Ohio
How did Ohio State football grade out vs Illinois?
Ohio State football won its 10th consecutive game and retained control of the Illibuck, beating Illinois 34-16 in a physical showcase from the Buckeyes’ defense.
Coming off back-to-back weeks with 30-plus points, the Fighting Illini offense struggled. Illinois allowed 21 points off three turnovers. Though quarterback Luke Altmyer finished with 248 passing yards, the most Ohio State has allowed an opposing quarterback this season, Illinois converted on just 4 of 14 third downs and averaged 1.7 yards per rush. The Buckeyes stalled Illinois long enough to pull away by the fourth quarter.
Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin completed 70% of his passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught a touchdown for his fifth straight game.
Ohio State maintained its undefeated 6-0 record ahead of a road matchup against Wisconsin.
How did the Buckeyes grade in their win? Leaves are awarded on a zero-to-five basis.
Offense (4 leaves)
To no one’s surprise, the Buckeyes did not score a touchdown on their opening possession; the last time that happened was against Grambling State a month ago. Sayin did what he does best, giving up no turnovers and getting the ball into the hands of playmakers. More importantly, the offense ate up the clock and used gifted field position to snatch an early lead, allowing it to maintain a conservative approach.
While the run game took a back seat against Minnesota, it stood out in the first half against the Fighting Illini, specifically Bo Jackson’s playmaking. The freshman looked patient, making tactical decisions through run gaps and leaping to the end zone on a Sayin checkdown to extend the Buckeyes’ lead in the second quarter.
The offense wasn’t at its most efficient. The Buckeyes averaged 4.3 yards per play, and their longest offensive play was a mere 22 yards. In fact, Illinois outgained Ohio State 295 to 272 for the game. Still, scoring 34 points on the road is not easy, and the Buckeyes started most offensive drives around midfield. The Buckeyes converted eight of 15 third-down tries and scored four touchdowns in the red zone.
The offense did not flash as many big plays as the star-studded effort a week ago from Carnell Tate and Smith; it simply did its job.
Defense (5 leaves)
It took six games, but it finally happened. On fourth down at the goal line with 10:09 left in the 3rd quarter, Bret Bielema pulled out his bag of tricks. Receiver Hank Beatty pitched the ball to Aidan Laughery for an easy score, and it was the first red zone touchdown Ohio State has allowed this season. A second came in the third quarter on a 4-yard Collin Dixon TD catch.
Otherwise, Matt Patricia’s defense punished quarterback Luke Altmyer all day. The Buckeyes forced Altmyer’s first interception of the year when Jermaine Mathews Jr. tipped a pass to Payton Pierce for Pierce’s first career pick. Mathews, acting as the slot corner in place of an injured Lorenzo Styles, stepped up again in the third quarter, blitzing Altmyer and forcing a fumble.
Even dealing with some injuries, Ohio State’s defense lobbed several alley oops to the offense. The Silver Bullets forced three turnovers, which led to 21 points. The Buckeyes dominated physically, recording four sacks.
It’s a five-leaf performance because even if OSU’s defense gave up more points than it has in any other game this year, the turnovers set the tone.
Special teams (4 leaves)
Another standard day for the special teams staff. Jayden Fielding made both of his short field-goal tries and had no kick returns get past the 20-yard line.
There were two delay-of-game errors on the punt team in attempts to shift around protection. However, Joe McGuire made just one mistake when he kicked the ball out of bounds for a short 34-yard punt. Brandon Inniss had a solid kick return for 37 yards to wrap up a fine effort from the special teams.
Coaching (4 leaves)
Ryan Day admitted postgame that the Buckeyes “took the foot off the gas” down the stretch of the fourth quarter, but Ohio State had control of the game from the first turnover onward. To this point, no one has figured out how to break Patricia’s complicated defensive scheme.
On offense, Brian Hartline opted to try for four deep passes, converting just one. He called a balanced playbook of passing and rushing plays, similar to the Washington game. On the road, Day’s team proved it can afford to take a conservative route on offense while the defense is in control.
Fun factor (3 leaves)
The first battle for the Illibuck in eight years lasted nearly four hours and saw 11 penalties. Though Illinois showed some fight, Ohio State’s offense stayed conservative with the ground game and went without exciting, TV-worthy plays on offense. From a viewer’s standpoint, Ohio State’s defense looked fast and violent.
On Ohio State’s most exciting touchdown from Bo Jackson, FOX announcer Gus Johnson received some internet criticism for his lack of enthusiasm.
Oddly, Ohio State and Illinois had not had an Illibuck matchup this decade until this season’s game. Jeremiah Smith was the first to raise the wooden turtle trophy, a fun way to cap off the win.
Illinois (3 leaves)
Illinois beat itself up with mistakes that teams typically make in road games: costly turnovers that led to Buckeye scores and disastrous penalties in key moments. Illinois’ punter caught a snap with his knee touching the ground, costing the Illini valuable field position. Altmyer had several of his passes broken up or tipped, but led two trips to the end zone and proved that a 53-point loss three weeks ago to Indiana was a fluke.
Bielema earns a bonus point for the nifty play call that led to Laughery’s TD, but this game felt over by the fourth quarter. It’s back to the drawing board for the Fighting Illini.
Officials (1 leaf)
Defensive back Davison Igbinosun got away with pass interference a few times, most importantly on Illinois’ first end zone try. The Fighting Illini crowd collectively booed when the jumbotron showed the replay.
It happened again in the third quarter when Igbinosun kept Dixon from catching a pass.
The video room overturned several plays. Julian Sayin’s longest throw of the day, a 32-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith, was overturned in the second quarter. It was ruled that Smith did not maintain complete and continuous control of the ball while contacting the ground.
Illinois also fell victim. On a third-down play, Altmyer’s completed pass to Cole Rusk was overturned after replays showed the tight end stepped out of bounds and did not re-enter the field before jumping to make the catch.
The largest miss by the officiating staff came in the third quarter when Altmyer threw to Justin Bowick, who missed the entire end zone and landed with his entire backside out of bounds. On the field, it was called a touchdown. Review properly determined it was not. There was a pass interference penalty called on Devin Sanchez on that same play, which was a correct call.
An overall shaky day from the officials in moments where the game was still in reach for Illinois.
Note: This story was updated to reflect a spelling error.
The U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 was a monumental, year-long celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Coming in the aftermath of the turbulent 1960s, the political disillusionment of the Watergate scandal and President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974, and the capture of Saigon by the North Vietnamese and the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Bicentennial served as a crucial moment of national healing.
The festivities culminated on the Fourth of July 1976, with spectacular events staged across the country. The most enduring legacy of the celebration in Columbus is Bicentennial Park, located in the Downtown riverfront area along the Scioto River.
Dedicated on July 4, 1976, this 4.7-acre green space was built to permanently commemorate the nation’s 200th birthday. The park’s initial centerpiece was a massive fountain system featuring four circular pools that could shoot water 60 feet into the air.
From May 22 to June 2, 1975, Columbus served as the 11th official stop for the American Freedom Train. This massive, steam-powered rolling museum carried more than 500 priceless historical artifacts – including copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution – across all 48 contiguous states.
The train was displayed at the Defense Construction Supply Center [DCSC] in Whitehall and drew massive crowds of local families. Columbus held a special distinction during the tour: it was one of only three cities nationwide where the “Splendid Spirit” car was included with the train.
Warren Motts, the founding director of Motts Military Museum in Groveport, traveled with the train for its entire 25,000-mile journey, capturing the official photos that documented this historic event.
Beyond these massive metropolitan events, the true spirit of the Bicentennial thrived at the grassroots level. The American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA) encouraged local communities to form their own committees, leading to thousands of unique municipal projects.
Towns across the nation hosted local parades, commissioned historical murals, dedicated new parks, and sealed time capsules intended for the tricentennial in 2076.
It also triggered a resurgence of interest in local history and genealogy, as everyday citizens sought to trace their own roots back to the nation’s founding eras.
The civic energy and patriotism generated by the 1976 celebrations also helped pave the way for other major local traditions. Just a few years later, in 1981, Columbus launched its annual Red, White & Boom! celebration, which grew into the largest Independence Day fireworks display in the Midwest—a tradition deeply rooted in the community pride revived during the Bicentennial era.
Get involved in America 250 at your library this year! Visit columbulibrary.org for a full list of America 250 events.
Angela O’Neal is Local History & Genealogy Manager with the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
NORTHEAST OHIO (WOIO) – Thousands are without power Friday after severe weather sweeps across Northeast Ohio counties, creating weather-related damage.
FirstEnergy reports more than 71,000 in Northeast Ohio are without power Friday night.
More than 22,000 are without power in Cuyahoga County.
The utility company reports that more than 700 are without power in Erie County.
Lake County reports over 1,000 outages, and Portage has over 4,000 outages.
Trumbull County is experiencing over 1,000, and Ashtabula reports over 3,000.
Lorain County is experiencing more than 3,000 reported outages, and Geauga County has more than 7,000.
Medina County reported more than 1,000.
Chardon fire crews field wave of storm calls
The Chardon Fire Department shared the calls it responded to concerning storm damage Friday evening.
Fire crews said they responded to a tree in a house at 127 Burlington Oval.
The department said a tree fell on a gas line, causing a gas leak at 408 Charleston Avenue.
Wires were reported down on South Claridon Road, closing State Route 44 near South Street.
Wires were reported down on a house near Irma and South Hambden.
Fire crews said a tree was reported down on a home at 306 North Hambden.
The department also said alarms went off at UH Geauga Hospital.
Downed wires also closed Auburn and Twing roads.
The department said power was out on the south side of Chardon City.
Another tree was reported to have fallen into a house at 109 Burlington Oval, but no injuries were reported.
Fire crews said an incident involving a tree in a house and electric lines was reported at 11396 Aquilla Road, but no injuries were reported.
Fallen tree takes out power line in Independence
The city of Independence said a downed tree took out a live power line on lower Stone Road.
The city asked the public to avoid the area because of the danger posed by live wires.
The city said FirstEnergy had been notified and both police and firefighters were on scene.
Downed wires prompt closures across Hambden
The Hambden Fire Department said Friday night it was dealing with multiple storm-related incidents.
Crews said Claridon Troy Road was closed between Route 608 and Chardon Windsor Road because of downed poles and wires.
Kenny Drive was closed south of Leaders Mobile Home Park because of downed wires across the road, according to fire crews.
Multiple wires were reported down on Route 6 near Cutts and Grant Street along the north side of the road.
The department said the public should use caution in areas with downed wires and poles and should not attempt to move any of the wires.
Anyone with an electrical emergency or who encounters downed wires is asked to call 9-1-1.
Hambden Fire said people should not call 9-1-1 to report an outage.
The department said FirstEnergy is aware of these issues and is working to fix them.
Check FirstEnergy’s, AEP’s, and Cleveland Public Power’s websites for the latest outage numbers.
These outages come after severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for multiple Northeast Ohio counties this evening and were extended until 10:45 p.m.
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Check back with the 19 News First Alert Weather team for the latest weather forecast.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Friday, July 3
Downtown Columbus: Billed as the Midwest’s largest fireworks show, Red, White & BOOM! takes place along the Scioto Mile. The fireworks show starts at 10:00 p.m. More information can be found on the event’s website.
Bexley: Festivities at Capital University begin at 6:00 p.m., with a fireworks display starting at 10:00 p.m.
Buckeye Lake: The Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition (BLASST) fireworks display will take place at approximately 10:00 p.m. The primary viewing area is at Fairfield Beach, Lake Shore Drive NE, Thornville.
Canal Winchester: First Friday at Loose Rail Brewing will feature a fireworks show at approximately 9:00 p.m. The brewery will also show Red, White & BOOM! on big screens.
Gahanna: Activities start at 5:00 p.m. at the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course and the fireworks show is at 10:00 p.m.
Newark: Central Ohio Technical College and Ohio State Newark campus will host festivities with live music and food trucks at the Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre, culminating with a fireworks display at dusk (approximately 10:00 p.m.).
Pickerington: The city’s fireworks show starts at 10:00 p.m.
Reynoldsburg: Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. at Civic Park, with fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m.
Saturday, July 4
Chillicothe: Fireworks are scheduled to begin at approximately 9:45 PM from the Yoctangee Park Annex.
Circleville: AMVETS Post 2256 will host food trucks, live music, and a fireworks display after dark.
Clintonville: Whetstone Park of Roses hosts a live music event followed by fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Delaware: Fireworks will launch from the city’s Cherry Street property at 10:00 p.m.
Dublin: Independence Day Celebration activities wrap up with fireworks at 9:50 p.m. at Dublin Coffman High School.
Grove City: Fireworks will launch from Murfin Fields at 9:45 p.m.
Hilliard: Freedom Fest takes place at Roger Reynolds Municipal Park with fireworks starting around 9:45 p.m.
Lancaster: A full day of celebrations culminates with fireworks at dusk at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
Marysville: Fireworks at approximately 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Fairgrounds.
New Albany: The July 4th Festival ends with fireworks at 10:00 p.m. at New Albany High School.
Upper Arlington: The annual Party in the Park begins at 5:00 p.m. at Northam Park, followed by fireworks at 10:00 p.m.
Westerville: Evening festivities and food trucks can be found at the Westerville Sports Complex until the fireworks show begins at 10:00 p.m.
Worthington: The city’s celebration concludes with fireworks launched from Thomas Worthington High School at 10:00 p.m.
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