Maryland vs. Ohio State 45–16: How Julian Sayin’s Four TDs Built the Lead

Ohio State beat Maryland 45–16 at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw four touchdown passes before halftime, including two to Jeremiah Smith, as the No. 5 Buckeyes built a 31–10 halftime lead. Maryland briefly narrowed the score with a defensive touchdown in the third quarter, but Ohio State answered on the ground and controlled the final quarter.

The official Ohio State box score shows the Buckeyes outgained the Terrapins 449–146 in total yards, while Maryland’s own game report describes the turnovers and response that kept the visitors competitive for part of the afternoon. These are the decisive numbers behind the result.

Maryland vs. Ohio State final score and quarter breakdown

Ohio State moved to 5–1 overall and 3–0 in the Big Ten. Maryland fell to 2–4 overall and 0–3 in conference play. The game took place in Columbus in front of 102,589 spectators, according to the home team’s official statistics.

Julian Sayin’s four touchdown passes changed the first half

Ohio State needed only a handful of big gains to create separation. Sayin first connected with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 33-yard touchdown. After Maryland pulled within 7–3 on a Sean O’Haire field goal, Sayin hit Nate Roberts for a 68-yard score, giving the Buckeyes a 14–3 first-quarter advantage.

Maryland’s Malik Washington finished an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. That made it a four-point game, 14–10. Ohio State’s response was immediate: Sayin found Smith again, this time for a 40-yard touchdown, then delivered a one-yard scoring pass to Mason Williams shortly before halftime. Connor Hawkins also made a 40-yard field goal, and Ohio State led 31–10 at the break.

Sayin’s final passing line was 13 completions on 21 attempts for 242 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Smith had four catches for 93 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Those official figures explain why Ohio State did not need a high number of pass attempts to produce a comfortable lead.

Why Maryland’s turnovers were not enough for a comeback

Maryland generated two takeaways, including a forced fumble that set up an early field goal and a memorable defensive score. In the third quarter, Daniel Wingate returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit from 31–10 to 31–16 after an unsuccessful two-point try.

That return was Maryland’s first defensive touchdown of the season, according to the school’s official report. But the interception did not create an extended comeback because Ohio State kept producing on offense. Bo Jackson broke a 25-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter, restoring the Buckeyes’ margin to 22 points.

Maryland was limited to just 146 total yards and 10 first downs. Its offense averaged 2.8 yards per play, compared with Ohio State’s 6.5, according to the official box score. Maryland’s defense delivered impact plays; its offense lacked the steady gains necessary to erase a multi-score deficit.

Ohio State’s running game closed the door

Ohio State did not need to lean on its passing attack after building the lead. The Buckeyes finished with 207 net rushing yards compared with Maryland’s 82. Bo Jackson led the rushing group with 107 yards, and the Buckeyes scored twice on the ground.

Ohio State’s final touchdown came at the end of a 16-play, 72-yard drive that used 9 minutes and 59 seconds. Jackson finished it with a two-yard run in the fourth quarter. The possession was significant for a different reason than the early scoring explosions: it denied Maryland the ball and left too little time for any realistic late rally.

The Buckeyes finished with 24 first downs to the Terrapins’ 10 and ran 69 offensive plays to Maryland’s 53. Ohio State also converted all three of its fourth-down attempts. That combination of explosiveness early and sustained possession late explains the lopsided final even though Maryland forced turnovers.

Key players and game statistics

The standout individual performances were Sayin’s four passing touchdowns, Smith’s two touchdown catches, and Jackson’s work as a runner. Maryland’s Wingate provided its most striking highlight with the interception return. Readers should avoid confusing this game with older Maryland–Ohio State matchups; all figures above refer specifically to October 10, 2026.

What’s next after Ohio State’s win?

Maryland’s official athletics site lists a homecoming game against Rutgers on October 17, with a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Big Ten Network. For the latest changes, check the Maryland athletic department rather than assuming every broadcast listing is permanent.

The difference between a late defensive interception and sustained scoring offense is also a theme in other games this weekend. For a separate Big Ten-related college football result and a lesson in fourth-quarter decisions, read AVARIXO’s Kentucky–LSU overtime analysis.

FAQ: Maryland vs. Ohio State 2026

Who won the Maryland–Ohio State football game?

Ohio State won 45–16 on October 10, 2026, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

How many passing touchdowns did Julian Sayin throw?

Four, all in the first half, according to Ohio State’s official box score.

Did Maryland score on defense?

Yes. Daniel Wingate returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

How did Ohio State close out the game?

The Buckeyes ran a nearly 10-minute fourth-quarter touchdown drive, ending with a two-yard Bo Jackson score.

Photo note: The featured photo shows Ohio Stadium during a different Ohio State home game in 2021; it is an archival venue image, not the October 2026 Maryland matchup. Photo by Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons original. No event-specific photo license was assumed.