Ohio State had their home opener on Saturday in a 35-7 victory over Youngstown State. After allowing a touchdown on the opening drive the Buckeyes adjusted very well keeping the Penguins scoreless the rest of the game.
With a lot of talent returning to the Buckeyes’ defense in Jim Knowles second season as defensive coordinator, expectations were high coming into the season. So far, the expectations have been lived up to with only one touchdown and one field goal being surrendered through two games encompassing 18 drives.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsWe break down each offensive position group’s performance using Pro Football Focus grades for each player. Though not the ultimate measuring stick, PFF is a good tool because it grades every player on every play.
Interior Defensive Line
Starter: Michael Hall Jr.
PFF Grade | 72.9 (26 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 assisted tackle, 2 pressures and 1 sack on 15 pass rush snaps
Starter: Ty Hamilton
PFF Grade | 70.8 (26 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 11 pass rush snaps
Other: Tyleik Williams
PFF Grade | 73.3 (35 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 3 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 16 pass rush snaps
Other: Jaden McKenzie
PFF Grade | 76.8 (11 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 pressure on 8 pass rush snaps
Other: Hero Kanu
PFF Grade | 59.3 (10 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 6 pass rush snaps
Other: Tywone Malone
PFF Grade | 56.4 (7 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps
What It Means
The Buckeyes got good play out their interior defensive line rotation once again. Michael Hall Jr. is an X-factor for the defense moving forward this season as he’s been dominant when healthy throughout his time at Ohio State.
Edge Rushers
Starter: J.T. Tuimoloau
PFF Grade | 63.6 (43 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 14 pass rush snaps
Starter: Jack Sawyer
PFF Grade | 57.5 (35 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackles, 1 pressure on 11 pass rush snaps
Other: Kenyatta Jackson
PFF Grade | 64.5 (16 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 11 pass rush snaps
Other: Caden Curry
PFF Grade | 73.9 (16 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 9 pass rush snaps
Other: Mitchell Melton
PFF Grade | 50.4 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps
Other: Omari Abor
PFF Grade | 57.5 (4 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 2 pass rush snaps
What It Means
This was a disappointing performance from Tuimoloau and Sawyer, combining for just one pressure and no sacks. Given that both are former top recruits going up against an FCS offensive line it’s reasonable to expect more out of them even with a game plan designed to not sit back in the pocket as much.
Linebackers
Starter: Steele Chambers
PFF Grade | 72.9 (43 snaps)
Stats | 6 tackles, 2 assisted tackles
Starter: Tommy Eichenberg
PFF Grade | 81.7 (43 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackle
Other: C.J. Hicks
PFF Grade | 69.2 (16 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles
Other: Cody Simon
PFF Grade | 68.5 (16 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles
What It Means
This was another good performance from Eichenberg and Chambers. That duo will be one of the biggest strengths of the defense this season.
Cornerbacks
Starter: Davison Igbinosun
PFF Grade | 66.5 (49 snaps)
Stats | 5 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 5 receptions allowed on 6 targets for 44 yards on 25 coverage snaps
Starter: Denzel Burke
PFF Grade | 81.7 (43 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 1 reception allowed on 5 targets for 0 yards, 1 pass breakup and 1 INT on 23 coverage snaps
Other: Jordan Hancock
PFF Grade | 63.9 (21 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackles, 3 receptions allowed on 4 targets for 22 yards on 12 coverage snaps
Other: Jermaine Mathews Jr.
PFF Grade | 75.2 (10 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 1 reception allowed on 3 targets for 5 yards on 6 coverage snaps
Other: Jyaire Brown
PFF Grade | 65.5 (10 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 targets on 6 coverage snaps
What It Means
The cornerback unit was a bright spot for Ohio State in this game, in particular Denzel Burke, who played lockdown coverage all day and recorded the Buckeyes first interception of the season.
Safeties
Starter: Lathan Ransom
PFF Grade | 61.5 (59 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 12 yards on 30 coverage snaps
Starter: Sonny Styles
PFF Grade | 74.8 (31 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 1 reception allowed on 1 target for 0 yards on 12 coverage snaps
Starter: Malik Hartford
PFF Grade | 66.7 (12 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 targets on 5 coverage snaps
Other: Ja’Had Carter
PFF Grade | 49.8 (47 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 reception allowed on 1 target for 18 yards on 25 coverage snaps
What It Means
With Josh Proctor injured, true freshman Malik Hartford got his first career start, but it was Syracuse transfer Ja’Had Carter who played the majority of snaps. This was also another good performance from the highly anticipated Sonny Styles.
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