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Ohio State defeats Ball State 49-3 in season opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 7:52 PM

Last updated Sep 5, 2026

Ohio State defeats Ball State 49-3 in season opener
Summary

No. 1 Ohio State defeated Ball State 49-3 in a season-opening matchup held in Columbus on September 5, 2026. The Buckeyes recorded 671 total yards of offense, with quarterback Julian Sayin throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns while adding a score on the ground. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith recorded 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns during the first half. Ball State defensive players struggled to contain the Ohio State run game in the second half after an effective first-quarter performance that limited the Buckeyes to 35 rushing yards. Kicker Brody Boehm provided the only scoring for the Cardinals with a 54-yard field goal. Ball State returns to Muncie next week for its home opener against Stony Brook.

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Status Watch
  • •Ohio State finished with 671 total yards in the 49-3 victory.
  • •Jeremiah Smith totaled 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
  • •Ball State kicker Brody Boehm converted a 54-yard field goal in his debut.
  • •Ball State hosts Stony Brook at Scheumann Stadium next week.
Latest Updates
  • 7:52 PMYahoo Sports — Three takeaways from Ball State football's season-opening loss at Ohio State
What they're saying
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Ball State football opened its season with a loss on the road to No. 1 Ohio State. Here's our three takeaways from the Cardinals' first game of 2026.

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