Ohio State secures Great Lakes East title, rolls Toledo 66-9 behind seven touchdown performance from Spencer Moore

For the fifth straight season, Ohio State will play for a conference title.

Behind seven touchdowns from quarterback Spencer Moore and another lights out defensive performance, the Buckeyes defeated conference rival Toledo, 66-9 on Sunday in Columbus to clinch the Great Lakes East crown.

Moore completed 24-of-39 passes for 338 yards and seven scores to one interception against the Rockets, breaking the program record for touchdown passes in a single game for the second time this season. His 24 completions also tied a program record for completions in a game, matching his own mark from a 52-17 win against Michigan State in 2022.

Receivers Abdou Keita and Patrick Parrish both recorded over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns while Zach Hayes led the team in receptions with eight for 69 yards and a score. David Cooper and running back JR Burton also hauled in a touchdown apiece as six different Buckeyes caught passes from Moore.

Ohio State led 17-3 after the end of the first quarter, a lead that swelled to 45-3 at halftime. Kicker David Rive converted on a 35-yard field goal in the opening frame and was a perfect 9-for-9 on extra points against the Rockets. Burton also led all players with 14 carries for 114 yards and another score on the ground.

Defensively, Ohio State was once again lights out. Both of Toledo’s scores came after long kick returns and the Rockets only entered Buckeye territory twice outside of the big returns. Parrish, playing both ways, recorded a nearly 20-yard sack while cornerback Reagan Little got his second interception in as many weeks, returning the pick 61 yards for a touchdown.

The Buckeye defense surrendered just four first downs, tallied nine tackles for loss and deflected eight passes. Ohio State knocked down Toledo quarterbacks seven times and forced eight three-and-outs.

A week after being held to just seven points, the Buckeyes never punted against the Rockets and blocked two Toledo punts.

Ohio State is set for a rematch against Michigan State in the Great Lakes Conference Championship Game, won last season by the Buckeyes, 59-21. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Ithaca High School in Ithaca, MI.