Daily Buckeye Blitz: Michigan Killers #7: Why A.J. Hawk Was the Heart of Ohio State's Silver Bullets
Release Date: 07/20/2026
Daily Buckeye Blitz: Michigan Killers: Dwayne Haskins Destroyed the Revenge Tour
The Buckeye Cast
Dwayne Haskins became a Michigan Killer in two completely different ways. In 2017, the redshirt freshman entered the Big House after J.T. Barrett injured his knee, with Ohio State trailing 20–14. Haskins completed six of seven passes for 94 yards, added a crucial 22-yard run and helped the Buckeyes score the final 17 points in a 31–20 comeback. One year later, Michigan arrived in Columbus favored, ranked fourth and carrying the nation’s number-one defense into the final stop of its Revenge Tour. Haskins answered with an official line of 20-of-31 for 396 yards, six touchdowns and no...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State Camp Update: Surprise Backup QB Battle and Defensive Changes
The Buckeye Cast
Ohio State has completed nine fall-camp practices and its first full scrimmage, but several major decisions remain unsettled. Ryan Day explains why Austin Siereveld’s absence has delayed the search for the best five offensive linemen, while true freshman Luke Fahey has emerged as a legitimate challenger to Tavien St. Clair for the backup quarterback job behind Julian Sayin. Matt Patricia is also preparing a different kind of defense after losing eight starters. Instead of relying on a handful of every-down stars, the Buckeyes could use deeper rotations, more three-linebacker looks and...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Michigan Killers: Jack Tatum and the Revenge of 1970
The Buckeye Cast
Jack Tatum’s three Ohio State–Michigan games told the story of a rivalry changing forever. As a sophomore in 1968, Tatum forced a fumble and ripped a completed pass away for an interception as the Buckeyes crushed Michigan 50–14. One year later, he experienced the stunning 24–12 upset in Ann Arbor that launched the Ten Year War. Then came the Revenge Crusade of 1970. With both teams undefeated and untied, Tatum helped Ohio State hold Michigan to just 37 rushing yards in a 20–9 victory that sent the Buckeyes back to the Rose Bowl. This edition of Michigan Killers revisits the position...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State Defensive Line Preview: Can Depth Replace Star Power?
The Buckeye Cast
Ohio State’s defensive line may be deeper and more versatile in 2026, but it must replace enormous production from Kayden McDonald and Caden Curry. Kenyatta Jackson returns as the proven leader after recording 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Eddrick Houston has emerged as the biggest early fall-camp riser, Beau Atkinson appears to lead the competition at the other defensive-end spot, and transfers James Smith and John Walker give Larry Johnson several experienced options inside. We break down the projected rotation, the battle opposite Jackson, Houston’s breakout potential, Qua...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State Fall Camp: 6 Early Defensive Takeaways
The Buckeye Cast
Ohio State’s defense is showing its depth and flexibility through the first three fall-camp practices open to the media. Eddrick Houston has emerged as the biggest early riser on a disruptive defensive line. Freshman Jay Timmons is already taking first-team snaps at nickel, Devin Sanchez is stepping into a leadership role and Matt Patricia is rotating so many fronts and personnel combinations that a traditional depth chart may not tell the full story. We break down six early defensive takeaways, including Kenyatta Jackson’s expanded role, the crowded defensive-line rotation, Jermaine...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State Fall Camp: 6 Early Offensive Takeaways
The Buckeye Cast
Ohio State’s offense is beginning to take shape after the first three fall-camp practices open to the media. UTSA transfer Devin McCuin has emerged as the early favorite to become the Buckeyes’ number-two receiver. Isaiah West has turned the running-back rotation with returning 1,000-yard rusher Bo Jackson into a legitimate competition. Meanwhile, Ohio State is still testing six offensive linemen for five jobs, and Arthur Smith’s influence is already visible through multiple tempos, heavy play-action, flexible personnel and increased tight-end involvement. We break down six early...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Michigan Killers: How Chris Olave Became a Star Against Michigan
The Buckeye Cast
Michigan made Chris Olave a star. The Ohio State receiver entered the 2018 rivalry game with only five career catches and no touchdowns. He left with two 24-yard touchdown receptions and a blocked punt that Sevyn Banks returned for another score in the Buckeyes’ 62–39 demolition of Michigan. One year later, Olave burned the Wolverines for a 57-yard touchdown in Ann Arbor. Across Ohio State’s 2018 and 2019 victories, he caught four passes for 116 yards—and three of those four receptions went for touchdowns. In this edition of Michigan Killers, we revisit Olave’s unforgettable freshman...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Michigan Killers: Joey Bosa WRECKED Michigan
The Buckeye Cast
Joey Bosa never lost to Michigan. The Ohio State defensive end went 3–0 against the Wolverines from 2013 through 2015, helping the Buckeyes record three consecutive 42-point victories. His rivalry résumé includes two sacks and the decisive strip-sack touchdown in 2014, followed by a sack, forced fumble, multiple pressures and an incredible 28-yard interception return during Ohio State’s 42–13 demolition in Ann Arbor in 2015. In this edition of Michigan Killers, we revisit Bosa’s three victories and the unforgettable plays that made him one of the rivalry’s great defensive...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State Offensive Line Fall Camp Preview: Who Are the Buckeyes’ Best Five?
The Buckeye Cast
Ohio State returns four starting offensive linemen, but the Buckeyes still enter fall camp with major lineup questions. The biggest decision involves Austin Siereveld. Should Ohio State keep its proven left tackle in place, or move him to right guard so Ian Moore can take over on the edge? In today’s Fall Camp Preview: Ohio State’s three possible starting-line combinations Why Ryan Day wants the lineup settled by practice nine or ten The competition involving Ian Moore, Phillip Daniels, Josh Padilla and Gabe VanSickle Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman’s leadership How Arthur...
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Daily Buckeye Blitz: Ohio State TE Fall Camp Preview: Is This Finally the Year of the Tight End?
The Buckeye Cast
Ohio State enters fall camp with one of its deepest and most versatile tight end rooms in years. Sophomore Nate Roberts appears ready to take over as TE1, while transfers Mason Williams and Hunter Welcing bring experience, production and positional flexibility. Veteran Bennett Christian gives the Buckeyes a fourth playable option, allowing Arthur Smith to experiment with more 12 and 13 personnel. In today’s episode: Why expectations are so high for Nate Roberts Whether the Buckeyes have a legitimate receiving threat The importance of run blocking How Mason Williams could be used at...
info_outlineSome Michigan Killers are remembered for one unforgettable play. A.J. Hawk is remembered because he never stopped making them.
In this episode of the Michigan Killers series, we look back at Hawk's journey from freshman reserve on Ohio State's 2002 national championship team to becoming the unquestioned leader of Jim Tressel's Silver Bullets. Along the way, he finished 3-1 against Michigan, led the Buckeyes with 11 tackles in the 2004 victory, won the Lombardi Award, and helped define one of the greatest defensive eras in Ohio State history.
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Monday, July 20, 2026
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