State’s freshmen all played in four games or fewer, preserving their four remaining seasons of eligibility. Under the NCAA’s redshirt rules, postseason games no longer count against a player’s redshirt eligibility, so all of Ohio State’s freshmen will be eligible to play in the CFP without burning their redshirts.
| NAME | POS | DEBUT | INDIANA STATS | GP | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAYLEN McCLAIN | S | Akron | Played special teams | 12 | 11 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU |
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | Akron | 5 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD | 12 | 57 catches, 934 yards, 10 TD; 4 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD |
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | DE | Akron | 2 defensive snaps | 10 | 4 tackles, 2 PBU |
| PAYTON PIERCE | LB | Akron | 1 tackle | 9 | 4 tackles |
| JAMES PEOPLES | RB | Akron | 7 | 42 carries, 195 yards, 2 TD; 1 catch, -2 yards | |
| AARON SCOTT JR. | CB | Akron | 6 | 1 tackle, 1 PBU | |
| GARRETT STOVER | LB | Akron | 4 | 1 defensive snap | |
| BRYCE WEST | S | WMU | 4 | 1 tackle | |
| DOMINIC KIRKS | DE | Akron | 3 | 1 tackle | |
| MAX LeBLANC | TE | WMU | 3 | 11 offensive snaps | |
| ERIC MENSAH | DT | Akron | 3 | 7 defensive snaps | |
| IAN MOORE | OT | WMU | 3 | 22 offensive snaps | |
| JULIAN SAYIN | QB | WMU | 3 | 5-11, 84 yards, 1 TD; 2 carries, 24 yards | |
| SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON | RB | Akron | 3 | 7 carries, 60 yards | |
| MYLAN GRAHAM | WR | WMU | 2 | 6 offensive snaps | |
| NICK McLARTY | P | WMU | 2 | 2 punts, 32.5 average | |
| LEROY ROKER III | S | Purdue | 2 | Special teams | |
| DORIAN WILLIAMS | WR | WMU | 1 | Special teams | |
| DAMARION WITTEN | WR | Purdue | 1 | 1 offensive snap | |
| DEONTAE ARMSTRONG | OL | ||||
| DEVONTAE ARMSTRONG | OL | ||||
| MILES LOCKHART | CB | ||||
| AIR NOLAND | QB | ||||
| GABE VANSICKLE | OL |
(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)
- Michigan 13, #2 Ohio State 10
- • Buckeyes Lose The Game Again, 13-10
- • Offense Fails to Play to Its Strengths
- • Seniors Go Out Winless Against Wolverines
- • Fight at Midfield
- • Ohio State Postgame • Michigan Postgame • Photos • After Carmen
- • Five Things • Notebook • Social Reax • Three Key Stats
