Freshman Tracker: Caden Curry Celebrates, Dallan Hayden Holds His Own and Nine Other Freshmen See The Field

In the season's first noon game, the Buckeyes faced a plucky Arkansas State team. Unlike Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Nebraska, Ohio State was able to defeat its Sun Belt Conference opponent, 45-12, and remain undefeated against the spoiler conference.

With the game in hand by the fourth quarter, 11 members of Ohio State’s 2022 class saw the field against the Red Wolves with nine players making their Ohio State debuts. 

Caden Curry, hello

Curry made his Ohio State debut last week as a wing on the Buckeyes' field goal and extra point unit. On Saturday, he continued protecting Noah Ruggles but also made an impact on defense. 

After Ohio State went three-and-out on its first drive of the fourth quarter, Curry introduced himself to the Red Wolves' backfield when he hunted down Ja’Quez Cross for a six-yard tackle for loss. On the next play, Curry stuffed AJ Mayer as the quarterback tried to escape the Buckeyes' rush. 

The Indiana native from Center Grove High School played only 12 snaps on the defensive line but took advantage of them, finishing the day with four tackles and a tackle for loss.

Dallan’s debut

Dallan Hayden stepped onto the turf in Ohio Stadium for his first snap as a Buckeye at the 8:24 mark of the fourth quarter, As Kyle McCord took the snap, Hayden slid to the left and took the handoff. The running back from Memphis slashed diagonally through the middle of the line and raced to the Arkansas State sideline for a nine-yard gain.

Hayden ran the ball three more times in the series and finished the day with four carries for 13 yards. He also had two catches for 13 yards, which included a 10-yard gain on a swing pass. 

Snaps spotlight

Omari Abor was called upon in the second half and was on the defensive line for nine snaps.

Jyaire Brown led all freshmen with 15 defensive snaps and was credited with a tackle. The cornerback was also on the punt return team twice.

C.J. Hicks played on the punt block/return team five times.

Kenyatta Jackson played 12 snaps like Curry and recorded one tackle.

Hero Kanu the defensive tackle who was born in Germany, took his first 11 defensive snaps as a Buckeye in the fourth quarter.

Kye Stokes played seven snaps in the secondary.

Sonny Styles of Pickerington Central saw action on three different special teams units. The coaching staff trusted Styles to be on the punt block/return team every time Arkansas State punted. The son of former Ohio State linebacker Lorenzo Styles was also on the kickoff return team five times and the kickoff team three times.

Tegra Tshabola played eight snaps on the offensive line as the second-team right guard.

The freshmen will hope for the opportunity for even more playing time next weekend when Ohio State hosts Toledo in primetime.

(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)

• #3 Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12
• Sept. 10, 2022 • Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH
• • Buckeyes Declaw Red Wolves, 45-12
• • Passing Game Just Fine Without JSN
• • Strong Start But Still Seeking Improvement
• • Marv Goes Off Against Arkansas State
• • Ohio State Postgame • Notebook • Quotebook
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