Julian Sayin threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns to help No. 1 Ohio State overcome its red-zone flubs for a 37-9 victory over visiting Ohio in Columbus on Saturday.
The Buckeyes (3-0) led 16-9 in the third quarter before Sayin (25 of 32, two interceptions) threw TD passes of 47 yards to Jeremiah Smith and 49 to Carnell Tate to make it 30-9 early in the fourth quarter before Smith added a 17-yard rushing score for a 37-9 lead.
Smith made nine catches for 153 yards, Tate’s five catches went for 101 yards and freshman Bo Jackson ran for 109 yards on nine carries.
The Buckeyes drove inside the 10 three times that resulted in two fields and a turnover on downs plus there was another possession stalled at the 20 that led to a field goal.
Ohio (1-2) has lost all seven games against the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes had an eye-popping statistical advantage but had little to show for it in taking a 13-3 halftime lead. Ohio State led in total yards (278-28), passing (199-23), rushing (79-5), plays (39-2) and first downs (16-3).
They had two series that drove inside the 10 that combined for 19 plays, 129 yards and 8:57 off the clock but the only points were a 20-yard field goal from Jayden Fielding.
The Buckeyes also had to settle for a 38-yard field goal before finally breaking through with 2:29 left in the half on a 16-yard TD catch by former Purdue tight end Max Klare.
Ohio made it 13-3 on a 44-yard field goal by Brack Peacock with 24 seconds left before halftime after a Michael Mack II interception.
Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro was injured early in the second quarter but returned on the first drive of the third quarter and on the second play threw a 67-yard touchdown to Chase Hendricks. Peacock missed the extra point.
Ohio State responded with a 64-yard run by Jackson to the 11 but the Bobcats stiffened and forced a 22-yard field goal to make it 16-9.
Navarro was 6 of 13 for 94 yards.
