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Ohio State prepares for season opener against Ball State

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 9:00 PM

Last updated Sep 3, 2026

Ohio State prepares for season opener against Ball State

Summary

The Ohio State football team enters its season-opening matchup against Ball State following an offseason of significant roster turnover. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia returns to lead a unit that must replace eight starters who departed for the NFL, including safety Caleb Downs. Jaylen McClain, Terry Moore, and Earl Little Jr. are expected to manage the secondary, while Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro move into starting roles at linebacker. The coaching staff plans to utilize a heavy rotation across the defensive front to evaluate depth players like Beau Atkinson, Epi Sitanilei, and Zion Grady. This contest serves as a preliminary test for the Buckeyes before they travel to face Texas in Austin next week.

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Key Details

•Ohio State plays Ball State in its season opener before visiting Texas next week.
•Matt Patricia remains as defensive coordinator despite significant turnover in the starting lineup.
•Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro are the starting linebackers for the Buckeyes.
•Jaylen McClain, Terry Moore, and Earl Little Jr. will lead the safety rotation.
•Coaches plan to provide extensive playing time to depth players during the Ball State game.

Latest Updates

9:00 PMYahoo Sports — Ohio State Week 1 Preview: Matt Patricia’s Defense Reloads

What they're saying

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The Ohio State defense was elite last year despite having to replace a lot. This year, it's the same. Of course, it should have an easier matchup in Week 1.
— Yahoo Sports

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