The Ohio State Buckeyes kicked off their 2026 college football season with a commanding 56-3 victory over the Ball State Cardinals at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on September 5, 2026. This matchup, while not as thrilling as last year's opener, still provided plenty of excitement for fans, especially with the presence of TBDBITL alumni and the induction of former head coach Jim Tressel into the Ring of Honor.
Ohio State's offense was led by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who continued to solidify his reputation as one of the top players in college football. Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns, marking his 12th career 100-yard game and seventh multi-touchdown game. With this performance, he is now just 35 receptions, 190 yards, and seven touchdowns away from achieving the Ohio State triple crown of receiving records.
Smith's first touchdown came on a spectacular 48-yard catch where he skillfully pinned the ball to his facemask with one hand, showcasing his elite athleticism. As the season progresses, he is expected to remain a focal point of the Buckeyes' offense, and his performance against Ball State only adds to the anticipation surrounding his potential record-breaking season.
While the game was largely dominated by Ohio State, there were moments of concern, particularly regarding the performance of some freshmen. Legend Bey, who was tasked with kick returning duties, struggled early on, returning two kicks to the Buckeyes' own 16- and 10-yard lines, respectively. His decisions to return kicks that could have been taken for touchbacks drew the ire of head coach Ryan Day and veteran teammate Brandon Inniss.
Chris Henry Jr., a highly-touted freshman wide receiver, also faced challenges during the game. He dropped a potential touchdown pass early on and later had a pass intercepted after it ricocheted off his facemask. However, he did manage to redeem himself later in the game with a 15-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Tavien St. Clair.
Ohio State's offensive line faced scrutiny as well, especially in the first half where they allowed quarterback Julian Sayin to be sacked twice. The ground game struggled initially, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry. However, the Buckeyes found their rhythm in the second half, with running backs combining for 230 rushing yards and averaging 8.2 yards per carry, highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown run from Bo Jackson and a 49-yard touchdown from Ja’Kobi Jackson.
Defensively, Ohio State maintained a strong performance, allowing no touchdowns and showcasing depth in their linebacker corps. Freshman defensive end Khary Wilder made an impression with significant playing time and disruptive plays against the Ball State offensive line, while nickel corner Jay Timmons contributed with solid coverage and two pass breakups.
As the Buckeyes look ahead to their next matchup against Texas, which promises to be a tougher challenge, the team will need to address the inconsistencies shown in their season opener. While the victory against Ball State was a positive start, the upcoming game will serve as a true test of Ohio State's capabilities as they aim for a successful season.
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