WATCH: C.J. Stroud throws 26-yard touchdown strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Keeping it close! Gotta start playing on defense.

Ohio State is in one heck of a battle with the Oregon Ducks. The offense has sputtered so far and the defense is having an awfully hard time stopping the run.

Oregon went into halftime up 14-7, then came out in the third quarter and went straight down the field to stretch the lead out to 14 points. But then the Buckeyes came back to cut it to seven on a beautiful 26-yard pass play from C.J. Stroud to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Watch as Stroud knows exactly where he’s going to go, waits for Smith-Njigba to come free in the slot, and hits him in stride for paydirt to keep the game close.

Scoring on offense is fine, but Ohio State is not going to win this game if it can’t start filling the gaps on defense and turning Oregon back in the running game.

[lawrence-related id=60326,60328]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.