Columbus, Ohio — Even with two of their premier playmakers unavailable, Ohio State barely missed a beat on Saturday night, overwhelming UCLA 48–10 and showcasing just how deep the nation’s No. 1 team truly is.
With Carnell Tate sidelined for a second straight week and Jeremiah Smith playing only limited snaps, the Buckeyes (10–0, 7–0 Big Ten) leaned on a dominant run game, timely passing, and a jolt from special teams to secure their tenth straight win.
James Peoples led the charge on the ground, scoring twice as Ohio State piled up 222 rushing yards. Special teams added a highlight moment when Lorenzo Styles Jr. delivered a 100-yard kickoff return — the program’s first since 2010.
“It was a very workmanlike effort,” head coach Ryan Day said. “We got the run game going, the defense stayed sound, and it was great to see special teams come through. We also had a chance to get a lot of young guys meaningful snaps.”
Buckeyes Strike Early and Control the Night
Ohio State opened the game with five straight scoring drives against a UCLA team missing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who was in concussion protocol.
Peoples produced the play of the night late in the first half. Taking a handoff from Julian Sayin, the freshman sprinted around the right edge, hurdled defensive back Cole Martin at the 10-yard line without breaking stride, and glided in for a 19-yard touchdown — his first of the season.
With hurdling in his family background, Peoples said the leap came naturally.
“After I did it, it felt like a movie,” he said. “You don’t really plan it. When he went low, I just went high and cleared him.”
Styles Goes the Distance
After UCLA (3–7, 3–4 Big Ten) finally got on the board in the third quarter with an 18-yard touchdown by Kwazi Gilmer, Ohio State answered immediately. Styles caught the ensuing kickoff near the goal line, crossed the field to his left, and raced untouched 100 yards to the end zone.
“It was easy on my part,” Styles said. “I didn’t have to make anyone miss — the blocking was perfect.”
UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper didn’t disagree, calling it a “no-DNA touchdown … nobody touched him.”
Sayin, Young Receivers Step Up
Quarterback Julian Sayin efficiently managed the offense despite being without his primary targets for most of the night. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, opening the night with 11 straight completions and hitting Bryson Rodgers for an 11-yard score in the second quarter.
Jeremiah Smith, still recovering from an undisclosed injury, caught four passes for 40 yards — including a one-handed snag on the opening drive — before being used sparingly. Brandon Inniss led the receiving corps with six catches.
Freshman running back Bo Jackson paced the Buckeyes on the ground with 112 yards, adding a one-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Isaiah West also found the end zone.
UCLA Struggles Without Its Starter
With Iamaleava unavailable, redshirt freshman Luke Duncan made his first collegiate start. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 154 yards, though the Bruins gained just 50 total yards before halftime.
Duncan finally generated a spark late in the third quarter with a 51-yard strike to Rico Flores, but UCLA couldn’t capitalize consistently.
“I wish we could’ve started faster,” Duncan said. “The rhythm came eventually — just too late.”
The Takeaway
UCLA: The Bruins have dropped three straight under Skipper and are staring at their second consecutive losing season — their seventh since 2016.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are poised to spend a 12th straight week atop the AP poll, nearing one of the longest No. 1 runs in program history.
Up Next:
UCLA: Hosts Washington next Saturday.
