After each Ohio State win in 2023, we will select one offensive Buckeye and one defensive Buckeye with player of the game honors.
Following Ohio State's 35-7 win over Youngstown State in its home opener, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is Eleven Warriors' offensive player of the game, and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg is the defensive player of the game.
Congratulations to the Eleven Warriors players of the game for Ohio State's 35-7 win over Youngstown State.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 10, 2023
Marvin Harrison Jr.: 7 catches for 160 yards and 2 TDs
Tommy Eichenberg: 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack and 1 FF pic.twitter.com/P3Eo83IRvc
A unanimous All-American and Biletnikoff finalist in 2022, Harrison recorded only two catches for 18 yards in the Buckeyes' season opener. He surpassed that production in one minute and 20 seconds on Saturday, securing a career-long 71-yard touchdown reception from Kyle McCord to cap off Ohio State's first offensive possession.
But Harrison's afternoon was far from over.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver added his second touchdown of the game – a 39-yard strike from McCord – near the end of the first quarter. Harrison finished the first half with seven receptions for 160 yards and two scores, which would be his final stat line in Ohio State's 28-point win.
Marvin Harrison Jr. was back with a vengeance in Week 2. pic.twitter.com/RW5H31ITPT
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 9, 2023
Like Harrison, Eichenberg's Week 1 performance was quiet considering the All-American level he played to last season, as the senior linebacker recorded four tackles across 48 snaps. But, like Harrison, Eichenberg returned to form against Youngstown State, collecting a team-best six tackles with one tackle for loss, one sack and one forced fumble, which safety Sonny Styles nearly recovered in the YSU backfield.
Tommy Two Thumbs was back in action against Youngstown State. pic.twitter.com/rGcUhA61dz
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 9, 2023
Harrison and Eichenberg are the second pair of Buckeyes to be named Eleven Warriors players of the game, as Cade Stover and Styles received top honors for their performances against Indiana last week.
We will keep a running chart of all the recipients as the season continues, with the individual awards to be posted on our social media accounts and the website each Sunday after an Ohio State win.
| Game | Offense | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| @ INDIANA |
CADE STOVER, TE 5 catches, 98 yards, 19.6 YPC |
SONNY STYLES, S 4 tackles, 3 solo, 1.5 TFL |
| YOUNGSTOWN STATE |
MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR 7 catches, 160 yards, 2 TD |
TOMMY EICHENBERG, LB 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF |
