COLUMBUS, Ohio — It's been nearly 250 days since last saw Ohio State take the field. That will all change on Saturday when Buckeyes welcome the Akron Zips to Ohio Stadium.
For the first time, quarterback Will Howard will be wearing scarlet and gray as he hopes to lead the No. 2 Buckeyes off to a good start for the 2024 season.
Ohio State has a lot of familiar faces returning to the roster. And those familiar faces have returned for two things: To beat Michigan and win a National Championship.
WR Emeka Egbuka, RB TreVeyon Henderson, DE Jack Sawyer, DT JT Tuimoloau and a handful of others could have declared for the NFL Draft but opted to return for Columbus for another run at the title. They're joined by some transfers who are also seeking to make their mark this year, such as SAF Caleb Downs and RB Quinshon Judkins.
For the first time this year, here's this week's 10 Things To Know:
- Ohio State is 36-1 all time vs. MAC schools and has won 33 straight such games. Their last loss to a MAC school? Akron in 1894.
- Ohio State has never lost to an Ohio team in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes are 48-0-1 vs. Ohio teams at home.
- The Buckeyes have a 194-50-1 all-time record against the 28 Ohio teams they have played in football and have won 45 consecutive games.
- The Buckeyes have won 24 straight season-opening games. Their last such loss was in 1999 vs. Miami.
- Following Ohio State's 14-6 win against Akron in 1895, the two teams did not meet again for another 106 years.
- The Buckeyes are 15-5 in the previous 20 non-conference games and averaged 42.7 points a game.
- Ohio State sixth-year head coach Ryan Day has the best winning percentage of all head coaches this century with a winning percentage of .875 and an overall record of 56-8.
- Ryan Day-coached teams are 12-4 in regular and postseason games where there has been more than one week to prepare.
- Day’s Buckeyes are 6-0 in season-opening games with an average margin of victory of 25 points per game.
- Ohio State's backfield combo of Henderson and Judkins have combined for 5,470 rushing yards and 81 touchdowns.