The Ohio State Buckeyes have rolled past the Akron Zips 52-6 to improve to 1-0 on the season and successfully defend their home turf.
New starting quarterback Will Howard was the talk of the game as he recorded three passing touchdowns and led the offense. After the game was 17-3 at the half, the Buckeyes turned their offense up a notch and began to score with ease against the Zips. The defense of the Buckeyes forced three turnovers and watched the Zips go through three quarterbacks as well.
Ohio State Buckeyes Run Through Akron Zips Behind Quarterback Will Howard
The Ohio State Buckeyes team has shown that everything is clicking on their team after dismantling the Akron Zips, winning 52-6. The Zips visited Columbus with hopes of keeping the game somewhat competitive, but could not achieve that against the Buckeyes. The Zips played three different quarterbacks against the Buckeyes and still were held to just six points.
The Buckeyes fans received their first look at new starting quarterback Will Howard after he transferred into the program. Howard previously played for Kansas State and had a successful run as the starting quarterback before hitting the transfer portal as arguably the top entry. The quarterback got off to a hot start for the Ohio State Buckeyes as he threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
Howard led the offense for the Ohio State Buckeyes alongside running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Henderson and Judkins combined for 120 yards and one touchdown on the ground against the Zips. Judkins had the majority of the carries with 13 touches for the Buckeyes during the win.
Ohio State Football Preparing to Repeat Performance Against Western Michigan Broncos
Ohio State Buckeyes center Seth McLaughlin (56) blocks for quarterback Will Howard (18) after the snap during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
The next team on the schedule for the Ohio State Buckeyes is the Western Michigan Broncos who will be visiting Columbus. The Broncos are fresh off a 28-14 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, a game in which they were winning 14-13 before a muffed punt derailed their upset hopes. Western Michigan displayed that they have a capable offense and a physical defense, but the Buckeyes will be a much harder test for the Broncos.
The Western Michigan offense is run through quarterback Hayden Wolff, a strong-armed athlete who has an issue with making the correct read. Wolff is prone to turning the ball over, but when a receiver is left open the quarterback is no slouch. Alongside Wolff is running back Jalen Buckley, the heart and soul of the Broncos offense.
In order for the Buckeyes to truly shut down the Western Michigan offense, they will need to stop Buckley. The running back is extremely quick and can reach top speed easily which allows for long runs and great separation. Buckley held his own against the Badgers and gave the defense all sorts of problems in his season-opening performance.
If the Ohio State Buckeyes staff keys in on Buckley, it will likely force the Western Michigan offense to throw the ball against a more than-capable secondary. Wolff is a solid quarterback, but not the most accurate passer and likely will make mistakes if he is forced to pass against the Buckeyes. The quarterback has already thrown an interception this season against the Badgers.
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