Freshman Tracker: TreVeyon Henderson's Program First, Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Safety and Emeka Egbuka Leads the Big Ten

Ryan Day's squad scored 30 points in the second quarter and took a 44-7 lead into the locker room.

The quick start enabled 13 of the 23 scholarship freshman to contribute in the 54-7 massacre. Note to self, never get on Day's bad side – see Maryland and Indiana.

Three is a magic number

For the third time this season, TreVeyon Henderson tallied three touchdowns in a game. In Ohio State's storied program history, he is the first true freshman to accomplish this feat. 

TreVeyon Henderson is SPECIAL

Another @OhioStateFB touchdown.

pic.twitter.com/2nmOyN5pTQ

— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 24, 2021

Henderson isn't just special, he's the elite among the elite. For those that heeded the advice, let's continue enjoying the ride on the TreVeyon Train. 

TREVEYON HENDERSON WITH NO.

True. Freshman. pic.twitter.com/uApwYPjkC8

— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 24, 2021

Henderson has eight receptions this year. Three of the eight catches went the distance.

Safety Dance

If you predicted Marvin Harrison Jr. would earn his first collegiate points with a safety, let me quote the great Judge Mathis, "You a lie!" 

Early in the second quarter, Harrison Jr. recorded his first collegiate points as he took down Jared Smolar in the end zone.

This was Ohio State's first safety since 2019. Who was the opponent in two season ago? Indiana.

Junior can also juke.

So many sweet moves on one play. @MarvHarrisonJr // @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/3sl2iArwQJ

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 24, 2021

Harrison Jr. finished the night with two catches for 34 yards and had three snaps with the punt block/return team.

Future Defensive Line?

Michael Hall Jr., Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau and Tyleik Williams all saw action at different points Saturday night. Remember, these four monsters will be in Columbus thru 2023. 

It's hard to believe, but Tyleik Williams did not play in the season opener against Minnesota. However, he has hit the field in every game since and the Wrecking Ball has recorded at least one tackle in six straight tilts.

On the first play after Chris Olave's 16-yard touchdown catch gave Ohio State a 30-7 lead, Jack Tuttle mishandled the snap and Williams bum rushed Tuttle for a seven-yard loss. Two plays later, Tuimoloau teamed up with Taron Vincent and sacked Donaven McCulley for a 5-yard loss.

The play of Tyleik and Tuimoloau set up Indiana's second straight three-and-out. A couple of plays later, Henderson scored his third touchdown to increase the lead to 37-7.

Sawyer delivered a career-high three tackles and harassed the Hoosiers' backfield all evening. The Pickerington native has tallied a tackle in four consecutive contests.

This was only the third game for Hall Jr., and he made the most of the opportunity. Near the midway point of the final quarter, the defensive tackle teamed up with Palaie Gaoteote IV to drop Stephen Carr for a five-yard loss.

These four monsters will be in Columbus thru 2023. 

Pryor putting on moves

Evan Pryor showed his versatility as he was called on for a career-high 11 carries. The North Carolina native and Williams Amos Hough alum used his slashing style to rack up 48 yards. 

On this night, Pryor did his most damage running to the edge then cutting hard up field. He's a very sharp runner. Slashing? Sharp? Edge? The man runs with the best qualities of a knife.

This 16-yard run was Pryor's longest of the night. He has now appeared in four games and will not be eligible for a redshirt season if he plays again this season.

Egbuka receives and returns

Emeka Egbuka is flashing immense talent on his electrifying kick off returns. He doesn't have the speed of Ted Ginn Jr., but Egbuka has smooth moves and enough speed to bring excitement back to the return game.

Following Harrison Jr.'s safety in the second quarter, Emeka received the ensuing kick off at the Buckeyes' 19-yard line. 42 yards later, C.J. Stroud and Ohio State's offense was at Indiana's 39-yard line and in position to score again.

For the season, Egbuka has nine kick off returns and is averaging an impressive 35.2 yards per attempt. He has the best return average in the Big Ten and is second in the nation.

Tom Barrington holds the program record when he averaged 34.3 yards per kickoff return in 1965.

Emeka also had two catches for 29 including and almost hauled in his first collegiate touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

McCord nearly perfect

Kyle McCord made his appearance at the 14:42 mark of the final stanza. On his first snap, the five-star quarterback hit Evan Pryor for a 30-yard gain, but the play was nullified due to an illegal block. McCord connected on his first five pass attempts and set the stage for 1st and 10 from Indiana's 12-yard line.

The Pennsylvania passer threw a dime to Egbuka in the back of the Hoosiers' end zone, but a one-handed attempt and distraction from Josh Sanguinetti caused the ball to fall harmlessly to the ground.

Had this pass been completed McCord would have finished a perfect six-for-six and Egbuka would have celebrated his first touchdown. McCord is one appearance away from burning his redshirt season.

Special teams and snaps spotlight

Denzel Burke was on the field for 25 defensive snaps, four and plays on punt return and one on the field goal block unit. He did not record a tackle or pass defense against Hoosiers' inept offense. 

Donovan Jackson played 18 snaps on offense and protected on all of Ohio State's field goal and extra point kicks.

Jesse Mirco was called upon to punt for the first time since October 2nd. He averaged 40.0 yards on his punts and dropped one inside the Indiana 20. Mirco also held on all of Ohio State's extra points and its lone field goal.

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 seventh game of the 2021 season, 13 of Ohio State's 23 scholarship true freshmen have seen the field, with nine – Burke, Egbuka, Harrison Jr., Henderson, Jackson, Mirco, Saywer, Tuimoloau and Williams – now ineligible for redshirts as they've appeared in five or more games.