Freshman Tracker: Big Plays by Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson Highlight the Win over Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights were supposed to pose a threat to Ryan Day's young team on Saturday. The threat never transpired as 15 of Ohio State's 23 scholarship freshmen played in the 52-13 rout of Rutgers. 

TreVeyon gone

TreVeyon Henderson capped off Ohio State's first drive with a 44-yard scamper to give the Buckeyes an early 7-0 lead. The left side of the line did a tremendous job of securing the edge and producing a massive hole for the speedster. Given the space, Henderson utilized his stupendous speed to score.

TreVeyon Henderson finds the hole for an Ohio State touchdown

(via @BigTenNetwork)
pic.twitter.com/XI5r7zOqJC

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 2, 2021

The 44-yard touchdown was Henderson's fourth rush of 40 or more yards this season. He left the game in the first half and did not return.

TreVeyon finished the game with eight carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. For the season, he has 503 yards and is averaging 9.44 yards per carry. Henderson has scored in every game this season.

Burke to the house

Denzel Burke became the first true freshman to start a season-opening game for Ohio State since Andy Katzenmoyer accomplished the feat in 1996. On Saturday, the talented cornerback from Arizona recorded his first interception and touchdown as a Buckeye.

Forty seconds after Henderson's touchdown run, Burke intercepted Noah Vedral's pass and put Ohio State up 14-0. 

Denzel Burkes first career interception goes for six. pic.twitter.com/5nIhwN8wap

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 2, 2021

The Buckeyes now have a pick-six in three consecutive games. The only other time in program history Ohio State's defense has accomplished this feat was in 2016. The Silver Bullets have never returned an interception for a touchdown in four straight games. 

Wrecking ball Williams

Tyleik Williams continues wreaking havoc on opposing teams' backfields. This week, Williams the wrecking ball blasted Rutgers quarterback Evan Simon. Late in the fourth quarter, Simon dropped back to pass and was absolutely destroyed by the freshman defensive tackle. 

Williams came through the Scarlet Knights' offensive line unscathed and hit Simon with fierce force. Tyleik was credited with a sack and a forced fumble on the play.

How hard was the hit on Simon? Had this attack happened outside the stadium, the bruising Buckeye would have likely been arrested for assault. 

THAT YOUNG MAN HAS A FAMILY, TYLEIK WILLIAMSpic.twitter.com/bCBpcr4tgn

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 2, 2021

Running back Jamier Wright-Collins gave Simon the classic “look out” block. As Williams ran by him, all Wright-Collins could yell to Simon was, “look out!”

Mirco shoutout

Jesse Mirco wasn't used much in the blowout. He had his first punt with just over one minute remaining in the third quarter. However, Mirco did help settle a debate on Mitch Rossi's position. Is Rossi a tight end or a fullback? Neither.

Thats my middle shield!! @mitch_rossi5 https://t.co/ek0p2LCpjb

— Jesse Mirco (@Jesse_Mirco29) October 3, 2021

It's official, Rossi is Jesse Mirco's middle shield. 

Ballard bounce

Jayden Ballard was on the field for five snaps, but his best moves came before the game. 

C.J. Stroud and Jayden Ballard highlighting the #Buckeyes pregame dance huddle.

Always a favorite. pic.twitter.com/MzlAbs7NJw

— Jacob Benge (@JacobBenge) October 2, 2021

Dunn done?

Following Henderson's score in the first quarter, Jantzen Dunn was injured as he covered for the kickoff unit. Early reports indicated he injured his left knee.

Ohio State safety Jantzen Dunn still down on the field after getting injured on Rutgers' kickoff return.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 2, 2021

Hoping it's not a season ending injury. 

Like father, like son

Kyle McCord's dad, Derek, played quarterback for Rutgers between 1988-1992. The younger McCord was able to see playing time against his dad's alma mater and completed one of his three passes for three yards. Not the record-breaking numbers from last week, but still a memorable experience for the McCord family. 

Stat Book Stuffers

Jesse Mirco was called upon three times and averaged 43.3 yards per punt. 

Jack Sawyer played 34 defensive snaps and was credited with two tackles and a pass breakup. Sawyer’s first stop was in the first quarter. The Pickerington native brought down Johnny Langan for a short gain that led to a three-and-out for Rutgers. In the fourth quarter, Sawyer raced upfield as the standup end and was able to knock down Cole Snyder's attempt at a screen pass.

J.T. Tuimoloau forced Snyder down for a three-yard loss on a quarterback keeper. The Eastside Catholic defensive end finished the game with two tackles and now has seven stops on the season.

Jordan Hancock recorded his first tackles of his Ohio State career. Both of the stops occurred in the fourth quarter as the North Gwinnett alum was on the field for 12 defensive plays.

Evan Pryor was given the ball three times in the fourth quarter and tallied 10 yards. His long was a run of four yards.

Special Teams and Snaps Spotlight

Emeka Egubuka played in his fifth straight game. He played 14 offensive snaps and was the return man on Rutgers' three kickoffs. 

Donovan Jackson played a season-high 20 snaps on offense and protected on all of Ohio State's field goal and extra point kicks.

Marvin Harrison Jr. protected on three kickoff returns and was used on twice on the punt block team. The talented receiver saw 18 offensive snaps.

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. Through the fifth game of the 2021 season, 18 of Ohio State's 23 scholarship true freshmen have seen the field, with eight – Burke, Egbuka, Harrison Jr., Henderson, D. Jackson, Mirco, Saywer and Tuimoloau – now ineligible for redshirts as they've appeared in five games.