Ohio State moved to 6-0 with a 49-20 win over Michigan State. Here's what we learned about the Buckeyes.
Saturday, Williams was out with what coach Ryan Day described to ABC television as a recurring knee injury, and Henderson ran with purpose. He had 118 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
When Henderson was hit hard in the knee or thigh on his first carry of the second half, he fought mightily to stay in, but with the game in hand, there was no way OSU was going to try its luck.After OSU struggled last year in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on only 64% of their trips inside the 20-yard line, Day went about solving the problem. So far this season, the Buckeyes have 26 touchdowns in 28 red zone opportunities and two field goals.
Day's scripted opening series are often works of art, and against Michigan State those plays were again explosive. On its first offensive drive versus the Spartans, OSU had gains of 16, 26, 24 and 19 yards.OSU fifth-year cornerback Cam Brown returned from an undisclosed injury he suffered Week 3 against Toledo, and on the Spartans' second play from scrimmage, gave up a 20-yard reception to Jayden Reed.
The linebacker was outstanding again Saturday, leading the team with eight tackles, five solo, 1/2 tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup.When Day was asked this week who is providing Ohio State with leadership this season, he mentioned Ohio State wide receiver . The fifth-year senior showed an example of that against Michigan State. When Henderson went out, Johnson helped handle the load at tailback. Johnson played both cornerback and running back at OSU before being converted to a receiver.His fellow Buckeyes clearly appreciate it. On a first-half, eight-yard rush, Johnson was greeted by teammates as if it was an 80-yard gain.