Running Back Ja'Kobi Jackson (24) outruns a Ball State defender, finding the pylon for his first career touchdown as a Buckeye. Credit: Liam Ahern | Managing Photo Editor
Anyone wondering just how dominant Ohio State was in its season opener only needed to look at three plays, in which the offense accounted for 162 yards and three touchdown scores, compared to 165 yards of total offense for Ball State.?
A 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Julian Sayin to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in the first quarter, a 65-yard rushing touchdown by running back Bo Jackson and a 49-yard rushing touchdown by transfer running back Ja’Kobi Jackson each in the third quarter, highlighted Ohio State’s explosive play ability, as the Buckeyes cruised to a 56-3 victory over Ball State Saturday.
Head coach Ryan Day recognized the skill level of the 2026 Buckeyes team.
“There are times where I say that the talent in the players sometimes overcome some of the coaching,” Day said.?
In his first game as offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith coached from the sidelines as the Buckeyes tallied 671 yards, more than any game total last season.?
“It was super smooth in terms of communications, and it was fun today to have him on the sidelines,” Sayin said.?
Sayin started the game with two incompletions, but immediately bounced back, completing his next nine passes, including touchdowns throws to Smith and transfer wide receiver Devin McCuin.
Sayin, who was subbed out midway through the third quarter, completed 21 of 25 passes, threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, and scored his first career rushing touchdown.
Smith and McCuin combined for 248 receiving yards.
Ohio State’s rushing attack struggled in the first half, earning 35 yards on 17 attempts, but the second half proved a different story.?
In the Buckeyes’ first drive of the second half, Bo Jackson ran for a 65-yard touchdown, the longest rush of his career. Day credited freshmen wide receivers Brock Boyd and Chris Henry Jr.’s blocking on the play.?
“To see Bo break a tackle and then break another tackle, to see the effort of Brock Boyd running downfield, the effort that Chris Henry had on that, when you see the replay, was excellent,” Day said. “That’s the type of effort we can build on.”
Ja’Kobi Jackson broke multiple tackles in the next drive and rushed for a 49-yard touchdown, putting Ohio State ahead 42-3 with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter.?
Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson each rushed for 83 yards on the day, as the Buckeyes finished with 237 total rushing yards.
“Coming into halftime, I don’t think anybody said the run game was great,” Day said. “But that’s why you play a whole game of football.”
In the fourth quarter, Henry and Legend Bey, both freshmen, each scored their first collegiate touchdowns. Bey eluded multiple tacklers en route to a 25-yard receiving score and Henry caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap Ohio State’s scoring, securing its 27th straight season-opening win.??
The Buckeyes will now set their attention to a top-five matchup against the University of Texas in Austin next Saturday night. The Buckeyes have beaten the Longhorns in each of the last two seasons.?
“I mentioned to the guys in the locker room there’ll be times we enjoy this through the night and then wake up tomorrow and move on to the next opponent–not this one,” Day said. “The minute we leave the locker room, it’s on to Texas.”
