The Ohio State Buckeyes lead Rutgers 14–3 at halftime after a frustrating opening 30 minutes in which the offense has had to operate without Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Their absence has made the attack noticeably more one-dimensional, but Ohio State has still managed to move the ball well enough to control the game.
Here are three quick takeaways from the first half inside the 'Shoe.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOhio State running back Bo Jackson is a stud
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Bo Jackson #25 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)Freshman running back Bo Jackson from Cleveland has stepped into the RB1 role and embraced it. He enters halftime with 11 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, and although he did lose a fumble at the goal line, Ryan Day went right back to him. Jackson rewarded that trust with a touchdown drive on the very next possession. With key playmakers sidelined, the Buckeyes have leaned heavily on the run game, and Jackson has delivered.
The Ohio State offense looks far less potent without Tate and Smith
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin walks into Ohio Stadium prior to the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Columbus on Nov. 22, 2025.Before kickoff, Ohio State announced that wide receivers Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Quincy Porter would all be unavailable. Without them, the offense has struggled at times to generate rhythm against a Rutgers defense that isn’t exactly elite. Julian Sayin is 9 of 12 for 95 yards and a touchdown, but hasn’t found much success pushing the ball downfield. Brandon Inniss and Max Klare have helped steady the passing game, yet they will need to give Sayin even more support in the second half as Rutgers is likely to load the box and dare Ohio State to throw.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Buckeye defense remains the best in America
Nov 15, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Anthony Woods (6) catches as pass as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) makes the tackle during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn ImagesWith the offense unable to score at its usual pace, the defense has been asked to shoulder more of the load, and it has responded. Ohio State has two sacks, three tackles for loss, and has held Rutgers to only 76 total yards at halftime. Caden Curry has been relentless in generating pressure on Athan Kaliakmanis, and Davison Igbinosun has been sharp in coverage, though a penalty wiped out an interception of his. If the Buckeyes maintain this level of play, they’ll continue to control the game in the second half.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Three takeaways from Ohio State’s lackluster first half vs Rutgers
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