Skull Session: Ohio State's Running Back Room is Stacked, The Buckeye Defense Finally Forces Some Turnovers and The Game Could Occur Twice in 2022

By Chase Brown on September 20, 2022 at 5:00 am
Dallan Hayden
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I had every intention of moving on from Toledo and talking about Wisconsin in today's Skull Session, but then I realized I had more to share.

Ohio State's running backs are really good, the defense forced its first (and second) turnover and there's a chance the Buckeyes could face Michigan in what would be a historic installment of The Game. There are other things in today's Skully, too.

How's that for a tease?

Let's have a good Tuesday, shall we?

 DALLAN HAYDEN, EVERYONE. When it comes to Ohio State's running back room, I constantly ask where Ryan Day and Tony Alford find the players that tote the rock for the Buckeyes.

TreVeyon Henderson was a sure thing as a prospect, ranked as the No. 1 running back and No. 23 player overall in the class of 2021. But then you look at Miyan Williams and Dallan Hayden. Williams was the No. 45 running back and No. 627 player in 2020, while Hayden came to Ohio State as the No. 24 running back and No. 282 player in 2022.

Still, Day and Alford believed the Buckeyes could maximize Williams and Hayden's athleticism and football ability at the collegiate level. Ohio State fans know what they saw in Williams and understand what he brings to the table. However, they received their first glimpse of how special Hayden can be after his breakout performance against Toledo.

Indeed, a true freshman rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries and added a touchdown in the absence of Henderson. He ran hard and fast, bursting into the second level and beyond and making himself hard to contain. His first career score as a Buckeye was beautiful, looking like he was shot out of a cannon after taking a handoff from Kyle McCord.

It appears Hayden might always run with that intensity and urgency when he touches the football. For example, the Memphis, Tennessee, native almost sped past the entire Toledo defense in what was nearly a 48-yard touchdown run early in the second half.

 TURNOVER TIME. I've shown plenty of love to the Ohio State offense in my last couple of Skull Sessions, and rightfully so. That side of the ball was excellent against the Rockets and would not be denied.

But now it's time to talk about the Ohio State defense.

The Buckeyes finally forced a turnover in Week 3 when Ronnie Hickman intercepted Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn at the start of the third quarter. After the game, Hickman said Jim Knowles and Perry Eliano made the defensive backs study that exact play call from the Rockets and that preparation worked in their favor come game time.

 DIRTY FRANK'S IS THE OFFICIAL WEINER OF ELEVEN DUBGATE X

Dirty Frank's
The Official Weiner of Eleven Dubgate X

Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace serves Vienna Beef®, vegan and vegetarian hot dogs, cold beer, and dazzling drinks. You can find them at 248 S. 4th St. in Columbus - the two main cross streets are Rich St and Main St.

Make sure to have Weiner Wednesdays as a regular part of your lunch plans, where you can get a special dog with fries for just $5. You'll find Dirty Frank's jumbo dogs and brats at the 11W tailgate this weekend.

Doors open at 3 p.m. for Eleven Dubgate X, which is being held this Saturday before Ohio State's game with Wisconsin. This event relies on your donations, which will benefit Special Olympics Olentangy. Cash and Venmo (@OSSOSTORM) are both accepted.

 SONG OF THE DAY. "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins.

 CUT TO THE CHASE. Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was suspended after scruff with Marshon Lattimore... Immersive Claude Monet exhibit planned for NYC this fall... A Louisiana man was arrested for shooting at a Coast Guard helicopter... Why Ryan Reynolds is telling people to get a colonoscopy... Drone footage shows the scale of a Taiwan earthquake.

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