The Ohio State Buckeyes’ run game is in shambles ahead of the Penn State Nittany Lions’ tilt.
Where do the Ohio State Buckeyes go from here with three running backs out?
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a great game on the ground in Saturday’s 41-7 win over the Purdue Boilermakers, led by sophomore running back Dallan Hayden, putting up their second-most rushing yards in a game (163) this season. But at what price?
When Ohio State returns home to face Penn State on Oct. 21, it could be missing its top three running backs, junior TreVeyon Henderson, seniors Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum. The passing game looked its finest this season against Purdue, but the Nittany Lions will undoubtedly need junior receiver Emeka Egbuka back in a showdown of College Football Playoff hopefuls.
Hayden and senior receiver Xavier Johnson did an excellent job filling in the backfield against Purdue, but the Boilermakers have the Big Ten’s worst rush defense, allowing 158.3 yards per game, and Ohio State only managed 163 yards in a weather-filled blowout that was ideal for a successful running game.
This won’t be enough against a Penn State team that has the No. 1 rush defense in the conference and No. 6 nationally, allowing only 74.2 yards on the ground. The Buckeyes need to figure out offensive line and backfield issues, especially if they are lacking in depth next week. They could be relying on Hayden, Johnson and junior back Evan Pryor — who now have a total of 27 combined carries this season — to take on the No. 1 overall defense in the country.
Even with the entire room open, the Buckeyes are only averaging 131.6 rush yards per game, ranking ninth in the conference. To even pose a danger to this stout Nittany Lion defensive line on Saturday, Ohio State must hope that at least one of its top backs is healthy.
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