Excitement around the Ohio State fanbase is at a high as the Buckeyes just put together a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in a 63-10 win over Western Kentucky and will head to South Bend to play Notre Dame on Saturday.
The Buckeyes defense came into the Western Kentucky with just 10 points allowed in the first two games. This was considered a good test for the unit as the Hilltoppers have had good offenses in each of the past two seasons and scored 93 points in their first two games.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsThe defense certainly passed this test holding Western Kentucky to just 10 points and scoring two defensive touchdowns. Going further, we break down each defensive position group’s performance using Pro Football Focus grades for each player. While PFF grades aren’t the end all be all, it is a great tool to break down individual players’ performance.
Interior Defensive Line
Starter: Tyleik Williams
PFF Grade | 73.3 (51 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 3 assisted tackle, 2 pressures and 1 sack on 32 pass rush snaps, fumbe recovery for TD
Starter: Michael Hall Jr.
PFF Grade | 60.8 (34 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 21 pass rush snaps
Other: Ty Hamilton
PFF Grade | 61.3 (30 snaps)
Stats | 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 20 pass rush snaps
Other: Jaden McKenzie
PFF Grade | 64.6 (10 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 pressures on 6 pass rush snaps
Other: Hero Kanu
PFF Grade | 68.0 (7 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle
Other: Tywone Malone
PFF Grade | 84.0 (5 snaps)
Other: Kayden McDonald
PFF Grade | 64.2 (4 snaps)
Other: Jason Moore
PFF Grade | 62.0 (3 snaps)
What It Means
Tyleik Williams had himself a memorable day as he fell on a loose ball in the endzone for his first career touchdown.
Edge Rushers
Starter: Jack Sawyer
PFF Grade | 93.4 (50 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 7 pressures on 32 pass rush snaps
Starter: J.T. Tuimoloau
PFF Grade | 90.7 (48 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 6 pressures on 29 pass rush snaps
Other: Caden Curry
PFF Grade | 67.7 (21 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 11 pass rush snaps
Other: Kenyatta Jackson
PFF Grade | 65.9 (21 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 pressures on 10 pass rush snaps
Other: Mitchell Melton
PFF Grade | 77.1 (8 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 assisted tackles, 1 pressure and 1 sack on 3 pass rush snaps
Other: Omari Abor
PFF Grade | 75.7 (3 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle
What It Means
Although they couldn’t quite bring the quarterback down for a sack, Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau wrecked havoc all game, recording 13 pressures between the two of them.
Linebackers
Starter: Tommy Eichenberg
PFF Grade | 69.3 (63 snaps)
Stats | 9 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 3 pressures
Starter: Steele Chambers
PFF Grade | 83.3 (62 snaps)
Stats | 6 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 INT
Other: Cody Simon
PFF Grade | 78.6 (12 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 2 assisted tackles
Other: C.J. Hicks
PFF Grade | 54.4 (11 snap)
Stats | 1 assisted tackle
What It Means
This was another good performance from Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg. The pair have been two of the leaders of the defense this season so far.
Cornerbacks
Starter: Denzel Burke
PFF Grade | 73.5 (63 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 receptions allowed on 7 targets for 42 yards and 1 PBU on 41 coverage snaps
Starter: Davison Igbinosun
PFF Grade | 69.6 (62 snaps)
Stats | 4 tackles, 1 assisted tackles, 4 reception allowed on 8 targets for 52 yards and 1 TD on 40 coverage snaps
Other: Jordan Hancock
PFF Grade | 68.5 (50 snaps)
Stats | 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 receptions allowed on 5 targets for 40 yards and 1 PBU on 30 coverage snaps
Other: Jermaine Mathews Jr.
PFF Grade | 97.2 (11 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, INT returned for TD
Other: Jyaire Brown
PFF Grade | 63.3 (11 snaps)
Stats | 0 targets on 3 coverage snaps
Other: Cameron Martinez
PFF Grade | 61.6 (2 snaps)
Stats | 0 targets on 2 coverage snaps
What It Means
This performance showed good progression from the Buckeyes’ cornerbacks from the last two seasons to this season. They went up against a good passing attack in Western Kentucky and held up very well.
Safeties
Starter: Lathan Ransom
PFF Grade | 67.9 (61 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 2 assisted tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 1 target on 39 coverage snaps
Starter: Josh Proctor
PFF Grade | 74.9 (54 snaps)
Stats | 5 tackles, 1 reception allowed on 4 targets for 2 Yards on 36 coverage snaps
Starter: Sonny Styles
PFF Grade | 68.4 (27 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 1 receptions allowed on 1 target for 11 Yards on 14 coverage snaps
Other: Ja’Had Carter
PFF Grade | 64.9 (19 snaps)
Stats | 0 targets allowed on 7 coverage snaps
Other: Malik Hartford
PFF Grade | 65.3 (11 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 targets allowed on 3 coverage snaps
What It Means
After missing last week’s matchup against Youngstown State with an injury, Josh Proctor was back as the starter at free safety this week and played well.
Sonny Styles played less snaps than normal this week with the Buckeyes opting to play with three corners to combat the Hilltoppers’ spread passing attack, but the sophomore safety will play an integral role in the defense in most games in the future.
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