Ohio State made National Club Football Association history on Saturday night in Milwaukee, defeating the UW-Milwaukee Panthers 91-0, setting NCFA records for points in a single game and largest margin of victory. The score broke the previous record set in 2018 when The Apprentice School defeated George Mason 87-0.
Nine different Buckeyes found the end zone against the Panthers as Ohio State forced seven turnovers, scored three defensive touchdowns and returned a punt for a score. The Buckeyes led 49-0 at the end of the first quarter, breaking the previous team record for points in a quarter (42) which was set in the 2022 NCFA semifinals against George Mason in a 63-6 victory. Ohio State carried a 77-0 lead into halftime, which prompted the teams to agree on eight minute quarters with a running clock in the second half.
Ohio State quarterback Niko Pappas completed 8-of-12 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns, and added 82 yards on the ground, including a 72-yard scoring scamper. Tight end Ian Gecse scored on the second play of the game on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Pappas to open the scoring. Gecse finished with three catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns, also catching a second half touchdown from freshman quarterback Chris Atkins.
Tight end Aidan Donovan and wide receivers JP Naylor and Keegan Lynch all hauled in a touchdown pass as six different Buckeyes caught passes in the win.
Buckeye running backs combined for 134 yards on 16 carries as Johnathan Thiele, Ethan Young and Lucas Fenstermaker all found the end zone. Thiele, who accounted for 54 yards on six carries, became just the fourth player in team history to reach the 1,000 career rushing yards mark, joining Kellyn Gerenstein (2,145), Jalen Haley (1,476) and Madu Eneli (1,071).
Fenstermaker also added an impressive 66-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first half and Christian Allen, used primarily as a linebacker, rushed twice for 46 yards. Wide receivers Sam Garber and Haley combined to catch three passes for 63 yards.
Defensively, Ohio State collected four interceptions and three fumbles against the Panthers. Playing in his first game of the year, Ben Romano hauled in a pair of picks and returned one for a touchdown. Fellow defensive backs Reagan Little and Ryan Globokar also each tallied an interception. Defensive end Matt Humphreys and cornerback Joshua Clemons each posted scoop-and-score touchdowns while defensive end Trey Jones collected a fumble of his own.
It was the second shutout in three games for Ohio State. Since surrendering 20 points in the season opener against Cincinnati United, the Buckeyes have allowed just 10 points in their last four games combined.
The Buckeyes now enter their toughest stretch of games as matchups against NCAA D3 JV opponents – Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg – close out the regular season before the Great Lakes Conference Championship, for which Ohio State punched its ticket with a 58-7 win over Wright State.
Ohio State is set to return to action on Monday, Oct. 28 against Ohio Wesleyan (JV). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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