Live updates: Ohio State defeats Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. — Ohio State moved to 8-0 with a road win over Penn State last weekend, but not without difficulty.

Trailing late, a fourth quarter explosion propelled Ohio State to a 44-31 win on the road in Happy Valley. Now, the Buckeyes are on the road again as they face the struggling Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field in Evanston.

Ohio State has won nine consecutive games against the Wildcats dating back to 2005. Northwestern’s last win in the series came in 2004 — a 33-27 victory in Evanston.

Follow along with Lettermen Row for live updates throughout the game.

FINAL: Ohio State defeats Northwestern 21-7

Ohio State escapes Evanston with a win after a clunker of a performance against the Wildcats. C.J. Stroud finished the day with 79 rushing yards and 76 passing yards. Miyan Williams scored twice on the ground for the Buckeyes.

Northwestern out-gained Ohio State by 2 yards and held the Buckeyes to their lowest passing total of the season.

Ohio State-Northwestern fourth quarter updates

21-7 Ohio State, 3:34 4Q — Northwestern turns the ball over on downs. Ohio State takes over up 14 near midfield.

Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud hasn't had a game with more than 5 rushing yards this season. He has 79 today, 44 of which came on this zone-read pull in the 4th quarter.

Stroud showed his wheels down the sideline, too.#GoBucks #GoCats pic.twitter.com/nnbiDfD4cT

— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) November 5, 2022

21-7 Ohio State, 4:21 4Q — Touchdown, Ohio State. Miyan Williams caps the drive off with a 2-yard score. A 44-yard rush down the right sideline by C.J. Stroud initially set the Buckeyes up inside the Northwestern 5-yard line. Scoring drive: five plays, 62 yards in 2:06.

14-7 Ohio State, 6:27 4Q — Northwestern punts the ball away to the Ohio State 38-yard line.

14-7 Ohio State, 8:11 4Q — Ohio State goes three-and-out. Jesse Mirco drops his punt at the Northwestern 10-yard line.

14-7 Ohio State, 9:41 4Q — After driving into Ohio State territory, Northwestern fails on fourth down and turns the ball over.

Ohio State-Northwestern third quarter updates

End of the third quarter. Ohio State leads Northwestern 14-7.

14-7 Ohio State, 1:24 3Q — Jesse Mirco punts to the Northwestern 4-yard line.

14-7 Ohio State, 3:49 3Q — Northwestern is forced to punt and the ball rolls out of bounds at the Ohio State 16-yard line.

8:44 left in Q3: Ohio State 14, Northwestern 7.

Ohio State turned the tide w a 41-yd TreVeyon Henderson TD last week at Penn State. Buckeyes are trying to do the same thing w this 27-yard Miyan Williams score vs. NU.

Williams had 28 rush yds before that play.#GoBucks #GoCats pic.twitter.com/Y4Rc7iweuI

— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) November 5, 2022

14-7 Ohio State, 8:44 3Q — Touchdown, Ohio State. Miyan Williams bounces off of Northwestern defenders and breaks free for a 27-yard touchdown run. Scoring drive: six plays, 45 yards in 2:01.

Tied 7-7, 10:45 3Q — Northwestern began the half with the ball but the Buckeyes defense stands tall on three consecutive plays to force a turnover on downs in Wildcats territory.

Ohio State-Northwestern second quarter updates

End of the first half. Ohio State and Northwestern are tied at 7 points.

Tied 7-7, 2:26 2Q  — Touchdown, Ohio State. Emeka Egbuka rushes for 15 yards and puts the Buckeyes on the board. The Buckeyes’ drive was extended by a 16-yard C.J. Stroud quarterback keeper on fourth down. Scoring drive: six plays, 46 yards in 2:29.

7-0 Northwestern, 4:55 2Q — Northwestern punts the ball to its own 46-yard line. Buckeyes will start in plus territory.

7-0 Northwestern, 6:17 2Q — Jesse Mirco’s punt travels 77 yards for a touchback.

7-0 Northwestern, 7:38 2Q — Northwestern is forced to punt and Ohio State will have the ball inside its own 20-yard line.

7-0 Northwestern, 12:00 2Q — Ohio State punts after drops by Buckeyes receivers stall the drive. Northwestern starts on its own 20-yard line.

7-0 Northwestern, 12:49 2Q — Northwestern turns the ball over on downs in Ohio State territory. Ronnie Hickman makes the tackle on fourth down in space. Buckeyes have the ball on their own 21-yard line.

Buckeyes-Wildcats first quarter updates

End of the first quarter. Northwestern leads Ohio State 7-0 and has out-gained the Buckeyes 113 yards to 47.

7-0 Northwestern, 1:07 1Q — Ohio State is stuffed on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1. Northwestern takes over on downs in Ohio State territory.

7-0 Northwestern, 3:06 1Q — Northwestern punts and Emeka Egbuka’s 18-yard return sets the Buckeyes up on their own 31-yard line.

7-0 Northwestern, 5:11 1Q — Ohio State punts for the third time. Northwestern takes over on its own 29-yard line.

7-0 Northwestern, 6:45 1Q — Touchdown, Northwestern. The Wildcats’ rushing attack gashed Ohio State on an 80-yard drive and Northwestern takes the first lead of the day. Scoring drive: nine plays, 80 yards in 3:18.

Tied 0-0, 10:03 1Q — Ohio State punts the ball away for a touchback. Wildcats ball on their own 20-yard line.

Tied 0-0, 12:54 1Q — Northwestern goes three-and-out on its first drive. A third down pass was broken up by J.T. Tuimoloau. An illegal formation penalty against Northwestern on the punt gives Ohio State the ball on its own 25-yard line.

Tied 0-0, 13:57 1Q — Ohio State goes three-and-out after a holding penalty put the Buckeyes behind the chains. Northwestern will start its first drive on its own 40-yard line.

Ohio State loses the toss. Northwestern defers to the second half and the Buckeyes will receive.

Ohio State pregame updates

Ohio State will be without running back TreVeyon Henderson on Saturday as Miyan Williams returns to the lineup following an injury last week against Penn State.

Star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Cameron Brown also remain unavailable for the Buckeyes.

The full availability report can be found here.

Ohio State-Northwestern game time, details

• Time: Noon ET
• Date: Saturday, November 5, 2022
• Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
• Weather: High wind and rain
• TV channel: ABC
• The line: The Buckeyes are a 38-point favorite, per VegasInsider
• Over/under: 55.5 points

Gambling notes, trends

• Ohio State is 4-1-1 against the spread in its last six games
• Northwestern is 3-5 against the spread this season
• The total has gone over in each of the Buckeyes’ last six games
• Northwestern is 0-6 in its last six home games
• Ohio State has won nine consecutive games against the Wildcats

More from Lettermen Row

• WATCH: Ryan Day provides final updates before Buckeyes head to Northwestern
• How late touchdown run can provide confidence, relaunch Buckeyes running game
• Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke playing for ‘audience of one’ in year two
• Viewing Guide: How to watch Ohio State at Northwestern
• Practice Report: Buckeyes feeling good about running game, defense heading into Northwestern
• Buckeyes defense improving, even after giving up ‘too many’ plays to Penn State
• C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr. named Maxwell Award semifinalists
• Buckeyes star linebacker Tommy Eichenberg recognized as Bednarik Award semifinalist
• Buckeyes have luxury of ignoring rankings, keeping focus on path ahead
• Buckeyes crack initial top four in College Football Playoff rankings
• Practice Report: What We Learned as red-hot Buckeyes confidently roll into November
• WATCH: Ryan Day, Buckeyes press conference to preview Northwestern
• Matt Wilhelm breaks down Buckeyes defense, J.T. Tuimoloau performance vs. Penn State
• Five Buckeyes who helped their cause, impressed in win over Penn State
• The Monday After: Taking closer look at Buckeyes wild win over Penn State
• J.T. Tuimoloau earns Big Ten Defensive Player of Week honor after historic performance
• How J.T. Tuimoloau changed game, dominated for Buckeyes against Penn State

Stick with Lettermen Row for wall-to-wall game-day coverage

Lettermen Row will be on site at Ryan Field for comprehensive coverage of the latest Ohio State matchup, as the Buckeyes take on Northwestern. Follow along on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for experienced Ohio State coverage.

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