LOOK: Ohio State AD Gene Smith is fired up for Buckeyes color rush uniforms

On3 imageby:Wade Peery10/24/21

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith looks like he’s jazzed up about the Buckeyes breaking out their color rush uniforms again for their upcoming game against Penn State on Saturday.

Check out the tweet below he posted on Twitter.

The uniforms are all-scarlet.

Here’s a description of the uniforms from the Ohio State website: “All-scarlet means a color rush of all-scarlet. Jersey, pants, socks, base layers, gloves and spikes will be scarlet with the traditional striping pattern on the shoulders and down the side of the legs. The traditional metallic extreme silver helmet will also be worn.”

The uniform is inspired from the NFL’s Color Rush uniforms. The promotion started in 2015 and had teams wearing the same jerseys, socks, and pants on Thursday Night Football. Teams can wear their color rush uniforms now up to three times a season as alternate uniforms.

Below is an example of the Buffalo Bills‘ color rush uniforms.

The Buckeyes upcoming game against Penn State is a big one for both teams. The matchup lost a little bit of its shine after Penn State lost 18-20 in 9 overtimes to Illinois. The game set the record for the most overtimes in FBS history. That’s college football for you, though.

That’s part of the beauty of the sport, it’s wildly unpredictable.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is the main storyline heading into the matchup and just how well he’s been playing the last three games. The former Elite 11 MVP struggled a bit out of the gates for the Buckeyes, but has clearly found his groove lately.

He’s shown the kind of form that made him one of the most coveted prospects in America coming out of high school.

Check out the dime below he threw against Indiana on Saturday.

That’s the kind of throw that’s not only going to make Stroud one of the best quarterbacks in college football, but likely to make him a top NFL Draft selection a few years down the road.

Per PFF, Stroud’s 94.3 overall grade is first amongst all FBS quarterbacks. The freshman signal-caller is currently seventh in the nation in passing yards per game.

Ohio State is currently 6-1 on the season behind Stroud’s play, which has gotten cleaner and cleaner since the beginning of the season. After throwing a pick in each game versus Minnesota, Oregon, and Tulsa, he’s kept that column clear ever since. His touchdown-interception ratio is currently 22:3.

On top of the increased ball security, CJ Stroud has also dramatically increased his accuracy. He’s thrown above 72% in each of his last three games and posted a high of 75% against Indiana.

Buckeye fans are hoping he continues to play at a high level this weekend against a very stingy Penn State defense.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to the report.