Who was the breakout star from Ohio State’s win vs. Ohio? A talented freshman from Cleveland
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The mood inside Ohio Stadium plummeted when Ohio receiver Chase Hendricks, on the second play of the second half Saturday, scored from 67 yards out.
The catch, followed by a missed point-after try, cut Ohio State football’s lead to four. A matchup OSU was expected to win by at least four touchdowns was somehow a one-possession game.
The Buckeyes needed someone to help break the game open. The solution? Freshman running back Bo Jackson, who was seemingly battling to earn the staff’s trust after two games.
On the first play after Hendricks’ touchdown, Jackson broke through the line of scrimmage for a 64-yard rush.
The run, Jackson’s second of at least 50 yards through three career games, set up a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Ohio State scored on a long pass to Jeremiah Smith to break the contest open.
Perhaps more importantly than getting OSU’s offense on track against the reigning Mid-American Conference champion, Jackson showed he could be the solution to a shaky rushing attack.
The Buckeyes entered this season with CJ Donaldson and James Peoples expected to be the top options at running back. However, in wins against Texas and Grambling State, they combined for 191 rushing yards on 4.5 yards per carry.
Jackson, who starred at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, gives coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline a different level of explosiveness.
He ran for 109 yards against the Bobcats, accounting for 12.1 yards per carry. He also caught two passes for 21 yards.
In doing so, Jackson proved worthy of Ohio State’s trust. A late fumble out of bounds against Grambling State led to Jackson’s removal from the contest, and Day suggested mistakes seen during games often occur in practice as well.
However, the Buckeyes entrusted Jackson with a bigger role against the Bobcats. His first rush came in the second quarter, and he was the starting running back to open the second half.
If his young career arc feels familiar, it’s because TreVeyon Henderson might be on your mind.
Miyan Williams started Ohio State’s first two games in 2021 with Master Teague also factoring into the rotation. However, Henderson — a five-star freshman — flashed against Minnesota and Oregon.
By the third game, Henderson was the starter. He wasted no time showing why.
Playing against Tulsa — a game which saw quarterback C. J. Stroud struggle — Henderson ran for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
Jackson wasn’t that level of dominant against Ohio, but his breakout contest may have occurred just in time for Big Ten play.
When Ohio State plays at Washington in two weeks, Jackson might be the top option beside quarterback Julian Sayin.
