Tag: Ohio State Buckeyes

Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover (8) goes airborne over Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith (29) during the first quarter of the 2022 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ohio State TE Cade Stover’s MRI reveals back spasms

Posted on | by Field Level Media

An MRI revealed that Ohio State tight end Cade Stover suffered back spasms in Saturday’s College Football Playoff semifinal loss against Georgia, ESPN reported Sunday.

Stover left the Peach Bowl contest after apparently suffering a lower back injury. He fell awkwardly after hurdling a defender following a catch on the Buckeyes’ third drive of the game.

He was examined inside the medical tent on the sideline for several minutes before heading to the locker room at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Stover was ultimately taken to an Atlanta-area hospital for further examination, according to an announcement in the press box.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior made one grab for 7 yards in the 42-41 loss to the Bulldogs. He finished the season with 36 receptions for 406 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Big plays carry No. 3 Michigan past No. 2 Ohio State 45-23

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J.J. McCarthy threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, added another score on the ground and No. 3 Michigan defeated Ohio State 45-23 at Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday.

Donovan Edwards added 216 yards rushing with two TDs as the Wolverines (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) defeated the Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1) at Ohio Stadium for the first time since 2000.

McCarthy’s 45-yard TD pass to Colston Loveland early in the third quarter gave the Wolverines the lead for good at 24-20.

McCarthy followed that with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that took 7:51 off the clock by running in from the 3 with 13:10 remaining in the game. A defensive pass interference call on the Buckeyes’ Zach Harrison on a third-and-10 from the Ohio State 13 kept the drive alive and put the ball on the 2-yard line.

Noah Ruggles kicked a 27-yard field goal to pull Ohio State within 31-23 with 7:23 remaining.

Edwards followed with touchdown runs of 75 and 85 yards for the Wolverines to put the game away.

Ohio State held a 20-17 halftime lead even though McCarthy stunned the Buckeyes with 69- and 75-yard touchdown passes to Cornelius Johnson two minutes apart to give the Wolverines a 17-13 advantage with 5:36 left in the second quarter.

Johnson had four catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud responded with a 42-yard scoring strike to Marvin Harrison Jr. with 3:49 remaining in the first half to put the Buckeyes ahead at the break.

Stroud was 31 of 48 for 349 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Ohio State took a 7-0 lead on the first drive of the game, getting a 4-yard rushing TD from Emeka Egbuka.

The Buckeyes led 10-3 when McCarthy, on a third-and-nine from the Michigan 31, found Johnson along the left sideline. He spun from defensive back Cam Brown to score on the 69-yard play to tie it. After a Noah Ruggles 47-yard field goal put the Buckeyes up 13-10, Johnson was at it again for his 75-yard go-ahead score.

Michigan running back and Heisman Trophy hopeful Blake Corum was on the field for the first three snaps but did not play afterward because of a previous knee injury. He had two carries for 6 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes chased by Ohio State Buckeyes safety Ronnie Hickman (14) and ornerback Denzel Burke (29) at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Miyan Williams, Blake Corum expected to play in Michigan-Ohio State tilt

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Both No. 3 Michigan and No. 2 Ohio State expect to have their respective leading rushers for their all-important heavyweight showdown on Saturday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.

The Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) will see the return of junior Miyan Williams after he missed last week’s game against Maryland.

ESPN reported that Wolverines junior Blake Corum is expected to attempt play after injuring his knee last week against Illinois.

Per the ESPN report, Corum would not likely play the full game and is not yet completely healthy.

Corum’s status in particular will be watched closely as he has put up one of the best seasons of any running back in college football this year. He ranks sixth in the country in rushing with 1,457 yards and tied for second with 18 rushing touchdowns on 245 carries while powering the Wolverines (11-0, 8-0).

But Corum, a likely Heisman Trophy candidate, went down in the second quarter last Saturday with a left knee injury. The effects were felt on the Wolverines offense in the near upset, with Michigan surviving on a last-second field goal.

Corum has scored a rushing touchdown in every game this season for Michigan’s run-heavy offense, and has reeled off eight consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He was the anchor in the Wolverines’ fourth-ranked rushing attack this season, with the team averaging 243.8 rushing yards per game.

Williams (117 carries) has had less than half as many carries this season as Corum, but the 5-foot-9, 225-pound back ranks among the nation’s top 10 in yards per carry at 6.7. His 783 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground.

Williams’ health remains even more important for Ohio State with sophomore TreVeyon Henderson expected to be sidelined because of an injured foot.

The winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game will have an inside track to securing a bid in the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Buckeyes last season, winning at home 42-27.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Running backs in spotlight as No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan clash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In a showdown that could be decided by which powerhouse can successfully move the ball on the ground, the health of the running backs will be in the spotlight when No. 3 Michigan plays No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

The Wolverines (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) rely on Heisman Trophy candidate Blake Corum, who has rushed for 1,457 yards on 5.9 yards per carry with 18 touchdowns, but he left the Illinois game last Saturday in the third quarter with a knee injury.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that he had no injury update although that could be some gamesmanship because Corum told the Detroit News on Sunday, “It’s good. I’ll be fine. I’ll be back.”

The Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0) have the two-pronged attack of Miyan Williams (783 yards, 6.7 per carry, 13 touchdowns) and TreVeyon Henderson (571, 5.3, six), but they have rarely been used as a tandem in the game.

Henderson has missed three games due to injury and was hurt in the first half against Maryland last Saturday. Williams did not play versus the Terrapins, has sat out two other games and left another early.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day on Tuesday said he is hopeful they’ll be ready for Michigan.

“We’d like for them to practice, but if they miss a little bit we’ll adjust accordingly,” he said.

In their absence, freshman Dallan Hayden has filled the void. He rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns against Maryland and 102 yards and one score versus Indiana in the previous game, averaging 5.4 yards per carry in each contest.

“To see the way he stepped up last week was tremendous and encouraging,” Day said.

When asked if a healthy Hayden is better than Williams and Henderson if they’re not 100 percent, Day said, “I think it’s definitely worth a conversation.”

Michigan backup running back Donovan Edwards and edge rusher Mike Morris also were unavailable against Illinois — Harbaugh did not have updates — but Corum is the key.

“He’s a great player, but I think everybody else is just going to step up with him out and I think that we’re up to the challenge and we will do that,” Michigan left tackle Ryan Hayes said Monday on the possibility of Corum being out.

If Corum plays, he’ll be looking for a Heisman moment, as will Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards with 35 touchdowns and four interceptions. Michigan is No. 1 in the nation in total defense (241.3 yards per game) and second in points allowed (11.7).

The Wolverines’ 42-27 win in Ann Arbor, Mich., last season broke an eight-game losing streak to the Buckeyes, who are 17-3 versus Michigan since 2001.

“Looking up at the scoreboard, personally in my mind, not only did we fail our number one goal, I felt like I let them (past Buckeyes) down in that game,” Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson said.

The Wolverines have lost nine consecutive games in Ohio Stadium since 2001 in the heated rivalry, but this is their first trip there since 2018 because the 2020 game was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s through a strong opponent that you figure out how good you are,” Harbaugh said. “I think you’re going to find we’re made of the right stuff.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) catches a pass as Maryland Terrapins defensive back Deonte Banks (3) defends during the first quarter at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 Ohio State fends off pesky Maryland, 43-30

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Dallan Hayden ran for three touchdowns as No. 2 Ohio State held off host Maryland 43-30 in College Park, Md., on Saturday.

Hayden, taking over when TreVeyon Henderson was reinjured, ran for 146 yards on 27 carries for the Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten). Quarterback C.J. Stroud was 18-of-30 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown.

Tulia Tagovailoa was 26 of 36 for 293 yards and three touchdowns for Maryland (6-5, 3-5).

Trailing by three in the third quarter, Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom blocked a punt for the second straight game, giving the Buckeyes the ball at the Maryland 14. Two plays later, Hayden rushed for an 8-yard TD to make it 17-13.

Noah Ruggles added a 47-yard field goal for 20-13 lead and Hayden ran for a 3-yard TD run with 16 seconds left in the third quarter for a 27-13 lead.

Tagovailoa ran for a 5-yard TD and passed for a 2-point conversion to Jacob Copeland to make it 27-21 early in the fourth quarter. After Hayden’s 13-yard touchdown, the Terrapins blocked the extra point and Jakorian Bennett returned it for two points and a 33-23 score.

Maryland pulled to within 33-30 on a fourth-down 1-yard catch by Jeshaun Jones with 9:49 left.

The Buckeyes chewed up 5:12 of the clock and Ruggles kicked a 45-yard field goal with 42 seconds left. Steele Chambers scooped up a fumble by Tagovailoa and scored from 1 yard out for the final score with nine seconds left.

Maryland led 13-10 at halftime on the strength of Tagovailoa’s 16 of 18 for 131 yards and a touchdown, a 1-yarder to CJ Dippre for the go-ahead score with 3:52 left in the second quarter.

Ohio State opened the scoring on their first possession, going 75 yards in six plays, capped by a 31-yard screen pass to Henderson.

Maryland has never beaten Ohio State in seven games since joining the Big Ten in 2014. The last time the series was played at Maryland, in 2018, the heavily favored Buckeyes won 52-51 in overtime when the Terrapins failed on a 2-point conversion.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) rushes upfield during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Northwestern Wildcats

No. 2 Ohio State aims to reignite offense vs. reeling Indiana

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Ohio State looks to regain its swagger on offense when the No. 2 Buckeyes host Indiana on Saturday in Columbus.

After enduring torrential rain and a wind averaging nearly 30 mph to win 21-7 at Northwestern last week, the Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) want to take their frustrations out on the downtrodden Hoosiers (3-6, 1-5), who have lost six in a row.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday the running game remains a concern even though the Buckeyes produced 207 rushing yards vs. Northwestern after managing a combined 164 yards in the previous two games vs. Iowa and Penn State.

The Buckeyes were stuffed several times on short-yardage situations at Northwestern, including on third- and fourth-down needing a yard in the first quarter when Miyan Williams had the two runs for no yards.

“Of all the things that I was disappointed with on Saturday with running the football, short yardage was the one high on the list,” Day said. “You know they’re all going to be in (the box) and we have to convert in those situations.

“We all need to do better. Going back and watching the film, we have to block better, we have to run better. We have to try to do a better job of equating numbers, all of the above.”

Quarterback C.J. Stroud was among the Buckeyes who struggled, completing 10 of 26 for a career-low 76 yards and no touchdowns. However, he ran for a career-best 79 yards on six carries.

Still, Buckeyes’ 283 total yards were their lowest since they had 277 against Southern California in the 2017 Cotton Bowl.

Despite those numbers, Ohio State is the top scoring team in the nation (45.8 points per game) and is 14th in total offense (484.1 yards per game). That’s bad news for the Hoosiers, who rank 114th in scoring defense (32.2) and 104th in total defense (422.3).

“Coach Day continues to do a tremendous job with that program, and the way that they are playing right now, and at all three phases, obviously a lot of talented players, very good coaches,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said. “It will be a tremendous challenge for us to play on the road against such a really good football team.”

There is concern on the offensive side as well for Indiana. Starting quarterback Connor Bazelak, a transfer from Missouri, did not play last week due to an injury as the Hoosiers lost 45-14 to then-No. 15 Penn State. In addition, backup Jack Tuttle got hurt during the game.

Brendan Sorsby and Dexter Williams II finished the game, but Allen said Monday that Bazelak would start against the Buckeyes to lead an offense that is 100th in scoring (23.3) and 112th in total yards (329.0).

The odds are stacked against the Hoosiers leaving Ohio Stadium with a victory. They have lost 27 straight to the Buckeyes with Indiana’s last win coming in 1988.

“We will continue to fight and battle and that’s what this team is going to do and that’s what we are all about here,” Allen said. “But that’s part of being in the tough cycle we are going through right now, and we have to find a way to break through it.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) tackles Northwestern Wildcats running back Evan Hull (26) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Northwestern Wildcats

No. 2 Ohio State squeaks past lowly Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State overcame the elements and upset-minded Northwestern when Miyan Williams scored two second-half touchdown for the No. 2 Buckeyes in a 21-7 win against the Wildcats in Big Ten play at Evanston, Ill., on Saturday.

Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Stroud of Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) passed for a career-low 76 yards on 10-of-26 passing while being hampered by the adverse conditions. He ran for a carry-high 79 yards on six carries, including a 44-yarder late in the fourth quarter to set-up a 2-yard run by Williams to make it 21-7.

While Ohio State set an FBS record by scoring 20-plus-points in 70 straight games, breaking a tie with Oklahoma (2016-21), it wasn’t easy.

Northwestern (1-8, 1-5) lost its eighth straight but the Wildcats, a 38-point underdog, were tied 7-7 at the half.

Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan was 10 of 14 for 79 yards. Evan Hull rushed for 122 yards on 30 carries.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (foot) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hamstring) sat out with injuries.

Williams broke a 7-7 tie with a third-down run of 27 yards with 8:44 left in the third quarter. He ran for 111 yards on 26 attempts.

The halftime score was as stunning as the way it came about in a game played in heavy rain at times and sustained winds between 20 and 30 miles per hour with gusts to 50.

Ohio State was held scoreless in the first quarter, against the wind, for the first time this season and did not tie the score until 2:26 remained in the half on a 15-yard run by Emeka Egbuka.

Stroud, who was 6 for 16 for 46 yards through two quarters, had a critical 16-yard keeper on a fourth-and-1 from the Northwestern 37 to keep the drive alive. He then ran for 6 yards on the next play before Egbuka’s score.

The Wildcats outgained the Buckeyes 140-118 by halftime, including 109 of that on the ground. Hull rushed for 16 of his 75 first-half yards for a TD in the first quarter and the 7-0 lead.
Ohio State has won 10 in a row against the Wildcats.

–Field Level Media