No. 3 Ohio State captured a 23–3 victory over Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday to kick off its season, but it was an uncharacteristically flat performance for Ryan Day’s Buckeyes.
Ohio State led just 10–3 at the half and struggled to move the ball offensively, especially on the ground. Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson, the Buckeyes’ two primary ball-carriers, rushed the ball 19 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came from Williams.
Junior quarterback Kyle McCord made his first start at Ohio State, taking over for C.J. Stroud, who left school for the NFL after last season. McCord threw for 239 yards and an interception. All-American wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. pulled in a touchdown pass from McCord that was negated due to an illegal touching call, and thus finished with just two catches for 18 yards.