Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Eugene Brown
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

One of the few returning Buckeyes, Brown is due for a big leap his junior season

As the basketball offseason continues and we move into the fall, Land-Grant Holy Land will continue to put out our basketball player and team previews. There will be two previews per week leading all the way into the start of the season, starting with player previews.

We have now made it to the four returning Buckeyes, starting with rising junior Eugene Brown.


Name: Eugene Brown
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 195 pounds
High School: Southwest Dekalb
Class: Junior
2021-22 stats: 3.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 9.5 APG, .351 FG%, .280 3FG%, .500 FT%

Outlook


Eugene Brown is one of the only four returning Buckeyes to the team now that Seth Towns has medically retired. Brown is a junior that played in 26 of 32 Ohio State games last season and started in 10 of them.

In that 2021-22 campaign, Brown averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game on an average of 17 minutes played. He played a lot more during conference play than he did during non-conference play because of injuries and some depth issues the Buckeyes ran into later in the season. He struggled shooting the ball on the season, hitting just 35 percent from the field, 28 percent from three-point range and 50 percent from the free throw line.

He did legitimately win a game for the Buckeyes against Indiana, blocking a layup attempt at the buzzer to force overtime and giving the Buckeyes a chance to win the game in the extra period, as they did. Brown finished with 10 points and six rebounds in that contest.


“That’s something I used to be known for in high school actually was going and blocking shots like that,” Brown said when asked about the play last season. “So, it just felt good to kind of relive that and bring that side back out. Blocks like that always give your team a great boost of energy, especially off of a turnover that it happened on. So, it was just great.”

Unfortunately for Brown, he dealt with multiple injuries, including a concussion early in the season that forced him to miss four games.

“Gene, I’ve been disappointed for him because he’s had stretches where he’s got in a rhythm, played really,” Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann said last season. “He’s probably played as well in this stretch as he has all season, and then he has a little injury. But he’ll bounce back from it. He’s had a go of it. He had a concussion along with some other illnesses and now this that’s been kind of interrupted his time this year.

“His performance at Purdue was as good as he’s played in a Buckeye uniform,” Holtmann added. “And I’m excited about his continued growth and the evolution of his game. I’m excited. He’s a young player that I think continues to get better and will with increased time and certainly will have a major role for us moving forward next year.”

When injuries keep popping up for a player, it is hard to get into a nice groove and tempo in the season. Brown has proven himself as a valuable member not just on defense, but shooting the ball and crashing the boards as well.

“He rebounds. He really pursues the balls, and we miss that impact on the glass when he’s not in the game at the wing spot,” Holtmann said. “We don’t have another wing that really gets to the glass quite like he does. So, it’s an important part of his game.”

Expectation


With the depth of this team and Brown now being in the rotation for two seasons and entering his third, he should be able to take a more solidified and more comfortable role on the team. With that, he can utilize his strengths more and really focus on being the defensive stalwart that he can be and was his freshman season and at times last season.

Prediction


Brown is no stranger to the starting lineup, as he started in 10 contests last season. But with the transfers and freshman they have coming in, it is more likely that Brown will come off the bench.

He has proven himself valuable of playing time, however, and will see the court, as his defense would be wasted on the bench. Since he isn’t as aggressive on offense as other guys, I would expect to see him in lineups with guys who can score the ball well and are versatile, like Tanner Holden, Justice Sueing and Sean McNeil, as he can really be a defensive force sharing the floor with guys like that.

I would expect him to play anywhere from 15-25 minutes per game off the bench, depending on the game situation and scenario.

Highlights

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LGHL Uncut: Chris Holtmann speaks at Ohio State media day
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo courtesy of Connor Lemons

The Buckeyes’ head coach talked about his freshmen, transfers, and the recent recruiting surge.

Throughout the season, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conference, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


In this episode, you will hear uncut audio from Ohio State men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann during the program’s annual media day, held inside the practice gym at the Schottenstein Center. Holtmann spoke for about 30 minutes and touched on a bit of everything, starting with the health of Justice Sueing and ending with Tanner Holden’s gradual improvement and progression.

In between, Holtmann was also asked questions about LeBron James, NIL, Sean McNeil not being just another Justin Ahrens, and his team’s porous defense the past two seasons — among other topics. He also thanked the roughly 60 media members for joining this season to, “tell the stories of these young men.” Holtmann ensured that Team 124 is a fun group that fans will enjoy following and getting to know as the season progresses.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL

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Twitter: @lemons_connor

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Boots on the Ground: 31 up-close observations from Ohio State’s 31-point drubbing of Wisconsin
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

A certain individual made their triumphant return to The Shoe, and no, we’re not talking about Paul Chryst.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I attended an Ohio State football game in The Shoe. Saturday’s matchup with Wisconsin was my much-anticipated return to OSU’s campus, although, looking back at it, said anticipation may have been exclusive to yours truly. Perhaps I just missed the “Welcome Back” banner...

In reality, I had not been to a game since the 2019 season. Because the pandemic wiped out 2020, and general life stuff prevented it from happening in 2021. Before that, I had attended dozens as both a student and lifetime Columbus native. So I was very much looking forward to a fun, physical, competitive game between Big Ten foes. Unfortunately, Paul Chryst and the Badgers did not get the memo. In fact, Wisconsin’s head man could have been confused with an early Halloween skeleton on their sideline. He was absolutely D.O.A. But I refused to let it ruin my fun (same goes for the Buckeyes), and as an alternative to one of my weekly columns, I thought I would give some observations from my up-close and personal experience Saturday night. How does 31 of them sound?

1.) Ohio State fans still know how to have a good time, despite corporate takeover attempts. High Street and Lane Avenue – staples of the OSU campus – have been raided by corporations and construction companies, destroying the old aesthetic. Bars, parties, and general unruly behavior will never be the same again, but the tailgate scene around Ohio Stadium was fantastic.

2.) I had a front-row seat (stance) for the Buckeyes’ walk to their pregame Skull Session, and here were my Get-Off-The-Bus All-Stars: Marvin Harrison Jr., Cade Stover, Tommy Eichenberg, and Dawand Jones

Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jones is a literal mountain of a man

3.) You don’t fully grasp how large Jones is until you see him in-person... it’s breathtaking.

4.) Same goes for the “blackness” of Ryan Day’s beard.

5.) I got to snap a picture with Zed Key, and he is also taller than one might realize. It may have been the angle, or a hole I was standing in, but that picture will never see the light of day... I look 5-foot-5.

6.) Coors Light is vastly overrated, even in a tailgate setting.

7.) Energy outside of the stadium was awesome. I was unsure how people would react, given Wisconsin’s 2-1 record, but Saturday still had a big game feel.

8.) Football should never start before mid-September; the weather was perfect, the vibes were great, and I will die on this hill.

9.) The Shoe is still a beautiful sight to behold. Like a fine wine, it gets better with age.

10.) Once players came out to warm up, it quickly became apparent that JSN was not likely to play... He did take part in some jogging and calisthenics but transitioned to bystander once real warmups and pass-catching drills began.

11.) In my very amateur opinion, he seems close.

12.) Wisconsin players lacked juice. Not sure if it was the opponent, the setting, or the lack of passion from their coach, but many did not appear to be amped up.

13.) My wife and I went to get food before kickoff, and Ohio Stadium needs to do better with food options on the visitor side, in my humble opinion. Because no offense to the wonderful people at Panera, but an upscale deli selection is not doing the trick once I’ve had a few “pops”. I need burger availability every 50 feet and more Donato’s Pizza.

14.) Back for kickoff, and I would estimate that 80-90% of Ohio State fans got the blackout memo.

15.) Even on the visitor side, there were very few visiting fans. Shame on you, Wisconsin... Although, if that was the product I was forced to watch, I might skip the roadies as well.

16.) The black jerseys play. Even better in-person.

17.) OSU’s opening drive on offense was surgical. Wisconsin seemingly had no answer(s), and C.J. Stroud looked like he was playing 7-on-7.

18.) The Buckeyes’ offensive line imposed their will from the first snap onward. I was both pleasantly surprised by their efforts, and equally underwhelmed by that of the Badgers.

19.) Credit goes to all five guys, but Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. each put on a clinic throughout the evening. Wisconsin’s Nick Herbig is a hell of a football player, but he had nothing for the Ohio State bookends.

20.) Cade Stover is the real deal, and I feel bad for Jeremy Ruckert. Where has this offense been? Ryan Day utilized Stover heavily during the first half, perhaps to force Herbig into decision-making mode. Regardless of motive, the converted linebacker can do it all, and he has proven then the sticky hands are no fluke. Ruckert must be punching the air during every OSU game.

Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

21.) Even when he’s off, Stroud is still on. The Heisman frontrunner did not put forth his best statistical effort, and he floated a few, but Stroud is such a joy to watch in person. It is easy to appreciate some of his throws on TV — especially via replay — but the touch he puts on others is absolutely incredible. He dropped a few into the proverbial bucket, which had me wondering whether or not he should have even attempted them? And the answer, when it comes specifically to Stroud, is always going to be a “yes” from me.

22.) Miyan Williams might be Ohio State’s 1A. To be more precise, I believe the Buckeyes have two 1A’s. But I can no longer argue that TreVeyon Henderson is clearly the top option — especially if the team is not going to use him as a pass catcher.

23.) I miss seeing JSN out there, but OSU is in great hands with Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and the finally healthy Julian Fleming.

24.) Ohio State’s defense still has questions pertaining to their pass rush, or lack thereof. Jack Sawyer is dynamic, J.T. Tuimoloau has moves for days, and Zach Harrison possesses strong fundamentals... but can any of them consistently get after the passer? Wisconsin seemed like an opponent OSU’s DL could feast on, but they came away with only one sack.

25.) Ohio State’s defense is STOUT against the run. Braelon Allen was largely bottled up until garbage time, when his coach decided 100 yards was more important than preserving your only offensive weapon during a 30-pt blowout. He had to work for it, and I could see fatigue set in during the third quarter.

26.) Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers form a legit linebacker duo. Neither is a perfect three-down LB, but both have steadily improved over time. They love to make a decision and shoot the gap aggressively, and I enjoyed watching them hunt down ball carriers. I was even more impressed than I thought I would be.

27.) I still have no idea what the Buckeyes have at corner. J.K. Johnson and Jyaire Brown had their moments, but they were rarely tested.

28.) Tanner McCallister is a coach on the field. Not only did he play well, but he made sure both Johnson and Brown were well-prepared before each snap.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

29.) Sonny Styles could be this year’s version of Braelon Allen, but on defense: An early enrollee who exceeds expectations, and makes an immediate impact while he should still be in high school.

Styles was the de facto third LB early on and appeared consistently on special teams Saturday. While the intricacies of LB or safety are difficult to pick up on – and even more difficult to master – I could see this young freshman earning additional playing time as the season progresses. He loves contact, and will not hesitate to mix it up out there.

30.) High hopes for this team are warranted. You can sense the confidence, and each and every unit passes the eye test. Ryan Day has a squad on his hands, and they obliterated one of the perceived favorites in the Big Ten West.

31.) Nothing beats Ohio State football. We as Buckeye fans are sickeningly fortunate, and I will never take the in-person experience for granted. Go Bucks!

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You’re Nuts: What branded items would you want to see Ohio State players wear?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Look good, play good. Marvin Harrison Jr. certainly took that mantra up a notch on Saturday night against Wisconsin. Harrison’s three catches for 46 yards wasn’t his best performance of the season, but it didn’t really matter since Ohio State scored touchdowns on their first four drives of the game on their way to a 52-21 win over Wisconsin.


Even though Harrison was overshadowed by the what Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover did catching passes from C.J. Stroud against the Badgers, Harrison made some waves with what he was wearing in the first half on Saturday night. Harrison made sure to accentuate Ohio State’s “blackout” uniforms with a pair of black and white Louis Vuitton cleats, and a black Apple Watch.

We have seen plenty of branded cleats, or other accessory items in the NFL. Now that trend is starting to make its way to college football with the introduction of NIL legislation in college athletics. While there are some fans that are traditionalists and want everything to look the same, the introduction of more branded items allows the players to show off some of their personality.

Today’s question: What branded items would you want to see Ohio State players wear?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: Scarlet and gray Zubaz pants


In some ways, I’m the old man yelling at clouds. I don’t really think Ohio State needs alternate uniforms since their traditional uniforms are iconic. All Ohio State needs to do is throw some gray shoulder stripes on the uniforms and they would be perfection. I get it though, the school needs to come up with some of these alternate uniforms to not only sell more jerseys, but also to catch the eyes of recruits.

Anyone that knows me knows that I’m not a very fashionable guy. My current Ohio State jersey is a No. 3 jersey that I bought like 15 years ago when Brandon Saine was sporting that number. At least now I can claim that jersey is just a vintage Miyan Williams jersey. Honestly, I’ve migrated from jerseys to the “shirtseys” since they are a lot less than shelling out $100 or more for a replica jersey.

One staple of my exceptionally simple wardrobe is a pair of Buffalo Bills Zubaz pants. The pants usually get plenty of positive reactions because not only do a lot of people seem to love Buffalo Bills fans, they are pretty loud in terms of the design. Also, they are the comfiest pair of pants I’ve ever owned, to the point where I never want to wear jeans or most other types of pants ever again.



I know there would be a lot of people that would hate the football team wearing Ohio State Zubaz-themed pants in a game, but I just know that in a short time there would be plenty of fans wearing the same pants. Just imagine tailgating on a chilly fall morning for an Ohio State game in a pair of comfy Buckeye Zubaz. Any opponents seeing Ohio State come out of the tunnel in Zubaz-themed pants would be ready to get back on the bus before the game even kicked off.

Meredith’s answer: Louboutin cleats


The LV cleats were another level, but I’m also going to go with a cleat option. Imagine Christian Louboutin cleats with the iconic red (scarlet) soles. It would be a pretty neat conversion of brands between the famed French designer and Ohio State. I mean, look at these shark-inspired sneakers.


Similar to the Louis Vuitton cleats, it’s not as though Louboutin cleats would scream durability or performance the way that cleats made by brands like Nike (which is why it’s probably best to stick to the classics). However, the LVs do whisper of style, refinement and finesse, which fits the persona of Harrison—a graceful receiver who is breaking out from under his father’s reputation and building his own brand.

What would Louboutin cleats represent? This designer prides himself on agility, confidence and control, almost like a running back like TreVeyon Henderson who so effectively controls the ball and does so with speed. A veteran back, he doesn’t hesitate, but runs at full speed and with confidence.

What might these cleats look like? Classic, black, sleek and, of course, with a signature scarlet heel.

Continue reading...

didn’t know Buckeye trees grew naturally this far south (Northwest Alabama)

Didn’t see the tree itself, but another guy on site picked a few nuts off the ground today

PLAYER PROFILE

• HEIGHT 6-3
  
• WEIGHT 185
  
• YEAR FR.
  
• HOMETOWN HOUSTON, TEXAS
  
• H.S./LAST SCHOOL IMG ACADEMY

PRIOR TO OHIO STATE

• Transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year of high school but suffered a broken wrist and missed the 2020-21 basketball season
• Decided to remain at IMG for a post-graduate year in 2021-22 and elected to join the Ohio State program as a walk-on

247
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On3
HUDL




Class: 2025
Position: OL
School: Westerville (OH) Westerville North
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 295 lbs

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Twitter: @cjguminoQB



Class: 2025 (high school)
Position: QB
School: Arlington Heights (IL) Hersey
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 170 lbs

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Twitter: @13reasonz_



Class: 2025 (high school)
Position: Wide Receiver
School: College Park (GA) Woodward Academy
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 170 lbs

Wisconsin at Ohio State
24 September

The week starts with BYU and Utah STATE on Thursday.

Thursday, Sept. 29

Utah State at No. 19 BYU | 8 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Sept. 30

Tulane at Houston | 7 p.m. | ESPN
UTSA at Middle Tennessee | 7:30 p.m. | CBSSN
San Diego State at Boise State | 8 p.m. | FS1
No. 15 Washington at UCLA | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN
New Mexico at UNLV | 11 p.m. | CBSSN

Saturday, Oct. 1
https://www.ncaa.com/game/6005889
No. 7 Kentucky at No. 14 Ole Miss | 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 4 Michigan at Iowa | 12 p.m. | FOX
No. 18 Oklahoma at TCU | 12 p.m. | ABC
Eastern Washington at Florida | 12 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
South Carolina State at South Carolina | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Texas Tech at No. 25 Kansas State | 12 p.m. | Big 12/ESPN+
Georgia State at Army | 12 p.m. | CBSSN
Purdue at No. 21 Minnesota | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
Louisville at Boston College | 12 p.m. | ACC Network
Illinois at Wisconsin | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Navy at Air Force | 12 p.m. | CBS
Temple at Memphis | 12 p.m. | ESPNU
Texas State at James Madison | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Oregon State at No. 12 Utah | 2 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
UMass at Eastern Michigan | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Northern Illinois at Ball State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 2 Alabama at No. 20 Arkansas | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
Rutgers at No. 3 Ohio State | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Northwestern at No. 11 Penn State | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 9 Oklahoma State at No. 16 Baylor | 3:30 p.m. | FOX
Iowa State at Kansas | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Fresno State at UConn | 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Michigan State at Maryland | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
SMU at UCF | 3:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Central Michigan at Toledo | 3:30 p.m. | NFL Network
Bowling Green at Akron | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Miami (Ohio) at Buffalo | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Ohio at Kent State | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
The Citadel at Appalachian State | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at Marshall | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Virginia Tech at North Carolina | 3:30 p.m. | ACC Network
No. 22 Wake Forest at No. 23 Florida State | 3:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 17 Texas A&M at Mississippi State | 4 p.m. | SEC Network
Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida Atlantic at North Texas | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Wagner at Syracuse | 5 p.m. | ESPN+/ACCNX
South Alabama at Louisville | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Cal at Washington State | 5:30 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Liberty at Old Dominion | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
New Hampshire at Western Michigan | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
UTEP at Charlotte | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
LSU at Auburn | 7 p.m. | ESPN
East Carolina at South Florida | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Cincinnati at Tulsa | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
UL Monroe at Arkansas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Troy at Western Kentucky | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 1 Georgia at Missouri | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
No. 10 NC State at No. 5 Clemson | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
Virginia at Duke | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN3
San Jose State at Wyoming | 7:30 p.m. | CBSSN
West Virginia at Texas | 7:30 p.m. | FS1
Indiana at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
UAB at Rice | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Georgia Tech at No. 24 Pitt | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
FIU at New Mexico State | 8 p.m. | Flo Sports
Colorado at Arizona | 9:30 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Arizona State at No. 6 USC | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN
Stanford at No. 13 Oregon | 11 p.m. | FS1

I will be at the game tomorrow to review Ohio Stadium for my website. I was wondering what I should see at the stadium and on campus?

Very excited to finally make this trip.

Thanks in advance for all tips.

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Twitter: @JohnPaulMobley1



Class: 2024 (high school)
Position: Point Guard
School: Mt. Pleasant (UT) Wasatch Academy
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 155 lbs

Bucks offered back in June


top 5 (no order)
Ohio St.
Creighton
AZ State
LSU
St. John's

Rivals



Prospect Info

• HIGH SCHOOL - Sierra Canyon
• CITY - Chatsworth (CA)
• CLASS - 2024
• POS - SF
• HEIGHT - 6-6
• WEIGHT - 190

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HUDL Highlights
Twitter: @clester_ktk




Class: 2024 (high school)
Position: Defensive back
School: Sarasota (FL) Riverview
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 183 lbs

• POS - LB
• HEIGHT - 6-2.5
• WEIGHT - 225

Prospect Info

• HIGH SCHOOL - Jefferson
• CITY - Jefferson, GA
• CLASS - 2024

Prototype build with college-ready size at the linebacker position. Requisite height with plus length. Play style / athleticism likely keep him at linebacker, but owns physical tools that could provide edge snaps.

Explosive athlete with verified data on the track and in combine testing environments. Elite track speed relative to size. Three-sport athlete who also competes in wrestling.

Three-phase impact player at the Georgia 5A level. High-volume work load with home run-hitting athleticism at running back. Violent runner who gets downhill quickly and runs through arm tackles. Pull-away open-field speed that supports athletic markers.

https://247sports.com/player/sammy-brown-46113376/

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Twitter: @jay_mac2481



Class: 2024 (high school)
Position: Wide Receiver
School: St. Louis (MO) Christian Brothers College High
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 186 lbs

Grumpy Old Buckeye: Ohio State vs. Toledo
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Can I really find something to complain about after a 77-21 win? Oh yes.

The Buckeyes hosted the Toledo Rockets in the final non-conference game of the season, looking to finish fine tuning both the offense and defense ahead of next weekend’s matchup against Wisconsin. Things went pretty well overall, with Ohio State cruising to a 77-21 victory. One could be forgiven for not thinking there is anything to complain about in such a comprehensive victory, but… well, that’s kind of my thing. I now present my list of items that vexed me on Saturday night.

Brando Again?


Look, whatever. I’m fine with Tim Brando going away and never calling another game, particularly an Ohio State game. He’s annoying, frequently has bad takes, and is in love with his own voice. He’s also wrong a lot, whether because his vision is fading or for some other reason. Pairing him with the bland Spencer Tillman is a lot like adding 0 + 0. I suppose the bright side is that knowing he’s on the call is a great reason to buy a ticket and go see the Buckeyes in person. That’s true even if you live a 15-hour drive from Columbus like I do.

Come on, Cam!


Cam Brown is a college graduate and he’s a lean, mean 192-pound specimen from St. Louis. However, Brown let Thomas Zsiros, a 210-pound redshirt freshman from Maumee, Ohio, run away from him like he was running in wet cement. Maumee! That’s embarrassing. Not the Maumee, part. I have nothing against Maumee and that is most likely because I’ve never been there. I can find something to dislike about almost anything if you give me enough time. Look, Dane Sanzenbacher was from Maumee, and he was just 180 pounds, but he didn’t run away from people. Sziros looked more like a tight end than a receiver, but he had no trouble burning Brown.

Anyway, that huge play over the top allowed Toledo to tie the game easily on the Rockets’ first drive. The other team isn’t supposed to answer even more easily than Ohio State’s initial, sweat-free march down the field, but it took Toledo only four plays to go 75 yards.

Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves


It was nice to see Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming back on the field, but then TreVeyon Henderson got hurt either while scoring the game’s first touchdown — or on the sideline sometime after scoring — before the second OSU drive. That’s not ideal, nor is it encouraging that he left the game in a walking boot. Hopefully Henderson can bounce back quickly because he’ll be needed.

Actually it wasn’t just Henderson who left, as Brown also had to exit the game as the defensive backfield injuries mount. But, in my defense, I wrote this subhead when Henderson got hurt and I liked it too much to change it.

Hang a Hundred on ‘Em


Look, 77 points is OK, but Ohio State left the job unfinished. You have to show these upstart in-state schools that if they’re going to come to the Horseshoe for their big payday, it’s going to come out of their flesh. How is Ryan Day going to hang a hundred on Michigan if he can’t even do it to the school from noted wannabe-Michigan city Toledo? Let Kyle McCord and Devin Brown cook, for crying out loud!

Around the country, people are going “Oh, OK” when they see the OSU-Toledo score. But triple figures? That stands out. That gets people’s attention. Some of those people are five-star recruits. Where would you rather go? Stupid Alabama, where they only score in the 60s or 70s on weaker opponents, or an Ohio State machine that reaches the century mark? I know where I’d rather go, and I wouldn’t need to grow Bama bangs or buy any houndstooth hats or other clothing items.

And while we’re on the subject of milestones, why not go for a thousand yards in a game? You’re already almost at 800. The hard part is already behind you!

Where’s the Love?


Speaking of hanging a hundred on them, Cade Stover did much of the offense’s heavy lifting early, quickly catching three passes for 83 yards, with most of the damage coming on the first two drives and all of it in the first quarter. And then… nothing (despite an errant pass that prevented him from scoring on the third drive). Look, we all get it. Ohio State is not where tight ends go to catch lots of passes and rack up yardage. This is, apparently, not Iowa, Wisconsin, or any number of other programs. Still, it was a chance to get a tight end to a hundred yards and it would only have required one or two more throws to Stover to do it, and Ryan Day had practically the entire game to make it happen.

I’m not mad about this one, just disappointed.


Those are the things that burned my bacon on Saturday. Hey, I know this week’s column is shorter than usual, but it’s not easy finding things to be mad about when your team wins 77-21. The defense even forced a couple of turnovers for a change and the penalties were minimal. However, I work hard for you, the home reader, so these are my gripes.

What stood out to you? Some B1G grumpiness is coming next week when the Buckeyes host Wisconsin.

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What if Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn played for Ohio State?
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dequan Finn was honestly quite impressive against Ohio State, so that got me thinking— what if he had the same weapons that C.J. Stroud has?

Getting beat by 56 points doesn’t leave much room for any positives if you’re a Toledo fan. However, scoring three touchdowns against Ohio State is certainly something to celebrate, especially compared to Note Dame! Quarterback Dequan Finn was responsible for two of those scores and he was very impressive in my eyes. So, as my mind wandered during the fourth quarter — which lasted what seemed like a quarter century — I was wondering, what if he was playing for Ohio State, instead of against them?

Let me make a huge disclaimer right now: OBVIOUSLY, I would rather have C.J. Stroud than Finn. Stroud is the better QB; there is no other player in the country I’d rather have leading the Buckeyes than Stroud. I think he’s going to win the Heisman this year, but I was just curious how much better Finn could be — and how the OSU offense would change — if he was QB1 for Ohio State.

Okay, now that we have that cleared up, let’s get into it. First off, I think that it’s almost impossible for a QB not to improve after upgrading to Ohio State’s offense. I’m pretty sure Joe Schmo could find a little bit of success if he had the weapons that the Buckeye quarterbacks have to work with. However, Finn is no Joe Schmo, as he is actually quite a talented QB.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound sophomore was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award for college football’s player of the year. He passed for over 2,000 yards last season and has only thrown two picks in his collegiate career. Finn is a dual-threat quarterback, and he definitely showed off his mobility on Saturday.

This play in particular is a great example of Finn’s quickness and ability to scramble while maintaining his ability to make a play. Although Stroud has certainly improved in this area, having a quarterback who can move like this would be just another great addition to an already unreal offense.


Here is an example of Finn being able to scamper 23 yards to the end zone for a TD. His legs are certainly a huge part of his game, and really the only element of the Rockets’ offense that was even semi-successful on Saturday. But, if he Finn had the ability to throw to Ohio State’s receivers, I wouldn’t be surprised if that part of his game drastically improved.


However, I’m not sure if Ohio State would exactly be a good fit for Finn. The running back room is one of the best, if not the best, in the nation, so there is certainly no need to rely on a mobile QB to pick up yards on the ground. During the Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer eras, Ohio State certainly had mobile quarterbacks, but their wheels were most often used as last resort options, with a few notable exceptions aside.

Additionally, it would honestly be sad to not use JSN, Marv, Egbuka, Fleming, etc. to their fullest potential if the Bucks had a quarterback who was a better runner at the expense of arm talent; that’s why Stroud is the perfect fit.

Playing devil’s advocate, however, maybe Finn could take Ohio State’s offense to the next level. It’s always nice to have another weapon up your sleeve with a quarterback who can move well. Stroud has proven how critical it is to have a QB who scrambles well. There have already been double-digit plays this season of Stroud keeping plays alive, then making a great pass right before getting hit. However, as evidenced on Saturday night, Stroud is not exactly the smoothest or most willing runner.

Finn showcased that he does this on a regular basis, and does it well. That could be a big plus on offense, knowing that a sack won’t always be taken, or the ball won’t always be thrown away once the pocket collapses.

Additionally, if Finn was the Buckeyes’ quarterback, that would be just another obstacle that opposing defenses would have to try to deal with. They already have to figure out how to stop multiple great receivers and two (maybe three now?) great running backs. If they had to come up with a plan to stop a dual-threat quarterback too, they might just have to throw in the towel.

All in all, Stroud and Finn are both very talented quarterbacks. Finn is certainly a huge bright spot on this Toledo team, and after his performance on the national stage against Ohio State, there might be some Power 5 teams who try to get him for next season — maybe the Buckeyes will face him in a Big Ten matchup next season.

However, as exciting as it is to think about how fun and exciting it would be to have a legit, dynamic, willing runner at quarterback, you know what else is even more fun and exciting? Having a Heisman front-running quarterback who can make all of the throws and has the potential to go down as one of the best passers in program history.

So, while there’s no harm in going through the Dequan Finn thought experiment, I am more than content with C.J. Stroud as the Scarlet and Gray’s quarterback!

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 19, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Ask LGHL


Introducing ‘Ask LGHL,’ asking and answering questions throughout the football season
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Gridiron


Injured Buckeyes RB Henderson says he’ll be back ‘soon’
Ashley Beach, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State had several injury concerns vs. Toledo but nothing ‘long-term’
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State Took Precautions with Several Banged-Up Buckeyes Against Toledo, but Injuries Concerning Nonetheless Before Big Ten Opener
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

First Look: Buckeyes to step up in class with Big Ten opener vs. Wisconsin
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts

Ohio State opens as 17.5-point favorites over Wisconsin
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land


TreVeyon Henderson injury update: Ohio State star RB wears walking boot after Toledo game, Buckeyes’ 77-21 win
Brad Crawford, 247Sports

Buckeyes hold steady in latest polls after blowout win over Toledo
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Buckeye Stock Market Report: Buckeyes’ offensive machine crushes Toledo Rockets
David M. Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

Key Takeaways as Buckeyes polish off nonconference slate
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes


Ohio State goes old school in quest to be a more ‘complete’ offense (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

Scientifically ranking all 11 of Ohio State’s touchdowns against Toledo
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

Five Things: Ohio State Obliterates Toledo in Final Tuneup Before Big Ten Play
Chris Lauderback, Eleven Warriors

Column: Go ahead and start engraving C.J. Stroud’s Heisman Trophy
Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land


Three Questions Answered: Toledo
Jack Emerson, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

Buckeye Leafs: Confident C.J. Stroud decimates Toledo defense with incredible performance
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Ohio’s State: Breaking down Ohio State’s win over Toledo using in-state landmarks
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Basketball brings Aaron Craft, incarcerated together for hope
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Men’s Soccer: No. 22 Ohio State Earns 2-1 Win vs. No. 15 Indiana
Ohio State Buckeyes

Kyle Snyder Wins Gold Medal at World Wrestling Championships
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors

And now for something completely different...


Love the shade...


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I-70 Football Podcast: What in the world is wrong with the B1G West?
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

After another dominant showing by the Big Ten East, it is time to ask serious questions about the West.

Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-70 podcast. On this show, we talk all things Big Ten football and basketball. After every week of action, we will get you caught up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players that you should be paying attention to in the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Three weeks into the season and the Big Ten East has been dominant. With a combined record of 20-1, the East has avoided the upset bug that has plagued college football so far. The same cannot be said for the West, which is a combined 12-10 and suffers an upset weekly, with Northwestern being upset by Southern Illinois in Week 3. In this episode of the I-70 Football Show, the guys get into what is going on with the West. Surprise, surprise from a league filled with bad coaches.

In their Week 3 recap, the guys discuss Ohio State’s dismantling of Toledo to the tune of 11 touchdowns in 13 total possessions. As we often discuss, the Big Ten West is full of bad coaches or coaches making bad decisions, and that was the case in Purdue’s loss to Syracuse — a game they should have won if not for a foolish decision to run cover zero up four with 12 seconds left. Indiana, as every Big Ten program should, found a way to win against an inferior opponent in a thrilling overtime win over Western Kentucky. Lastly, the guys recap Penn State’s blowout of Auburn. It is time to put to rest the discussion that the dregs of the SEC are better than teams in every other conference.

We’re officially a quarter of the way through the season, which means we are starting to understand who teams are and what their ceiling is. One team we have not figured out is Michigan, but that should change after a game against Maryland. Maryland arguably has the second-best quarterback and wide receiver corp in the Big Ten, and will challenge Michigan’s starless defense. Ohio State plays Wisconsin in a game that isn’t expected to be close after Wisconsin’s loss to Washington State. Minnesota looks to assert its dominance and gain respect with a win over Michigan State. It is a shame that they are still not ranked.

In their weekly pit stops, Jordan questions the concept that is college kickers. At this point why do they exist, and why are they so bad at their jobs? Dante, despite saying he wouldn’t multiple times, bought 2K and is enjoying it.


Connect with us on Twitter:

Jordan: @JordanW330

Dante: @DanteM10216

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Five-star DL from Florida sets Ohio State visit
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Keon Keeley | 247Sports

The Buckeyes will get yet another visit from one of their top defensive targets in 2023.

The Buckeyes had an offensive explosion on Saturday, dropping 77 points against Toledo. Now, Ohio State will now shift their focus to an in-conference foe in Wisconsin, and on Sunday they learned that a top defensive target will be on campus to take in the action. Plus, another blue-chip wide receiver has the Buckeyes as one of his top schools, unsurprisingly.

Keeley sets Ohio State visit


The biggest news of the weekend was undoubtedly the update that came about late last night.

According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, Ohio State will be getting yet another visit from 2023 five-star defensive end Keon Keeley of Berkeley Prep (FL) this weekend when the Buckeyes scrap with the Badgers.


For Keeley, it will be his second visit to Columbus this month, as the Tampa native was also on campus for Ohio State’s Week 1 win over Notre Dame — the program he was formerly committed to.

The trip for Keeley is a big opportunity for defensive line coach Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes to impress perhaps their top defensive target on the board. Keeley has been a longtime target for Ohio State dating back to when they offered him in December of last year.

Another notable detail about the upcoming trip for Keeley is that his previous visit was an official visit. That means this weekend, everything will be own the Keeley family’s own dime which likely shows the interest that he has in the Buckeyes. Of course this is news that Ohio State is more than happy with, as they are in high pursuit with defensive line holes in the class that need to be filled.

Keeley is currently pegged as the No. 7 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and would be the highest rated pledge in the Buckeyes’ class, if they can pull this one out. It won’t be easy, as programs like Alabama and Florida are also well-positioned.

Buckeyes a “top school” for Smith


It seems that year after year, the one constant is that Ohio State wide receiver coach Brian Hartline is able to reel in a few big fish at the pass-catching position. For next years cycle, Perhaps the biggest fish that the Buckeyes are tracking is 2024 four-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith of Chaminade-Madonna Prep (FL).

While it seemed as if Ohio State was in great position for the Opa Locka standout, Smith confirmed as much this weekend, according to a tweet from Buckeye Huddle.


The Buckeyes were already seemingly a leader in the recruitment of Smith, as evidenced by being the Crystal Ball favorite on 247Sports, but hearing as much straight from the source should be comforting for the Ohio State fanbase.

If Hartline can work his magic yet again, it would come as no surprise for the Buckeyes. It would also give the receiver room yet another elite prospect to develop in Columbus as Smith currently ranks as the No. 7 player in his class and is the top pass-catching prospect in the country.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State welcomed 2024 four-star athlete Garrett Stover of Big Walnut (OH) to campus this weekend for the contest against Toledo. Stover, who also visited for the week one contest against Notre Dame, is expected to be on campus for this weekends battle against Wisconsin.
• Much like Stover, the Buckeyes also played host to 2025 offensive tackle Carter Lowe of Whitmer (OH). The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder, who currently holds offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Miami (OH), and Toledo, described the visit on Saturday as a “great time” Sunday on Twitter.

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Column: Go ahead and start engraving C.J. Stroud’s Heisman Trophy
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

<knock on wood> Stroud made a strong case for why he’s the best player in college football.

It’s no secret that C.J. Stroud is a key player in the Heisman Trophy conversation this year, if not the all-around favorite. The 2021 Heisman finalist was near-perfect in Saturday’s game against Toledo, and though it’s a little early to be firming up predictions in a sport where anything can happen, he’s done a lot to cement himself as a frontrunner.

Still, I have had conversations with multiple friends, family members, fellow Buckeyes, and college football fans that wrote off Stroud’s Heisman hopes for this year, instead once again favoring Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (last year’s winner).

Young is a more robust player, they say. He has a more complete game, they think.

I love to take a hard stance early so I can say “I told you so” later (I made a bet in 2014 that the Cubs would win the World Series in 2016 and famously considered a career shift to fortune-telling). So after Week 3 of the college football season, I’m ready to get on board the “The Heisman is Stroud’s” express.

Stroud has put up unreal numbers in the first three games of the season, which weren’t all throw-away games as they have been in past years. The season-opening win against Notre Dame did a lot to put Stroud on the board, but it was really his stellar performances against Arkansas State and ultimately, yesterday’s “Show No Mercy” game against Toledo that are keeping him at the top of the convo.

Certainly, it didn’t hurt that Stroud had Jaxon Smith-Ngijba and Julian Fleming back on the field this week. With their help, he had a star turn of a night. Stroud didn’t play the full game, as is standard when the margin of victory is that large, but his first-half statistics alone would have been a stellar full game for any player. In just the first half, he went 18-for-20, throwing for 297 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. In the second half, he … just kept going. 22-for-27, 367 yards, five more touchdowns. Still no interceptions.

By the time he left the game to rest, he had thrown for 664 yards and nine touchdowns.

Sure, his critics will say Toledo isn’t exactly a worthy opponent. But Notre Dame was, and even though Stroud looked a little rusty to open the season, he quickly found his stride and has gotten better and better each week.

It’s certainly too early to completely write off Young, USC’s Caleb Williams, or Georgia’s Stetson Bennett. All are incredible athletes, Georgia looks to be formidable this year, and there is a lot of season left to play. But the committee hesitates to give the award to the same guy twice, so unless Bama is unquestionably dominant (and they’ve already shown signs of weakness), we can probably count him out. Plus, if the Buckeyes continue to field the version of Stroud we saw yesterday, that’s a man who is giving a performance for the ages and in return, he should lock in that trophy.

He wasn’t perfect against Notre Dame, but he also gets a little bit of slack because there are season-opening jitters, he lost one of his best receivers in Smith-Ngijba to an injury during the game, and he still got the job done. And since then, he continues to get better and better.

I sincerely look forward to Stroud riding the momentum from these first three games. If the Buckeyes dominate Wisconsin the way they probably should, Stroud has a great shot at silencing his critics as OSU dives into their more challenging Big Ten schedule.

Big victories against worthy opponents, a potential playoff berth, and other factors could help him continue to climb the ladder. But if he performs the way he did yesterday, he’s already several rungs ahead of his peers.

So I look forward to hearing his name called and saying, “I told you so” to anyone who didn’t believe in him after yesterday’s game, because this guy is the real deal, and mark my words, that trophy is his.

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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Ohio State drops 77 points on Toledo
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeye offense was firing on all cylinders on Saturday.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast ‘Hangout in the Holy Land’ is here! Join LGHL’s co-managing editor Gene Ross alongside his co-host Josh Dooley as they cover everything from football to basketball to recruiting and more!

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On this episode, Gene and Josh recap Ohio State’s Week 3 win over Toledo. The Buckeyes emerged with a 77-21 victory as C.J. Stroud and his treasure trove of wide receivers carved up the Rockets’ secondary. Jim Knowles’ defense sprung a few leaks, and the cornerback position is one of concern, but overall the Silver Bullets continued to look strong as they came away with their first two takeaways of the year. We also got to see more of some of Ohio State’s young guys in the blowout, with a handful of standout performances among them in limited action.

“Hangout in the Holy Land” will be back to two episodes per week during the regular season, with an episode before and after each Ohio State game to give you all the preview and recap content you may need. Be sure to download and listen in wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple to let us know your thoughts and how we can make things even better!

You can also follow us on Twitter @HolyLandPod, where we will want to hear from you guys even more! If there’s anything you’d like us to talk about on the show, @ us and let us know!

As always, Go Bucks.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod

Connect with Gene:
Twitter: @Gene_Ross23

Connect with Josh
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye

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Scientifically ranking all 11 of Ohio State’s touchdowns against Toledo
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We are using a scientific set of rules to systematically rank all of OSU’s touchdowns by degree of difficulty, athleticism, entertainment value, and anything else we want to judge them by.

I am old enough to remember the John Cooper days when putting up 70 points was a semi-regular occurrence for the Ohio State offense, but I don’t believe that, in all of my decades as a Buckeye fan, I can remember ever witnessing an offense work that close to flawlessly for an entire game.

Heck, the biggest “mistake” of the game might have been TC Caffey’s touchdown when head coach Ryan Day was clearly just trying to run the ball up the middle, run the clock, and not rub it in too much against the Rockets.

C.J. Stroud is every bit the quarterback that we thought he was at the beginning of the season, and my god, that collection of wide receivers has historically been illegal in most parts of Big Ten country. But also, with TreVeyon Henderson apparently suffering an injury following his touchdown run in the first half, we got to see a lot from Miyan Williams (who we already knew was great), Dallan Hadden, and even Caffey.

I realize that they were playing Toledo, but the Buckeye offense was practically perfect in every way, and they put up some pretty impressive numbers on the night.


So, to celebrate, I am going to rank all 11 — yes, 11 — of OSU’s touchdowns from Saturday night. And since this is my column, I reserve the right to change my judging criteria week to week, heck, even touchdown to touchdown. In some cases, I will judge a play by its importance in the grand scheme of the game, others will be by the degree of difficulty, backstory, and sheer entertainment value.

If you disagree with my ranking (which my six+ years here at LGHL tells me you absolutely will), feel free to share your list in the comments below.

Ok, now, without further ado, drumroll, please.........

11th Place: Touchdown No. 9
Dallan Hayden 1-Yard Run


True freshman Dallan Hayden was slated to be the fourth-string running back this season, but thanks to a fall camp injury to Evan Pryor and a first-half injury to TreVeyon Henderson, he saw his first extended collegiate action against Toledo.

While Miyan Williams picked up the immediate slack in Henderson’s stead, with the Big Ten season starting next weekend, it was probably better to get Chop out of the game before he suffered an injury as well. Enter Hayden who not only collected his first college touchdown, but also the first 100-yard game of his collegiate career.

There’s not a whole lot to get excited about from the touchdown run itself, but the story and his performance throughout the game certainly warrant celebration.

Score: 6.5
High Marks: Dallan Hayden deserved his first TD after being the workhorse most of the game
Deductions: Short run, little resistance

10th Place: Touchdown No. 6
C.J. Stroud 11-Yard Pass to Julian Fleming


Man, did it do my heart good to see Julian Fleming back on the field, and even more to see him catch two touchdowns. He has had such a tough time with injuries during his career in Columbus and to have such a great reintroduction to the lineup is great for him, but also a big addition to the wide receiver room moving forward.

This score was not as impressive as his other TD, but Fleming did show good instincts to sit down in a hole in the middle of the zone defense and then work his way into the end zone.

Score: 6.65
High Marks: Sat down in a hole in the zone
Deductions: Just too easy

Ninth Place: Touchdown No. 7
Mitch Rossi 1-Yard Run


During his postgame press conference, Day said that since it was the 100th anniversary of Ohio Stadium, they wanted to line up in I-formation and get a fullback touchdown. While it seemed like he was joking, clearly, they had the play in the cards, and seeing a go like Mitch Rossi get into the end zone is always cool, but it’s a one-yard dive for the fullback, that coolness can only carry the play so far.

Score: 6.79
High Marks: Fullback touchdown, Ryan Day’s postgame comment
Deductions: It’s a one-yard fullback touchdown

Eighth Place: Touchdown No. 8
C.J. Stroud 7-Yard Pass to Emeka Egbuka


Look, we know that the Ohio State receiver room is a cornucopia of talent, but it really is a bit ridiculous to see so many talented guys making plays. Like Fleming, Emeka Egbuka had a pair of TD grabs on Saturday. This one is the less impressive of the two.

However, the two strongest elements of this play are the design and Egbuka’s toughness. Because OSU tight end Cade Stover has proven that he is a threat in the passing game — especially in the compacted red zone. So, when Stover and Egbuka cross paths in their respective routes, it forces the Toldeo linebacker Dyontae Johnson to pick one to cover. Likely assuming that he had help from the secondary, he picked Stover, giving Egbuka a free release into the end zone; well-designed and executed pay.

Then, once he hauls in the ball, Egbuka is popped by the safety but holds on for the score.

Score: 7.42
High Marks: Play design confused secondary, held on after hit
Deductions: Basic pitch-and-catch, no coverage

Seventh Place: Touchdown No. 3
Emeka Egbuka 3-Yard Run


In the back-to-back Egbuka portion of today’s column, we get to what I think is the more impressive score for the wide receiver on the day, and — perhaps surprisingly — it is not a reception. Instead, No. 2 gets the rushing touchdown on a jet sweep.

It was not exceptionally well-blocked, so Emeka had to break multiple tackles on the short run before finishing it off by intelligently diving for the pilon, knowing that all he needed to do was get the ball to contact the orange, foam marker.

Score: 7.7
High Marks: Broke multiple tackles, dove for pilon
Deductions: Short-yardage, no flair

Sixth Place: Touchdown No. 5
C.J. Stroud 7-Yard Pass to Marvin Harrison Jr.


The third and final receiver with two TDs is Marvin Harrison Jr. This is a really nice route and Marv proves his NFL pedigree by getting both feet down, but otherwise, this looked like he and Stroud were playing against air.

Harrison could end up being the best wide receiver of Hartline’s recent, historic recruiting haul. His next catch is better, but this one is still pretty strong.

Score: 8.12
High Marks: Got both feet down
Deductions: Not much coverage to speak of

Fifth Place: Touchdown No. 1
TreVeyon Henderson 7-yard run


This is a really impressive run, or at least as impressive as a mostly north-and-south seven-yard un can be. Henderson takes his time and follows his blocks, runs through a few arm tackles and gets into the end zone.

However, this was the last play that we saw from Henderson on the night. The broadcast showed him heading back to the locker room presumably injured. Now, because the Buckeyes under Day share next to nothing in terms of injury updates, we don’t really know what happened or how severe his injury might be.

Of course against Toledo, his absence didn’t really matter, but if this proves to be a long-term issue, that could be a problem. That being said, Henderson looks good on the run and even does a little bit of celebrating after the score.

Did he hurt himself after the play was over? Not exactly a Ted Ginn Jr. BCS National Championship game situation, but certainly having some uncomfortable flashbacks.

Score: 8.43
High Marks: Toughness, patience, vision
Deductions: Did he get injured on the celebration? If so, I might retroactively move it way down the list.

Fourth Place: Touchdown No. 10
Kyle McCord 72-Yard Pass to Jayden Ballard


Jayden Ballard was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school, but has been overlooked in his two years in Columbus because of the higher-ranked guys in the WR room. But this guy is super fast.

He had to wait for the ball to get to him on the bootleg, and there’s really no reason that he shouldn’t have been taken down right after catching the pass. But, thanks to his blazing speed, a semi-stiff arm, and a pretty weak effort from the Toledo defender, he was off the the races for his first career touchdown and first career 100-yard game.

Score: 9.05
High Marks: Jayden can fly, first career touchdown
Deductions: Garbage time, lackadaisical effort from defender

Third Place: Touchdown No. 2
C.J. Stroud 7-Yard Pass to Marvin Harrison Jr.


Is there a point that when you are watching an epically talented player, they make it look so easy that you stop appreciating how insane their physical achievements are? I might be getting there with Marvin Harrison Jr. Dude is so big and so talented, and he runs routes so well, that when he makes an insane catch like this one, it’s almost a ho-hum occurrence, because of course he was able to make that catch.

Obviously catching passes is in his DNA and he’s been trained by an all-time great since the moment he could walk, but on this catch, he fully extends his body, uses his hand-strength to make the catch, and then get two feet down, proving that he will be ready for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Score: 9.51
High Marks: Body control, both feet in
Deductions: Does he make this look too easy?

Second Place: Touchdown No. 4
C.J. Stroud 5-Yard Pass to Julian Fleming


In most weeks, this would be a hands-down top touchdown of the game, but this week’s No. 1 is special. However, Julian getting back on the field and having such a big impact on the game — even in a blowout against a MAC team — is really inspiring to see.

But this play is incredible; Stroud is on the run buying himself time and Fleming rolls with him and Stroud delivers an absolutely perfect throw where only his receiver can catch it, and does he ever.

Fleming hauls the ball in with a defender draped all over him and is still able to get a foot down. And keep in mind, at this point in the game, it was still relatively competitive. The only downside on this one was having to listen to the most clueless announcer in sports media, Tim Brando, be wrong for the eleventieth billion time in the game.

Score: 9.69
High Marks: Incredible hands and toe-tap, so good to see Julian making plays
Deductions: Having to listen to Tim Brando be wrong AGAIN!

First Place: Touchdown No. 11
TC Caffey 49-Yard Run


This is the type of play that they make movies about. Granted, in the movie, it would be a game-winner in a rivalry or championship game, but the IRL version is still pretty incredible. TC Caffey’s run is also a beautiful metaphor for the journey of a true-freshman walk-on at a blue-blood power like Ohio State.

It starts with very few people paying attention, even the announcers are discussing things other than the play — much like recruiting analysts didn’t discuss him coming out of high school. Most onlookers assumed his career/run was over when it hit some initial resistance, but Caffey didn’t give up and kept working.

That doesn’t mean that it was smooth sailing from there on out; Caffey had to keep fighting and grinding and out-working his competition but in the end, he was able to reap the rewards.

Score: 9.75
High Marks: Sentimentality, effort, toughness, surprise
Deductions: Game situation

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