Five things we took away from Ohio State football's big win Saturday in Seattle over a very good Washington team.
The Ohio State Buckeyes got off to a slow start Saturday against the Washington Huskies, going scoreless through nearly the first 30 minutes of play. But with just over a minute remaining in the first half and facing a long third down, Julian Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith on a quick slant that Smith turned into an 18-yard touchdown.
That score gave Ohio State a 7-3 lead heading into halftime. Sayin finished the half, completing 7 of 10 passes for 63 yards and the lone touchdown. Washington's defense kept the Buckeyes in check for most of the half, consistently disrupting the rhythm of Sayin and the OSU offense.
In the second half, however, things opened up as the Buckeyes had multiple possessions that led to points and ultimately won 24-6.
Jeremiah Smith is still the best player in CFB
When Jeremiah Smith gets the ball, he’s a problem. He’s explosive in space, hard to bring down, and always looking to turn a routine catch into something bigger. Once again, he was Julian Sayin’s top target, finishing with 7 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.
The chemistry between Sayin and Smith keeps getting better, and it’s clear who the Buckeyes trust when they need a play. Smith’s route running, physicality, and ability to create after the catch make him the most dangerous receiver in the country. His Heisman push isn’t hype anymore—it’s real, and performances like this keep him firmly in the conversation.
The OSU defense bent but never broke
Washington was able to move the ball fairly well against the Ohio State defense, but when it counted most, the Buckeyes stepped up. They snuffed out a fake field goal attempt and forced the Huskies to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns on multiple drives.
With just under nine minutes to play and Ohio State leading 17-6, Washington faced a 4th and 2 near midfield. The Buckeyes brought the pressure, sacking quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and quieting the home crowd.
Matt Patricia’s defense rose to the occasion, throwing everything they had at Williams Jr. and doing a solid job containing standout running back Jonah Coleman.
Bo Jackson is the future
Freshman running back Bo Jackson was a standout in this one, flashing impressive burst and vision every time he touched the ball. He outsnapped fellow back CJ Donaldson and made the most of his opportunities, ripping off several key runs and consistently finding the open lane.
His feel for the game stood out, especially in key moments, and it’s clear he’s starting to separate himself in the rotation. The coaching staff trusted him with a bigger role, and he delivered.
Julian Sayin settled in and looked great
After a slow start, Julian Sayin found his rhythm and delivered when it mattered. He started the game with just 63 yards and one touchdown in the first half, but came out in the second looking sharp and in control.
Sayin started stacking completions, made some high-level throws, and helped the Buckeyes pull away from the Huskies. He finished 21 of 27 for 189 yards and two touchdowns, showing poise well beyond his experience. In his first road start, Sayin didn’t flinch. He stayed composed, managed the game, and walked away with a solid win to kick off what’s shaping up to be a promising career in Columbus.
The Ohio State Big Ten road game win streak continues
The Buckeyes extended their road win streak to seven, taking down Washington in a game that felt tighter than the final score showed. It was a strange one at times, but Ohio State did what good teams do—they found a way to win on the road.
With the victory, they snapped Washington’s 22-game home winning streak and added another tough win to their resume. Next up, they'll look to carry that momentum into next week’s matchup against Minnesota.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Washington: 5 takeaways from the Buckeyes' win Saturday
Category: General Sports
