Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State Defensive Grades: Young Buckeyes Shine vs. Ball State

Ohio State's defense opened the 2026 season with a dominant performance, holding Ball State to three points, 165 total yards and only 2.8 yards per play. Joe breaks down the Buckeyes' defensive PFF grades and snap counts, Matt Patricia's personnel packages and the young players who earned meaningful opportunities before the game became a blowout. Freshman nickel Jay Timmons recorded two pass breakups in his college debut. Khary Wilder created pressure from the interior, TJ Alford intercepted Keldric Luster and Riley Pettijohn led Ohio State with six tackles. We examine the defensive-line rotation, the competition between Ohio State's veteran and young linebackers, the new-look secondary and the one area that must improve before the Buckeyes face Arch Manning and Texas: finishing tackles and turning pressure into sacks. Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Join Kalshi and Get $10 Subscribe to the Podcast 📺 Watch On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/thebuckeyecast LIKE 👍 and SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheBuckeyeCast?sub_confirmation=1 Questions or Comments? Call or text at 614-414-2274 Email at joe@thebuckeyecast.com ⭐️ Find Us Here https://linktr.ee/thebuckeyecast