IOWA CITY — Ohio State went to Kinnick Stadium knowing it would have to match Iowa’s physicality to leave with a win. The Buckeyes matched it and then some.
No. 5 Ohio State beat No. 14 Iowa, 31-14, Saturday afternoon, improving to 4-1 with one of its most complete performances of the season. The Buckeyes controlled the line of scrimmage, held Iowa to just 238 total yards and 39 yards rushing, and got another record-breaking afternoon from Jeremiah Smith.
Ohio State wasted little time establishing control. On Iowa’s opening possession, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. sacked quarterback Hank Brown and forced a fumble that Christian Alliegro recovered at the Hawkeyes’ 14-yard line. Two plays later, Julian Sayin found Devin McCuin for a 15-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Iowa responded with a pair of field goals, but Ohio State’s defense never allowed the Hawkeyes to establish the physical running game, or much of anything else they wanted. That was a significant improvement from a week earlier, when Illinois rushed for 199 yards against the Buckeyes. Iowa entered Saturday averaging more than 200 yards rushing per game but finished with only 39 as Ohio State consistently won at the line of scrimmage.
The Buckeyes carried a 10-6 lead into the closing minutes of the first half before Sayin directed one of Ohio State’s best drives of the afternoon. Starting at its own 16 with 1:48 remaining, Ohio State went 84 yards in nine plays, with Sayin finding Smith for a 12-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left to give the Buckeyes a 17-6 halftime advantage.
That touchdown also tied Smith with Chris Olave for the most receiving touchdowns in Ohio State history.
He didn't stay tied for long.
Smith struck again in the third quarter, breaking free for a 57-yard touchdown that pushed Ohio State’s lead to 24-6 and gave him career touchdown No. 36, moving him past Olave for sole possession of the school record. Later in the quarter, Jaylen McClain intercepted Brown as Ohio State’s defense continued to keep the Hawkeyes out of the end zone.
Smith finished with 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns, giving him consecutive 200-yard receiving games after posting 217 yards against Illinois. He also surpassed Emeka Egbuka’s Ohio State career record of 205 receptions, finishing Saturday with 207.
After becoming Ohio State’s career receiving-yardage leader earlier this season, Smith now owns all three of the program’s major career receiving records — receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns — with most of his junior season still remaining.
Sayin delivered another efficient performance, throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. McCuin provided an important second option in the passing game, catching the opening touchdown and later hauling in a 34-yard reception during Ohio State’s fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
That drive was finished on the ground. Ja’Kobi Jackson powered through Iowa’s front throughout the afternoon and capped a 70-yard march with a 7-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, extending Ohio State’s lead to 31-6. Jackson finished with 72 yards on 14 carries as the Buckeyes rushed for 160 yards as a team against an Iowa defense that entered the game allowing fewer than 88 rushing yards per game.
Iowa finally reached the end zone late in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski led a 74-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run and successful two-point conversion. By then, Ohio State had already put the game away.
The Buckeyes entered Saturday facing a defense that was allowing only 8.0 points per game and had surrendered three touchdowns through its first four games. Ohio State scored four touchdowns and 31 points, becoming the first team to score 30 points or more against Iowa in Kinnick in the last 66 games..
More importantly, the Buckeyes answered some of the questions that followed last week's win over Illinois. The defensive front responded after being pushed around in the running game, the offense produced 160 rushing yards against one of the nation's better run defenses, and Sayin handled one of college football's most difficult road environments without turning the ball over.
And then there was Smith.
Two more touchdowns. Another 200-yard afternoon. Two more Ohio State records.
And just as important, one more Ohio State win.
What’s Next
Ohio State returns home Saturday, Oct. 10, to face Maryland at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET.
