COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard showcased an impressive performance, throwing three touchdown passes while also rushing for a touchdown as the No. 3 Buckeyes dominated Purdue with a 45-0 victory on Saturday.

Jeremiah Smith made history by breaking the Ohio State freshman receiving record, recording his ninth touchdown of the season with a 17-yard reception on a crossing route just before halftime. This achievement allowed him to surpass the previous record held by Cris Carter, who had eight touchdowns in 1984. Smith concluded the game with six receptions totaling 87 yards.

Howard had a stellar outing, completing 21 of 26 passes for 260 yards. He connected with receivers Gee Scott Jr. and Emeka Egbuka for touchdown passes and also capped off a drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown on a fourth down, setting the stage for the Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) to take an early lead.

TreVeyon Henderson contributed significantly as well, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown, in addition to making three catches for 43 yards.

Purdue continued to struggle, suffering their tenth consecutive defeat, marking the longest losing streak for the Boilermakers since they experienced ten losses in a row back in 2013. Quarterback Hudson Card threw for only 108 yards and was intercepted, while running back Devin Mockobee managed to rush for 73 yards on 13 carries.

In terms of key insights, Purdue entered the game with a unique distinction, having been the last unranked team to defeat Ohio State during a 49-20 game in 2018, which had significant implications by denying the Buckeyes a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, this matchup was no contest as Purdue failed to establish any momentum or effectively execute plays.

On the other hand, Ohio State’s strong performance not only solidified their victory but also allowed them to shift their focus to the next game against Northwestern (4-5, 2-4) at Wrigley Field. After that, they will face critical matchups at home against No. 8 Indiana and rival Michigan as they look to close out the regular season.

In terms of rankings, Ohio State’s convincing win should help them maintain their current position. Looking ahead, Purdue is set to host No. 6 Penn State next Saturday, while Ohio State prepares for their matchup against Northwestern.