After playing back-to-back NCAA Div. III (JV) programs to open the season, Ohio State returned to NCFA league play on Oct. 2 and handed rival Oakland its worst loss in program history.
The Buckeyes topped Oakland 49-0 on Saturday, the largest margin of defeat in Grizzly history, and their first home loss since 2015. It was also the first loss Oakland has suffered at Elaine Leigh Stadium, built in 2017.
Despite a slow start offensively, the Ohio State defense picked up the slack, opening the scoring with a scoop-and-score from Matt Newsome who took the ball 47 yards for a score after forcing the fumble.
The offense finally got on the board late in the first quarter as running back Jalen Haley ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run to push the score to 14-0 through the opening frame.
After throwing two first quarter interceptions, quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein settled in during the second quarter, scoring from four yards out on the ground, giving Ohio State a 21-0 advantage.
The Buckeyes then put together a scoring drive just before the half, ending with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Gerenstein to tight end Adam Bardak, putting Ohio State up 28-0 at halftime.
To start the second half, Haley returned the opening kick back all the way to the Oakland 17-yard line. On the ensuing play, Gerenstein found wide receiver Anthony Novak for a score, pushing the lead to 35-0 and starting a running clock for the remainder of the contest, per NCFA rules. Novak finished the game with four receptions for 34 yards and the score.
After getting the ball back again from the defense, Ohio State scored on a 73-yard passing strike from Gerenstein to Casey Scroggins. Scroggins, a week removed from a record-setting performance, finished the game with four receptions for 115 yards and the long score.
Haley finished the scoring with another long run, ripping off a 39-yard score to make it 49-0 late in the third quarter.
The shutout was the third in the last two seasons (no games played in 2020) by the Buckeye defense, which forced six turnovers in the victory. Safety Kaleb Slover recorded two interceptions on the day, while Scroggins and cornerback David Cooper each added one. Newsome and defensive tackle Kwame Peprah each recovered a fumble. The Oakland offense crossed midfield just twice and never entered the red zone.
Linebacker Colby Stahl also delivered a standout performance, collecting 10 total tackles, nine of which were solo stops.
Offensively, Gerenstein finished the day 10-of-19 passing for 162 yards and three touchdowns to two interceptions, adding 38 yards on the ground and a score on just six carries. His last three pass attempts of the game all went for scores. Haley carried 14 times for 145 yards and two scores, the third-best performance in terms of rushing yards in program history.
Ohio State is set to return to action Oct. 10 against George Mason at home, the first home game of the season. Kickoff is set for Noon.
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