Ohio State's defense flexes against Illinois: Why Buckeyes are on historic pace through six games

Ohio State's defense flexes against Illinois: Why Buckeyes are on historic pace through six games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Well, someone finally scored in the red zone on No. 1 Ohio State. 

It took a trick play – a jet sweep to Illinois' Hank Beatty, who pitched that to Aidan Laughery for a one-yard TD run – to score on the Buckeyes' defense. The Illini became the first team to score double digits on Ohio State, which won 34-16 on the road to improve to 6-0 through the first half of the 2025 college football season. 

The word "historic" has been ejected into the discussion about the Buckeyes' under new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia – and with good reason. This Ohio State team is trending in the direction of some of the best defenses since the Bowl Championship Series era began in 1998.

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Buckeyes' defense flexes against Illinois 

The Buckeyes' defense forced three turnovers against No. 17 Illinois, which the offense converted into 17 points. Midseason All-American teams will be released next week, and those lists are going to be littered with Buckeyes. Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles were Preseason All-Americans. Arvell Reese and Caden Curry are first-half breakout players. 

Styles had 10 tackles against Illinois. Reese had nine tackles and 1.5 sacks. Downs added nine tackles, and Curry added a sack. Illinois did cross midfield until there was 10:23 remaining in the first half. 

The red-zone defense continues to be a story, too. Illinois had a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line late in the first half. The next three plays showed just how difficult it is to score on this Ohio State defense. 

Luke Altmyer tried to scramble on first down but was tripped up by Curry. The Illini tried a failed shovel pass on second down, and a false start pushed Illinois back five yards before an incompletion on third down. That might have been the most-entertaining part of the first half. 

The Illini added a cosmetic TD in the second half in the red zone, but Altmyer (30 of 44, 248 yards, TD, INT) took four sacks. Illinois had 47 rushing yards on 1.7 yards per carry.

Ohio State scoring defense through six games 

The Buckeyes are first in the FBS at 6.8 points per game. Oklahoma is second at 8.3 points per game heading into the Red River Rivalry. 

It's a great omen knowing three of the last four national champions, including Georgia (10.2 ppg.) in 2021, Michigan (10.4) in 2023, and the Buckeyes last season led the nation in scoring defense.

Six national champions since the BCS era began in 1998 allowed less than 10 points through six games. Here is how Ohio State compares to those teams. 

Alabama finished at 8.2 points per game in 2011 – the best among any national champion since 1998. Miami allowed 9.4 points per game in 2001. If the Buckeyes continue at this level on the defense side, then they might continue this trend. 

National title teams by scoring defense since 1998 (BCS era-present) 

Here is a look at where the 2025 Ohio State compares to every national championship team since 1998 after six games in scoring defense.