ICYMI: BSB’s Full Oregon Coverage
It’s been a busy week in the Ohio State world, but don’t fret. BSB has you covered for everything you may have missed in the last seven days, from Ryan Day’s weekly press conference to the action on Saturday.
Ohio State redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud has been honored with the Big Ten Freshman of the Week title after his first start in the Scarlet and Gray. Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Iowa defensive back Riley Moss was picked as the Defensive Player of the Week, and Penn State K/P Jordan Stout was tabbed as the Specialist of the Week.
Ohio State has yet to announce the severity of starting safety Josh Proctor’s shoulder injury, which he sustained late in a 45-31 victory over Minnesota on Sept. 2.
Any sort of long-term ailment for the senior from Oklahoma would serve as a serious hit for the Buckeyes, who were already down starting cornerbacks Sevyn Banks and Cameron Brown – and whose availability for a Sept. 11 matchup with Oregon is also still a question – but head coach Ryan Day didn’t seem to be quite as concerned about the potential losses as you may expect from a coach looking to rebuild a tremendously shaky passing defense.
After a season-opening win against Minnesota on Thursday night, Ohio State moved to No. 3 in the latest Associated Press Top 25, released on Tuesday.
Alabama received 59 of a possible 63 first-place votes — a sizable increase from the 47 it garnered in the preseason. In their first game, the Crimson Tide blew out Miami 44-13 behind a record-breaking performance from quarterback Bryce Young. The second-year signal-caller completed 27 of 39 passes for 344 yards and four touchdowns.
Ohio State trotted out 24 different Buckeyes to populate its 11 defensive slots throughout a 45-31 season-opening win over Minnesota on Sept. 2. For an early-season tune-up game, that number may be low, as the Buckeyes work to see what they have on the second- and third-team levels against an overpowered opponent.
This, however, was not that. The Buckeyes were seriously challenged by Minnesota in Minneapolis, pushed hard by a physical offense and held to just 10 points in the first half, not finding real security in a lead until the fourth quarterback when halfback TreVeyon Henderson slashed through the Gopher secondary and broke its back.
Chase Brown: Stadium Atmosphere Powers Win
657. Ohio Stadium hasn’t held fans since Nov. 23, 2019 – 657 days ago – when No. 2 Ohio State defeated No. 10 Penn State 28-17 to claim the Big Ten East title. The following week, the Buckeyes traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for “The Game” before heading to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin.
After Ohio State claimed the conference title, they faced Clemson in the CFP semifinal at The Fiesta Bowl.Last season, Ohio State played eight games against six Big Ten opponents, Clemson and Alabama.
1. Just how much of an impact can a full Ohio Stadium have?
It’s been nearly two years since we last saw a packed house in Columbus – back on Nov. 23, 2019 for the penultimate game of the regular season, a 28-17 win over Penn State for the Buckeyes. In the time away, it’s easy to forget the impact that 100,000+ fans can have on a football game.
CJ Verdell ran for two touchdowns, caught another and the Oregon defense stiffened when needed as the No. 12 Ducks upset No. 3 Ohio State 35-28 in Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
The Ducks (1-1) pulled off the stunner before a less-than capacity crowd of 100,482 in the first home game with fans since 2019.
C.J. Stroud was 35 for 54 for 484 yards, three touchdowns and a late critical interception but the Buckeyes (1-1) trailed 14-7 at the half because they failed to score four times with the ball inside the Oregon 40.