Ball State football season got off to as tough a start as one could imagine.
Ball State took a trip to Columbus, Ohio, to take on No. 1 Ohio State in its 2026 season opener. The Buckeyes lived up to their billing as the top-ranked team in the country, dominating from start to finish on their way to a 49-3 victory over the Cardinals.
Here are three takeaways from Ball State's season-opening loss at Ohio State:
Well, they are No. 1 for a reason. Ohio State is a perennial national ****** le contender, and the Buckeyes certainly looked the part in their opener. After a three-and-out on its opening drive, the Ohio State offense was virtually unstoppable for the rest of the game, finishing with 671 total yards. Meanwhile, the defense suffocated Ball State and held the Cardinals to just three points and 165 total yards, including a third quarter where Ball State's offense totaled -7 yards.
Ohio State's offensive superstars showed out. Quarterback Julian Sayin went 21-for-25 with 320 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hauled in eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. Running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson also had big games with 87 and 83 rushing yards, respectively, and one touchdown apiece.
#season #cardinals
Ball State took a trip to Columbus, Ohio, to take on No. 1 Ohio State in its 2026 season opener. The Buckeyes lived up to their billing as the top-ranked team in the country, dominating from start to finish on their way to a 49-3 victory over the Cardinals.
Here are three takeaways from Ball State's season-opening loss at Ohio State:
Well, they are No. 1 for a reason. Ohio State is a perennial national ****** le contender, and the Buckeyes certainly looked the part in their opener. After a three-and-out on its opening drive, the Ohio State offense was virtually unstoppable for the rest of the game, finishing with 671 total yards. Meanwhile, the defense suffocated Ball State and held the Cardinals to just three points and 165 total yards, including a third quarter where Ball State's offense totaled -7 yards.
Ohio State's offensive superstars showed out. Quarterback Julian Sayin went 21-for-25 with 320 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hauled in eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. Running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson also had big games with 87 and 83 rushing yards, respectively, and one touchdown apiece.
#season #cardinals
2 months ago
