Ohio State defeats Ohio Northern JV in weather-shortened game, 7-3

Ohio State moved to 2-0 on the season with a weather-shortened win on Sunday, defeating Ohio Northern JV, 7-3.

Playing with 12 minute quarters, the Buckeyes received the opening kickoff but were turned away on a fourth down attempt near midfield to open the game.

Ohio State’s defense stiffened in the red zone, surrendering just three points as the Polar Bears converted a 22-yard field goal to take an early lead.

Ohio Northern carried their lead into the second quarter before a seven play, 54-yard Ohio State drive was capped by a 14-yard touchdown run by Buckeye quarterback Niko Pappas. In just one half of football, Pappas rushed eight times for 99 yards and the lone touchdown of the game. Pappas also added 42 passing yards on the day as senior Jalen Haley caught two passes for 22 yards and tight end Aidan Donovan caught a pair for 20 yards.

As a team, the Buckeyes rushed for 139 yards on 19 carries in just a half of football against ONU with JR Burton chipping in 25 yards on seven carries. Ohio State would reach the red zone again late in the second quarter but were turned away on fourth down from the four yard line as a pass from Pappas to freshman JP Naylor fell incomplete.

The Polar Bears ran out the clock to send the game to halftime before severe storms in the area forced ONU officials to call the game after a 30-minute delay.

Defensively, Ohio State’s run game was stout. Ohio Northern managed just 47 yards of total offense as the Polar Bears had negative net yardage running the football. Freshman Ryan Keenan led the Buckeyes with eight total tackles and senior Matt Humphreys had a pair of sacks in the lone half of play.

The Buckeyes move to 5-4 all-time against NCAA JV opponents and 2-0 against Ohio Northern. Ohio State, now 2-0 on the season, is set to take on Toledo in what will be the season opener for the Rockets. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Glass Bowl.