Buckeyes 'Silver Bullet' Defensive 'Swarm' Dominates Hoosiers

The Ohio State Buckeyes defense won the day in their season-opening victory against the Indiana Hoosiers, allowing the fewest points in a game since 2019.

While No. 3 Ohio State's offense only scored 23 points, the Buckeyes' dominant defensive showing carried the team to a 20-point victory over the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday.

Ohio State's defense allowed its fewest points in a game since 2019, compensating for the offense's "clunky" performance. Despite the sound play, it wasn't up to the Buckeyes' standards.

"We wanted to hold them to zero, honestly," cornerback Denzel Burke said postgame. "Three is too much for us. We want to be a dominant defense. We want to be a dominant force. We want to bring the Silver Bullets back. We hope to show you guys these next 11 games coming up."

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles mentioned Tuesday that preparing for week 1 is "difficult" and that "you could get triple option." Well, Knowles was right.

The Hoosiers came out and ran the speed option to begin the game with quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who earned the starting nod over Tayven Jackson, and Ohio State stopped it. On the first play from scrimmage, Sorsby kept it and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and safety Sonny Styles combined on the tackle for a two-yard loss.

Just two plays later on third-and-3, Sorsby found running back Josh Henderson in the flat. Linebacker Steele Chambers broke down and slowed up Henderson in the open field before Tommy Eichenberg came to clean up the play and force Indiana's first of six punts.

To start the Hoosiers' second drive of the game, safety Josh Proctor came from his center-field, adjuster position, streaked downhill past a block attempt from Indiana tight end Bradley Archer and made an open-field tackle for another tackle for loss.

Those types of plays are just a few examples of a what Tuimoloau thinks is different about the Buckeyes' unit this season.

"We improved a lot of the small areas," Tuimoloau said. "That was one thing we improved on was playing with great energy, playing with each other and just swarm to the ball, all 11."

Indiana had four three-and-outs, averaging just 15 yards on five plays per drive. The Hoosiers notched 153 yards of total offense — 89 through the air and 71 on the ground. Burke thought that was too many yards allowed.

Head coach Ryan Day said he's "excited about great defense."

"It's a different-looking defense," Day said. "We got some good length out there. We got our hands on some balls early. They took some shots early. I thought we were there ready to make the play. The defensive line was disruptive."

The Buckeyes also limited something that was their kryptonite last season: explosive plays. Indiana's longest play from scrimmage was a 24-yard completion in the second quarter. Its longest run on Saturday was for 11 yards.

Last season, Ohio State allowed at least one 30-yard play in nine of its 13 games. The Buckeyes did not allow a 30-yard play to Rutgers, Michigan State, Iowa and Northwestern — four of the Big Ten's six-worst offenses in 2022.

Tuimoloau said the defense is a "family" and its main goal is to give the offense as many opportunities as it can.

"Brotherhood is the main thing," Tuimoloau said. "No matter how bumpy the road is, we got each other's back. For us to hold down our fort and just continue to make turnovers, giving the offense chances, that's all we can do trusting our offense. We all got to clean up the little things and have a better game next time."