OSU’S Stroud expected back
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is set to return at Rutgers on Saturday after sitting out last week's game against Akron to rest his sore right throwing shoulder.
“C.J.'S had a good week of practice,” coach Ryan Day said, “and we're looking forward to Saturday.”
Stroud has practiced throughout the week after being shut down because of his shoulder issue. True freshman Kyle Mccord started in his place against the Zips and completed 13 of 18 passes for 319 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
But it did not invite a quarterback controversy.
Earlier this week, Day was firm in saying Stroud would continue to be the Buckeyes' starting quarterback if healthy.
Stroud, who was named the starter following a competition in preseason training camp, played well enough in his first two games to receive Big Ten freshman of the week honors, but the redshirt freshman appeared bothered by shoulder soreness against Tulsa on Sept. 18 and threw for a season-low 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Following a week of rest, the pain in his shoulder seemed to subside, and Stroud impressed Day with his return to the practice field.
“I thought he knocked the rust off Tuesday in the beginning of practice,” Day said, “and then finally got into a rhythm about halfway through Tuesday. And then had a good day yesterday (Wednesday).”
Garrett Wilson, the Buckeyes' leading receiver through four weeks, felt similar confidence while catching passes from Stroud.
“It seems like he's healthy again,” Wilson said. “It's the best I've seen him spin it in a while. He definitely looked good.”
Sack competition
Friendly competition is underway between the Buckeyes' defensive tackles and defensive ends.
They're vying to see which group will finish this season with more sacks, serving as a form of motivation among them.
“We push each other and are raising the bar each and every day,” defensive tackle Haskell Garrett said.
Sacks were tough to come by in the first three games, but the Buckeyes broke out with nine sacks against Akron, more than doubling the combined total from the previous weeks.
So far, most sacks have been by Ohio State's tackles, who have 10 of the 13 sacks. Garrett is tied with freshman Tyleik Williams for a team-high three sacks. Antwuan Jackson has two. The only defensive ends with a sack are Zach Harrison and Jack Sawyer.
“We gotta thank the d-ends, to be honest,” Jerron Cage said, “because they're top of the top-notch. Even though they're not producing, we're producing for them because they get all the attention. For years, the defensive ends of Ohio State have been glorious, glorified and everything.”
Visiting home
Five of Ohio State's players are from
New Jersey and will play in front of a contingent of family members at Rutgers.
Center Luke Wyper, who grew up about 15 minutes from SHI Stadium in Montvale, is expecting to have about 200 family and friends in attendance.
“A lot of my teammates have been nice and asked if I need anything,” Wypler said, “so they've been able to send me a few through our ticket service with the football team.”
Not all have guests lists as extensive. “I have a few coming,” linebacker Cody Simon said. “I've kept it kind of small.”
Safety Ronnie Hickman and Mccord are also from the state, as well as defensive Tyler Friday, though he's out for the season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Center spot
During his weekly radio show on 97.1 The Fan on Thursday, Day indicated Wypler is likely to remain the starting center for the upcoming game at Rutgers despite the return of Harry Miller.
Day said the Buckeyes are planning to ease Miller back into the rotation after he was previously unavailable due to undisclosed health issues.
Miller was in line to start at the position in the preseason, but Wypler has done well in his place. The redshirt freshman graded out as a champion by the coaching staff following his debut in the season opener at Minnesota and last week's win against Akron.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.