Ohio State keeps showing why they’re the top team in the country. With a commanding 24-6 win over Washington at Husky Stadium, they made a big statement.
The Huskies put up a fight, but Ohio State’s red zone defense, led by Matt Patricia, was just too much. Washington head coach Jedd Fisch reflected after the game, pointing out some key plays that tipped things Ohio State’s way but still gave his team credit for hanging tough.
Let’s take a closer look at the game’s key moments, the Buckeyes’ defensive strategy, and what Washington might take away from all this.
Ohio State’s Defensive Masterclass
Ohio State’s defense was the story of the night. Their ability to shut down Washington, especially near the goal line, made all the difference.
Matt Patricia brought his NFL chops to Columbus, and it shows. Washington got into the red zone three times but only came away with two field goals. That’s tough sledding if you’re trying to win.
Red Zone Defense: The Patricia Effect
Patricia’s influence is everywhere on this defense. His days with the Patriots clearly left a mark, and now the Buckeyes are reaping the benefits.
Their red zone schemes are a headache for any offense. Fisch even admitted it was hard to crack.
- Three red zone trips: Washington made it to the red zone three times but couldn’t score a single touchdown.
- Field goals instead of touchdowns: They settled for two field goals, which says a lot about Ohio State’s defense.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
This game had a few moments where everything seemed to tilt toward Ohio State. Early in the second quarter, Washington was up 3-0 and threatening to score again.
Ohio State’s defense held strong, forcing a field goal try. And then, in a gutsy move, Fisch dialed up a fake field goal. Didn’t quite go as planned.
The Fake Field Goal Attempt
Going for the fake was a bold call. The idea: kicker Grady Gross would toss the ball to tight end Decker DeGraaf and catch the defense napping.
But Ohio State was ready. They blew up the play and kept Washington off the scoreboard. That moment really flipped the energy in the stadium.
- Early second quarter: Washington led 3-0 and had a shot to stretch their lead.
- Fake field goal attempt: The trick play didn’t fool Ohio State.
- Momentum shift: After that stop, Ohio State took control and didn’t look back.
Washington’s Resilience and Takeaways
Even in defeat, Washington showed some grit. Coach Fisch said there are no moral victories, but he did see some positives.
The Huskies moved the ball well at times, stopped Ohio State on short yardage, and kept things close for much of the game.
Learning from the Loss
Fisch knows his team needs to clean things up. Penalties and sacks hurt them, and those little mistakes add up against elite teams.
Still, keeping it close at halftime has to give the Huskies a bit of confidence. With some tweaks, they might be able to build on this.
- Minimizing mistakes: Cutting down on penalties and sacks is a must.
- Building confidence: Hanging with the top team can spark some belief.
- Future adjustments: There’s plenty to learn here for the next game.
Conclusion
Ohio State’s win over Washington really showed off their defensive muscle. Matt Patricia’s impact is obvious—he’s taken the Buckeyes’ defense up a notch, especially when it matters most in the red zone.
Washington had some bright spots, but there’s no denying they’ve got work to do. Facing the nation’s top team isn’t easy, and the Huskies will probably be chewing on this one for a while.
If you want a deeper dive or just more football talk, check out the original article on Eleven Warriors.
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