Julian Sayin threw for two touchdowns and C.J. Donaldson ran for two more as No. 1 Ohio State capitalized on three turnovers to beat No. 17 Illinois 34-16 on Saturday.
Sayin completed 19 of 27 passes for 166 yards, while Donaldson added 44 yards on the ground for the Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten). Jeremiah Smith caught five passes for 42 yards and a score.
Ohio State’s defense continued its dominant start to the season, turning three Illinois miscues into 21 points. Linebacker Payton Pierce intercepted Luke Altmyer’s first-quarter pass after a deflection by Jermaine Mathews Jr., leading to Donaldson’s 1-yard touchdown run.
Altmyer finished 24 of 38 for 248 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Illinois (5-2, 2-2). Aidan Laughery added 50 rushing yards and a TD, and Collin Dixon caught four passes for 46 yards and a score.
Ohio State led 20-3 at halftime after a series of Illini mistakes, including a botched punt that set up a Jayden Fielding field goal.
“They’re competitive. They’re edgy. They like these types of environments,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. “They expect to win all the time.” Day praised his defense and physical running game but noted that playing deep in Illinois territory limited explosive opportunities.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema lamented his team’s slow start. “That first half was about as bad as bad can get,” he said.
Ohio State hasn’t lost to Illinois since 2007. They'll visit Wisconsin on Oct. 18. The Illini travel to Washington on Oct. 25.
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