Ohio State is now 9-0 after a 34-10 win over Purdue on Saturday. The ball was spread out across the offense and the defense gave up a late touchdown to barely miss on allowing single digits for the seventh time
Here’s who the BSB staff thinks is deserving of Buckeye Leaves.
Sam Cipriani: For his crucial interception in Ohio State’s 34-10 victory over Purdue, my Buckeye Leaf is going to junior cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr.
Midway through the second quarter, the Boilermakers were backed up on second-and-15, before Purdue quarterback sent a pass into heavy traffic intended for wide receiver Jesse Watson. However, Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs got a hand on the pass, tipping the ball right to Mathews, who snatched it out of the air and took the interception back 23 yards to the Purdue 30. Mathews’ pick set up Ohio State for a nine-play, 30-yard touchdown drive to give the Buckeyes a 21-3 lead in the second quarter. The Cincinnati native also added one tackle in the win.
Bobby Gorbett: With junior receiver Carnell Tate sidelined for precautionary reasons, sophomore receiver Jeremiah Smith stepped up for the Buckeyes.
Smith had a career-high and team-leading total of 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. Smith had three catches that went for at least 20 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown that put the Buckeyes up 14-3 early in the second quarter.
On the play, Smith zoomed past Purdue linebacker Mani Powell to get open and haul in a perfect pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin. Smith only needed three quarters to have his career day. The Miami Gardens-native went for seven catches and 109 yards in the first half alone.
Greg Wilson: My Buckeye Leaf is going to true freshman running back Isaiah West, who seems to have earned himself a spot in the regular rotation alongside fellow freshman back Bo Jackson.
West had the highest average yards per carry in the game for the Buckeyes at 6.7, which came from nine carries for 60 yards. He likely won’t end up needing to carry a giant load this season, but he is proving that if Ohio State wants to figure out its run game, then West needs to be part of the solution.
