For the eighth time, Ohio State is set to take on Oakland University, a rivalry that is arguably the most intense in the National Club Football Association.
The Grizzlies hold a slim lead in the series all-time, 4-3. However, the Buckeyes have won the last three games by a combined score of 126-16, including a 36-9 win in the 2019 NCFA National Championship Game and a 49-0 win last year. The 2021 matchup featured the first shutout in the series and the highest scoring output by either team in the seven matchups.
Oakland enters the game 3-1 overall, 2-1 in the Great Lakes Conference and ranked No. 5 in the NCFA Power Rankings. The Grizzlies dropped their first game of the season last week, an 18-13 nail biter against Michigan State. As the only undefeated team in the conference, Ohio State (4-0) can clinch home field advantage in the Great Lakes Conference title game with a win over Oakland on Sunday. The Grizzlies have won the Great Lakes Conference title five years in a row. Ohio State, which was a member of the Great Lakes Conference from 2012-2016, spent the last four seasons as members of the Mid-Atlantic Conference (2017-2019) and the Great American Conference (2021) before rejoining the Great Lakes in 2022.
Coming off of a bye week, Ohio State enters the rivalry game on an 11-game winning streak dating back to last season. It is the longest winning streak in program history, surpassing the nine game winning streak the Buckeyes posted in 2019, en route to a perfect season.
Ohio State’s offense is led by senior quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein and senior wide receiver Casey Scroggins. Gerenstein has accounted for 10 total touchdowns in just six quarters of action this season and has not committed a turnover, while Scroggins leads the NCFA with six touchdown receptions. The Buckeye offensive line has continued to dominate their opponents, as Ohio State is averaging 205 rushing yards per game and 52 points per game despite running clocks in two of their contests.
Defensively, the Buckeyes are led by linebacker Colby Stahl, who is coming off of a stellar performance against Wright State in which he accounted for nine tackles, two for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. On the season, Stahl has 20 total tackles, which is second on the team behind only Lance Wickham, who has 23 stops on the year.
Oakland is led by a swarming defense that is surrendering just 10.75 points per game. The Grizzlies lead the NCFA in sacks and have forced 18 turnovers in their four contests. Offensively, Oakland is averaging 24.5 points per game and is led by running back Joseph Dinaj, who has carried 46 times for 222 yards and a pair of scores this season. Quarterback Evan Plets has completed 37-of-89 passes on the year with four touchdowns to eight interceptions. His favorite target has been Miguel Garcia, who leads the Grizzlies with eight receptions on the season. Dinaj leads Oakland in receiving yards with 152 on seven catches while Tyrese Johnson has 113 yards on seven catches. Plets is also a threat to run the ball, having carried 41 times for 220 yards on the year.
The eighth meeting between the Buckeyes and Grizzlies is set to kickoff at Noon EST on Sunday, October 23 at Lincoln Tower Park in Columbus. For those who cannot attend, the game will be live-streamed on CampusNation.com.
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