Ohio State moved to 9-0 on the season with a 35-16 win on the road over Rutgers on Saturday.
The Buckeyes went into the halftime break trailing for the first time all season, but a strong second half sparked by a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jordan Hancock, led to a multiple score victory.
Ohio State stuck with its theme of playing bend but don’t break defense. Although Rutgers was able to move the ball at times, the Scarlet Knights were held to just one touchdown on their five trips to red zone.
In this article we dig deeper to break down each defensive 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: Tyleik Williams
PFF Grade
76.9 (59 snaps)
Stats
0 tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 22 pass rush snaps
Starter: Michael Hall Jr.
PFF Grade
67.7 (42 snaps)
Stats
2 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 17 pass rush snaps
Other: Ty Hamilton
PFF Grade
71.6 (28 snaps)
Stats
3 tackles, assisted tackles, 2 pressures and 1 sack on 13 pass rush snaps
Other: Hero Kanu
PFF Grade
56.3 (12 snaps)
Stats
0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps
Other: Tywone Malone
PFF Grade
43.2 (6 snaps)
Stats
0 tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps
What It Means
Ty Hamilton had one of the biggest plays of the game with a sack on Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt on fourth down and goal in the fourth quarter.
Edge Rushers
Starter: J.T. Tuimoloau
PFF Grade
70.2 (66 snaps)
Stats
6 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 25 pass rush snaps
Starter: Jack Sawyer
PFF Grade
80.8 (56 snaps)
Stats
4 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 3 pressures on 24 pass rush snaps
Other: Kenyatta Jackson
PFF Grade
50.5 (13 snaps)
Stats
2 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps
Other: Caden Curry
PFF Grade
55.6 (7 snaps)
Stats
0 tackles, 0 pressures on 6 pass rush snaps
Other: Omari Abor
PFF Grade
67.6 (3 snaps)
Stats
0 tackles
Other: Mitchell Melton
PFF Grade
61.9 (3 snaps)
Stats
0 tackles
What It Means
Jack Sawyer was the highest graded defensive player for the Buckeyes. He had three pressures and three stops in the run game.
Linebackers
Starter: Tommy Eichenberg
PFF Grade
60.1 (70 snaps)
Stats
5 tackles, 6 assisted tackles
Starter: Steele Chambers
PFF Grade
65.6 (44 snaps)
Stats
4 tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 1 pressures
Other: Cody Simon
PFF Grade
74.1 (40 snaps)
Stats
7 tackles, 3 assisted tackles
What It Means
One thing to keep an eye on moving forward into next week is Tommy Eichenberg’s injury status after missed the final drive and was seen with ice wrapped around his arm.
Cornerbacks
Starter: Davison Igbinosun
PFF Grade
62.3 (74 snaps)
Stats
6 tackles, 5 receptions allowed on 7 targets for 52 yards and 1 TD on 30 coverage snaps
Starter: Jordan Hancock
PFF Grade
59.2 (74 snaps)
Stats
2 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 pressure, 2 receptions allowed on 6 targets for 48 yards, 93 yard interception return for TD on 28 coverage snaps
Starter: Jermaine Mathews Jr.
PFF Grade
66.7 (69 snaps)
Stats
2 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 0 receptions allowed on 2 targets on 29 coverage snaps
What It Means
Jordan Hancock’s pick six was the biggest play of the game for the Buckeyes. True freshman Jermaine Mathews Jr. started in place of the injured Denzel Burke and had another stellar performance, allowing no catches on two targets.
Safeties
Starter: Sonny Styles
PFF Grade
74.5 (73 snaps)
Stats
4 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 0 targets allowed on 27 coverage snaps
Starter: Josh Proctor
PFF Grade
61.1 (63 snaps)
Stats
2 tackles, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 0 Yards, 1 PBU on 15 coverage snaps, 1 pressure
Starter: Malik Hartford
PFF Grade
53.2 (31 snaps)
Stats
1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 receptions allowed on 2 targets, 1 PBU on 13 coverage snaps
Other: Kye Stokes
PFF Grade
60.0 (1 snap)
Stats
0 targets allowed on 1 coverage snap
What It Means
Josh Proctor made a huge play on the pick six, making the hit that jarred the ball into the arms of Jordan Hancock. With Lathan Ransom out with an injury, Sonny Styles played 73 of the 74 defensive snaps.
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