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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Chen

Which Ohio State football players earned their Buckeyes leaves vs. Rutgers

Ohio State Football went on the road and got a very solid win against a surprisingly tough Rutgers team, 35-16.

It wasn’t as easy as the score would indicate, the Buckeyes pulled away late as the Scarlet Knights just wouldn’t go away. The home team held a lead at the half, 9-7, the first time all season that Ohio State trailed after 30 minutes.

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Just as the fourth quarter started, the Buckeyes saw their lead dwindle to just 5 points, before scoring two touchdowns to seal the game.

There were more than a few Ohio State football players that earned Buckeyes leaves for their performances today. Find out below which of them, in my eyes, did just that.

Tight end Gee Scott Jr.

Why

He got the scoring started with an amazing catch. He was inconsistent throughout the remainder of the game, getting sat for walk-on Patrick Gurd a bit later. Scott Jr. contributed enough to earn his leaves, even if it wasn’t a big game for him.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson

Why

I love the way Henderson is running now, he’s being physical, fast and productive. It’s like something clicked for him while he was out multiple weeks following the Notre Dame game. Once again, over 200 total yards from scrimmage, it wasn’t just the production, but timing of it as well. His catch on a third down late in the fourth quarter was massive. What a game from Henderson.

Sonny Styles

Why

Who knows what position Styles was today, it seemed like he was a linebacker on some plays, a safety on others. Wherever he lined up, he was making plays. I had a feeling he was set for a big game with Lathan Ransom out, and that’s what happened. It’s not surprising that with more playing time, Styles was more effective with 7 tackles. I really liked how defensive coordinator Jim Knowles deployed his utility defender.

Safety Josh Proctor

Why

When Rutgers got into the red zone late in the second quarter, Proctor took over. Two tackles in three plays, helping hold them to a field goal. That was his game in a nutshell, big plays after big play. Many thought that when Proctor returned this offseason, he was going to be a liability, but that has not been the case. He’s been great this season, and was again today. Hopefully his injury he suffered on Jordan Hancock’s pick-6 isn’t serious.

Cornerback Jordan Hancock

Why

Someone needed to step up with Denzel Burke out again, and it was Hancock. Multiple stars next to him during my in-game notes, he made the biggest play of the game when he picked off a pass and took it to the house. Like Scott Jr., it wasn’t all good for him, but when you score, you deserve your Buckeye leaves.

Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau

Why

An absolute wrecking ball today, Tuimoloua was credited for 7 tackles and .5 for loss. He was all over the field, either making a play, or doing enough for a teammate to clean it up. Tuimoloua is so clutch as well, like Henderson, he came up big in multiple moments.

Safety Malik Hartford

Why

He didn’t start the game, but Hartford sure helped finish. The true freshman came in for Proctor and had two good plays in a goal line stop, great coverage then breaking up a pass. Hartford was ready when his name was called and while Rutgers tested him, he came up with the big plays.

Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg

Why

This defense looked like last years, more run blitzing which gave Eichenberg more opportunities to make stops. He led the team with 12 tackles, and although only .5 of them went behind the line of scrimmage, he helped “contain” the Rutgers rushing attack. Eichenberg did leave early with an arm injury, so hopefully he also is fine going forward.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Why

Harrison Jr., didn’t gain the yardage many of us have accustomed to seeing him get, but what he did with his four catches mattered. Two of them went for scores, each of them coming in the fourth quarter as the Buckeyes put the game away.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

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