Scarlet Sunrise: Styles brothers now together for 'even more special' Notre Dame rematch

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Styles brothers now together for ‘even more special’ Notre Dame rematch

Lorenzo Styles Jr. recorded his longest career reception against Ohio State in last year’s opener. Then a wide receiver for Notre Dame, Lorenzo Jr. turned a first down grab into a 54-yard catch and run on the first play from scrimmage in the top-five matchup inside Ohio Stadium.

The Pickerington Central product is the older brother of Ohio State safety Sonny Styles and the son of former Buckeyes linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr., who played for the program from 1992-94 before embarking on an NFL career that featured a Super Bowl win with the then-St. Louis Rams in 2000.

So, while Sonny was playing for the home team — and his father’s alma mater — Lorenzo Jr. was playing the villain role, which he said he enjoys.

“I like being away if I’m being honest with you,” Lorenzo Jr. said this summer. “I like having everyone against me because when you make a play, like that first play at the beginning of that game last year, everyone was quiet.

“So I love that feeling when you make a big play, and the whole stadium goes goes quiet.”

He’ll have another opportunity to do that Saturday night, this time with his younger brother against his old team. Lorenzo Jr. transferred from Notre Dame to Ohio State after spring ball and continued his transition from receiver to cornerback.

He’s yet to play a defensive snap, but his impact has already been felt on special teams, where he drew a pair of holding penalties in kickoff coverage Week 1 at Indiana, earning Special Teams Player of the Game honors from Ohio State.

Even though Lorenzo Jr.’s not seeing defensive game action right now — while his brother is starting at “nickel” safety — Sonny believes this year’s setup for the Notre Dame game is a greater spectacle.

“Last year, I wasn’t really playing as much the first game, but it was still a pretty cool moment, me and my brother sharing the field,” Sonny explained. “But I think this year, I think it’s even more special.

“Lorenzo, he transferred here. Obviously, he still has love for Notre Dame, but this time we’re both on the same side of the ball and same team. So I think it’ll be pretty cool.”

No current Ohio State player has played in Notre Dame Stadium, except for Lorenzo Jr.

The Buckeyes haven’t played in South Bend since 1996, after all.

“I mean playing at Notre Dame Stadium is amazing,” said Lorenzo Jr., the Fighting Irish’s second-leading wide receiver last year. “They have a big stadium, great fan base. So this is gonna be a big game for all of us. And we’re gonna go there and we’re gonna show out.”

Sonny added: “I’m pretty excited. Notre Dame, they got a great football team. I think it helps getting some good experience last year in that Georgia [Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal] game. I think that gives me a little bit of confidence — I’ve been in a big game before.”

So has Lorenzo Jr., who notably had his best receiving game against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl during the 2021 season.

The Styles brothers, despite different defensive back roles and responsibilities, will go into South Bend together Saturday. That alone is a worthwhile memory.

Tyleik Williams playing harder, longer in third-year breakout at defensive tackle

Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams has reset his single-game career high for defensive snaps each week this season.

He’s third on the team with 17 total tackles, four shy of his single-season best.

Oh, and he has a touchdown.

To read more about his third-year breakout, head on over here.

Marvin Harrison Jr. taking ‘villain mentality’ into pivotal road matchup

Ohio State superstar wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. enjoys playing away from Columbus.

“I like being on the road for some reason,” Harrison said. “I love Buckeye Nation and playing in front of Buckeye Nation but I just prefer being on the road sometimes.”

Harrison’s Ohio State stats are actually slightly better on the road. Last year, he handled the best cornerbacks on the Buckeyes’ schedule while being away from the ‘Shoe. He’ll have another road test this week against Notre Dame sophomore corner Benjamin Morrison.

For the full story, go here.

Keys to the Game: How Buckeyes can beat Notre Dame

Style points don’t matter Saturday. All that matters for Ohio State is leaving South Bend 4-0 heading into the off week.

Lettermen Row is beginning to wrap up its pregame coverage of Ohio State-Notre Dame with three keys to victory for the Buckeyes.

Check it out here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame: 1 day
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 64 days

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