FINAL: Ohio State Buckeyes Defense Beats Offense 40-31

The Ohio State Buckeyes will play their Scarlet vs. Gray spring scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. Stick with Buckeyes Now for all your live in-game updates.

Buckeyes Now Staff | Apr 15, 2023

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Wake up! It's game day in Columbus as the Ohio State Buckeyes will take the field for the first time since last season's college football playoff semifinal loss to the eventual national championship-winning Georgia Bulldogs.

No, it isn't the fall yet, but it is a Buckeyes gameday nonetheless, as the annual Scarlet vs. Gray spring scrimmage will be held with kickoff set for 12:05 p.m. (EST).

Despite depth being a concern at several positions, this year's spring scrimmage format will be the same as last year's. Day confirmed during his press conference on Thursday that it would be offense vs. defense with a modified scoring system.

Modified Scoring Rules

Offense scoring stays traditional
Defensive touchdown via takeaway = six points
Takeaways = three points
Offensive three-and-out = two points
Quarterback sack = two points
Forced punt = one point

Fans can look forward to seeing their new-look Buckeyes for the first time this season, and despite missing quarterback Devin Brown due to an injury, they will have the chance to see what an Ohio State offense looks like without C.J. Stroud.

While quarterback and the offense will garner much of the attention, Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will go head-to-head with offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who, as Day announced on Thursday, will be in charge of play-calling.

How to Watch?

WHAT: Ohio State Football Spring Game: Scarlet-clad offense vs. Gray-adorned defense.

WHERE: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH (102,780)

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 12:05 p.m. ET

TELEVISION: Big Ten Network with Chris Vosters, Joshua Perry and Brooke Fletcher

RADIO: Ohio State Sports Radio Network and flagship WBNS 97.1 FM The Fan with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey

Live Updates

Stay tuned here at Buckeyes Now for more live updates...

First Quarter

Carnell Tate fair caught the opening kickoff, bringing the Scarlet offense to their own 25-yard line. After that, however, quarterback Kyle McCord and the Buckeyes' offense couldn't get anything going, as they went three-and-out.

Gray 3, Scarlet 0

As the Scarlet offense came back out trying to get points on the board, a sack derailed the second offensive drive.

Gray 5, Scarlet 0

In his second drive with the offense, McCord would start to find a rhythm finding top receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. After being unable to convert a third and long; the defense would get off the field unscathed as a missed 40-yard field goal held the offense scoreless.

Change of Possession

A Kenyatta Jackson sack would give the defense two more points. But Tristan Gebbia had the Buckeyes' offense moving, using his legs on a pair of runs and his arm. After getting the offense inside the Gray's 25-yard line, the Scarlet offense was held to a field goal.

Gray 7, Scarlet 3

Change of Possession

Second Quarter

A Tyelik Williams sack would complete another three-and-out for the Buckeyes' defense against the McCord-led offense.

Gray 13, Scarlet 3

Change of Possession

A third and long completion from Gebbia to Kojo Antwi wouldn't be enough to get a first down meaning two more points for the Gray team.

Gray 17, Scarlet 3

Change of Possession

A first down run scramble by McCord led to a loss of yardage before a third and four pass intended for Jayden Ballard was incomplete.

Gray 19, Scarlet 3

Change of Possession

Two straight runs for Chip Trayanum only yielded three yards before Gebbia would find Noah Rogers for another gain of three on third down, which wasn't enough to keep the punt team off the field.

Gray 23, Scarlet 3

Change of Possession

McCord picked up two yards after being flushed out of the pocket on first down. Then two consecutive runs for Dallan Hayden yielded two yards before McCord found Kaleb Brown for a first down on fourth and five.

On third and seven, McCord couldn't find his tight end Joe Royar. But after going for the field goal the last time with the Scarlet offense, McCord and co. would go for it on fourth down, yet he couldn't find Carnell Tate on an attempted throw to the endzone.

Change of Possession

A second down run from Trayanum would give the Buckeyes' offense their first touchdown on the day as he ran 65 yards for the score.

Gray 23, Scarlet 10

Change of Possession

Looking to pick up where Trayanum left off, Hayden picked up a first down on a seven-yard second down run.

A pass from McCord was nearly picked off by Sonny Styles on third and nine, forcing another punt.

Gray 24, Scarlet 10

Change of Possession

A Hero Kanu sack gave the defense two more points right before the half.

Gray 26, Scarlet 10

Third Quarter

C.J. Hicks almost came up with the first takeaway of the day but couldn't corral it. Nonetheless, Hicks' pass breakup did complete another three-and-out

Gray 29, Scarlet 10

Change of Possession

A pass breakup by Cameron Kittle on a pass from Gebbia gave the defense another three-and-out.

Gray 32, Scarlet 10

Change of Possession

Trayanum continued to be effective as a runner with an 18-yard rush that put him over the 100-yard mark. A Ty Hamilton sack on McCord produced two more points for the defense. But an Archie Griffin run capped off a productive drive for the offense

Gray 34, Scarlet 17

Change of Possession

Fourth Quarter

McCord capped off a strong offensive drive with a touchdown pass to Tate, the true freshman standout. McCord's 37-yard touchdown pass was the first of the day.

Gray 34, Scarlet 24

Change of Possession

Two consecutive punts from the offense extended the lead for the defense.

Gray 40, Scarlet 24

Change of Possession

But Gebbia and the Buckeyes offense would answer with his first touchdown pass to Noah Rogers on a big 57-yard play

FINAL: Gray 40, Scarlet 31

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