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Scarlet Sunrise: 'Top-end' speed already on display for Marvin Harrison Jr. this season

IMG_7408by: Andy Backstrom09/15/23andybackstrom
Marvin Harrison Jr. by Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK
Marvin Harrison Jr. (Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

‘Top-end’ speed already on display for Marvin Harrison Jr. this season

After a quiet season opener — during which he caught two passes for 18 yards — Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. couldn’t be missed last weekend against Youngstown State.

Unless he was running too fast.

Harrison was tracked at 22.2 miles per hour last Saturday during his game-opening, 71-yard touchdown reception, according to Reel Analytics, which reported Harrison’s speed on that play as the fastest of any college football player last week.

Harrison’s breakaway score was the longest touchdown reception of his career.

“Coach Day said the ball was definitely not supposed to come to me,” Harrison said. “I think it was busted coverage there. I mean, I’ll take a free touchdown.”

The play was designed for fellow Buckeyes receiver Emeka Egbuka. But when YSU safety Marcus Hooker came up to double Egbuka, Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord saw Harrison streaking downfield ahead of his defender in 1-on-1 coverage.

McCord hit Harrison in stride, and then Harrison was off the races. He reached the end zone like he was crossing the finish line, a fitting conclusion to a blazing sprint.

“He has top-end speed. He does,” Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said Thursday. “When he decides to really open it up on big plays like that, he can go for sure. I don’t know what his 40 time would be right now, but he’s got the speed and the quickness that many of the elite guys have had.”

Harrison finished with seven catches for 160 yards and two scores in last weekend’s 35-7 win.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver is already a projected top-three pick for next year’s NFL Draft. He’s surehanded and a 1-on-1 nightmare for defensive backs. But Harrison’s pretty darn fast, too.

Ohio State offensive line focused on playing ‘more violent’ against Western Kentucky

The Ohio State offensive line has been good in pass protection early this season. Where the group has struggled has been in the run game, particularly in short-yardage situations.

At first there were communication issues at Indiana. Then, last week against Youngstown State, there were penalty and point of attack (POA) issues.

The penalties need to be cleaned up with better technique, according to Buckeyes O-Line coach Justin Frye. As for the POA problems, well, those can be fixed with more aggression and violence, Frye said.

“You really want to be a tough guy, then be a tough guy all the time,” Frye said.

“So we’ve got to play more violent.”

To get the latest on the Buckeyes’ offensive line, head on over here.

‘The group feeds off it’: Buckeyes hoping to turn drought-ending pick into more takeaways

Ohio State cornerbacks ended their interception drought last weekend against Youngstown State. For the first time since the 2021 season, a Buckeyes corner came down with a pick, as Denzel Burke high pointed a 50-50 ball in the end zone during the third quarter.

It could be a sign of a things to come, according to Ohio State players and coaches.

“It just gives you a little confidence,” Ohio State cornerbacks/secondary coach Tim Walton said Wednesday. “The group feeds off it. Other guys are now trying to have urgency to get theirs, you know, so it makes them feel good. It makes them feel like they want to be a part of that.”

Burke’s interception is the Buckeyes’ lone takeaway so far this season. But they’ll have a chance for more this weekend against Western Kentucky.

For the full story, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Western Kentucky: 1 day
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 71 days

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