Freshman Tracker: TreVeyon Henderson Has Two Touchdowns, Hits a Milestone and Denzel Burke Passes a Big Test Against Purdue

Ryan Day used nine of Ohio State's 23 scholarship freshmen in the 59-31 pummeling of Purdue. Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson were the young pup standouts as they helped the Buckeyes win their 10th straight game against the Boilermakers in Columbus.

The last time the Boilermakers won in Ohio Stadium? 1988, John Cooper's first year as coach ... 33 years ago.

Henderson cracks 1,000 yards

Entering yesterday's game, only three freshman running backs in Ohio State history have gained 1,000 rushing yards in program history. TreVeyon Henderson joined the elite group in the first half against Purdue. He reached the 1,000 yard mark faster than any of the other Buckeye great freshmen. 

TreVeyon Henderson is the 4th Ohio State freshman to reach 1,000 yards for a season.
Let's put this in perspective:

Clarett...1,237 yards, 222 carries (5.6)
Smith...1,126 yards, 177 carries (6.4)
Dobbins...1,096 yards, 182 carries (6.0)
Henderson...1,004 yards, 133 carries (7.5)

— Matt Gutridge (@RemyBuckeye) November 13, 2021

Looking at the numbers above, Henderson's average of 7.5 yards per carry stands out. Doing some digging, the running back, a year removed from Virginia's Hopewell High School, is on the verge of having one of Ohio State's best single-season rushing performances. 

At this point, only Carlos Hyde (7.3) and J.K. Dobbins (7.2) have finished a season with over 1,000 yards rushing and a rushing average over 7.0 yards per carry. Let's take a closer look at how Henderson's work against Purdue might get him to this elite level.

Following Purdue's game tying touchdown at the 7:04 mark of the first quarter, Henderson capped off back-to-back Buckeye drives with touchdowns. Three plays after C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba connected on a 49-yard pass play, Henderson plunged in from three yards out to give Ohio State an early 14-7.

Aidan O'Connell had the Boilermakers on the right track to tie the game, but a miscommunication on a handoff led to Jerron Cage recovering a fumble on the Buckeyes' 43-yard line. 

The stage was set for Henderson to produce his signature play of the game. Most defenses are keyed up on the first offensive play after a turnover. The calls of "sudden change" are frequently heard on the defensive sidelines. It was likely Purdue was on alert for a big play from Ohio State. What the Boilermakers weren't ready for was the big play coming from the legs of Henderson instead of Stroud's right arm.

Henderson now has five touchdown runs of 40 or more yards. With the return of Miyan Williams, Ryan Day has two dynamic running backs to gouge opposing defenses.

Burke up for the Bell?

Purdue's David Bell arguably presented Denzel Burke's most daunting challenge of the season. The Purdue receiver scorched Michigan State for 11 catches and 217 yards and Iowa for 11 catches and 240 yards. With the talking heads on television anointing Bell the Biletnikoff Award winner, Burke was facing a tough task.

In the first half, the freshman lockdown defender held Bell to two receptions for 17 yards on six targets. Not bad, not bad at all. However, Burke was called for this questionable pass interference.

Bell did finish the game with 11 catches for 103 yards, but according to Pro Football Focus, Bell had nine catches for 62 yards on the 14 targets he had when Burke was defending him.

On the play before being called for pass interference, Burke dropped Payne Durham for a three-yard gain. For those old enough, did No. 29 bring the same energy on that hit as the great Antoine Winfield?

Special teams and snaps spotlight

Emeka Egbuka was on the kickoff return team six times with three returns for 76 yards. He is currently averaging 32.1 yards a kickoff return which is second best in school history.

Marvin Harrison Jr. saw action on nine offensive snaps, was on the kickoff return team six times and the punt return team twice.

Donovan Jackson played two offensive snaps and protected on Ohio State's eight extra points and lone field goal.

Jesse Mirco was called upon to punt one time. He placed his punt down the sideline and pinned Purdue at their own 13-yard line. Mirco also held on all of Ohio State's extra points and field goals.

J.T. Tuimoloau had 19 defensive snaps, recorded a tackle and was on the field for Purdue's field goal and four extra point attempts.

Tyleik Williams played 13 defensive snaps against the Boilermakers.

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 10th 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.

• #4 Ohio State 59, #19 Purdue 31
• Nov. 13, 2021 • Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH
• • Ohio State Rolls Over Purdue
• • The Buckeye Offense Has Roared Back to Form
• • Garrett Wilson Proves His Value to This Team
• • Jeff Brohm Says Purdue WAs "Lucky to Hold Them to 59"
• • Ohio State Postgame • Notebook • Quotebook
• • Photos • Five Things • Debriefing • 3 Key Stats • Social Reactions