Ohio State football is playing in its 113th season in the Big Ten. Washington has just started its second.
Which is why, despite the Buckeyes’ 9-3 record against the Huskies, this was the first time they met as conference foes.
In this milestone battle, Ohio State ended the first half and started the second half with touchdowns by Jermiah Smith (18-yard catch) and CJ Donaldson (1-yard run), respectively, to build a 14-3 lead.
Given the outstanding play of OSU’s defense, particularly Caden Curry, that’s more scoring than the Buckeyes would need. But Donaldson would also add a 4-yard touchdown catch on a fourth-down, fourth-quarter play to make the final 24-6.
Ohio State hoped to get off to a fast start and even altered its travel schedule to make that happen, but the game opened with each team making defensive stops. And following the Buckeye defense’s second stop, OSU’s Brandon Inniss fumbled the resulting punt return.
Meanwhile, Washington also opened sloppily. The Huskies were called for five penalties in the first quarter.
The Ohio State offense would end up finding a rhythm, albeit a conservative one. Meanwhile, Curry would record 11 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.
Relive Ohio State’s 24-6 win through The Dispatch live blog.
Ohio State vs Washington score
Big Ten scoreboard
Ohio State vs Washington final stats
Ohio State vs Washington final score
Ohio State improves to 4-0 by beating Washington 24-6. The Buckeyes ended Washington’s 22-game home winning streak in the process. They will next face Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4.
Ohio State, CJ Donaldson makes fourth-down touchdown | Ohio State 24, Washington 6
4:56 left in fourth quarter: On fourth-and-1 from the 4-yard line, OSU coach Ryan Day decided to go for it and may have landed the dagger as a result. CJ Donaldson slipped out and caught a short pass from Julian Sayin for a touchdown.
Although Sayin started slow and his longest pass is 18 yards, his numbers now are pretty decent: 21 of 27 for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
OSU defense makes stop on fourth down
8:44 left in fourth quarter: The Buckeyes’ eighth tackle for loss today gave OSU the ball back because it came on a fourth-and-2 play.
Caden Curry is having a day, but…
Caden Curry’s second sack, fourth tackle for loss and seventh tackle overall came on a third-and-3 play. Apparently stopped, the Huskies still got new life when Eddrick Houston was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play.
Jayden Fielding extends Ohio State lead | Ohio State 17, Washington 6
13:19 left in fourth quarter: The Buckeyes and Huskies have exchanged field goals. Jayden Fielding hit a 34-yard kick after an OSU drive that chewed up 5:30.
Ohio State vs Washington third-quarter stats:
Washington stymied by Ohio State defense in red zone again | Ohio State 14, Washington 3
3:49 left in third quarter: Ohio State’s red-zone defense continues to limit Washington. In three trips within the 20-yard line, the Huskies have come away with just two field goals.
CJ Donaldson extends Ohio State lead | Ohio State 14, Washington 3
7:19 left in third quarter: Julian Sayin threw for 62 on Ohio State’s opening drive of the second half, but that drive was capped by a 1-yard CJ Donaldson run.
Jeremiah Smith sets new mark
OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has five receptions today, so he has 101 catches in his career and has passed Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the fastest Buckeye to 100 career catches. … with JSN in the house.
Against Ohio, in Smith’s 19th game, he broke Smith-Njigba’s record for fastest to 1,500 yards.
Caden Curry leading Ohio State’s defense
Ohio State’s Caden Curry has an impressive three tackles for loss, including a sack today. He has six tackles overall.
Ohio State vs Washington halftime stats
Jeremiah Smith scores for the Buckeyes | Ohio State 7, Washington 3
1:08 left in second quarter: Jeremiah Smith has scored his 19th career touchdown as an Ohio State Buckeye. It was an 18-yard reception but came on a short crossing route, over the middle, and Smith found space after receiving the ball.
Julian Sayin starting to find his stride for Ohio State
OSU’s Julian Sayin completed just two of his first four pass attempts, but has since connected on four of his last five. Ohio State still hasn’t taken many downfield shots, and Sayin’s longest completion is 11 yards.
Again, a reminder, Washington corner Tacario Davis is out injured today.
Ohio State buckles down again
4:39 left in second quarter: Washington attempted a fake field goal, but the resulting pass fell well incomplete. It’s another drive on which OSU’s defense got chunked before tightening up. Washington has five plays of 15 yards or more (four pass plays, one 34-yard run); Ohio State has none. The Buckeyes’ longest play is an 11-yard CJ Donaldson rush. However, the Huskies hold a slim 3-0 edge.
Ohio State’s offense opens fairly conservatively
Ohio State’s script against Texas in the opener was to simply ask Julian Sayin not to lose the game. In the redshirt freshman’s first road game of the year, the game plan feels similar. OSU has run the ball 11 times and gone to the air four times. And Sayin’s longest completion is for 6 yards.
Washington opens scoring vs Ohio State | Washington 3, Ohio State 0
14:05 left in second quarter: The Huskies made it as close as the OSU 2-yard line, but the Buckeyes’ defense buckled down, and Washington was flagged for its fifth penalty of the day. So UW settled for a 28-yard field goal.
Ohio State vs Washington 1st quarter stats
Ohio State’s Brandon Inniss fumbles
OSU’s Brandon Inniss gave up the ball and an opportunity to give Ohio State strong field position. Washington takes over at their 21-yard line after the botched Buckeyes punt return.
Washington penalties piling up
The Huskies committed three penalties on their most recent drive. First, they were ruled to have committed sideline interference, then head coach Jedd Fisch was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for running out on to the field and barking at an official. Finally, they were flagged for an illegal snap. They had to punt as a result.
Ohio State stopped on fourth down
OSU traveled 46 yards, 39 on the ground, before Washington’s defense stymied the Buckeyes on the 4-yard line. Ohio State has struggled in the red zone this season, entering today’s game ranked No. 69 nationally in that category.
Ohio State’s defense opens strong
The Buckeyes gave up just 8 yards on Washington’s opening drive. They made two stops for no gain and forced Washington into a short punt. OSU takes over at the 50-yard line.
Ohio State football wins the toss
The Bucekyes chose to defer to the second half and will kick off to Washington.
Who are the officials for Ohio State vs Washington?
Ohio State record watch: Jeremiah Smith needs four catches
If OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith records four receptions today, he will tie Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the fastest Buckeye to 100 career catches. Smith-Njigba accomplished the feat in 20 games. Against Ohio, in Smith’s 19th game, he broke Smith-Njigba’s record for fastest to 1,500 yards.
Washington cornerback Tacario Davis hurt
Officially, the Huskies list Tacario Davis as questionable, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel says the cornerback is doubtful to play today. Davis has recorded an interception in the win over UC Davis and had two pass break-ups in the team’s opener against Colorado State.
The previous year at Arizona, Davis recorded 44 tackles and six pass breakups en route to being named second-team All-Big 12.
Washington team leaders
Ohio State team leaders
Ohio State vs Washington time today
What channel is Ohio State vs Washington on today?
The broadcast team features Brad Nessler calling the action, Gary Danielson providing commentary and Jenny Dell reporting from the sidelines.
The radio announcers are Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (color analyst) and Tyler Danburg (sideline reporter).
Ohio State vs Washington history
Ohio State is 9-3 all time against Washington, with the most recent meeting coming in the 2019 Rose Bowl. OSU won that contest, Urban Meyer’s last as the Buckeyes’ coach, 28-23. That extended Ohio State’s win streak over Washington to four straight. OSU is 4-2 in Seattle.
The last time Ohio State played at Husky Stadium, in 2007, current OSU assistants Brian Hartline (6 catches, 88 yards, a touchdown) and James Laurinaitis (two interceptions) paced a 33-14 win.
Ohio State vs Washington predictions
Ohio State vs Washington betting odds
Over/under: 52.5
Spread: Ohio State by 8.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sept. 26.
Ohio State vs Washington injury updates
The Buckeyes took advantage of their bye week. Nickel back Lorenzo Styles, who left Ohio State’s 37-9 win early with an apparent upper-body injury, is set to return today. In fact, all of OSU’s starters are available, and running back Anthony Rogers, tight end Max LeBlanc and defensive lineman Jason Moore are no longer listed as unavailable.
The Buckeyes did list safety Brenten Jones, linebacker Eli Lee, quarterback Mason Maggs, defensive tackle Max Roy, safety Deshawn Stewart, defensive lineman Ahmed Tounkara and wide receiver Preston Wolfe as out.
Ohio State vs Washington weather update
According to weather.gov, the weather on Saturday in Seattle, Washington, will be partly cloudy with a high near 74, and there will be a calm wind in the afternoon.
Ohio State football schedule 2025
Washington football schedule 2025
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football vs. Washington highlights, OSU defense dominates Huskies
Reporting by Lori Schmidt, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
