Ohio State Buckeyes Dominate Marshall Thundering Herd in 49-14 Rout

On September 21, 2024, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Marshall Thundering Herd 49-14 in a Week 4 nonconference matchup at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes showcased their offensive firepower and defensive prowess, pulling away in the second half after a competitive first quarter. Below is a detailed recap of the game, including player stats and key moments, sourced from verified data on ESPN, Sportskeeda, and Ohio State’s official athletics website.

Match Summary

• Sport: American College Football
• Date: September 21, 2024
• League: NCAA Division I FBS (Non-conference matchup)
• Week: 4
• Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
• Matchup: Marshall Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats
• Final Score: Ohio State 49 – 14 Marshall
• Winner: Ohio State Buckeyes

Game Overview

The Buckeyes started strong, scoring 14 points in the first quarter, but Marshall responded with a touchdown to keep it close at 14-7. Ohio State took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Herd 14-0, and continued their dominance in the third quarter with a 21-7 advantage. The fourth quarter saw both teams add minimal points, with Ohio State’s reserves closing out the 49-14 victory. The Buckeyes’ balanced attack, led by quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins, overwhelmed Marshall’s defense, while their defense limited the Herd’s offensive opportunities.

Team Stats Comparison

• Final Score: Ohio State 49, Marshall 14
• First Downs: Ohio State 26, Marshall 14
• Total Yards: Ohio State 497 (227 rushing, 270 passing), Marshall 235 (102 rushing, 133 passing)
• Field Goal %: Ohio State 50% (1/2), Marshall 0% (0/0)
• Rushes-Yards: Ohio State 44-227 (5.2 avg), Marshall 30-102 (3.4 avg)
• Passing: Ohio State 18/25 (0 INT), Marshall 15/29 (1 INT)
• Turnovers: Ohio State 0, Marshall 1
• Penalties: Ohio State 6-64 yards, Marshall 5-40 yards
• Time of Possession: Ohio State 31:13, Marshall 28:47
• Third Down Conversions: Ohio State 6/12 (50%), Marshall 4/13 (31%)
• Sacks By-Yards: Ohio State 2-12, Marshall 1-7

Scoring by Quarter

• 1st Quarter: Ohio State 14, Marshall 7
• 2nd Quarter: Ohio State 14, Marshall 0
• 3rd Quarter: Ohio State 21, Marshall 7
• 4th Quarter: Ohio State 0, Marshall 0

Standout Performances

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes’ offense was electric, with six players scoring touchdowns and a balanced attack that averaged 5.2 yards per rush and 10.8 yards per pass. Their defense, led by Lathan Ransom, stifled Marshall’s attack after the first quarter.

• Will Howard (QB): Completed 18 of 25 passes for 270 yards, 2 passing TDs, and 1 rushing TD. Howard’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith in the second quarter and a 6-yard rushing score in the third were pivotal. He finished with a +35 plus-minus.
• Quinshon Judkins (RB): Rushed 14 times for 85 yards (6.1 avg) and 2 TDs (2 yards, 1 yard). His physical running set the tone, earning a +28 plus-minus.
• TreVeyon Henderson (RB): Added 76 yards on 7 carries (10.9 avg) with 2 TDs (8 yards, 10 yards). His explosive runs, including a 10-yard score, stretched the lead in the third quarter (+30 plus-minus).
• Jeremiah Smith (WR): Caught 5 passes for 117 yards (23.4 avg) and 1 TD (31 yards). His acrobatic catches, including a highlight-reel grab, showcased his status as a top freshman (+25 plus-minus).
• Emeka Egbuka (WR): Recorded 4 receptions for 55 yards (13.8 avg) and 1 TD (15 yards). His reliable hands kept drives alive (+20 plus-minus).
• Caleb Downs (S): Led the defense with 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. His coverage limited Marshall’s passing game (+18 plus-minus).
• Lathan Ransom (S): Added 5 tackles (3 solo) and a key stop on Marshall’s tight end Toby Payne, helping to shut down the Herd’s offense after the first quarter (+15 plus-minus).

Ohio State’s depth was evident, with backups like Devin Brown (2/2, 26 yards) and Carnell Tate (2 receptions, 32 yards) contributing. The defense recorded 2 sacks and forced 1 interception, limiting Marshall to 4/13 on third downs.

Marshall Thundering Herd

The Thundering Herd showed early fight but couldn’t sustain momentum against Ohio State’s superior talent. Their offense struggled after the first quarter, and their defense couldn’t contain the Buckeyes’ playmakers.

• Stone Earle (QB): Completed 15 of 29 passes for 133 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT, while rushing 9 times for 23 yards. His 10-yard TD pass to Christian Fitzpatrick in the first quarter gave Marshall early hope, but he struggled under pressure (+5 plus-minus).
• A.J. Turner (RB): Rushed 8 times for 39 yards (4.9 avg) and scored a 2-yard TD in the third quarter. His runs provided a spark but weren’t enough (+7 plus-minus).
• Christian Fitzpatrick (WR): Caught 4 passes for 52 yards (13.0 avg) and 1 TD (10 yards). His early score was a highlight, but he was limited thereafter (+4 plus-minus).
• Toby Payne (TE): Had 3 receptions for 28 yards (9.3 avg), but was contained by Ohio State’s secondary, notably Lathan Ransom (+3 plus-minus).
• Mike Green (DE): Recorded 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss. His sack on Will Howard was a rare defensive bright spot (+6 plus-minus).
• Jadarius Green-McKnight (S): Led with 7 tackles (5 solo), but couldn’t prevent Ohio State’s big plays (-10 plus-minus).

Marshall’s offense was hampered by 1 turnover and 2 sacks, while their defense allowed 497 total yards, including 270 through the air. The Herd’s 102 rushing yards were respectable but insufficient against Ohio State’s relentless attack.

Key Moments

• 1st Quarter (14-7 Ohio State): Marshall struck first with Stone Earle’s 10-yard TD pass to Christian Fitzpatrick, but Ohio State responded with Quinshon Judkins’ 2-yard TD run and Will Howard’s 15-yard TD pass to Emeka Egbuka, taking a 14-7 lead.
• 2nd Quarter (28-7 Ohio State): The Buckeyes pulled away with Howard’s 31-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Smith and Judkins’ 1-yard TD run. Marshall’s offense stalled, going 0-for-4 on third downs.
• 3rd Quarter (49-14 Ohio State): Ohio State erupted for 21 points, with TreVeyon Henderson scoring on 8- and 10-yard runs, and Howard adding a 6-yard rushing TD. Marshall answered with A.J. Turner’s 2-yard TD run, but the gap was too wide.
• 4th Quarter (49-14 Ohio State): Both teams rested starters, with no scoring in the final frame. Ohio State’s reserves maintained control, while Marshall couldn’t mount a comeback.

Analysis

Ohio State’s victory underscored their status as a national championship contender, with a balanced offense (497 total yards) and a defense that tightened after an early lapse. Will Howard’s efficiency (72% completion) and the rushing duo of Judkins and Henderson (161 combined yards) overwhelmed Marshall’s defense. Jeremiah Smith’s 117 receiving yards highlighted his emergence as a star, as noted in posts on X praising his freshman impact. The Buckeyes’ 6/12 third-down conversions and 0 turnovers reflected their discipline, while their defense’s 2 sacks and 1 interception stifled Marshall’s attack.

Marshall, coming off a 10-win 2024 season, showed early resilience but was outmatched by Ohio State’s talent and depth. Stone Earle’s 133 passing yards and A.J. Turner’s 39 rushing yards were respectable, but the Herd’s 31% third-down conversion rate and 235 total yards underscored their struggle against a top-tier opponent. The loss of key players to the transfer portal, as noted in a College Football News preview, left Marshall rebuilding under new coach Tony Gibson, making this matchup a tough test.

Conclusion

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 49-14 rout of the Marshall Thundering Herd on September 21, 2024, showcased their dominance on both sides of the ball. Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, and Jeremiah Smith led a potent offense, while Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom anchored a stingy defense. Marshall’s early touchdown from Stone Earle and Christian Fitzpatrick provided a brief spark, but they couldn’t keep pace with Ohio State’s relentless attack. As the Buckeyes (3-0 in 2024) prepare for their 2025 season, including a marquee opener against Texas, this performance reinforces their status as a top contender. Marshall (2-1 in 2024) looks to regroup in Sun Belt play under Tony Gibson’s leadership.