Lathan Ransom appeared to suffer a long-term injury in the second quarter of the Rose Bowl.
During a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown by Utah's Britain Covey, the second-year Buckeye defensive back went down and required medical assistance after the play. Ransom appeared to have his leg put in an air cast and was carted off the field thereafter.
Ransom tallied 38 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, a sack and a forced fumble as a sophomore prior to the Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes were already down several major contributors on defense entering the game, with defensive backs Sevyn Banks and Marcus Williamson listed as unavailable along with defensive tackles Haskell Garrett and Antwuan Jackson and linebacker Cody Simon.
Freshman defensive end Jack Sawyer was disqualified earlier in the second quarter due to a targeting penalty.
The kickoff score gave the Utes a 28-14 lead over Ohio State after the extra point with 8:17 to play in the first half.
