Jeremiah Smith caught a 48-yard touchdown one-handed, and Ohio State was only getting started. Watch Ball State vs Ohio State highlights on FOX Sports or stream on FOX One. The Saturday afternoon opener in Week 1 of the 2026 college football season came from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT.

The No. 1 Buckeyes won 56-3 in the first football game ever played between the two programs.

Ball State vs Ohio State Highlights

Julian Sayin needed just 25 throws to put up 320 yards, completing 21 of them with three touchdown passes and adding his first career rushing score on fourth-and-goal. Jeremiah Smith did all of his damage before halftime: eight catches, 151 yards and two touchdowns, opening with a one-handed, over-the-shoulder grab from 48 yards out. Bo Jackson broke a 65-yard run and Ja’Kobi Jackson went 49 yards on the ground as Ohio State piled up 671 total yards to Ball State’s 165, with five different Buckeyes catching touchdowns in front of 101,120. The win was Ryan Day’s 83rd at Ohio State, tying Urban Meyer for fourth in program history. Ball State’s only points came from Brody Boehm, whose 54-yard field goal on his first career attempt tied for the third-longest in Cardinals history. You can stream Ball State vs Ohio State recaps on FOX One. FOX One brings together live FOX College Football games, highlights, expert coverage, and live and on-demand FOX programming, all in one place. Start your 3-day free trial and stream on supported devices.

Where to Watch Ball State Cardinals vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football

FOX + ESPN College Football Schedule 2026 — Week 2

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Week 2 — Watch Missouri vs Kansas — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026
Week 2 — Watch Oklahoma vs Michigan — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Wake Forest vs Purdue — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Howard vs Indiana — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Arizona vs BYU — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Duke vs Illinois — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Eastern Michigan vs Michigan State — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Utah State vs Washington — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Bowling Green vs Nebraska — 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch San Diego State vs UCLA — 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Western Illinois vs Wisconsin — 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Ohio State vs Texas — 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch North Dakota State vs Air Force — 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT
Week 2 — Watch Louisiana vs USC — 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT

FOX + ESPN College Football Schedule 2026 — Week 1

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026
Week 1 — Watch UMass vs Rutgers — 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch UAB vs Illinois — 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
Week 1 — Watch Indiana State vs Purdue — 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Toledo vs Michigan State — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Fresno State vs USC — 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Week 1 — Watch North Texas vs Indiana — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Ohio vs Nebraska — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Ball State vs Ohio State — 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Boston College vs Cincinnati — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Marshall vs Penn State — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Northern Illinois vs Iowa — 4:15 p.m. ET / 1:15 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech — 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Clemson vs LSU — 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Hampton vs Maryland — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch South Dakota State vs Northwestern — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Central Michigan vs New Mexico — 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026
Week 1 — Watch Louisville vs Ole Miss — 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Ohio State and Ball State had never played football before Sept. 5, 2026, so the Buckeyes’ 56-3 win at Ohio Stadium opens the all-time series at 1-0. Ohio State outgained the Cardinals 671-165 in the only meeting on the books, and Ball State’s lone score, a 54-yard field goal by Brody Boehm, stands as the visitors’ only points in series history.