The losing streak is over for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State is finally back in the win column with a 28-19 Week 11 win over the Northwestern Wildcats after dropping two straight games to USC and Oregon.

It wasn’t pretty all the time. The Buckeyes got off to a slow start and trailed 3-0 after one quarter of play. Eventually, Ohio State settled in, and the offense did enough to get the job done against a Northwestern team that came into the game at 6-3.

Coming away from this game, here are the winners and losers from Ohio State’s win over Northwestern.

Winner: Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith finished with 11 catches for 117 yards and one touchdown. He also became the Big Ten’s all-time leader in receiving yards in this game, and he continues to build accolades around his name.

Smith is now up to 1,317 receiving yards along with 15 receiving touchdowns. The Heisman-type season continues for the star wideout, and he’s producing with a backup quarterback throwing him the football, which shows just how great of a player he is.

Winner: Will Smith Jr.

Will Smith Jr. had a sack in the first half, and it was the first sack by an Ohio State defensive lineman in five games. Overall, Smith finished with a couple of tackles and was a needed presence on the interior of the defensive line.

Winner: Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

In a surprising development, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. did not get the start for the Buckeyes. Still, he made his presence known against Northwestern with a team-high two sacks to go along with six tackles.

Jackson is now up to five sacks. If he can keep up this level of play over the final couple of games, it would be great for the Buckeyes and great for his draft stock.

Winner: RB Bo Jackson

Ohio State needs a solid run game to go along with a backup quarterback and they got it against Northwestern. Jackson finished with 114 rushing yards on 20 attempts and he was able to break multiple 10+ yard runs. A good day overall for Jackson with his third game this season with at least 100 yards on the ground. 

Winner: Jake Cook

Jake Cook made a start at left guard with Luke Montgomery out after previously playing at right guard for Ohio State in a pinch. He looked the part, and it shows some of the depth Ohio State can rely on along the offensive line. Cook is a key future piece of this offensive line, and he could be starting as soon as next season.

Loser: Chris Henry Jr.

Chris Henry Jr. had a chance to reel in a deep touchdown pass, and it went right through his hands. Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey put the ball right in the breadbasket, and it was a clean drop by Henry. Henry has been a bit of a disappointment for the Buckeyes. Given how much Ohio State paid him on the NIL front and the expectations he carried coming into the year, his production hasn’t matched the investment.

Loser: Special teams unit

Ohio State fired special teams coach Robbie Disher after the loss to Oregon, and the unit didn’t show much improvement against Northwestern. Outside of a muffed punt by the Wildcats that the Buckeyes recovered, it was a rough day.

Ohio State gave up a punt return of more than 30 yards. Additionally, a punt bounced off of Devin Sanchez’s back, and Northwestern recovered it for a turnover. That much is clear: Ohio State’s special teams aren’t getting any better this year.