Ohio State’s passing defense is preparing for its biggest test of the season to date by far as it goes up against a Western Kentucky offense that led the FBS in passing yards last year.
Two games into the 2023 season, Ohio State’s defense ranks sixth in the FBS with only 108.5 passing yards allowed per game. But this week will provide a much truer test of whether Ohio State’s pass defense has actually improved.
While Corley was injured in Western Kentucky’s season opener, the dynamic slot receiver is expected to be back in action this week. Several other WKU receivers have been productive in his absence, led by redshirt freshman Easton Messer , 6-foot-3 inside receiver Dalvin Smith and former Ohio State and Cincinnati wideout Blue Smith .
“They give you every look that’s imaginable,” Walton said on Wednesday. “They spread it out, they push the ball down the field vertically, they’re a tempo team, the quarterback has a good arm, the quarterback does a good job of looking guys off. He's a seasoned guy, so they create and they like to vertically push the ball down the field and they'll run four and five wideouts at times. So they do enough to keep you honest.
“This is an offense that will attack on the perimeter and downfield. We had some issues with that last year. We've gotten better in our first couple games in terms of explosive plays and minimizing that, but we haven't really been tested yet. So this will be important.”Of course, Ohio State has to beat Western Kentucky first before it can turn its attention to the Fighting Irish.
While Corley does most of his damage after the catch, Reed is also plenty capable of making plays as a downfield passer, tallying 2,445 yards and 30 touchdowns on throws of 10 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage last year including 1,424 yards and 18 touchdowns of throws of 20-plus yards in 2022, per PFF. That means Ohio State’s pass coverage will need to be adept at all levels of the field.
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