Proof points from Ohio State’s bounce-back victory over Northwestern, presented by High Bank Distillery

Presented by High Bank Distillery Co.

Ohio State bounced back from two straight losses with a 28-19 win over Northwestern to get back in the win column, a game that wasn’t as close as the final score showed.

Let’s take a look at some evidence points from the Buckeyes’ victory over Northwestern to get to 7-3 on the season.

4

As Ohio State’s red zone offense, or lack thereof, has been a major topic of discussion and concern for much of the season, things looked a little better on Saturday, despite the fumble on the final possession.

On six trips inside the Wildcats’ 20-yard line, OSU scored a touchdown on four of them, while all four of Ohio State’s scores against Northwestern came inside the red zone. Those four conversions consisted of four different touchdown scorers.

• Isaiah West, four-yard touchdown run

• Bo Jackson’s two-yard touchdown run

• Devin McCuin caught an eight-yard touchdown

• Jeremiah Smith catches 10-yard touchdown

Before this weekend, Ohio State had scored a touchdown on just 13 of 24 trips inside the red zone over the first nine games of the season, while scoring a field goal on eight of the other possessions.

5

Not just one bag, but several bags!?

Ohio State’s defense has struggled to get to the quarterback this season, or at least get the quarterback downfield in the backfield.

The Buckeyes had five sacks in the win over Northwestern after having just 11 sacks in the first nine games of the season. Kenyatta Jackson led the way with two sacks, while Qua Russaw, Will Smith Jr. and James Smith each had a sack.

The five sacks are Ohio State’s most sacks since the Buckeyes had six sacks in a win at Washington on Sept. 27, 2025.

1.8

Thanks in part to the five sacks that accounted for a total of -27 yards, Northwestern averaged just 1.8 yards per carry against OSU.

The Wildcats had just 29 carries for 53 yards. For comparison, Ohio State had 35 carries for 168 yards (4.8 yards per carry).

The Buckeyes’ defense stifled Northwestern’s rushing attack for much of the game, but especially in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats had two runs for -11 yards in the final quarter against the Buckeyes. With that, they had 10 carries for just five yards in the second half.

Through the first nine games of the season, Northwestern averaged 190.2 rushing yards per game (33rd in the nation), including 4.9 yards per carry.

(Top photo: IMAGE IMAGES via Reuters Connect)