CHICAGO (WCMH) -- In the final road game of the regular season, the second-ranked Buckeyes defeated Northwestern 31-7 in their Wrigley Field debut.
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins and wide receiver Carnell Tate each scored two touchdowns while the Buckeyes defense came up with four sacks of quarterback Jack Lausch despite allowing its first touchdown in weeks.
The Wildcats controlled possession for much of the opening 15 minutes. Ohio State's Jack Sawyer forced a fumble on NU's opening drive with Davison Igbinosun on the recovery. But what looked like a deep throw to Jeremiah Smith in the endzone was ruled incomplete, forcing OSU to punt in its only drive of the quarter.
Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch scored the first points of the game with an eight yard rush up the middle in what ended up being the only Wildcat points scored in the afternoon.
Ohio State seeks its 11th straight win over the Wildcats, who last beat OSU in an overtime game in 2004. The matchup is taking place at the home of the Chicago Cubs while Northwestern continues building a new stadium on its campus.
Since falling to Oregon, the Buckeyes have rattled off three straight victories over Nebraska, Penn State and Purdue. Head coach Ryan Day looks to avoid a letdown before pivotal matchups against No. 5 Indiana and Michigan to close the regular season. A win Saturday would keep Ohio State in the driver's seat of making the Big Ten championship game in December.
Photo gallery
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Carnell Tate #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a touchdown pass against Josh Fussell #13 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a touchdown run by Quinshon Judkins #1 (not pictured) against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with Patrick Gurd #49 after a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Gee Scott Jr. #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass against Greyson Metz #57 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Davison Igbinosun #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a fumble recovery with Jordan Hancock #7 against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Cam Porter #1 of the Northwestern Wildcats is tackled by Jack Sawyer #33, Caleb Downs #2, Davison Igbinosun #1 and Ty Hamilton #58 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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