COLUMBUS (Interstat) — Julian Sayin accounted for four touchdowns as Ohio State beat Ball State 56-3 on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Ohio Stadium before 101,120 fans.

Sayin completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns and added a 3-yard scoring run. Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Devin McCuin had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Ja’Kobi Jackson rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. Tavien St. Clair threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry Jr.

Ball State got its only points in the second quarter on a 54-yard field goal by B. Boehm. The Cardinals fell to 0-1. Keldric Luster completed 18 of 33 passes for 89 yards and rushed for 10 yards on nine carries.

Ohio State’s defense kept Ball State out of the end zone. Riley Pettijohn made six tackles and Tarvos Alford had five tackles and an interception.

Ohio State, now 1-0, led 28-3 at halftime and scored 14 points in each quarter.