Ohio State’s home turf turned into a showcase of dominance Saturday night as the top-ranked Buckeyes dismantled the Minnesota Golden Gophers 42-3, sending a clear message to the rest of the Big Ten: the road to the championship still runs through Columbus.
Sayin and Tate Steal the Spotlight
From the opening whistle,
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was in complete command. The sophomore sensation threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, marking his third 300-yard game in just five starts. His favorite target?
Carnell Tate, who torched the Gophers’ secondary for 183 yards on nine catches, including a 44-yard touchdown that left Minnesota defenders in the dust.
Tate’s performance was so electric that Buckeye fans and analysts are already calling this “The Carnell Tate Game.” Five of his receptions came on the first play of Ohio State drives, setting the tone for a relentless offensive assault.
Gophers Start Fast, Fade Faster
Minnesota actually struck first, winning the coin toss and capping a 13-play opening drive with a 27-yard field goal from Brady Denaburg. But that was the last time the Gophers would sniff the scoreboard. After that initial burst, Ohio State’s defense—coached by Matt Patricia—slammed the door, holding Minnesota to just 35 yards on their next seven drives and forcing five three-and-outs.
Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey finished 15-of-26 for 94 yards, unable to find any rhythm against a Buckeye defense that has yet to allow a red zone touchdown all season.
“We Got Our Butt Kicked”
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck didn’t mince words after the game.
“Some nights you just get your butt kicked and we got our butt kicked,” Fleck told reporters.
“You’ve got to give credit where credit is due. They dominated all three phases and won the line of scrimmage.”The loss drops Minnesota to 3-2 (1-1 Big Ten), and continues a troubling trend: the Gophers are now 3-6 in road openers under Fleck and have failed to score a touchdown in their last two trips to Ohio Stadium.
Buckeyes Stay Perfect, Eyes on the Prize
With the win,
Ohio State improves to 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten) and remains the undisputed favorite in the conference. The Buckeyes’ defense, led by Patricia, continues to impress—still perfect in the red zone and unyielding in the first half of games.
Other standouts included Jeremiah Smith, who caught two touchdowns, and running backs CJ Donaldson, Bo Jackson, and Lincoln Kienholz, each adding a rushing score to the Buckeyes’ tally.
What’s Next?
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Minnesota returns home to face Purdue next Saturday, hoping to regroup and reignite their offense.
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Ohio State hits the road for a marquee matchup against No. 22 Illinois, looking to keep their perfect season alive.
Takeaways and Implications
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Julian Sayin’s rapid development is turning Ohio State into a juggernaut on both sides of the ball.
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Carnell Tate’s breakout game cements him as one of the most dangerous receivers in college football.
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Minnesota’s offensive woes against elite defenses remain a major concern as Big Ten play heats up.
If Saturday night was any indication, the Buckeyes are not just winning—they’re making statements. And for the rest of the Big Ten, that’s a terrifying prospect.
Sources
1. Gophers Fall at #1 Ohio State; Homecoming on Deck
2. Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week 5 | The Daily Gopher
3. Sayin, defense propel top-ranked Ohio State to 42-3 rout of Minnesota
4. Minnesota Football: TDG Staff Predictions — 2025 Season
5. Social Reactions: Ohio State Dominates Minnesota With the Help of Julian Sayin's Air Attack in What Will Be Remembered As The Carnell Tate Game
6. Covers.com - Sports Betting Odds, Lines, Picks & News 2025
7. Ohio State 42, Minnesota 3: PJ Fleck Press Conference - YouTube
8. Unafraid Show with George Wrighster - Spreaker
9. Minnesota vs. Ohio State | 10/4/2025 | NBC Sports - YouTube
10. [PDF] HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN - University of Florida
11. Minnesota vs Ohio St. Football Game Summary - October 4th, 2025
