What if the real heroes of Ohio State's blowout victory aren't just the starters, but the unsung warriors on special teams? Picture this: a kicker's punt intended for safety turns into a game-changing disaster for the opposition, or a kick return that sprints 100 yards straight to the end zone. That's the electrifying drama that unfolded in Ohio State's commanding 48-10 triumph over UCLA on November 15, and it's the kind of moment that makes you wonder if football's hidden gems are finally getting their spotlight.
But here's where it gets controversial... Lorenzo Styles, the versatile player who's transitioned from receiver duties at Notre Dame, knew from the instant he caught the ball that it was his time to shine. With just three seconds ticking away in the third quarter and Ohio State comfortably ahead at 34-7, Styles didn't hesitate. "When I first got the ball, I told myself, they kick it to me, I'm going to take it to the house," he shared afterward, summing up that bold mindset that led to Ohio State's first kick return touchdown since Jordan Hall's 85-yard dash back in 2010 against Michigan. For newcomers to the game, a kick return touchdown is like stealing the ball from the other team's backfield and racing it across the goal line before anyone can catch you – it's rare, exciting, and can flip the momentum of a game.
Styles wasn't shy about crediting his success to the hard work behind the scenes. "Feels great," he said. "Lot of credit to my coaches and my teammates. The install took a lot of work, a lot of preparation. My teammates did their jobs, so it was good to put that on the field." This highlights how special teams plays often rely on precise choreography – think of it as a well-rehearsed dance where blockers create paths and receivers make split-second decisions. And this wasn't Styles' first rodeo; back on October 4 against Minnesota, teammate Brandon Inniss fielded a punt and lateraled it to Styles, who bolted 36 yards before being stopped at the Minnesota 20. Styles admitted he wished he'd pushed for more that day, especially after Bo Jackson capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. But against UCLA, the Bruins became the backdrop for his redemption.
And this is the part most people miss – the emotional payoff. "The kick return, it was cool," Styles reflected, "but the best feeling is celebrating with your teammates, most of all my brother. I had my brother there and him being so excited for me, telling me how sweet he thought that play was. It felt great. It's a blessing." It's a reminder that football isn't just about stats; it's about those personal connections that make victories even sweeter. For context, his brother Sonny Styles was anchoring the defense, racking up seven tackles, including one for a loss, while Lorenzo contributed five more as a nickel back. Together with the rest of the unit, they stifled UCLA to just 222 yards total (a mere 50 in the first half) and kept them a dismal 5-for-13 on third-down conversions, showing how a solid defense can demoralize an opponent.
Meanwhile, defensive end Caden Curry was right in the thick of it with five tackles of his own. The Buckeyes had to pivot quickly when UCLA lost quarterback Nico Iamaleava to a concussion just before kickoff, forcing them to face backup Luke Donald instead. "Kind of sucks when you prepare for somebody all week and they bring somebody else," Curry quipped, echoing the frustration of athletes who invest hours in scouting only to adapt on the fly. Donald, making his college debut, performed admirably with 16 completions on 23 attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown, proving he's no slouch. Even UCLA's interim coach Tim Skipper had a lighthearted take: "I gave him the best advice ever. Just throw the ball at our color jersey. That’s all I told him." And Donald listened well, avoiding any interceptions while still being kept in check by Ohio State's defense – with Curry playing a key role.
But let's stir the pot a bit: Curry didn't just shine on defense; he had a game-changing blooper on special teams too. With 16 seconds left in the second quarter, UCLA punter Will Karroll tried a short kick from his own 22, only for it to smack Curry right in the chest. The result? Ohio State recovered at the UCLA 14 and booted a field goal to balloon the halftime score to 27-0. Curry joked, "I'm going to claim that for me, (it was) the intimidation factor," attributing it to scaring the opponent into mistakes. Is this just playful boasting, or does it hint at a deeper psychological edge in football? After all, Ohio State's defense is already elite, surrendering an FBS-low average of just over a touchdown per game (around 7.5 points), thanks to starters who double up on special teams. If players like Styles and Curry keep fueling those units, it could turn good teams into unstoppable forces.
"Just icing on the cake there," Lorenzo Styles summed up, capturing the extra layer of dominance. Yet, this raises a provocative question: Are players like Styles and Curry undervalued because special teams often fly under the radar compared to offensive stars? Or is the spotlight shifting in modern football? What do you think – should special teams MVPs get more hype, or is it time to rethink how we celebrate gridiron greatness? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own controversial takes!**
