Skull Session: Ryan Day Expects Indiana to Challenge Ohio State on Saturday, Emeka Egbuka is Incredibly Versatile and Jalin Marshall Torched the Hoosiers in 2014

By Chase Brown on November 11, 2022 at 5:00 am
Emeka Egbuka
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We are one day away from Ohio State football, and Indiana doesn't stand a chance.

Neither did this poor defender from Charleston Southern as Brice Sensabaugh dunked all over his head.

 HOOSIER DADDY. I start my Friday Skull Session with another round of Indiana talk, and, no, I haven't changed my mind about the Hoosiers. Apparently, Ryan Day hasn't either, as the Ohio State head coach expects a battle in the Horseshoe on Saturday.

To be fair, I also expect a battle this weekend, but it will be a war between the Buckeyes for who can score the most touchdowns against the Hoosiers. On top of the facts I presented in Thursday's Skully, the Big Ten Network provided me with some more ammunition as to why Indiana won't present a significant challenge for Ohio State on Saturday.

Ohio State has won 27 consecutive games against Indiana, the longest active win streak in the last 50 seasons between two FBS opponents. Additionally, the Buckeyes have scored at least 30 points in 18 straight matchups with the Hoosiers.

On Saturday, Indiana brings the No. 112 total offense and No. 100 scoring offense to Ohio Stadium, averaging 329 yards and 23.3 points per game. The Hoosiers' defense ranks No. 104 and No. 114 in the same defensive categories, allowing 422.3 yards and 32.2 points per contest. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes rank No. 14, No. 1, No. 6 and No. 8 in those respective areas.

So, as I said on Thursday, Bucks by a Billion.

 EMEKA EGBUKA → PAUL HORNUNG. Emeka Egbuka is one of the most versatile players in college football, and he was recognized as such with his nomination as a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award on Thursday.

Full disclosure: I didn't know who Paul Hornung was before Egbuka's nomination. However, I used the opportunity to educate myself on the former footballer's greatness.

Hornung was an excellent all-around athlete at Notre Dame, playing quarterback, running back and kicker for the football team and guard for the basketball team. In 1956, he won the Heisman Trophy for the Irish. The following year, he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Green Bay Packers – a franchise with which he would win four NFL championships and one Super Bowl – and became a Pro Bowler, an All-Pro and an MVP.

In conclusion, he was great. He was actually more than great. He was legen – wait for it – dary. So for Egbuka to be considered for an award with Hornung's name attached to it means a whole lot in my mind.

Egbuka has been incredibly versatile for Ohio State's offense and special teams this season, contributing by catching passes, taking handoffs and returning punts. Through nine games, he has collected 49 receptions for 794 yards and seven touchdowns and added 80 yards and two scores on the ground and 77 yards from punt returns. In other words, he's done everything for the Buckeyes.

The best part about Egbuka's nomination for the award is that fans play a role in who wins. So, lovely Skull Session readers, as I did for Ohio State women's ice hockey defenseman Sophie Jaques, I'll include the voting link at the bottom of future Skullys so that we can all fulfill our civic duties in Buckeye Nation and win Egbuka the award.

Cool? Cool.

 MARSHALL'S FIELD DAY. Sooooooooo, did anyone else forget how good Jalin Marshall was back in the day? I mean, I remembered he was good, but I wouldn't have tabbed him as four-touchdowns-in-a-half good. However, that's precisely what he did against Indiana in 2014.

 THIS AND THAT. I had too many storylines in consideration for my final blurb on this beautiful Friday, so I have decided to discuss all of them briefly.

First, Ohio State women's basketball defeated No. 5 Tennessee, 87-75, behind stellar performances from Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Mikesell. The Buckeyes forced 29 turnovers and converted them into 37 points to take down the Lady Vols in the 2022-23 season opener.

Two days later, the program's Twitter posted a highlight video of the game with behind-the-scenes footage of head coach Kevin McGuff speaking to his team before and after the contest. It also featured clips of the thousands of fans in attendance for the matchup, including several students decked out in all-white who created a rowdy environment in the Schott.

 SONG OF THE DAY. “Who's Your Daddy?” by Toby Keith.

 CUT TO THE CHASE. Top, Lite-Brite, Masters of the Universe in toy hall of fame... Section of destroyed shuttle Challenger found on ocean floor... 3 Olympic volleyball medals stolen from California home... 1 in 6 high school students vape, smoke or use tobacco, study finds... Oldest person in the United States turns 115 in Iowa.

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