Ohio State defensive player-by-player PFF grades for Minnesota game
With a dominant 37-3 victory over Minnesota on Saturday afternoon Ohio State has moved to 11-0 headed into the season defining matchup against Michigan next week.
The Buckeyes’ defense has established itself as one of the best in all of college football and this performance further cemented that. After allowing three points to Minnesota, Ohio State has allowed just 102 points in 11 games (9.3 allowed per game).
In this article we break down each defensive position group’s performance using Pro Football Focus grades for each player. Though not the ultimate measuring stick, PFF is a good tool because it grades every player on every play.
Interior Defensive Line
Starter: Tyleik Williams
PFF Grade | 64.4 (31 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 pressure on 14 pass rush snaps
Starter: Ty Hamilton
PFF Grade | 69.5 (31 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 pressures on 16 pass rush snaps
Other: Jaden McKenzie
PFF Grade | 67.9 (11 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps
Other: Hero Kanu
PFF Grade | 56.4 (9 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps
Other: Kayden McDonald
PFF Grade | 60.4 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps
Other: Tywone Malone
PFF Grade | 71.3 (6 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps
What It Means
Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton were a big part of containing the Golden Gophers rushing attack as they combined for five stops.
Edge Rushers
Starter: Jack Sawyer
PFF Grade | 91.8 (32 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, forced fumble, 5 pressures and 1 sack on 14 pass rush snaps
Starter: J.T. Tuimoloau
PFF Grade | 56.7 (29 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, fumble recovery, 0 pressures on 14 pass rush snaps
Other: Kenyatta Jackson
PFF Grade | 61.1 (14 snaps)
Stats | 1 assisted tackle, 1 pressure and 1 sack on 6 pass rush snaps
Other: Caden Curry
PFF Grade | 76.9 (9 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 1 pressure and 1 sack on 3 pass rush snaps
Other: Omari Abor
PFF Grade | 57.8 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps
Other: Mitchell Melton
PFF Grade | 65.2 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps
What It Means
Jack Sawyer had one of the best individual defensive performances for the Buckeyes this season as he not only had a strip sack but also five pressures.
Linebackers
DUPLICATE***Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (30) and Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) celebrate after a play during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium.
Starter: Cody Simon
PFF Grade | 78.9 (34 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 batted pass
Starter: Steele Chambers
PFF Grade | 68.6 (34 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 2 assisted tackles
Other: Gabe Powers
PFF Grade | 76.2 (14 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles
Other: C.J. Hicks
PFF Grade | 65.3 (14 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle
What It Means
With Tommy Eichenberg out, Cody Simon started for the second straight week and was third highest graded Buckeye defender.
Cornerbacks
Starter: Denzel Burke
PFF Grade | 58.9 (34 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 1 targets on 16 coverage snaps
Starter: Davison Igbinosun
PFF Grade | 50.3 (34 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 3 receptions allowed on 4 targets for 49 yards on 17 coverage snaps
Starter: Jordan Hancock
PFF Grade | 82.0 (28 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 pressure, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets and 1 INT on 16 coverage snaps
Other: Jermaine Mathews Jr.
PFF Grade | 64.7 (14 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 6 coverage snaps
Other: Calvin Simpson-Hunt
PFF Grade | 59.8 (14 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 12 yards on 6 coverage snaps
Other: Ryan Turner
PFF Grade | 73.1 (14 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 2 receptions allowed on 2 targets for 12 yards on 6 coverage snaps
What It Means
Jordan Hancock was the biggest bright spot of the Buckeye secondary on Saturday as he made an excellent instinctive play for a third quarter interception.
Safeties
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Zach Evans (26) during the first half of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Ohio Stadium.
Starter: Josh Proctor
PFF Grade | 71.2 (34 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 10 Yards and 1 PBU on 17 coverage snaps
Starter: Sonny Styles
PFF Grade | 52.4 (34 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 receptions allowed on 1 target on 15 coverage snaps
Other: Ja’Had Carter
PFF Grade | 55.1 (17 snaps)
Stats | 1 assisted tackle, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 4 coverage snaps
Other: Malik Hartford
PFF Grade | 64.7 (14 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 8 coverage snaps
Other: Kye Stokes
PFF Grade | 61.2 (3 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 2 coverage snaps
What It Means
Josh Proctor returned as a starter this week after missing the Michigan State game with an injury.
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