Opening the season on the road, in the rain and against a B1G opponent is not the ideal situation to introduce true freshmen to college football. However, Ryan Day had confidence to play eight members of the 2021 class in Ohio State's 45-31 victory over Minnesota.
Rare Defensive Start
Denzel Burke became the first true freshman defensive player to start an opening game on the road for Ohio State since at least 1945. P.J. Fleck made sure to test the defensive back from Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, AZ) as the Gophers threw his way often.
Late in the second quarter, Minnesota faced a second and goal from the 5-yard line. On consecutive plays, Fleck picked on Burke as Tanner Morgan tried to connect with Daniel Jackson and Dylan Wright. Burke was up for the challenge on the 2nd down play as he swatted away the touchdown pass, and Jackson's arms.
The youngster also made sure Wright didn't make the catch on 3rd down. Unfortunately, referees frown upon pulling on the shirt of receivers. Burke was called for pass interference. The Gophers capitalized on the penalty and three plays later Mohamed Ibrahim scored to give his team a 14-10 lead.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for Burke. He was aggressive in his coverage and finished the night with 63 snaps, four tackles and broke up three passes. Cam Brown even took notice of Burke's play.
True Freshman @King10Burke
— Cameron Brown (@luh_cam_) September 3, 2021
A pretty good start for a young man playing against high school kids last year. We might have witnessed the start of Ohio State's next great lockdown corner.
Catch That?
Following Minnesota's field goal in the 3rd quarter that cut Ohio State's lead to 31-24, Day showed his faith in TreVeyon Henderson and put him in for the critical next series. On first down, the play was designed for Henderson to run up the middle. The Gophers' defense had the play snuffed out, but the talented back had the vision to cut right and shed a would be tackler. As he picked up speed for the sideline, Minnesota's safety screamed down to limit the gain to five yards.
After an incompletion on 2nd down, TreDay made the world take notice.
C.J. Stroud floated a nice screen pass over a rabid defender and Henderson displayed his open field speed as he raced 70 yards for his first collegiate catch and touchdown.
Around the midpoint of the 2nd quarter is when Henderson had his first career carry. Following a highway lane created by Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere, the dynamic back split the defenders for an impressive 10-yard gain. Minnesota's safety made a touchdown saving stop as he upended Henderson.
TreVeyon Henderson is poised to have a special season. It's a lofty number, but if given the opportunity, and barring injury, the young star has the game-changing talent to chase down J.K. Dobbins' freshman rushing record of 1,403 yards.
Folks, hes a freshman. pic.twitter.com/Jl9vmjZAYC
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 3, 2021
Quick Kicks
Jesse Mirco's number was called twice Thursday night. At 1:28 of the 2nd quarter, he attempted his first punt. The Buckeyes were on their own 28 and the Australian native pooched an end-over-end and returnable 37-yard punt to Minnesota's 35-yard line. The Gophers' Trey Potts returned the less than average punt 9 yards to his own 44.
In the 3rd quarter, Mirco had a chance to redeem himself. This punt was pulled a little left, but went for 49 yards as it side stepped out at the Minnesota 22.
Special Teams Spotlight
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Henderson were on the kickoff return team. For those wondering, the last time Ohio State had a kickoff return for a touchdown was when Jordan Hall did against Michigan in 2010. Maybe this will stat be updated this year.
Donovan Jackson held the line on the field goal unit, and Mirco was the holder. Burke was a triple threat as he helped with the punt block, punt return and field goal block squads.
Under the NCAA's redshirt rules, a player can appear in up to four games at any point throughout the season and still count it as his redshirt year. In the season opener, eight of Ohio State's 23 scholarship true freshmen had playing time.
| NAME | POS | DEBUT | MINNESOTA STATS | GP | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAYDEN BALLARD | WR | ||||
| DENZEL BURKE | CB | MINN | 4 tackles, 3 PBU | 1 | 4 tackles, 3 PBU |
| REID CARRICO | LB | ||||
| BEN CHRISTMAN | OL | ||||
| JANTZEN DUNN | S | ||||
| EMEKA EGBUKA | WR | MINN | 5 offensive snaps | 1 | 5 offensive snaps |
| QUINN EWERS | QB | ||||
| MICHAEL HALL JR. | WR | ||||
| JORDAN HANCOCK | CB | ||||
| MARVIN HARRISON JR. | WR | MINN | 7 offensive snaps | 1 | 7 offensive snaps |
| SAM HART | TE | ||||
| TREVEYON HENDERSON | RB | MINN | 2 rushes, 15 yards, 1 catch, 70 yards, TD, 1 KOR return, 19 yards | 1 | 2 rushes, 15 yards 1 catch, 70 yards, TD, 1 KOR 19 yards |
| DONOVAN JACKSON | OL | MINN | 1 offensive snap | 1 | 1 offensive snap |
| JAYLEN JOHNSON | S | ||||
| JAKAILIN JOHNSON | CB | ||||
| KYLE McCORD | QB | ||||
| ZEN MICHALSKI | OL | ||||
| JESSE MIRCO | P | MINN | 2 punts, 86 yards | 1 | 2 punts, 86 yards |
| EVAN PRYOR | RB | ||||
| JACK SAWYER | DE | MINN | 4 defensive snaps | 1 | 4 defensive snaps |
| J.T. TUIMOLOAU | DE | MINN | 13 defensive snaps | 1 | 13 defensive snaps |
| ANDRE TURRENTINE | S | ||||
| TYLEIK WILLIAMS | DT |
- #4 Ohio State 45, minnesota 31
- • Ohio State Slugs past Minnesota after A slow start
- • The buckeyes' defensive touchdown changed the game
- • Big plays made the difference for ohio state
- • denzel burke started at corner as a true freshman
- • OHIO STATE POSTGAME • NOTEBOOK • QUOTEBOOK
- • PHOTOS • FIVE THINGS • DEBRIEFING • THREE KEY STATS • SOCIAL REACTIONS
