For the seventh straight season, Ohio State Club Football will play in the postseason.
The Buckeyes dominated Great Lakes East foe Toledo on Sunday at home, 58-8, to cement their spot in the Great Lakes Conference Championship Game. The Ohio State defense surrendered just six first downs and 90 total yards of offense to the Rockets, who came in averaging 39.6 points per contest. Toledo’s only points came late in the third quarter on a pick-6, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion.
Ohio State was balanced offensively, throwing for 206 yards and rushing for 216 yards, despite turning the ball over four times. Senior quarterback Niko Pappas accounted for all six offensive touchdowns, throwing for three and running for three in the win. He completed 14-of-23 passes for 182 yards and ran nine times for 131 yards. On the season, Pappas has accumulated 26 total touchdowns, 15 passing and 11 rushing.
The game started ominously for the Buckeyes, as Ohio State fumbled on just its third play from scrimmage, giving Toledo the ball in prime field position. However, the Buckeye defense forced a three-and-out and the ensuing punt attempt was blocked by senior linebacker Christian Allen, giving OSU the football at the Rockets’ 20-yard line. Pappas took it from there, scoring on a designed run to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead.
A fourth-down stop on Toledo’s second drive led to a four-play, 42-yard scoring drive, capped by another Pappas rushing score. Pappas added two passing touchdowns to Ricardo Washington before the first quarter was over, as the Buckeyes took a 28-0 lead into the second. Washington finished the day with five receptions for 81 yards and the two first-quarter scores.
A third rushing touchdown by Pappas was followed up by a strip-sack from Allen on Toledo quarterback Brandon Motter that led to an Elijah Lowden scoop-and-score. Ohio State’s defense added a safety, giving the Buckeyes a 44-0 lead at the halftime break.
Pappas posted one more touchdown before his day was done, connecting with wide receiver Desean Bonte for a 20-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Bonte caught five passes for a game-high 88 yards in the win.
Freshman quarterback Corbyn Aleshire closed the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Topaz Linton. It was the first collegiate touchdown accounted for by both Aleshire and Linton.
Ohio State’s defense suffocated Toledo throughout the contest, posting three turnovers-on-downs, two interceptions and Lowden’s scoop-and-score. Freshmen defensive backs Jackson Gula and Tommy Roberts III hauled in the Buckeye interceptions while defensive end Cayden Humphries got credit for the OSU safety.
The Buckeyes are scheduled to close their regular season at home against Cincinnati United Prep next week on Sunday, Nov. 9. With the win over Toledo, Ohio State is set to play in the Great Lakes Conference Championship, set for Sunday, Nov. 23. The game is expected to be hosted by Ohio State at Lincoln Tower Park.
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