Ohio State Football: Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed Headlines Hilltoppers' Playmakers in Week 3

Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed led the nation in passing yards last season, and joins a group of Hilltopper playmakers that will look to spoil Ohio State's home-field advantage and perfect record.

Entering Week 3 of their 2023 campaign, the Ohio State Buckeyes are ranked No. 6 with a 2-0 record. 

A season-opening win against Indiana helped the Buckeyes set the tone early before hosting both Youngstown State and now Western Kentucky, and while the Buckeye defense will more than likely shut down the Hilltoppers' stars, it isn't a guarantee. 

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Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' squad will need to keep it locked down all night, and if they don't, it could be an unpleasant night for the Buckeyes, as these three players could make it a much closer game than expected for the Hilltoppers:

QB Austin Reed

Reed had a year to remember for the Hilltoppers last season. He led the NCAA in passing yards and recorded 40 total touchdowns on the year — finishing with a passer rating of 149.1. 

Austin Reed really is an interesting quarterback prospect who grew tremendously throughout the year at Western Kentucky in 2022. A transfer from Southern Illinois through West Florida, Reed flashes some excellent passing ability.

Here’s an example of his timing and touch throw. pic.twitter.com/uKTqPPo7uR

— John “Draft” Vogel (@DraftVogel) May 22, 2023

His decision to return to Western Kentucky was interesting, as he was offered NIL deals in the six-figure range at Power-5 conferences. Now that he's back in Conference USA however, Reed will be looking to rack up his stats again against the Buckeyes. 

His elite accuracy and vision make him a threat in the air, while his legs make him a threat on the ground. Last season, Reed totaled another eight touchdowns on the rushing front, so the Buckeyes will need to keep him in check in order to power their way to victory.  

RB Davion Ervin-Poindexter

Last season, Ervin-Poindexter tallied over 500 yards as the Hilltoppers' third string running back. While he didn't get as many reps as the two backs in front of him, he made the most of his reps when they came. 

Now that he's set to be the feature back for Western Kentucky, he'll likely shoot out of the gate with guns blazing, and if he gets his footing during the first two weeks, the Buckeyes could face off against him when he's already in a groove, making the defense's job much more tiring.

WR Malachi Corley 

If the Buckeyes thought Austin Reed was a problem, adding an ultra-talented receiver into the mix of options for the reigning NCAA passing leader gives the Buckeyes a much taller task. Corley proved his abilities last season, hauling in 11 touchdowns on more than 100 receptions. 

On average, any reception by Corley turned into a first down last season, adding pressure to any defenders looking to slow him down, especially early on in the game. 

If he and Reed establish a groove early on, it could be a long night for the Buckeyes.