2021

Head coach: Ryan Day (3rd year)
Record: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Big Ten East Division Co-Champions

Spring Game – April 17
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
Brutus 28, Buckeye 13

Quarterback C.J. Stroud (No. 7) shined in the battle to replace first-round pick Justin Fields under center, throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns to lead Team Brutus past Team Buckeye in the annual spring game. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 12) and defensive end Jack Sawyer (No. 33) also had stellar debuts, as Egbuka caught seven passes for 123 yards while Sawyer recorded four sacks.

at Minnesota – Sept. 2
Huntington Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN
#4 Buckeyes 45, Golden Gophers 31

Stroud threw four touchdown passes in his first career start to lead Ohio State to a victory in the Thursday night opener at Minnesota. Offensive lineman Thayer Munford (No. 75), meanwhile, became the first Block “O” recipient to wear a patch on his jersey to signify the honor, as NCAA rules prevent offensive lineman from wearing anything other than No. 50-79.

Oregon – Sept. 11
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#12 Ducks 35, #3 Buckeyes 28

Although Stroud threw for 484 yards – the second-most in a single game in school history to that point – Ohio State’s defense was exposed by Oregon running back C.J. Verdell (No. 7), who rushed for 161 yards and three scores in the upset victory. Both teams wore a helmet decal to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist.

Tulsa – Sept. 18
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#9 Buckeyes 41, Golden Hurricane 20

Running back TreVeyon Henderson (No. 32) broke two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin’s 49-year-old freshman rushing record with 277 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in Ohio State’s win over Tulsa. That includes scores of five, 48 and 52 yards.

Akron – Sept. 25
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#10 Buckeyes 59, Zips 7

With Stroud sidelined by a separated AC joint in his throwing shoulder, Kyle McCord (No. 6) became just the fourth true freshman in school history to start a game at quarterback and completed 13-of-18 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns in the blowout win over Akron.

at Rutgers – Oct. 2
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#11 Buckeyes 52, Scarlet Knights 13

Stroud threw for 330 yards and a career-high five touchdowns to put to rest any concerns about his ailing right shoulder while the defense put forth its best effort of the season to lead Ohio State to its eighth straight victory against Rutgers.

Maryland – Oct. 9
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#7 Buckeyes 66, Terrapins 17

Linebacker/safety Craig Young (No. 15) returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes of Ohio State’s win over Maryland, marking the Buckeyes’ fourth straight game with a pick-six, the longest streak in school history.

at Indiana – Oct. 23
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#5 Buckeyes 54, Hoosiers 7

Though he was primarily used as a blocker in an offense that featured wide receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, tight end Jeremy Ruckert (No. 88) caught a career-high five passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to an easy win in rainy Bloomington.

Penn State – Oct. 30
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#5 Buckeyes 33, #20 Nittany Lions 24

While kicker Noah Ruggles’ three field goals made the difference in Ohio State’s victory over Penn State, a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown by defensive tackle Jerron Cage (No. 86) was undoubtedly the play of the game. The Buckeyes wore scarlet pants for the first time since the 1950s as part of their “Color Rush” promotion. 

at Nebraska – Nov. 6
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#5 Buckeyes 26, Cornhuskers 17

Smith-Njigba (No. 11) set a school single-game record with 15 catches for 240 yards and one touchdown, a 75-yarder in the second quarter, as Ohio State hung on for a nine-point win at Nebraska. It broke the record held by former wide receiver David Boston, who caught 14 passes for 153 yards and one score in a 31-27 loss at Penn State in 1997.

Purdue – Nov. 13
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#4 Buckeyes 59, #19 Boilermakers 31

After missing the win over Nebraska with concussion-like symptoms, Wilson (No. 5) became the first player in school history to catch three touchdown passes and rush for another score in a blowout of Purdue. He finished the game with 10 catches for 126 yards, one rush for 51 yards and four total touchdowns.

Michigan State – Nov. 20
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
#4 Buckeyes 56, #7 Spartans 7

Stroud completed a school record 17 straight passes and threw for a school-record-tying six touchdowns as Ohio State dominated Michigan State. Olave (No. 2) caught seven of those passes for 140 yards and two scores, the latter of which broke Boston’ record for most touchdown catches in program history (35). 

at Michigan – Nov. 27
Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
#5 Wolverines 42, #2 Buckeyes 27

Running back Hassan Haskins (No. 25) matched a school record with five rushing touchdowns as Michigan snapped Ohio State’s eight-game winning streak the rivalry. Stroud threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked four times in the loss, which prevented the Buckeyes from playing for their fifth straight Big Ten title.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One Venture X vs Utah – Jan. 1, 2022
Rose Bowl Stadium – Pasadena, CA
#6 Buckeyes 48, #11 Utes 45

Smith-Njigba tied his own school record with 15 catches for 347 yards – the most ever in a single game in school or bowl history – as Ohio State came from behind to beat Utah in the Rose Bowl. He finished the year with 95 catches for 1,606 yards – both single-season school records – and nine touchdowns.