Ohio State defeated Maryland 45-16 Saturday in Columbus, with quarterback Julian Sayin completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith on the game's decisive drive to give the Buckeyes a lead they never relinquished.
Sayin finished 13-of-21 for 242 yards and four touchdowns against one interception, spreading the ball to five different receivers. Smith was his most dangerous target, catching four passes for 93 yards and two scores, including the go-ahead reception that covered 33 yards. Nate Roberts added a 68-yard touchdown catch, the longest play of the game for either team. Running back Bo Jackson contributed 107 yards on 23 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Maryland quarterback Malik Washington struggled to generate offense, completing 12 of 25 passes for just 64 yards, while the Terrapins' ground game managed only 82 yards on 28 carries as a team.
The Buckeyes built their lead with a balanced offensive attack that accumulated 242 passing yards and 207 rushing yards. Maryland's best moment came on defense, when linebacker Daniel Wingate picked off Sayin and returned the interception 52 yards for a touchdown. Wingate also finished with a team-high 10 tackles. Sidney Stewart added a sack and two tackles for loss, and Zion Elee recorded a sack of his own, but the Maryland defense could not slow an Ohio State offense that scored on seven of its possessions.
Maryland falls to 0-1 in Big Ten play and returns home to face Rutgers next Saturday, October 17.