The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a commanding performance Saturday night, dismantling the Minnesota Golden Gophers 42-14 in a primetime Big Ten battle at Ohio Stadium. With the Horseshoe packed under the lights—a rare nighttime vibe for Columbus—the Buckeyes wasted no time asserting dominance, jumping ahead 21-0 by halftime. Indeed, coach Ryan Day's squad looked every bit the national title contender, their offense firing on all cylinders while the defense suffocated Minnesota's young signal-caller Drake Lindsey.
Minnesota, clinging to a 3-1 record and hoping for an upset, started sluggishly. The Gophers managed a field goal early, but that was it for their momentum. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith hauled in two touchdowns, showcasing why he's the top freshman in the country, and the running game piled up 250 yards behind Quinshon Judkins. On the flip side, the Gophers' defense, led by standout Koi Perich, showed flashes but couldn't contain the Buckeyes' relentless attack. Lindsey completed 18 of 32 passes for 162 yards and a score, but three interceptions sealed Minnesota's fate—costly turnovers that highlighted their inexperience against elite competition.
However, credit where it's due: the Gophers hung tough in the second half, scoring twice to avoid a total rout. Their special teams unit, a point of emphasis lately, flipped the field a couple times, but it wasn't enough against Ohio State's depth. The Buckeyes now sit at 5-0, 2-0 in the Big Ten, with eyes on tougher tests ahead. Minnesota drops to 3-2, and questions linger about their ceiling this season. Moreover, the game exposed some rust in Ohio State's secondary early on, though they adjusted quickly.
Day praised his team's focus postgame, calling it a "complete effort" despite the lopsided score. For the Gophers, it's back to the drawing board—perhaps leaning more on Perich's versatility at safety and return duties. As the Big Ten season heats up, one can't help but wonder if these blowouts will prepare Ohio State for the playoff grind, or if complacency might creep in down the line.