Buckeyes Hold the Line: No. 1 Ohio State Overpowers No. 17 Illinois
Buckeyes Hold the Line: No. 1 Ohio State Overpowers No. 17 Illinois In a clash of ranked titans, No. 1 Ohio State marched into Champaign and left with a 34-16 victory that felt more like a statement than a score. The Fighting Illini, riding a wave of momentum and a top-20 ranking, had hoped to shake the national order. But the Buckeyes, seasoned and unshaken, reminded everyone why they sit atop the college football throne. From the opening drive, Ohio State dictated tempo and tone. Their defense swarmed, their offense churned, and their stars delivered. Bo Jackson, the Buckeyes’ bruising backfield presence, carved out critical yardage and capped drives with the kind of physicality that defines championship football. His contributions weren’t flashy—they were foundational. Illinois, for their part, refused to fold. Hank Beatty, the Illini’s reliable route-runner, found seams and kept chains moving, offering glimpses of the grit that earned his team national respect. But agains...
