Ohio State Set to Face Marshall in Key Big Noon Kickoff Matchup

The Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing for a critical fixture in their 2024 college football season as they host Marshall University at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The upcoming contest marks Week 4 and is part of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff broadcast, a highly anticipated series in the sports calendar.

Ohio State enters the game with an unbeaten record, having secured convincing victories in their first two games. Under the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have outscored their opponents by a staggering combined total of 102 points. Central to their success has been their quarterback, who amassed 520 yards and five total touchdowns in the earlier games.

Freshman standout, an emerging talent among wide receivers nationally, has made significant contributions by catching 11 passes for 211 yards, along with scoring three touchdowns. “He’s really made a name for himself quickly,” noted a commentator from a recent sports analysis.

Marshall approaches this game with a balanced record of one win and one loss, having conquered Stony Brook in their opener before facing a setback against Virginia Tech. The Thundering Herd’s quarterback Stone Earle completed 13 of 36 passes for 131 yards, including a touchdown and an interception, in their last outing.

Ohio State’s defense, which has been robust throughout the season, aims to seize on any offensive weaknesses shown by Marshall. “Caleb Downs and our secondary are hungry for more,” stated a Buckeye defensive coach, emphasizing their plan to disrupt Marshall’s offensive flow.

Experts from The Columbus Dispatch have expressed mixed expectations for the upcoming game. Bill Rabinowitz anticipates a dominant performance from Ohio State, remarking, “The Thundering Herd have shown some explosiveness, but it won’t be enough against the Buckeyes’ defense.” Meanwhile, Joey Kaufman points out a potential storyline, “Can the Buckeyes deliver back-to-back shutouts? It’s a feat not achieved since 2009.”

The match-up is a crucial preparatory encounter for Ohio State ahead of their more challenging Big Ten fixtures, notably against Michigan State next week. “Each game is part of the growth process,” said Coach Day when discussing the importance of every match as they build momentum leading into tougher contests.

The game is broadcast live on FOX with play-by-play narration by Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt, alongside sideline reporting by Jenny Taft. For fans unable to attend the game in person, it is also available on Fubo and Fox Sports Go.