Judkins, Henderson run for 2 scores apiece, Ohio St rolls up 683 yards in 56-0 rout of W. Michigan

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Quinshon Judkins rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns, freshman Jeremiah Smith had 119 receiving yards and a touchdown, and No. 2 Ohio State scored 35 points in the first half on the way to a 56-0 rout of Western Michigan on Saturday.

Will Howard, in his second start for Ohio State, completed his first 10 passes and finished 18 for 26 for 292 yards and ran for a score before he was relieved late in the third quarter.

“I think we played well tonight, but there's still some plays we left out there, some meat we left on the bone,” Howard said. "I think that’s the exciting thing about this team. We have so many guys that are doing so many good things, but we can still build on it and grow and become a better team."

Both of the end-around scoring runs for Judkins went for 26 yards. TreVeyon Henderson also rushed for two touchdowns.

Smith, the top-rated recruit in the 2024 class, had one of the most thrilling plays of the night. He caught a seven-yard pass from Howard and outran defenders to turn it into a 70-yard TD in the first quarter. He had two touchdown catches last week against Akron in his debut.

Ohio State rolled up 683 yards while holding the Broncos to just 99. Western Michigan managed only five yards in the entire second half. Twelve different players caught passes and eight, including quarterbacks, ran the ball.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day makes no apologies for blowouts. The more reps the better for the backups, he said.

“We try to be respectful, and there's no question about that," Day said. "But we also have to let our guys learn and make mistakes because as we know, down the road we're going to need these guys in a game. The only way to figure it out is to get them in the game (now).”

Another debut

Quarterback Julian Sayin made his Ohio State debut in mop-up time and also threw his first touchdown pass, a 55-yarder to tight end Bennett Christian. Sayin was a five-star recruit who committed to Alabama and then transferred to Ohio State after Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announced his retirement.

The takeaway

Western Michigan: The Broncos played Wisconsin tough in Week 1, staying in the game until almost the end. The Buckeyes were a much tougher customer.

“The team that showed up last Friday night against the Badgers unfortunately did not show up tonight against the Buckeyes,” Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor said.

Ohio State: Unlike in Week 1 when they came out a little clunky, the Buckeyes rolled over the Broncos from the start. Six different players scored touchdowns.

Poll implications

The Buckeyes looked powerful and showed off all their weapons against a mismatched team. But with No. 3 Texas beating No. 10 Michigan 31-12 on the road, the Longhorns made a case for moving up.

Up next

Western Michigan: Hosts FCS squad Bethune-Cookman next Saturday.

Ohio State: After a week off, continues its tune-up schedule by hosting Marshall from the Sun Belt Conference.

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Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press