WATCH: Ohio State releases hype video prior to primetime vs. Akron
Ohio State released a hype video prior to the Buckeyes’ primetime matchup with Akron on Saturday.
The Buckeyes will look to bounce back after a relatively uncharacteristic start to the season. Ohio State sits at 2-1 with a loss against Oregon in Week 2. The Buckeyes’ two wins, against Minnesota and Tulsa, have been closer than the score indicated.
Prior to the win over Tulsa, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day handed defensive play-calling duties to secondary coach Matt Barnes, replacing defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs as play caller. The move didn’t change much against Tulsa, as the Buckeyes defense was gashed for over 500 yards by the Golden Hurricane.
Through three games, the Ohio State defense is near the bottom of the conference, and the country, in total yards per game, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game and points per game.
Coombs remains the defensive coordinator in title but has moved to the press box, while Barnes will call plays from the sideline. Despite giving up over 500 yards, the Buckeyes improved on shutting down the running game, allowing just 73 yards to Tulsa, while also coming up with a defensive touchdown on a pick-six by defensive back Cam Martinez.
Offensively, quarterback CJ Stroud threw for 185 yards, completing 15 of 25 passes for one touchdown and one interception. Freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson proved to be the difference in the win, rushing for 277 yards and three touchdowns, to help the Buckeyes pull away 41-20.
Stroud will be out against Akron in an effort to have him ready for the remainder of Ohio State’s Big Ten schedule, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day confirmed Thursday morning.
Stroud has been battling a minor shoulder injury through the first three games of the season.
“Going into this game, we’ve asked C.J. to probably take these last two days off and rest that shoulder,” Day said. “[Backup quarterbacks] Kyle [McCord] and Jack [Miller] have done a good job. We’ll see how today goes but we’ll probably use C.J. in somewhat of an emergency capacity on Saturday and play some of those other guys.”
Day has not named his starter for the game against Akron.
McCord is a true freshman and former five-star recruit from Philadelphia, while Miller is a second-year freshman and former four-star recruit from Scottsdale. Miller saw action in last year’s 52-17 win over Nebraska during which he ran for a 21-yard touchdown. He has not recorded a career pass attempt.