Julian Sayin threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns as No. 1 Ohio State routed Minnesota 42-3 at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 4.
Carnell Tate caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten). Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 67 yards and two TDs.
The Golden Gophers fell to 3-2, 1-1.
Big Ten scoreboard
OSU backups extend lead | Ohio State 42, Minnesota 3
Lincoln Kienholz entered as the Buckeyes quarterback. James Peoples came in at running back behind a reworked offensive line. Together they marched OSU down the field and Kienholz ran for a 1-yard TD.
Minnesota misses field goal attempt
9:26 left in fourth quarter:Another stellar effort by the Ohio State defense results in Minnesota attempting a 41-yard field goal attempt that went wide, wide right.
Sonny Styles is pacing the defensive effort with eight tackles and one TFL.
Julian Sayin shows poise for OSU | Ohio State 35, Minnesota 3
14:55 left in fourth quarter:Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin absorbed a big hit, but even with the defender in his face, connected with Max Klare for a 29-yard pass play that helped set up Sayin's 9-yard bullet to Jeremiah Smith on a slant route for Sayin's third TD of the night.
Sayin is 23 for 27 for 326 yards.
Ohio State-Minnesota third quarter stats:
| STAT |
MINNESOTA |
OHIO STATE |
|---|---|---|
| Score |
3 |
28 |
| Total Yds |
110 |
390 |
| Rush Att-Avg |
14 - 1.7 |
21 - 3.5 |
| Rush Yds |
24 |
73 |
| Pass (C-A-T-I) |
13-23-0-0 |
22-26-2-0 |
| Pass Yds |
86 |
317 |
| Penalties |
2-12 |
3-20 |
| 1sts (Rsh-Pss) |
6 (1-5) |
17 (6-11) |
| 3rd Downs |
1-9 (11%) |
5-8 (63%) |
| 4th Downs |
0-1 |
0-0 |
| Total Plays |
37 |
47 |
| Avg Yds/Play |
3 |
8.3 |
| Time of Poss |
19:05 |
25:55 |
| Field Goals |
1-1 |
0-1 |
| Turnovers |
0 |
0 |
| Fumbles-Lost |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| Punts-Avg |
6-52.8 |
2-22.0 |
| Sacks |
0 |
1 |
Special teams, yes, special teams, play leads to OSU touchdown | Ohio State 28, Minnesota 3
5:45 left in third quarter: Golden Gophers punter Tom Welton hit a 48-yarder to the Ohio State 44, which Brandon Inniss fielded before making a roughly 50-foot lateral to Lorenzo Styles Jr. made a 36-yard return.
Bo Jackson capped the Ohio State drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. It's just his second rushing TD of the year because the Buckeyes usually opt for CJ Donaldson close to the goal line rather than the prolific freshman.
Ohio State-Minnesota halftime stats:
| STAT |
MINNESOTA |
OHIO STATE |
|---|---|---|
| Score |
3 |
21 |
| Total Yds |
111 |
277 |
| Rush Att-Avg |
12 - 1.8 |
12 - 3.3 |
| Rush Yds |
21 |
40 |
| Pass (C-A-T-I) |
11-19-0-0 |
14-17-2-0 |
| Pass Yds |
90 |
237 |
| Penalties |
1-5 |
1-5 |
| 1sts (Rsh-Pss) |
6 (1-5) |
10 (4-6) |
| 3rd Downs |
1-7 (14%) |
3-5 (60%) |
| 4th Downs |
0-1 |
0-0 |
| Total Plays |
31 |
29 |
| Avg Yds/Play |
3.6 |
9.6 |
| Time of Poss |
15:45 |
14:15 |
| Field Goals |
1-1 |
0-1 |
| Turnovers |
0 |
0 |
| Fumbles-Lost |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| Punts-Avg |
4-52.8 |
1-44.0 |
| Sacks |
0 |
1 |
Carnell Tate makes another big play | Ohio State 21, Minnesota 3
8:04 left in second quarter:Ohio State took over after holding Minnesota on a fourth-and-1 at the Golden Gophers' 44-yard line. Not long after, Carnell Tate beat the defense and found himself under a 44-yard Julian Sayin touchdown pass.
How did Ohio State's first game using facial authentication go?
An OSU spokesperson joked that he wasn't checking his phone, so he wasn't aware of any complaints. After sharing a laugh with this easily amused reporter, he then added that he genuinely hadn't heard of any complications tonight with the new EXPRESS ENTRY procedure for students who opted in.
We should get confirmation of that when data comes in early this upcoming week.
Jeremiah Smith pulls in touchdown catch | Ohio State 14, Minnesota 3
11:01 left in first quarter:Sophomore Jeremiah Smith made the 20th touchdown catch of his career when he found space in the back left corner of the North end zone for a 6-yard scoring play.
Ohio State-Minnesota first quarter stats:
| STAT |
MINNESOTA |
OHIO STATE |
|---|---|---|
| Score |
3 |
7 |
| Total Yds |
74 |
131 |
| Rush Att-Avg |
2 - 0.5 |
7 - 3 |
| Rush Yds |
1 |
21 |
| Pass (C-A-T-I) |
9-13-0-0 |
6-7-0-0 |
| Pass Yds |
73 |
110 |
| Penalties |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| 1sts (Rsh-Pss) |
4 (0-4) |
5 (2-3) |
| 3rd Downs |
1-3 (33%) |
1-2 (50%) |
| 4th Downs |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| Total Plays |
15 |
14 |
| Avg Yds/Play |
4.9 |
9.4 |
| Time of Poss |
07:52 |
07:08 |
| Field Goals |
1-1 |
0-1 |
| Turnovers |
0 |
0 |
| Fumbles-Lost |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| Punts-Avg |
1-48.0 |
0-0 |
| Sacks |
0 |
0 |
CJ Donaldson rumbles in from a foot out | Ohio State 7, Minnesota 3
0:00 left in first quarter:CJ Donaldson bulldozed his way in for a touchdown to give Ohio State its first lead of the evening. He made a trip to the end zone just as the first quarter expired.
Two huge plays set up the score.
Julian Sayin connected with Carnell Tate, who made an over-the-shoulder catch to complete the 48-yard play.
Jeremiah Smith then showed his shiftiness. With OSU starting at the 31, Sayin made a short pass to Smith. Smith caught the ball at the 27 and made three defenders miss before a fourth caught him at the 2-yard line.
Ohio State's Kenyatta Jackson hurt
4:32 left in first quarter: Drake Lindsey was hit hard, but it was Kenyatta Jackson who left the field after. The Ohio State defensive end left under his own power but headed straight to the medical tent.
Jayden Fielding wide left | Minnesota 3, Ohio State 0
4:38 left in first quarter:Wide receiver Carnell Tate stumbled short of a first down, forcing Ohio State to try a field goal on its opening drive. Jayden Fielding was wide left on the 53-yard attempt.
Minnesota takes early lead | Minnesota 3, Ohio State 0
8:05 left in first quarter:Minnesota opened on a little bit of a rough note. The Golden Gophers needed a timeout before they took their first offensive snap. But Minnesota got it going after, reaching the Ohio State 9-yard line before the Buckeyes' red zone defense stepped up again.
OSU has given up three field goals and zero touchdowns in opponents' eight trips inside the 20-yard line this season.
Who are the officials for the Ohio State-Minnesota game?
-
Referee: Mark Klucyznski
-
Umpire: Brad Hudak
-
Head Linesman: Matthew Gabriel
-
Line Judge: Jim Wharrie
-
Back Judge: Justin Staehr
-
Field Judge: Lamont Simpson
-
Side Judge: Gaylon Williams
-
Center Judge: Jeremy Valentine
Penn State - UCLA ending played on Ohio Stadium scoreboard
Fans at the Ohio State-Minnesota game got a special treat pregame when the end of UCLA's upset of Penn State was played on the large stadium video board.
UCLA, winless heading into the game, led 27-7 at halftime and held on to upset the seventh-ranked Nittany Lions. It was a surprise finish that seemed warmly welcomed by OSU fans.
Which NFL scouts are set to attend the Ohio State-Minnesota game?
The following NFL teams reserved seats in the press box for OSU's Big Ten matchup against Minnesota.
-
Detroit Lions (2)
Ohio State record watch:
Ohio State opponents have scored a combined 22 points through four games. That's the fewest since 1973, when the Buckeyes allowed just 13 points in their first four games on the way to allowing just 64 for the season.
Carnell Tate has a catch in 33 straight games, the sixth-longest streak in the nation.
Minnesota team leaders
-
Passing yards:Drake Lindsay, 958
-
Rushing yards:Fame Ijeboi, 173
-
Receiving yards:Javon Tracy, 204
-
Tackles:Devon Williams, 31
-
Interceptions:John Nestor, 2
Ohio State team leaders
-
Passing yards:Julian Sayin, 987
-
Rushing yards:Bo Jackson, 297
-
Receiving yards:Jeremiah Smith, 396
-
Tackles: Caden Curry , 25
-
Interceptions: Caleb Downs , 1
Ohio State vs Minnesota time today
-
Date:Saturday, Oct. 4
-
Time:7:30 p.m.
-
Location:Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
What time is the Skull Session?
The Ohio State Skull Session starts at 5 p.m.
What channel is Ohio State vs Minnesota on today?
-
Streaming:NBC | Free trial on Peacock
-
Radio:97.1 FM/1460 AM
The broadcast team features Noah Eagle calling the action, Todd Blackledge providing commentary and Kathryn Tappen reporting from the sidelines.
The radio announcers are Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (color analyst) and Tyler Danburg (sideline reporter).
Who is today's Victory Bell ringer?
Former Ohio State men's basketball player and NBA All-Star Michael Redd will ring the Victory Bell today. Redd, a Columbus native, helped lead OSU to the Final Four as a sophomore. He played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. He also participated in the 2008 Olympics, where he set a tournament record for 3-pointers with 28, surpassing Penny Hardaway's 22.
Ohio State vs Minnesota history
Ohio State is 47-7 against Minnesota. The teams first met in 1921, and OSU has won the last 12 straight in the series.
Today marks the ninth time the Buckeyes and Gophers are meeting in a game that starts after 5 p.m. (local time), but it's just the second time this has happened in Columbus. Ohio State won 28-14 in 2015.
Fun note: That was the season after a matchup in Minnesota where the game-time temperature was 15 degrees. Despite that, Gophers staffer Dan Lehman was seen on the sideline eating an ice cream bar , while Ohio State cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs wore short sleeves and, according to the team's game notes, "caught a cold."
Ohio State vs Minnesota predictions
-
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 42, Minnesota 7 | Julian Sayin keeps improving, which is bad news for the Golden Gophers ' pass defense that is good (ranked 23rd) but not great. But, like always, the real problem for any Buckeyes ' opponent is trying to solve the OSU defense, which so far has proved impossible. Minnesota has not defeated Ohio State since 2000. The trend continues.
-
Adam Jardy, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 7 | The Golden Gophers bring the Big Ten's freshman of the week into Ohio Stadium, but it's hard to envision a freshman having much success against this Ohio State defense. Drake Lindsey had a big game in the comeback win against Rutgers, but it's going to take a lot more than that to dent the scoreboard with regularity.
-
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 35, Minnesota 3 | Minnesota played a barn burner against Rutgers, but the reality is that Minnesota has not faced a savvy defense like Ohio State's. The Buckeyes sacked Washington six times and allowed one third-down conversion. Expect to see some more explosive plays from the passing game while the Buckeyes attempt to be more effective on the ground against the Gophers, who rank fifth in the nation in rushing defense but struggled against Rutgers' lead back last week.
Ohio State vs Minnesota betting odds
Spread: Ohio State by 23.5
Over/under: 43.5
Moneyline:Ohio State -5000 | Minnesota +1400
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Oct. 3.
Ohio State vs Minnesota injury updates
The Buckeyes are still relatively healthy. Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers is considered questionable. The following players, all non-starters, are listed as out.
-
Brenten Jones
-
Mason Maggs
-
Eric Mensah
-
Max Roy
-
Deshawn Stewart
-
Ahmed Tounkara
-
Preston Wolfe
Ohio State vs Minnesota weather update
According to weather.gov , it will be around 80 degrees when the game kicks off tonight, with temperatures dropping steadily throughout. It's forecast to be about 70 at 10 p.m. The wind is expected to be very light, and there's no rain predicted.
What is Minnesota's record in 2025?
The Golden Gophers are 3-1 with wins over Buffalo (23-10), Northwestern State (66-0), and Rutgers (31-28); and a loss at Cal (27-14).
Ohio State football schedule 2025
-
Aug. 30: Ohio State 14, Texas 7 | Record 1-0
-
Sept. 6: Ohio State 70, Grambling 0 | Record 2-0
-
Sept. 13: Ohio State 37, Ohio 9 | Record 3-0
-
Sept. 27: Ohio State 24, Washington 6 | Record 4-0
-
Oct. 4: Ohio State vs. Minnesota; Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
-
Oct. 11: Ohio State at Illinois ; Memorial Stadium; Champaign, Illinois
-
Oct. 18: Ohio State at Wisconsin ; Camp Randall Stadium; Madison, Wisconsin
-
Nov. 1: Ohio State vs. Penn State; Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
-
Nov. 8: Ohio State at Purdue ; Ross-Ade Stadium; West Lafayette, Indiana
-
Nov. 15: Ohio State vs. UCLA; Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
-
Nov. 22: Ohio State vs. Rutgers; Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
-
Nov. 30: Ohio State at Michigan ; Michigan Stadium; Ann Arbor, Michigan (noon on FOX)
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State vs Minnesota live score, game updates, highlights
