Ohio State Dominates Ball State 56-3

The top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes opened their 2026 college football season with a dominant 56-3 victory over the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, September 5, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The win showcased the explosive potential of the Buckeyes' returning stars, quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who led a potent offense in front of a home crowd. Sayin, a junior Heisman Trophy contender, was highly efficient in the first half, throwing three touchdown passes and adding a 3-yard rushing score. He was pulled midway through the third quarter with Ohio State holding a commanding 42-3 lead. Smith, also a junior projected as a top pick in the 2027 NFL draft, caught two of those touchdown passes, including a 48-yard strike in the first quarter and a skillful toe-tap reception in the end zone to close out the first half. The Buckeyes' offense was nearly unstoppable early, scoring on four of their first six possessions. The performance was a continuation of the chemistry the duo built last season, when they led Ohio State to a 12-2 record and a College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance. The team entered the game as a 50.