Sometimes the best way to respond to a heartbreaking loss is simply to get back on the football field. That opportunity comes Saturday afternoon for No. 6 Ohio State as the Buckeyes return to the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium to host in-state opponent Kent State. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on FOX.
Ohio State enters the matchup 1-1 after suffering a stunning 24-23 loss at No. 4 Texas last Saturday night in Austin. The Buckeyes appeared to have complete control of the game for three quarters, carrying a 23-3 advantage into the fourth before the Longhorns erupted for 21 unanswered points to steal the victory.
For head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, Saturday isn’t just about getting another win. It’s an opportunity to clean up mistakes, rebuild confidence and put together a complete four-quarter performance before Big Ten play begins.
Quarterback Julian Sayin will be one of the biggest players to watch.
Sayin started well against Texas, completing 12 of his first 16 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the opening half. But the offense struggled to maintain that rhythm after halftime. Sayin finished 17-of-32 for 278 yards with an interception as Ohio State was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Through two games, Sayin has thrown for 598 yards and four touchdowns. Saturday gives the junior quarterback an opportunity to settle back into the efficient passing game he displayed in Ohio State’s season-opening 56-3 victory over Ball State. Of course, having Jeremiah Smith on the outside makes any quarterback’s job easier.
Smith was once again Ohio State’s most dangerous offensive weapon in Austin, hauling in eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. Texas struggled to contain him during the first half before limiting his opportunities later in the game.
Against Kent State, expect Ohio State to continue feeding Smith while also attempting to develop more weapons around him.
Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin are two receivers who could benefit from additional opportunities. Both had just one reception against Texas, and developing dependable options outside of Smith will be important as the Buckeyes prepare for the heart of their schedule.
Bo Jackson Could Help Set the Tone
Another player capable of helping Ohio State turn the page is running back Bo Jackson.
Jackson rushed for a team-high 74 yards against Texas and has 157 rushing yards through Ohio State’s first two games. Establishing Jackson and the running game early could take pressure off Sayin and allow Ohio State’s offense to dictate the tempo rather than relying too heavily on Smith and the passing attack.
Saturday should also provide opportunities for some of the Buckeyes’ younger offensive players to earn meaningful snaps if Ohio State can establish control early.
Ohio State’s defense played outstanding football for most of the night against Texas before everything changed in the fourth quarter.
After holding the Longhorns to three points through three quarters, the Buckeyes surrendered three lengthy touchdown drives in the final period. Texas marched 91, 72 and 73 yards on those possessions as Ohio State struggled to get off the field when it mattered most.
There were still encouraging individual performances. Young defenders such as Jay Timmons and Riley Pettijohn showed flashes against one of the nation’s most talented teams. Timmons recorded six tackles and forced a fumble, while Pettijohn continued to demonstrate why he could become an important piece of Ohio State’s defense as the season progresses.
Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields will give that defense something different to prepare for
DeShields is capable of making plays both through the air and with his legs. In Kent State’s victory over Wofford, he passed for 248 yards and a touchdown while adding a career-high 74 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Through two games, he leads the Golden Flashes with 316 passing yards and 101 rushing yards. Containing DeShields and preventing explosive plays will be one of Ohio State’s primary defensive assignments.
Kent State enters Saturday at 1-1. The Golden Flashes suffered a 57-0 loss at South Carolina before responding with a 36-15 victory over Wofford. History heavily favors the Buckeyes in this in-state matchup. Ohio State is 3-0 all-time against Kent State and has outscored the Golden Flashes 165-20 in those meetings. Their most recent matchup came during Ohio State’s 2014 national championship season, when the Buckeyes rolled to a 66-0 victory at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State is also 40-1 all-time against current members of the Mid-American Conference.
But Saturday’s game is less about history and more about how the Buckeyes respond to their first adversity of the 2026 season.
Ohio State showed against Texas that it has the talent to control one of the nation’s best teams. The challenge now is learning how to finish.
Sayin has an opportunity to regain his confidence. Jackson can help establish the running game. Smith remains one of college football’s most dangerous offensive weapons, while players such as Inniss and McCuin have an opportunity to establish themselves as additional threats.
Defensively, the Buckeyes have a chance to put last week’s fourth-quarter collapse behind them and allow their talented young defenders to continue developing. The loss in Austin hurt, but Ohio State’s season is far from over. Saturday afternoon against Kent State represents the Buckeyes’ first chance to prove it.
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