Ohio State Coaches Impressed by Tywone Malone Against Marshall But Looking for More Consistency from Defensive Tackle Depth
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Dan Hope on September 25, 2024 at 3:40 pm
@dan_hope
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Tywone Malone might have earned a bigger role in Ohio State’s defensive tackle rotation with his performance on Saturday against Marshall, but Ohio State’s coaches still have concerns about their overall depth at the position.
The Buckeyes turned to a trio of defensive tackles to fill in at 3-technique against Marshall with Williams out. Hero Kanu started the game while Jason Moore was the second player in at the position, yet it was Tywone Malone who ended up playing the
second-most snaps among defensive tackles behind only starting nose tackle Ty Hamilton.
Malone earned more playing time over the course of the game because of how he performed when called upon. He was the Buckeyes’ most productive defensive tackle against Marshall, recording three tackles with a tackle for loss. He actually should have had two tackles for loss, as he also blew up a 4th-and-1 run attempt by Marshall quarterback Stone Earle but didn’t get credit for the tackle because Earle slipped on his own before Malone would have hit him.
This 4th & 1 conversion attempt did not go according to plan
pic.twitter.com/pZKd1bdvMA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX)
September 21, 2024
That play was one of multiple from Malone against Marshall that stood out to Ohio State coach Ryan Day.
“The fourth-down stop by Tywone Malone was a really good play. He took an adjustment that happened in game that happened on the sideline and he made it on the field and made that play,” Day said. “I thought he had a really good play on a screen; put his foot in the ground, redirected and made a play.”
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was also impressed with Malone, singling him out when asked how he thought the defensive tackles performed against Marshall.
“I thought Tywone showed up, definitely,” Knowles said. “Kind of flashed a couple times in terms of being athletic and running to the ball. So I thought he made some good strides for himself and the team.”
Malone hasn’t played much since transferring to Ohio State from Ole Miss last season. While the initial expectation was that Malone would earn a spot in Ohio State’s two-deep last year, he ended up playing
only 49 total defensive snaps, sixth-most among Buckeye DTs. Until Saturday, it didn’t look like Malone would have much of a role in this year’s defense either, as he played just nine total snaps in the first two games of the season.
His performance against Marshall, though, may have been enough to earn him a spot on the two-deep – or potentially even start this week against Michigan State if Williams, who is considered “day-to-day” even though he was expected to practice this week, is unable to return against the Spartans.
“We haven't really discussed that yet because we're hopeful on Tyleik, but I think there's a chance,” Knowles said when asked if Malone would start if Williams can’t play.
Ryan Day and Jim Knowles were impressed with Tywone Malone against Marshall but are looking for more consistency from all of Ohio State’s backup defensive tackles.
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