UPDATE: Ohio State has decisively secured its 10th victory of the season with a stunning 48-10 triumph over UCLA, just minutes ago at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes overcame their own injury setbacks to deliver a commanding performance that left the Bruins struggling to catch up.
Both teams faced significant personnel challenges, but Ohio State surged ahead early and never looked back. UCLA was without starting quarterback and leading rusher Nico Iamaleava, sidelined due to a concussion. In his place, Luke Duncan, a redshirt sophomore, made his first career start and threw his first college pass.
The Buckeyes also dealt with key absences, including wide receiver Carnell Tate for the second consecutive week. Star receiver Jeremiah Smith exited the game at halftime after a brief absence during an offensive drive, adding to Ohio State’s challenges.
Ohio State wasted no time asserting dominance. Running back Bo Jackson opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown, while kicker Jayden Fielding extended the lead with a 41-yard field goal, bringing the score to 10-0 after the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Ohio State’s offensive onslaught continue. Quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Bryson Rodgers for an 11-yard touchdown, followed by running back James Peoples bulldozing into the end zone from 19 yards out. After a mishandled punt by UCLA, Fielding added a 33-yard field goal, pushing the score to 27-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Buckeyes further padded their lead with a 1-yard run by Isaiah West. UCLA finally got on the board when Duncan found Kwazi Gilmer for an 18-yard touchdown pass. However, Ohio State immediately responded with a spectacular 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Lorenzo Styles, marking the team’s first kickoff return score since 2010.
The scoring concluded with Mateen Bhaghani’s 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory at 48-10.
This emphatic win not only marks a milestone for Ohio State but also highlights their resilience in the face of adversity. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the Buckeyes manage their roster and maintain momentum in upcoming games.
Stay tuned for more updates as Ohio State prepares for their next challenge!
