Live Updates: No. 1 Buckeyes head west to Seattle
Top-ranked Ohio State travels to Husky Stadium for a pivotal early-season test against Washington. The environment is hostile, the stakes are high, and the Buckeyes are eager to showcase their offense after a more conservative start in the first three games. Through the first half, Ohio State’s defense has held the Huskies in check in the red zone, while Julian Sayin has navigated a charged road atmosphere with steady progress as the game unfolds.
First half: Struggles, but the defense delivers
Washington has moved the ball, but the Buckeyes’ defense has bent rather than break on several drives. The Huskies showed flashes of rhythm, and Demond Williams Jr. flashed the ball with accuracy, compiling several chunk plays early. Still, Ohio State’s defense has clamped down in the most critical moments, forcing field goals instead of touchdowns and keeping the score tight as the clock winds toward halftime.
On offense, the Buckeyes have been methodical. Julian Sayin faced a raucous environment and has not yet found a consistent rhythm, but he did connect with top targets down the field in the second quarter, converting one drive into a key red-zone score. Jeremiah Smith has begun to heat up, drawing more targets and eventually delivering a timely 18-yard touchdown reception that finally put points on the board for OSU in the first half. The run game has mixed success, as the Buckeyes managed a productive drive to set up a short-yardage TD later in the period.
The half ended with Ohio State holding a 7-3 lead. A late Washington possession flirted with danger when a fake field goal was snuffed out by the Buckeyes, reaffirming OSU’s discipline in special teams and potentially altering the momentum swing late in the second quarter.
Injuries and notes: key depth tested
Washington was forced to weather injuries at crucial positions. After halftime, reports confirmed that edge rusher Zach Durfee and offensive lineman Carver Willis would not return due to injury, narrowing the Huskies’ depth on both sides of the ball. Their absence could pressure Washington’s offense to sustain longer drives and protect Williams Jr. against a relentless OSU pass rush once the second half heats up.
Second half: Ohio State takes the lead and pushes for separation
Ohio State opened the second half with a methodical series that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by CJ Donaldson Jr., signaling a more aggressive offensive stance as Sayin grows more comfortable in the hostile environment. A roughing-the-passer penalty on Washington during a third-and-long extended the drive, underscoring how competitive this matchup remains. In the same sequence, Smith continued to assert himself, catching a handful of balls and providing a reliable option for Sayin as the OSU offense looks to balance its attack beyond the star wideout.
Key players to watch: Smith, Sayin, and Williams Jr.
Jeremiah Smith has emerged as a primary catalyst for Ohio State’s aerial attack, even as the Buckeyes diversify their targets. Sayin’s road-test performance is under the spotlight, and his ability to stretch the field will be a major storyline throughout the night. Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has been impressive through three games, showing efficiency and poise under pressure as OSU tests his limits with a top-tier defense. Running back Jonah Coleman remains a focal point for Washington, ranking among the national leaders in scrimmage yards and touchdowns, presenting a balanced challenge to Ohio State’s fronts.
Expectations and strategy: what to watch in the second half
The Buckeyes enter the second half with a blueprint: protect the football, exploit Washington’s vulnerable secondary, and lean on the depth of receivers beyond Smith. Washington will look to sustain long drives and capitalize on any OSU missteps in the passing game. The atmosphere in Seattle could become a deciding factor as both teams push for control of the clock and momentum. Ohio State has shown resilience in preparation-heavy matchups, and head coach Ryan Day has a track record of successful gameplans when given extra prep time.
Prediction and takeaway
Analysts project a tight, competitive game with Ohio State favored, but the Huskies are dangerous at home. If Sayin can keep progressing and Smith remains a big-play threat, the Buckeyes should pull away in the second half. Washington’s ability to sustain drives and maximize red-zone opportunities will determine whether this remains close or evolves into a definitive test for the nation’s No. 1 team. Final takeaway: Ohio State’s depth and defensive discipline give them the edge, but Washington will push back in Seattle.
Final thought
This matchup features a crucial early-season test for the defending champions and a capable Huskies squad hungry for a signature win. Stay tuned for updates as the second half unfolds and the tempo shifts in one of the season’s most anticipated games.
