After an unexpected week off, the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Club Football program is set to return to action October 8 against conference foe Wright State.
The Buckeyes and Raiders have battled every year since 2012 and have twice met on two occasions in the same season (2017, 2021). Last year, Ohio State won the regular season matchup 57-7 at Wright State before winning again, 55-12, in the Great American Conference Championship a week later in Columbus.
Ohio State is 10-1 since 2012 against Wright State, with the lone loss coming in 2014. So far in 2022, the Buckeyes are 3-0 with wins over Toledo, Michigan State and a forfeit victory over Loyola Chicago.
Wright State enters the 2022 tilt 0-2 following a 38-0 loss at the hands of Toledo last week. The Raiders are entering a new era, as first-year Head Coach Markee Zrnich, a former NCFA All-American for Wright State, leads a revamped roster and staff. Zrnich brought in former teammate and fellow All-American Nolin Jackson to run his defense which is led by linebacker Christian Garrison.
The Wright State defense has proven to be the strength of its team. Through two games, the Raiders have corralled three interceptions and forced multiple turnovers on downs in the red zone a week ago against the Rockets.
Offensively, the Raiders have already played three different quarterbacks through two games. Expected starter Sherman Moncrief was injured early on against Toledo and did not return. Backup Kev Dixon took the majority of the reps against the Rockets while star running back Cody Smith was called upon to take the snaps in a 28-9 loss to Michigan State in Week 1.
When healthy, Smith and Moncrief have proven to be an explosive 1-2 punch in the Raider backfield as Smith rushed for over 100 yards against Michigan State, despite the loss.
For Ohio State, the Buckeyes used the unexpected bye week to get healthy. Quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein is set to return after missing the Michigan State game, in which backup Spencer Moore threw for an impressive 381 yards. Gerenstein returns to lead an offense that is averaging more than 500 yards of offense per game and has committed just one turnover.
Running back Johnathan Thiele leads the NCFA in rushing yards (246) and rushing yards per game (123) while wide receiver Abdou Keita leads the league in receiving yards with 263. Casey Scroggins leads the league in touchdown receptions with four and is second in the league in receptions with 14. Scroggins also leads the league in interceptions defensively, collecting four through two games.
Junior running back Jalen Haley is just 53 rushing yards away from 1,000 in his career. He is looking to become the third 1,000-yard back in team history alongside Madu Eneli (2017, 2019) and Gerenstein.
Defensively, Ohio State boasts a defense that forced 11 turnovers in its first two matchups against Toledo and Michigan State. Safety Christian Allen has two INTs on the year and also blocked a punt against the Spartans. Linebackers Lance Wickham and Colby Stahl lead the Buckeyes in tackles with 15 and 11 respectively while defensive ends James Smith III and Trey Jones are tied for the team lead in sacks with 2.5 apiece.
Kickoff against the Raiders is set for Noon EST on Saturday, October 8 at Mulholland Field on the campus of Wright State. Admission is $5 at the gate. For those unable to attend, the game will be live-streamed for free on CampusNation.com.
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