The Opening Drive 1/1: Buckeyes See Season End vs. Hurricanes
A slow start and losing the battle up front proved too much to overcome.
The messaging all week was clear — this game was going to be decided in the trenches.
If you watched the game last night, it didn’t take long to see that the Miami Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage. They set the tone early, dictated the physicality, and forced Ohio State to play from behind almost immediately.
Miami’s defensive line was as advertised. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor were consistently difficult for Ohio State’s tackles to handle in pass protection, while interior upfield penetration created major problems for the Buckeyes’ zone run game. The combination of edge pressure and interior disruption never allowed Ohio State to find rhythm early in the game.
Room to grow for Julian
Julian Sayin showed his youth last night, and like Marcel Reed before him, it was tough to climb out of the early hole. Sayin faced consistent pressure and never looked fully comfortable in the pocket during the first half, often speeding up his internal clock as Miami continued to win up front.
That said, credit the redshirt freshman — he responded in the third quarter. Sayin made more decisive throws, protected the football, and showed improved command as the offense briefly found its footing. Unfortunately, the pressure that defined the first half resurfaced, and it ultimately proved too much for the Buckeyes to overcome.
Special Teams Issues Continue
Special teams mistakes added to Ohio State’s uphill climb. Before halftime, Jayden Fielding missed a field goal that should have put points on the board. In a game defined by limited opportunities, those points mattered.
Later, late in the fourth quarter, another critical mistake followed. Joey McGuire executed a punt that pinned Miami inside the 10-yard line, only for it to be erased by an illegal formation penalty. Forced to re-kick, Ohio State instead allowed Miami to start near its own 30-yard line.
In close games, surrendering points before halftime and giving away 20 yards of field position late in the fourth quarter is a combination that cannot happen. Against an opponent already controlling the trenches, those errors removed any remaining margin for error — and they proved costly.
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A Window of Momentum
All season long, there has been a question about how the Buckeyes would respond when they finally got punched in the face. To open the third quarter, they answered that question — and they answered it well.
Ohio State came out with clear intent and made key adjustments in the run game (which we’ll dive into further in the Film Room). The offense found better answers against Miami’s front, and Julian Sayin played with noticeably improved rhythm, getting the ball out on time and making decisive throws.
And Jeremiah Smith… well, he’s really good.
The Buckeyes were able to punch the ball into the end zone with Bo Jackson to cut into the deficit, then followed it up by converting a critical fourth down in the red zone, where Sayin found Smith on a slant for a touchdown that made it 17–14. For a team that had struggled in the red zone throughout the season, Ohio State did a solid job capitalizing on its opportunities when it got there last night.
That window, however, didn’t stay open long enough — and once Miami reasserted control up front, Ohio State never regained the momentum. — and we all know how this one ended.
A Season in Perspective
The Buckeyes finish the season with a 12–2 record, but also on a two-game losing streak. There will be pundits who say this Ohio State team was overrated, that the schedule was weak, and so on. There will be some who are critical of Days play calling (I believe the film will show something different). All of this comes with the territory of consistently being at towards the top of college football.
But the last two times we’ve seen this Buckeye team, they had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead. Both the Miami and Indiana games were tightly contested matchups where Ohio State simply didn’t play its best — particularly in the trenches.
Are there questions that need to be answered? Absolutely. But it’s also worth acknowledging that Miami and Indiana are really good, well-coached football teams.
I refuse to end The Opening Drive on a negative note, so I’ll end it here: CALEB DOWNS PLAYED OUT OF HIS MIND LAST NIGHT — and no matter the result, it’s ALWAYS a great day to be a Buckeye.
Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
