FAIRBORN, Ohio – For the third straight game, Ohio State scored more than 50 points, en route to a dominating victory.
The Buckeyes rolled to a 53-12 victory over Wright State on Saturday to move to 4-0 on the season, thanks to a stifling defense which created great field position for the Ohio State offense.
Ohio State did not punt against the Raiders, yet managed just 283 yards of offense thanks to multiple short fields set up by the Buckeye defense. Quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein, playing for the first time since September 18, accounted for six total touchdowns, five of which came through the air to set a new program record for single-game touchdown passes.
The Buckeyes received the opening kickoff and capped off a 61-yard scoring drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Gerenstein to wide receiver Abdou Keita. Ohio State’s defense immediately forced a three-and-out, and recovered a blocked punt inside Wright State’s 15-yard line. A 10-yard scoring strike two plays later from Gerenstein to Casey Scroggins put the Buckeyes up 14-0 in the blink of an eye.
Wright State started its ensuing drive inside its own 20, and Ohio State’s defense immediately forced a turnover as linebacker Colby Stahl intercepted Cody Smith at the Raiders 13-yard line. Two plays later, the Buckeyes found the end zone again as junior running back Johnathan Thiele plunged in from a yard out to push the score to 21-0.
The following Wright State drive ended with a blocked field goal, and Ohio State’s offense went back to work. Starting on their own 20-yard line, the Buckeyes quickly marched 80 yards and scored again, this time on the legs of Gerenstein who scored from eight yards out. The run was set up by a 31-yard scamper from running back Jalen Haley, who carried just four times for 67 yards. That output led all Buckeyes and put him over 1,000 career rushing yards, making him just the third player in team history to reach that milestone.
Leading 28-0, Ohio State’s defense forced yet another turnover, recovering a fumble inside the Wright State 10-yard line. Gerenstein tossed his third touchdown pass of the day, finding tight end Spencer Moore for a three yard score to push the score to 35-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Wright State muffed the kick and ran out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety. The Buckeyes put together yet another scoring drive as kicker David Rive connected a 41-yard field goal to push the Ohio State lead to 40-0 at the half. The 41-yard kick ties Lorenzo King’s program record for longest made field goal in team history.
With a running clock for the entirety of the second half per NCFA rules, Ohio State managed just two scores. Gerenstein connected on a second touchdown pass to Scroggins from 14 yards out, while also finding Praise Olatoke for a 17-yard score. Aided by multiple Ohio State penalties, Wright State was able to get on the board early in the third quarter with a short touchdown run and scored on the final play of the game to finish with a 53-12 score.
Defensively, Ohio State was led by Stahl, who led the team with nine tackles, two for loss. He also collected a fumble recovery and a pass breakup in addition to his first quarter interception. Fellow linebacker Lance Wickham added eight tackles in the victory while safety Christian Allen finished with six tackles.
Ohio State heads into its bye week with a 4-0 record. The Buckeyes are off next week and will return to action on Oct. 23 at home against Oakland. Wright State, now 0-3, is scheduled to host Miami (OH) next week. The Redhawks are also 0-3 on the year.
Game Notes:
- Ohio State is the second team in NCFA history to score 50 or more points in three straight games and the first team to accomplish that feat in a decade. The last team to do it was UM-Flint in 2012.
- Haley joins Gerenstein and Madu Eneli as the only Buckeyes to rush for 1,000 career yards.
- Backup kicker Surya Pukazhenthi connected on his first career PAT in the fourth quarter.
- In five career games against Wright State, Gerenstein has accounted for 23 total touchdowns, zero interceptions and 1,128 total offensive yards.
- Gerenstein’s five touchdown passes breaks the team record. Gerenstein, teammate Spencer Moore and 2012 signal caller Jeff Porter had all recorded games of four touchdown passes.
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