At the break inside Ohio Stadium, Ohio State heads to the locker room with a comfortable 21-3 lead over Minnesota. The Buckeyes got off to a sluggish start, missing a 53-yard field goal on their opening drive and giving up three points to the Gophers right out of the gate. But once the dust settled, Julian Sayin and the offense found their rhythm, stringing together back-to-back touchdown drives and taking control of the game.
And on the defensive side of the ball, the Gophers are finding things much more difficult to do anything because the Silver Bullets have seemingly figured things out on that side of the ball. In other words, complimentary football is in full swing on the banks of the Olentangy,
Here are three quick takeaways from the Buckeyes’ first-half performance.
Carnell Tate: legacy game loading
What a first half from Carnell Tate. In just two quarters, he racked up seven catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, proving to be Sayin’s go-to target and making the most of every opportunity. He’s making every catch count, turning short gains into big plays and keeping the offense in rhythm. If he keeps this up, it could turn into a statement game for him.
Julian Sayin in full command
The Buckeyes’ offense is clicking, and Sayin is at the center of it all. The freshman phenom is 14-of-17 for 237 yards and two touchdowns at the half. He’s looked calm, composed, and precise—spreading the ball to just four receivers, with most of the workload going to Tate and, of course, Smith. Sayin is dealing, and the Gophers’ defense hasn’t had an answer.
That Ohio State defense, though
After giving up a field goal on Minnesota’s first drive, Ohio State’s defense has completely locked things down. The Gophers have struggled to find any rhythm offensively, quarterback Drake Lindsey is under constant pressure, and the run game has been a non-factor. Arvell Reese, as usual, is everywhere. He already has a tackle for loss and a sack, just adding to what’s becoming a routine display of dominance from the best linebacker in the country.
