BLOOMINGTON, IN — It wasn't the prettiest of performances, but the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes did enough to pick up a 23-3 win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday in the season opener.
Buckeye quarterback Kyle McCord made just his second career start on Saturday, completing 20 of his 33 attempts for 239 yards and an interception.
Overall, it was an uneven performance from the Ohio State offense and far cry from the explosive offense Buckeye fans enjoyed in 2022. While the Buckeyes did end up with 380 yards, they were only 2-of-12 on third down and averaged 5.6 yards per play.
The Buckeyes found the end zone on its opening drive, as Miyan Williams ran in from seven-yards out to give Ohio State an early 7-0 lead.
But the offense wouldn't score a touchdown again until late the third quarter when Williams scored again with a three-yard run.
OSU’s trio of running backs — TreVeyon Williams, Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams — would finish the game, combining for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
Marvin Harrison Jr was kept in check, with just two receptions for 18 yards. But tight end Cade Stover caught five passes for 98 yards, and Julian Fleming led the team with six receptions for 58 yards.
Between Williams' rushing scores, kicker Jayden Fielding would provide field goals of 40 and 22 for a sluggish Ohio State offense.
Fielding would also add another 22-yard kick in the fourth quarter to put the Buckeyes ahead 23-3.
The Ohio State defense turned in an impressive performance as they overwhelmed an outmatched Indiana team. The defense limited Indiana to just eight first downs for the game and forced them to punt the ball six times.
The Hoosiers, who were coming off an 4-8 season, rotated quarterbacks Brendan Sorsby and Tayven Jackson. Neither would have much success as the two signal callers combined 9-of-21 for 82 yards. The Hoosiers ended the day with just 153 yards of offense.
The Buckeyes will return home next Saturday to face the Youngstown State Penguins at noon.
Ohio State 7 3 10 3 = 23
Indiana 0 3 0 0 = 3
First Quarter
OSU — Miyan Williams 7 run (Jayden Fielding kick), 7:16.
Second Quarter
IU — Chris Freeman 42 field goal, 6:15.
OSU — Jayden Fielding 40 field goal, 0:03.
Third Quarter
OSU — Jayden Fielding 22 field goal, 6:42.
OSU — Miyan Williams 3 run (Jayden Fielding kick), 1:51.
Fourth Quarter
OSU — Jayden Fielding 22 field goal, 4:26.
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OSU IU
First downs 22 8
Rushes-yards 31-143 33-71
Passing yards 237 82
Total yards 380 153
Cmp-Att-Int 21-36-1 9-20-0
Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 5-41 8-75
Punts-average 4-45.8 6-54.2
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Individual Leaders
RUSHING–Ohio State: DeaMonte 8-57, TreVeyon Henderson 12-47, Miyan Williams 7-25 2TD, Emeka Egbuka 1-9, Kyle McCord 2-8, Devin Brown 1-minus 3; Indiana: Christian Turner 7-29, Jaylin Lucas 11-24, Tayven Jackson 3-11, Josh Henderson 3-5, Trent Howland 1-4, Dequece Carter 1-1, Brendan Sorsby 6-minus 2, Team 1-minus 1.
PASSING–Ohio State: Kyle McCord 20-33-1 239, Devin Brown 1-3-0 minus 2; Indiana: Brendan Sorsby 8-16-0 58, Tayven Jackson 1-5-0 24.
RECEIVING–Ohio State: Cade Stover 5-98, Julian Fleming 6-58, Marvin Harrison Jr 2-18, Emeka Egbuka 3-16, Carnell Tate 1-15, Miyan Williams 1-12, DeaMonte Trayanum 1-12, Gee Scott Jr 1-10, Dallan Hayden 1-minus 2; Indiana: Cam Camper 3-35, E.J. Williams 1-19, Dequece Carter 1-16, Donaven McCulley 1-6, Josh Henderson 1-3, Coby Andison 1-3, Jaylin Lucas 1-1.
MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.
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