Ohio State Football went on the road and got a very solid win against a surprisingly tough Rutgers team, 35-16.
It wasn’t as easy as the score would indicate, the Buckeyes pulled away late as the Scarlet Knights just wouldn’t go away. The home team held a lead at the half, 9-7, the first time all season that Ohio State trailed after 30 minutes.
Just as the fourth quarter started, the Buckeyes saw their lead dwindle to just 5 points, before scoring two touchdowns to seal the game.
There were more than a few Ohio State football players that earned Buckeyes leaves for their performances today. Find out below which of them, in my eyes, did just that.
Tight end Gee Scott Jr.
This Gee Scott TD 🤩🤩 @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/4F3duyRsNs
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 4, 2023
Why
He got the scoring started with an amazing catch. He was inconsistent throughout the remainder of the game, getting sat for walk-on Patrick Gurd a bit later. Scott Jr. contributed enough to earn his leaves, even if it wasn’t a big game for him.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson
𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟗: 207 total yards, 1 TD
𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟏𝟎: 208 total yards, 1 TDTreVeyon Henderson is on an absolute roll. 💥@TreVeyonH4 x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/VVKkmNMO5Y
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 4, 2023
Why
I love the way Henderson is running now, he’s being physical, fast and productive. It’s like something clicked for him while he was out multiple weeks following the Notre Dame game. Once again, over 200 total yards from scrimmage, it wasn’t just the production, but timing of it as well. His catch on a third down late in the fourth quarter was massive. What a game from Henderson.
Sonny Styles
Sonny Styles. Dawg.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 4, 2023
Why
Who knows what position Styles was today, it seemed like he was a linebacker on some plays, a safety on others. Wherever he lined up, he was making plays. I had a feeling he was set for a big game with Lathan Ransom out, and that’s what happened. It’s not surprising that with more playing time, Styles was more effective with 7 tackles. I really liked how defensive coordinator Jim Knowles deployed his utility defender.
Safety Josh Proctor
"We just take it one play at a time, I just want to do whatever I can to help this team come out with a win"
Josh Proctor said he sat out as a precaution, but was hype on the sideline after the Hamilton tackle.
Another excellent redzone performance today from the Buckeye D: pic.twitter.com/whAnHiWT6m
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) November 4, 2023
Why
When Rutgers got into the red zone late in the second quarter, Proctor took over. Two tackles in three plays, helping hold them to a field goal. That was his game in a nutshell, big plays after big play. Many thought that when Proctor returned this offseason, he was going to be a liability, but that has not been the case. He’s been great this season, and was again today. Hopefully his injury he suffered on Jordan Hancock’s pick-6 isn’t serious.
Cornerback Jordan Hancock
Jordan Hancock houses it. 💥
No. 1 @OhioStateFB reclaims the lead on a deflected Pick-6.
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/qjZdyqveuo
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 4, 2023
Why
Someone needed to step up with Denzel Burke out again, and it was Hancock. Multiple stars next to him during my in-game notes, he made the biggest play of the game when he picked off a pass and took it to the house. Like Scott Jr., it wasn’t all good for him, but when you score, you deserve your Buckeye leaves.
Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau
An absolute wrecking ball today, Tuimoloua was credited for 7 tackles and .5 for loss. He was all over the field, either making a play, or doing enough for a teammate to clean it up. Tuimoloua is so clutch as well, like Henderson, he came up big in multiple moments.
Safety Malik Hartford
True freshmen Jermaine Matthews Jr. & Malik Hartford came up big in the Buckeyes' 35-16 victory against Rutgers🔥
Matthews, who started for Denzel Burke, had three total tackles.
Hartford, who replaced Proctor in the third, finished with a tackle and big pass breakup‼️ pic.twitter.com/T3BrgqRyJX
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) November 4, 2023
Why
He didn’t start the game, but Hartford sure helped finish. The true freshman came in for Proctor and had two good plays in a goal line stop, great coverage then breaking up a pass. Hartford was ready when his name was called and while Rutgers tested him, he came up with the big plays.
Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg
Josh Proctor met with the media after the game and said he’s fine. Ohio State held him out for precautionary reasons since he took a shot to the head.
Tommy Eichenberg had ice on his arm when he left the stadium after going back to the locker room briefly in the fourth quarter.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 4, 2023
Why
This defense looked like last years, more run blitzing which gave Eichenberg more opportunities to make stops. He led the team with 12 tackles, and although only .5 of them went behind the line of scrimmage, he helped “contain” the Rutgers rushing attack. Eichenberg did leave early with an arm injury, so hopefully he also is fine going forward.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr's last 5 games:
📌 35 rec.
📌 578 yds
📌 7 TDWatch all 7 TDs ⤵️.@MarvHarrisonJr x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/c2DJQhlhSb
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 4, 2023
Why
Harrison Jr., didn’t gain the yardage many of us have accustomed to seeing him get, but what he did with his four catches mattered. Two of them went for scores, each of them coming in the fourth quarter as the Buckeyes put the game away.
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