Running Back Ja’Kobi Jackson (24) dances after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Ohio State’s matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Ohio State defeated Iowa 31-14 on Oct. 3, 2026. Credit: Liam Ahern | Managing Photo Editor

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kinnick Stadium roared.

The Iowa Hawkeyes trailed by just four points and Ohio State was pinned at its own 16-yard line with halftime less than two minutes away.?

The Buckeyes, however, needed just one drive to quiet the crowd and show why they are the No. 5 team in the country, marching 84 yards in nine plays, and finishing with Jeremiah Smith’s 12-yard touchdown catch.

The Buckeyes’ scoring drive at the end of the half helped them turn a four-point lead into an 11-point halftime advantage, on the way to a 31-14 win over Iowa. The late touchdown continued a five-game streak in which the Buckeyes scored a touchdown in the final 15 seconds of the first half.?

“I thought the end of the first half was huge,” Day said. “We got that third-down stop [on defense] on the third-and-long and then we went down the field again and scored late, which was huge.”

Ohio State looked to dominate from the start.

On the second play of the game, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., sacked Iowa quarterback Hank Brown, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Christian Alliegro.?

Two plays later, quarterback Julian Sayin connected with wide receiver Devin McCuin for a 15-yard touchdown.?

From there, Ohio State and the Hawkeyes each attempted two field goals, with the Buckeyes’ kicker Connor Hawkins making one and Iowa’s Caden Buhr making both.?

Smith’s touchdown at the end of the half separated the Buckeyes’ lead to 17-6.

The Buckeyes’ offense stalled on its first two drives of the second half, but its defense picked up the slack.?

On Iowa’s first two drives of the second half, the Buckeyes’ defense held the Hawkeyes to just three yards and zero points. When Ohio State needed momentum on offense, Smith delivered.?

Sayin evaded an Iowa pass rusher and fired downfield to connect with Smith on a 57-yard touchdown pass with 6:11 remaining in the third quarter.

On Iowa’s next offensive possession, Ohio State defensive tackle John Walker pressured Brown, and safety Jaylen McClain intercepted the pass.?

“The first turnover was huge just to set the tone of the game,” Day said. “But then to get that one with Jaylen McClain was really big.”

The Buckeyes’ ensuing offensive possession led to a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Ja’Kobi Jackson, putting the Buckeyes ahead 31-6 with 12:47 remaining in the game.

“We wanted to play really well in the second half and finish the game the right way,” Day said. “The combination of those three-and-outs, the turnover, and then the way we were able to keep some drives going there with the offense was what we were looking for.”

After Iowa brought in new quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski, the Hawkeyes put together their longest drive of the game. Iowa went 75 yards in eight plays, with running back Braeden Jackson scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown. The Hawkeyes then converted on a two-point conversion as Hecklinski connected with Reece Vander Zee, bringing the score to 31-14 with less than 10 minutes remaining.?

Iowa’s offense did not touch the ball again.?

Ohio State controlled the final nine and a half minutes, running 16 plays for 55 yards, converting on three third downs and one fourth down.

After Ohio State allowed 462 yards in last week’s win against Illinois, the most in a game since Oct. 12, 2024 against Oregon in a 32-31 loss, the Buckeyes allowed just 238 versus the Hawkeyes.

“If everybody’s doing their job, playing as one, flying to the ball, there’s no limit to what this defense can do,” Kenyatta Jackson Jr, who had a sack and forced fumble, said.?

Smith said securing Ohio State’s first road win against Iowa rebuilt belief among the team, which may have waned a bit after losing to Texas on the road in week 2.?

“We didn’t get a win back in Austin, so just getting our first road win with this team, it means a lot,” Smith said. “This team is very special, and we’ve got plenty of work to do, but [it’s] on to the next.”