Hair of the Dog: Buckeyes Bite Back Against Kent State

In an anticipated blowout, Ohio State rebounded from last week’s disappointing loss to Texas by obliterating the Kent State Golden Flashes, 59-3, Saturday afternoon at The ‘Shoe.

The most memorable part was Jeremiah Smith setting Ohio State’s all-time record for receiving yardage at Wide Receiver U.

The Buckeyes already have a Cincere and a Legend.

Smith, who has at least nine more games to play and hopefully several more in the playoffs, is sincerely a legend already.

But for the Buckeyes, this game was also a little hair of the dog.

You know, the supposed cure for a hangover.

Only this wasn’t about taking another drink. It was more in line with the tag line from the old Nazareth rock song:

“Now you’re messing with…”

Kent State found out pretty quickly.

One week after watching a fourth-quarter lead disappear against Texas, No. 6 Ohio State returned home looking for something considerably less stressful. The Golden Flashes obliged.

Ohio State scored touchdowns on its first three possessions and led 21-0 before the first quarter ended. Smith made history along the way, finishing his afternoon with five catches for 85 yards before taking a well-deserved seat.

The Buckeyes led 35-0 at halftime after Julian Sayin found Block O Brandon Inniss on a 49-yard Hail Mary as time expired.

Sayin finished the half 17-of-21 for 229 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced by Luke Fahey early in the third quarter.

There were a couple of warts.

Ohio State twice failed on fourth down in the second quarter, continuing some of the short-yardage problems that showed up against Texas.

Against Kent State, those are annoyances.

Against Oregon, Indiana, Connor Stalions University or somebody Ohio State might see in December, they could become considerably more important.

But Saturday’s second half became less about what Ohio State’s starters could do and more about who might help them later.

Senior transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson, the backup running back in this Jackson Two backfield, scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run to make it 42-0, and then the Buckeyes began emptying the bench.

Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey replaced Sayin. Brock Boyd, Favour Akih, Cincere Johnson, Phillip Bell, Jamir Perez, Epi Sitanilei, Chris Henry Jr., and Legend Bey were among the young Buckeyes who saw meaningful snaps.

And some made sure people noticed.

Henry took a short pass from Fahey and turned it into a 75-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Perez later scooped up a Kent State fumble and returned it for another touchdown.

By then, the outcome had been decided for quite a while.

Kent State finally avoided the shutout with a late field goal after Tavien St. Clair was intercepted deep in Ohio State territory.

The final was 59-3.

Ohio State wasn’t perfect Saturday. The short-yardage game obviously needs some attention.

After what happened against Texas, the Buckeyes needed to hit somebody. They needed to score some touchdowns. They needed to get young players on the field.

Mostly, they needed to move past last week and remember who they are.

Kent State just happened to be standing in the way.

O – H!