Ohio State dominated another opponent as Purdue fell prey to the Buckeyes’ crushing defense and Swiss Army Knife offense 34-10. 

The skies were gray, the air was crisp, and November Big Ten football was in full swing. Despite the gloomy weather, the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes shone bright on Saturday, taking care of business on the road with a commanding 34-10 win over the Purdue Boilermakers.

Here’s who and what stood out for the Buckeyes in the victory:

Jayden Fielding had himself a career day. The junior kicker drilled a career-long 49-yard field goal to end the first half, extending Ohio State’s lead to 24-3, and later added another from 40 yards out.

Fielding’s journey hasn’t been easy. After last season’s heartbreak against Michigan, when he missed two chip-shot field goals that could have sealed a win over the Wolverines, confidence was hard to come by both for him and Buckeye Nation.

But on Saturday, Ryan Day’s trust in his kicker paid off. Fielding’s long-range accuracy was a reassuring sight for fans who once held their breath each time he lined up for a field goal. If he continues this trajectory, Fielding could be a key weapon as Ohio State eyes another playoff run.

The Buckeyes’ running game continues to find its rhythm as the season progresses. Bo Jackson (14 carries, 75 yards), Isaiah West (9 carries, 60 yards), and James Peoples (9 carries, 26 yards) helped establish a balanced rushing attack, while C.J. Donaldson handled the heavy lifting in the red zone with two touchdowns.

Donaldson has firmly embraced his role as Ohio State’s goal-line specialist. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has relied on the combination of Jackson and West to move the chains. At the same time, Donaldson caps off drives with a strategy reminiscent of Woody Hayes’ old-school approach with Pete Johnson during Archie Griffin’s Heisman days.

While Donaldson may not match Johnson’s record-setting touchdown totals, his physicality and consistency continue to make him the Buckeyes’ go-to option near the goal line.

Junior cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr. recorded his second interception of the season on Saturday, adding a tackle and further cementing his reputation as one of the Big Ten’s rising defensive stars.

While much of the spotlight shines on counterpart Davison Igbinosun, Matthews continues to impress in his own right. After the game, he told reporters, “I don’t think any team in the country can hang with us.” So far, he’s been right.

With Carnell Tate sidelined by an undisclosed injury, sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith took complete control of the receiver room, and he did not disappoint. Smith hauled in 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the elite talent that has made him one of the most talked-about players in college football.

Smith continues to build his case for the Biletnikoff Award and could very well join quarterback Julian Sayin in New York as a Heisman finalist. With another full season ahead of him in 2026, Smith is on pace to rewrite the Buckeyes’ receiving record book.

The Buckeyes return home for another primetime matchup under the lights at Ohio Stadium, as they host the UCLA Bruins next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.