In the game against Purdue, Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden took the lead following a plethora of injuries to Buckeyes.

Indiana’s West Lafayette – Any part Dallan Hayden may have played in Saturday’s matchup with Purdue felt, at most, insignificant from the outside.

The team’s plan, according to Ohio State coach Ryan Day, was to give Hayden a redshirt this year in order to maintain his eligibility. It made sense at the time. As the team’s fourth running back, Hayden was comfortably positioned on the depth chart, and there seemed to be little chance that he would be required during play.Ohio State Buckeyes news most recent
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After an injury,  Henderson was not prepared to make a comeback. The unavailability report was updated to include Miyan Williams. Additionally, Chip Trayanum had to leave the game after taking a huge hit up high in the second quarter.

The Buckeyes needed a spark after being reduced to their fourth-string running back, who five days prior looked to be well on his way to a redshirt. Hayden also supplied one.

Hayden remarked, “It’s just all in God’s plan.” “I practice every day, take it day by day, and keep improving.”

His final total of 76 yards on 11 carries along with a score made him the day’s top rusher for the Buckeyes. On paper, it didn’t seem possible that Hayden would see the field.

Actually, he demonstrated that, when called upon, he was more than prepared to assume a leading role.

It merely demonstrates the skill in our running back room, according to Hayden. “The next guy is very good when the first guy goes down.” We have the greatest room in the nation, in my opinion. That’s why depth is so beneficial.

He claimed that Tony Alford, the running backs coach, and Day both advised him to be prepared in case something unexpected happened. As it happened, that same circumstance did occur.

Donovan Jackson, an offensive guard, stated, “Our philosophy is it don’t matter who’s back there.” “It might be—I don’t know—someone who is slow. Our only objective is to provide the guy holding the ball with the best opportunity available.Fortunately for Ohio State, the player who had the ball for most of the afternoon was prepared for just this kind of circumstance.

Day said, “He’s got really good feet.” He performs at his peak when he has the ball in his hands. He has exceptional vision and agility, but his lack of playing this year seems to indicate more about his mental preparation, in my opinion. It says a lot about his preparedness that he was able to go out and do it.

Last year, he was carried 102 times, but those carries were quite few.

Though they came in waves, he consistently earned carries. On October 22, Hayden only saw two carries in a 44-point victory over Iowa. He had 19 carries in the following week’s 42-point victory over Indiana. After playing Maryland, he had 27 in a week, but against Michigan, he only had two. And when the backfield was injured

He has only appeared in one game this season, against Indiana, as Ohio State tries to protect his redshirt, which prevents him from participating in more than four contests.

However, as has been the case with their backfield, Hayden was always willing to step up when the Buckeyes needed a running back.

When asked if he missed any game action this year, Hayden responded, “Yeah, a little bit because I ain’t play much.” “It felt fantastic to assist my team once more.”