Freshmen Tracker: Illinois

By 11W Staff on November 2, 2014 at 1:05 am
Ohio State freshman running back Curtis Samuel started over Ezekiel Elliott in a blowout of Illinois Saturday night. He made the most of it.
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A game like Ohio State's 55-14 blowout of Illinois lends itself to playing time for youngsters.

And for the Buckeyes, a young team still trying to build depth, Saturday night provided a chance to gain valuable experience. 

Running back Curtis Samuel had arguably the best outing of any freshman. He started over sophomore Ezekiel Elliott and had 63 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. 

"There's nothing quite like competition ... (running backs coach) Stan Drayton came to me in the middle of the week and said: 'I'd like to start Curtis Samuel this week, he's doing everything right, and practices at an extremely high level,' and we still have great confidence in Zeke, but we have two guys that can play."

Without further ado, here's how Ohio State's freshman class performed against the Fighting Illini:

Class of 2014 Tracker
Freshman Pos DEBUT Result Season LINE
KYLE BERGER LB INJURED    
DANTE BOOKER LB KENT STATE (9/13) PARTICIPATION 1 TACKLE
NOAH BROWN H-B VIRGINIA TECH (9/6) 1 RECEPTION, NINE YARDS, 1 KICKOFF RETURN, 29 YARDS  
PARRIS CAMPBELL WR      
STEPHEN COLLIER QB      
JOHNNIE DIXON WR INJURED    
JALYN HOLMES DL KENT STATE (9/13) FOUR TACKLES, 0.5 TACKLE-FOR-LOSS 11 TACKLES, 1.5 TFLs
MALIK HOOKER S      
SAM HUBBARD LB      
MARCELYS JONES OL KENT STATE (9/13) PARTICIPATION  
JAMARCO JONES OL KENT STATE (9/13) 1 TACKLE 1 TACKLE 
DEMETRIUS KNOX OL      
MARSHON LATTIMORE CB INJURED    
TERRY McLAURIN WR      
RAEKWON McMILLAN LB VIRGINIA TECH (9/6) 4 TACKLES, 1 PBU 26 TACKLES, 3 TFLs, 2 SACKS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 1 FF, 1 PBU
SEAN NUERNBERGER K NAVY (8/30) 2/2 FGs, LONG of 44 9/13 FGs
CURTIS SAMUEL RB NAVY (8/30) 9 RUSHES for 63 YARDS, 2 TDs 45 RUSHES for 317 YARDS, 4 TDs, 1 RECEPTION, 9 YARDS
DARIUS SLADE DL      
ERICK SMITH S KENT STATE (9/13) 3 TACKLES 6 TACKLES, 1 INTERCEPTION, 1 FR
BRADY TAYLOR OL INJURED    
DYLAN THOMPSON DL INJURED    
KYLE TROUT OL      
DAMON WEBB CB KENT STATE (9/13) 1 TACKLE  1 TACKLE
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