Buckeyes Shake Off Early Week 1 Rust, Griffin Honored at “The Shoe”

COLUMBUS, OH

Back at “The Shoe” in Columbus, as the Buckeyes finally got their 2024 campaign underway, with seniors TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, and Jack Sawyer getting one last run out, plus freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith getting his first taste of scarlet and gray as the Buckeyes hosted Akron to begin the season.

The Buckeyes took the field in front of a packed house at home, and it was the defense making an early impact! J.T. Tuimoloau getting the big sack, and he’s all fired up to get his senior year started! But believe it or not, the Zips get on the board first as Garrison Smith boots a 48 yard field goal to get it started.

What a debut from Smith though. Terrific grab for his first touchdown in Ohio State colors! Zips pinned down in their own zone, and Denzel Burke just rips it away for the interception.

The defense really showed up to start the season, and after a field goal for the Buckeyes, Finley just kept getting rushed in the backfield. This time Caleb Downs doing the honors with the sack. We finish it off with another Howard to Smith connection, as his masterful debut ends with six receptions for 92 yards and a 52-6 win over Akron.

During halftime of the win, Hall of Famer and two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin was honored for the 50th anniversary of the first time he won college’s top award on the gridiron back in 1974, as he “dotted the I” during the Ohio State marching band performance. And if you ask him, he was honored and thankful to be recognized by the Buckeyes faithful.

“It’s unbelievable, actually. You know, 50 years after the first Heisman Trophy and we’re doing a lot of celebrating, and I’m so very thankful for it” said Griffin. “I want people to realize that, hey, you’re celebrating me, but you’re really celebrating our team that I played on during my years in Ohio State. Because they’ve made us be successful. One man can’t do it. I had a great team, great teammates, and we got it done as a team.”