Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — No. 3 Ohio State hosted No. 12 Oregon at Ohio Stadium in a highly anticipated non-conference matchup. Despite being favored at home, the Buckeyes fell to the Ducks 35-28 in a game that exposed weaknesses in Ohio State’s defense and saw Oregon execute a well-balanced offensive attack.

Oregon controlled the tempo early, utilizing a strong rushing attack led by running back CJ Verdell. Ohio State’s defense struggled to contain the Ducks’ outside zone runs, leading to Verdell scoring two first-half touchdowns, including a 14-yard run in the first quarter and a 77-yard touchdown early in the third quarter.

On offense, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud showed flashes of brilliance but faced consistent pressure from Oregon’s defensive front. The Buckeyes moved the ball well, but multiple stalled drives and a turnover on downs in Oregon territory prevented them from taking control. At halftime, the Ducks led 14-7.

Oregon extended its lead early in the third quarter with Verdell’s explosive 77-yard touchdown run. Ohio State responded with a 26-yard touchdown reception by Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Stroud to keep the Buckeyes within striking distance. However, the defense continued to struggle against Oregon’s well-designed rushing attack and play-action passes.

A key turning point came in the fourth quarter when, trailing 28-14, Ohio State fought back with another touchdown pass from Stroud to Smith-Njigba. Yet, Oregon countered swiftly with another touchdown drive, capped by Verdell’s third score of the game.

Despite a late touchdown by Ohio State, the Buckeyes’ final drive stalled, and a Stroud interception in the closing minutes sealed the Ducks’ victory.

Key Performances:

• C.J. Stroud (Ohio State, QB): 35-of-54 passing, 484 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT. His 484 passing yards marked one of the highest single-game totals in Ohio State history, reinforcing his ability to lead an explosive passing attack.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State, WR): 7 receptions, 145 yards, 2 TDs. He emerged as a top target in the offense alongside Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
• CJ Verdell (Oregon, RB): 20 carries, 161 yards, 2 rushing TDs; 1 receiving TD. His 77-yard touchdown run was a pivotal moment in the game and one of the longest ever against Ohio State in Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State’s offense put up impressive numbers, particularly in the passing game, but the inability to establish a consistent running attack and defensive struggles proved costly. Oregon capitalized on the Buckeyes’ defensive vulnerabilities, particularly on the edges, where they found repeated success with their running game.

The loss marked Ohio State’s first regular-season defeat since 2018 and its first home loss since 2017. It also signified Oregon’s first-ever victory over Ohio State in program history, having previously been 0-9 in the all-time series.

While Stroud’s passing performance was a bright spot, the Buckeyes’ defensive issues raised concerns moving forward in the season. Adjustments were needed, particularly in run defense and tackling, if Ohio State was to remain in the national championship conversation.