Injury doesn’t stop Buckeyes
Backup QB helps out after Barrett bumps into man in warmups.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Dwayne Haskins replaced injured star J.T. Barrett in the third quarter and led No. 9 Ohio State from behind to beat Michigan 31-20 Saturday for their sixth consecutive victory in the storied rivalry.
This one came with a twist.
Barrett was warming up on the sideline before kickoff when he said someone made contact with his right leg, aggravating a knee injury he has played through all season.
“Too many people on the sideline,” Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said. “I’m so angry right now.”
Barrett also lamented how many people Michigan allowed to be around the Buckeyes’ bench before the game, including an unidentified male who bumped him.
“I remember he was wearing something gray, and he continued to walk,” Barrett said. “He got a little nervous.”
Barrett said he will play next Saturday night when Ohio State (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) plays in the Big Ten championship game against No. 5 Wisconsin, needing another win to bolster hopes of getting a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Wolverines (8-4, 5-4) have lost 13 of 14 to Ohio State, including the last three with coach Jim Harbaugh.
Michigan was relegated to starting John O’Korn because Brandon Peters wasn’t cleared to play after having a concussion and Wilton Speight is out with cracked vertebrae. Fifthyear senior O’Korn simply didn’t make the most of the opportunity, completing fewer than half of his passes. He was picked off with about two minutes left and the Buckeyes ahead 24-20.
Mike Weber sealed it for Ohio State with a 25-yard touchdown run with 1:44 left.
Haskins, meanwhile, took full advantage of his chance to play. The redshirt freshman completed six of seven for 94 yards and had a 22-yard run that set up J.K. Dobbins’ one-yard touchdown that gave Ohio State a 21-20 lead late in the third quarter.
Barrett appeared to hurt his right knee on a run midway through the third quarter.