COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State confirmed that two starters who were out last week will be available for the game against Western Michigan on Saturday evening.
Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson and linebacker Cody Simon will both be available after sitting out during the Buckeyes' season opener against Akron last weekend. It's unclear though if they will play.
See the full availability report below:
Out:
Devontae Armstrong
Jayden Bonsu
Reis Stocksdale
Timothy Caffey
Running back Timothy Caffey is out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
No. 2 Ohio State is favored by a little over five touchdowns against another MAC team, Western Michigan, on Saturday. But based on the Broncos' performance against Wisconsin in Week 1, they could give the Buckeyes a tussle when the teams meet for the second time ever on Saturday in Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes started slow last week but eventually buried Akron 52-6.
Western Michigan lost to the Badgers 28-14 in a game that was closer than the score indicated. The Broncos were never out of it.
Saturday's game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will air on the Big Ten Network.
Ohio State vs. Western Michigan: Key matchups
Ohio State's passing game vs. Western Michigan's defense.
The Broncos held the Badgers to 192 yards passing and just 5.3 yards per pass. Ohio State's passing attack directed by QB Will Howard looked clunky at times, but the Buckeyes' receivers are too good to be harnessed for long.
Players to watch
Western Michigan: RB Jalen Buckley rushed for 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Wisconsin.
Ohio State: Freshman WR Jeremiah Smith had six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns in his highly anticipated debut last week against Akron.
Facts and figures
Ohio State beat Western Michigan 38-12 in their only meeting in 2015.
The Buckeyes' 170 yards rushing included 65 yards by TreVeyon Henderson and 55 yards and TD by Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins.
Broncos' fifth-year QB Hayden Wolff was 12 for 18 for 141 yards and an interception against Wisconsin.
Buckley was one of five 1,000-yard rushers in the MAC last season (1,003), averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and ran for 10 touchdowns.
Western Michigan finished 4-8 overall and just 3-5 in the conference in 2023.
Wolff distributed passes to eight different receivers against Wisconsin.
Broncos LB Donald Willis and CB Bilhal Kone led the Broncos in tackles with 10 each last week.
Ohio State is 37-1 all-time vs. MAC schools and has won 34 straight since losing to Akron in 1894.
The Buckeyes are off next week before hosting Marshall on Sept. 21. The off week after the second game of the season is the earliest off week for Ohio State since 1999.