COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 80,000 fans got a chance to see all five quarterbacks play in the 2024 Ohio State spring game on Saturday.
We will never know who actually won the game. The offense was up 34-30 when Air Noland threw an interception with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that probably would have been a pick-six in a real game. But the play was blown dead after the interception, giving the offense the 34-33 "win" in the scrimmage.
This year’s game was set up similar to last season's with traditional offensive scoring and the defense picked up points via scores, takeaways, three-and-outs, sacks and forced punts.
The quarterbacks rotated often throughout the game, but Kansas State transfer Will Howard got the start. Devin Brown threw the lone touchdown to wide receiver Brennan Schramm, who ended the day with three catches and 31 yards.
The offense was shaky at times, but players were rotating in and out often. Head coach Ryan Day was moving offensive linemen around to try to find a fit that worked, and the ones weren't always out on the field.
What wasn't shaky was the defense, despite the 34 points put up by the offense. The defense, led by several Buckeyes who opted to stay another year instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, held the offense to a mere six points.
The defense had six sacks on the day and four interceptions. Howard was the only one not to throw a pick.
All the quarterbacks had their moments where they looked solid. Howard showed poise in the pocket. Freshman Julian Sayin threw for the most yards with 85 but also threw a pick. Brown and Lincoln Kienholz were accurate and Noland used his legs to keep plays alive. The quarterbacks combined completed 40 passes for 357 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
The running backs also had their moments...a lot of them.
Senior TreVeyon Henderson didn't have to do much, but Buckeye fans heard names they didn't the year before. Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins looked unstoppable running downhill. Sam Williams-Dixon and James Peoples looked decisive as well, combining for 128 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. All together, the RBs combined for 57 carries for 294 yards
The Buckeyes open the season against Akron on Aug. 31.