The Ohio State Buckeyes found their groove in a dominant 34-17 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers. Let’s break down the performances with our Week 16 report card.
Quarterback: A
Kyle McCord was in full control of the game, delivering a poised and efficient performance. He seemed unflappable in the pocket, reading the defense well and making the right throws. McCord completed 23 of 32 passes for 336 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a 137.0 passer rating. His deep ball was especially impressive, and he kept the offense moving at a smooth pace throughout the contest.
Running Backs: A
Miyan Williams was the engine of Ohio State’s offense, stepping up in a big way with TreVeyon Henderson sidelined. Whether running through the tackles or catching passes out of the backfield, Williams was a threat every time he touched the ball. He finished with 27 touches, 154 yards, and a touchdown. His physicality and ability to break tackles were crucial in setting the tone for the Buckeyes’ offense.
There were a few short-yardage situations where Henderson’s absence was felt, but Williams proved he could handle the workload, running tough and initiating contact when needed.
Tight Ends: B
Cade Stover didn’t make a huge impact in the receiving game but was solid as a blocker and made a key contribution with a touchdown catch. He hauled in four catches for 43 yards and made his presence felt in the running game, contributing to Ohio State’s success on the ground. His blocking will earn a closer review upon film study.
Wide Receivers: A-
Marvin Harrison Jr. was spectacular, adding another highlight-reel performance with an 82-yard touchdown catch that showcased his elite speed and route-running. He was a matchup nightmare for Tennessee’s secondary all game long. Emeka Egbuka also had a solid outing with 70 yards and a touchdown, though he had a couple of missed opportunities. He made a crucial third-and-17 conversion, which kept the offense on track and allowed Ohio State to control the game.
Offensive Line: A
The offensive line played one of their best games of the season. McCord was only sacked once, and the Buckeyes finished with 146 rushing yards at an average of 4.6 yards per carry. The O-line opened up plenty of running lanes for Williams, and their pass protection allowed McCord to stay comfortable in the pocket. There was only one penalty—a false start by freshman Donovan Jackson—but otherwise, it was a nearly flawless performance.
Defensive Line: C
Ohio State’s defensive line had a strong outing in terms of stopping the run. The Volunteers were held to minimal yardage on the ground, and they struggled to break through the Buckeyes’ defensive front. However, the pass rush was underwhelming, and Tennessee’s quarterback was able to extend plays and buy time in the pocket. Despite being in passing situations for much of the second half, Ohio State couldn’t consistently get pressure on the passer without sending extra defenders. The defensive line finished with just five quarterback hits, with edge rushers contributing only two of those.
Linebackers: C-
The linebackers struggled to contain Tennessee’s playmakers, especially when the Volunteers used misdirection or targeted running backs and tight ends in the passing game. One notable mistake came when a linebacker lost track of Tennessee’s tight end, leading to a touchdown. However, there were moments of improvement, and the return of Tommy Eichenberg should provide a significant boost to the group moving forward.
Secondary: C+
The secondary had a mixed performance. There were some strong individual efforts, such as safety Josh Proctor’s key tackles and cornerback Denzel Burke’s solid coverage. However, Tennessee’s receivers still found success, and Ohio State’s pass coverage looked shaky at times. The defense allowed some big plays, especially on deep shots, and the Buckeyes need to tighten up their coverage moving forward. Brian Branch had an up-and-down game, but he finished with a team-high 12 tackles and added a pass breakup.
Special Teams: C
Special teams had an uneventful game overall. Kicker Noah Ruggles made his routine field goals, but his 65-yard attempt was a miss, especially after a costly penalty that pushed the distance back five yards. Punter Jesse Mirco had a solid game, though nothing stood out as remarkable. Returner Xavier Johnson had a strong 36-yard return to give the offense good field position, but otherwise, special teams were just average.
Coaching: A-
In terms of in-game decisions, Ohio State’s coaching staff was sharp. The offense stayed aggressive and didn’t slow down despite holding a comfortable lead for most of the game. Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline kept the pressure on Tennessee, with McCord throwing 32 passes and continuing to push the ball downfield. Defensively, though, there was room for improvement in terms of generating consistent pass rush and tightening up coverage. The secondary could use more time to build chemistry with some of the new rotations.
Overall, it was a strong performance by Ohio State, with some areas for improvement heading into the next game.