Reserve RB rescues OSU
Buckeyes hoping to be one of four in playoff field
INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State running back Trey Sermon got the message Saturdayat Lucas Oil Stadium.
He had heard coach Ryan Day preach about everything the Buckeyes overcame to reach this season’s Big Ten Conference championship. He also heard Day urging players to overcome obstacles in the second half.
So Sermon delivered — with a record-breaking performance.
He ran for 331 yards and scored two second-half touchdowns, helping No. 3-ranked Ohio State rally past No. 15 Northwestern, 22-10, for its fourth consecutive conference crown and a likely spot in the College Football Playoff.
“I’m aware of my ability and I know I’m more than capable of playing my game, which is making guys miss and playing at the second level, ”the Big Ten championship MVP said.
Sermon used the combination of vision and speed to average 11.4 yards on 29 carries against one of Football Bowl Subdivision’s top defenses, breaking Eddie George’s single-game school record and the Big Ten championship mark.
Big Ten
The former Oklahoma back did it all when the Buckeyes (6-0) needed him most, too.
Quarterback Justin Fields said he couldn’t throw the ball late in the game because of a sprained right thumb.
Starting running back Master Teague left in the first half with an undisclosed injury, and star receiver Chris Olave didn’t make the trip.
With Ohio State struggling and down, 10-6, at halftime, it hada familiar feel to Day.
“This game was a microcosm of what this whole season has been,” Day said. “These guys, they’ve been gritty, they’re tough. They’ve been through so much and they just don’t flinch.”
“I’m just hurting for our seniors,” Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We didn’t come down here to play hard, we came down here to win, and not to get the job done is bitterly disappointing.”
Ohio State: Whatever happens in the polls this week, the Buckeyes really only care about one thing — making the playoff.
The CFP selection committee might want some answers from Ohio State before releasing the brackets Sunday.
Ohio State had nearly two-dozen players on its inactive list for the second consecutive game. Olave wasn’t the only big name missing. Linebacker Baron Browning, defensive end Tyler Friday and punter Drue Chrisman were inactive, too.
Day said only “a few” of the inactives Saturday might have to sit out the mandated 21 days for testing positive for COVID-19.
Fitzgerald still believes the Buckeyes belong.
“No. 1, they’re undefeated,” he said. “No. 2, they have an incredibly talented team. They’ve overcome a bunch of adversity through COVID and run the gamut of the Big Ten season.”