LIVE UPDATES: Kyle McCord's Three TDs Push Ohio State Past Youngstown State, 35-7
The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes face off against the Youngstown State Penguins in their first home game of the season.
The Buckeyes and Penguins have met only twice prior to Saturday's game: once in 2007 and again in 2008. Ohio Stadium was the venue in both instances.
Ohio State has scored an average of 40.5 points over the series with Youngstown State.
The last time the two, in-state schools squared off on the gridiron was a 43-0 Ohio State victory on August 30, 2008. The year before, on September 1, 2007, the Buckeyes bested the Penguins by a final score of 38-6.
Todd Boeckman was Ohio State's starting quarterback in both games. The St. Henry, Ohio native threw for a combined 412 yards and four touchdowns over the pair of contests, completing almost 74% of his passes (31-of-42) in the process.
Another notable Buckeyes player from the last meetings with the Penguins is running back Chris Wells, better known as "Beanie."
Wells amassed 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries and would go on to become a first-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals during the 2009 National Football League (NFL) Draft.
Ohio State enters the game favored by over 40 points and is officially listed as -41.5 on most betting platforms.
Mother Nature is doing her part to ensure the fans and players have a pleasant experience in The 'Shoe. The game-time temperature is projected to be a cool 73 degrees with seven mile-per-hour winds and a 2-percent chance of precipitation.
FINAL PREVIEW
As the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to take the field, first heading over to St. John Arena for the Skull Session, BuckeyesNow's Brendan Gulick and Anthony Moeglin shared their final thoughts ahead of the home opener.
Ohio State squares off against its first Football Championship Series since playing Florida A&M in 2013. The Buckeyes are 41.5-point favorites against the Penguins.
Moeglin thinks the Buckeyes' running back room needs to cement itself as a "national force" against the Penguins.
INJURY UPDATE
The Buckeyes released their availability report before kickoff on Saturday morning, with starting safety Josh Proctor listed as questionable. Should Proctor be unable to go on Saturday, transfer Ja’Had Carter and true freshman Malik Hartford could both push for the starting role.
You can view the full injury report below:
Questionable
41 - Josh Proctor
Out
7 - Kyion Grayes
89 - Zak Herbstreit
53 - Will Smith Jr.
87 - Reis Stocksdale
2 - Kourt Williams II
Live updates will appear below following kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. hauls in a 71-yard reception (a career long) from quarterback Kyle McCord to put the Buckeyes on the board first!
Ohio State - 7, Youngstown State - 0
change of possession
OHIO STATE INJURY
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese was tended to on the field by the athletic training staff following the after-touchdown kickoff. Reese walked to the sideline on his own power.
Ohio State - 7, Youngstown State - 0
YOUNGSTOWN STATE TOUCHDOWN
Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard fakes out the Ohio State defense and scores the first touchdown of the game for the Penguins.
Ohio State - 7, Youngstown State - 7
change of possession
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord connects again with Marvin Harrison Jr. on a 39-yard pass to put the Buckeyes back in front.
Ohio State - 14, Youngstown State - 7
change of possession
SECOND QUARTER
YOUNGSTOWN STATE INJURY
Youngstown State defensive backs Ezekial Burke and Alijah Curtis both spend a few moments with the training staff following a first-down play. Burke and Curtis each left the field on their own strength.
Ohio State - 14, Youngstown State - 7
OHIO STATE PENALTY
Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons gets called for a personal foul, negating what would have been a 17-yard touchdown for running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Ohio State - 14, Youngstown State - 7
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson punches in a one-yard score to extend the Buckeyes' lead over Youngstown State.
Ohio State - 21, Youngstown State - 7
change of possession
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka scores his first touchdown of the game, putting the score at 28-7 in favor of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State - 28, Youngstown State - 7
change of possession
HALFTIME: Ohio State Buckeyes - 28, Youngstown State Penguins - 7
THIRD QUARTER
OHIO STATE INTERCEPTION
Ohio State safety Denzel Burke picks off Youngstown State quarterback Mitch Davidson to foil what would have been a Penguins touchdown.
Ohio State - 28, Youngstown State - 7
change of possession
The Buckeyes and Youngstown State traded 3-and-out possessions, and Ohio State takes over from their own 39-yard line with 3:23 left in the quarter. Kyle McCord and the first team offense played the opening drive of the second half, but Devin Brown is back in at quarterback for his second series of the game.
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
TreVeyon Henderson races up the right side of the field for his second touchdown of the day to give the Buckeyes a four-score lead.
Ohio State - 35, Youngstown State - 7
change of possession
FINAL: Ohio State Buckeyes - 35, Youngstown State Penguins - 7