Last Go On The Road: Illinois

Winning on the road in college football is no easy task, even for the best teams. Ohio State has proven to be one of the nation’s elite programs, and over the past four years (2021–2024), the Buckeyes have compiled an impressive 20-4 record away from Ohio Stadium during the regular season. Despite this success, Ohio State fans expect a win in every game, but a winning percentage exceeding 83% is nothing to overlook.

This year, the Buckeyes face five road games, taking them to the Pacific Northwest, the shores of the Great Lakes, the open plains of Central Illinois and Northern Indiana, and finally to the massive stadium built into a giant hole in the ground. Ohio State knows it will face Michigan annually as protected rivals in the Big Ten, but some of these other opponents haven’t hosted the Buckeyes in years—some for nearly a generation, others just a couple of seasons. Notably, Washington was still in the Pac-12 the last time these teams met.

As the countdown to kickoff approaches, let’s examine each road opponent this week, exploring the last time Ohio State visited their venue, what happened, and the Buckeyes’ historical success in that stadium or city.

October 11^th at Illinois

Last time played in Champaign: November 2015

Result: Ohio State def. Illinois 28-3

All-Time Record in Champaign: Ohio State leads 37-12

It has been eight years since the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Illinois Illini last competed for the Illibuck, a wooden turtle trophy, and ten years since the turtle was contested at Memorial Stadium, possibly the windiest venue in the Big Ten.

This gap is a consequence of conference expansion, growing from 10 teams to 11, then 14, and now 18. With such growth, scheduling gaps mean some opponents are not faced for years.

But nearly a decade?

It is what it is.

The Buckeyes hold a nine-game winning streak over the Illini. Their last victory came in Columbus in 2007, when Illinois’ Juice Williams and Rashard Mendenhall ran rampant, nearly dashing Ohio State’s hopes for that season.

The 2015 match-up was a straightforward 28-3 rout. Ezekiel Elliott powered through with 181 yards on 27 carries, scoring two touchdowns in the second half after the game was already in hand. Michael Thomas caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from J.T. Barrett, who also scored on a six-yard run, staying true to form.

The Illini struggled offensively, managing only 20 yards on 25 rushing attempts. Quarterback Wes Lunt threw 47 passes, completing 23, with Desmond Cain catching 10 for 102 yards. Illinois’ lone score came from a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter, briefly narrowing the gap to four points. Ohio State responded with 21 unanswered points to seal the victory.

The Buckeyes then faced back-to-back ranked opponents to close the regular season, starting with a home game against No. 9 Michigan State. Rain fell sideways, Ezekiel Elliott battled a mysterious ailment, and Ohio State fell from the ranks of the unbeaten. They rebounded with a 42-13 drubbing of their archrival in the final game, earning a Fiesta Bowl matchup against Notre Dame.

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