Senior defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) celebrates an 11-yard fumble return touchdown during the third quarter of No. 2 Ohio State’s dominant 45-0 victory over Purdue Saturday at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Carly Damon | Asst. Photo Editor
What looked to be a routine punt for the Boilermakers turned into a season-defining moment for the Buckeyes.
On Purdue’s second drive, defensive end Caden Curry got his hand on the football, blocking the punt for Ohio State’s first forced special teams turnover of the year.
The block sparked six straight Ohio State possessions with a score. That combined with a shutout by the Buckeye defense led Ohio State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) to a 45-0 shutout of Purdue (1-8, 0-6 Big Ten), a team that has yet to win a conference game.
Head coach Ryan Day said the early impact play on special teams was a major part in jump starting his team.
“We felt like especially in the first half of this game…getting a special teams [stop], either stealing a possession or a big play, will jump start us in the game,” Day said. “I thought it did.”
The Buckeye defense showed from the opening series why it’s No. 2 in the country. Purdue elected to receive the kick, and despite a first-down run to start the game Ohio State forced them to punt after three more downs.
That routine punt proved anything but.
Curry leaped with outstretched arms and blocked Keelan Crimmins’ effort. Ohio State recovered the football, and Howard scored on a 1-yard rush with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Though the Buckeye defense started off strong, some cracks quickly appeared.
Purdue quarterback Hudson Card led the Boilermakers on an 11-play, 72-yard drive, gashing the Buckeyes with four straight gains of 10-plus yards.
The effort, however, proved futile, as Ohio State’s defense solidified to stop the drive inside the 5-yard line, and Purdue kicker Spencer Porath pushed a 21-yard kick wide right.
The Buckeyes then took full advantage of the Boilermakers’ error.
Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught a Howard pass over the middle for 17 yards and headed for the endzone, breaking Ohio State’s record for most receptions by a first-year wideout.
Ohio State capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Howard to tight end Gee Scott Jr., which extended the lead to 14-0.
Purdue’s next possession ended when, faced with a Buckeye blitz, Card was sacked and failed to convert on fourth down.
With the Buckeyes on offense once again, Smith made history for a second time.
Wide open on third down, Smith carried a 17-yard pass from Howard into the end zone to tie Cris Carter‘s Buckeye record for the most receiving touchdowns by a freshman, also giving Ohio State a 21-0 halftime lead.
Day said watching Smith’s continued improvement has been exciting, but other teams now know what to expect and he must be prepared to play his best football.
“We’re in November now, so all those matchups are going to matter’ but he’s getting stronger, he’s getting more experience, he’s understanding those coverages and different things,” Day said.
The Buckeyes’ performance was not perfect. Howard continued to struggle with some deep-ball passes, under-throwing Carnell Tate for what would’ve likely been an Ohio State touchdown.
The quarterback would not make the same mistake a second time, however, as he connected on passes of 14, 12 and 7 yards to extend Ohio State’s drive into Purdue territory.
Howard’s slip on the turf on third down cut a Buckeye drive short, but kicker Jayden Fielding drilled a 42-yarder to push Ohio State’s lead to 24-0.
Card unleashed a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Jaron Tibbs to kick-start Purdue’s next drive, and a penalty moved the Boilermakers inside Ohio State’s 25-yard line. But Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom intercepted a pass intended for wideout Jahmal Edrine, taking the ball to the 24.
Henderson then cut up the Boilermakers’ defense for a 28-yard gain, before scoring on a 19-yard rush.
A play later, Ohio State was back in the end zone, this time on defense.
Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau forced a fumble on Purdue running back Reggie Love III, with Jack Sawyer scooping it up and running 11 yards for the score, extending the lead to 38-0.
“I thought [Tuimoloau] and [Sawyer] were both very disruptive and certainly the forced fumbles, and [the] scoop and score was the epitome of that in this game,” Day said.
Following another Purdue three-and-out, Ohio State completed a six-play, 74-yard drive highlighted by a 32-yard pass to Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka’s 10-yard touchdown reception from Howard, his only catch of the game.
Day said he was impressed with Howard’s resilience and ability to take care of the football, noting he seamlessly bounced back from a sack.
“We did have the one sack we’d like to throw away, but then he came right back and made two nice throws to get back in it,” he said.
Purdue’s best chance for points came on its next possession, but the drive stalled in the redzone, and Porath missed his second field goal attempt of the day — this one from 38 yards — to finalize the score at 45-0.
Day said he felt this was one of the most complete games his team played this year, as the Buckeyes got it done on all three phases of the game.
“Offense, defense, special teams, everybody made plays,” Day said.
