Buckeyes Pull Away After Halftime in Columbus
The top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a commanding performance Saturday, pulling away in the second half to rout the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 42-9 in Columbus. With this win, Ohio State remains undefeated and now turns its attention to next week’s highly anticipated clash against rival Michigan.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Deal
Rutgers managed to keep things competitive early, trailing just 14-3 at halftime. But the Buckeyes exploded after the break, scoring on four consecutive drives and putting the game out of reach. Freshman quarterback
Julian Sayin led the charge, tossing two touchdown passes despite missing his top two playmakers due to injury. Running back
Bo Jackson was a force on the ground, racking up 110 yards and two touchdowns, including a 15-yard score in the first quarter and a 10-yard run late in the third.
Ohio State’s offense was relentless, with additional rushing touchdowns from
CJ Donaldson and
James Peoples. Peoples capped the scoring with a 49-yard sprint in the fourth quarter, pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to 42-9.
Rutgers Struggles to Keep Pace
The Scarlet Knights’ lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by
Antwan Raymond. However, their two-point conversion attempt failed, and the offense struggled to move the ball consistently. Quarterback
Athan Kaliakmanis completed just 10 of 20 passes for 81 yards, while Raymond, who entered the game as the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher, was held to 52 yards on 15 carries.
Rutgers now sits at 5-6 (2-6 Big Ten) and will need a win against Penn State next week to secure bowl eligibility.
Buckeyes Eye Historic Michigan Matchup
With this victory, Ohio State (11-0) heads into “The Game” against Michigan ranked No. 1 and unbeaten for the first time since 1973. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the Buckeyes look to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff and keep their perfect season alive.
Coach Ryan Day praised his team’s resilience, especially given the absence of key offensive weapons. The Buckeyes’ depth and execution in the second half underscored why they’re considered the nation’s top team heading into the season’s most pivotal week.
What’s Next?
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Rutgers: Faces Penn State next Saturday, needing a win to become bowl eligible.
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Ohio State: Travels to Ann Arbor for a showdown with No. 18 Michigan, with playoff hopes and Big Ten supremacy on the line.
Takeaways
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Ohio State’s depth continues to shine, even with injuries to star players.
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Rutgers’ bowl hopes hinge on a must-win game against Penn State.
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All eyes now turn to the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, which could decide the Big Ten and playoff landscape.
Sources
1. Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Live Score and Stats
2. Game Week: UCLA vs. Rutgers Full Preview
3. Rutgers vs. Ohio State: How Scarlet Knights' loss to Buckeyes unfolded
4. October 2014 - POTs and PANs
5. Ohio State 42-9 Rutgers (Nov 22, 2025) Game Recap
6. Best Nick Luck Podcasts (2025)
7. With Ohio State’s Win Over Rutgers, It’s Officially “That Team Up North” Week | Eleven Warriors
8. Week 12 College Football Round Robin Parlay
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes Highlights
10. First Clinton-Trump Debate and Low Expectations Redux
11. Football vs Ohio State on 11/22/2025 - Box Score - Rutgers Athletics
