COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State football is back … kind of. For the first time since the painful loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game, the Buckeyes will take the field in the annual spring game on Saturday.
This is a new crop of Scarlet and Gray players with many familiar faces that have now disappeared. Names like Justin Fields, Luke Farrell, Jonathon Cooper, Tommy Togiai, Tuf Borland and Shaun Wade, among others, who have become so accustomed to Ohio State fans over the years, are no longer with the team. The Buckeyes used the spring to replace the key pieces, and the spring game will provide another opportunity for other players – for example, CJ Stroud, Matthew Jones, Taron Vincent, Teradja Mitchell, Lejond Cavazos.
And for the first time since the Scarlet and Gray beat Penn State on November 23, 2019, there will be fans – not just friends and family – on the scene for a football game at Ohio Stadium. While it will be just under 20,000 fans, it is definitely a step in a positive direction. The Spring Athletic Band, Brutus Buckeye and the cheerleaders will also make their triumphant return to the horseshoe on Saturday.
Although it will not be completely football – the state of Ohio will not pack in the spring game, but ‘beat’ and the second half ‘controlled’, we will take what we can get. You can get information on how to watch the match here and what you can follow during the match with us with live updates and analyzes.
Second half
- CJ Stroud gets the start in the second half. It looks like he’s there with the first team’s attacking line.
Half-time thoughts
- It was the first half of a spring game without packing.
- If I rank the quarterback performances, I’m going to CJ Stroud (11-15, 127 yds, 2 TD), Kyle McCord (9-13, 130 yds, 1 TD) and then Jack Miller (12-23, 100 yds, 1 INT).
- Both first-year receivers, Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr., really stood out with some nice catches and trails.
- Jack Sawyer will not always be able to just touch a quarter for a bag, but I do not think it will matter. He looks amazing.
Second term
TOUCHDOWN (1:11) Brutus 14 Buckeye 7
- Kyle McCord places a perfect pass in Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 15-yard catch. An impressive throw from the first year
- A nice catch by Cade Stover that dives beyond limits.
- A third bag from the first half for Jack Sawyer.
- TreVeyon Henderson is not just a rusier. He gets his toes in to catch a sideline.
TOUCHDOWN (5:03) Brutus 14 Buckeye 0
- CJ Stroud rolls to the right and hits Chris Olave in the corner of the end zone. It was a famous play from CJ Stroud to Chris Olave. Nr. 7 on quarter, instead of no. 1.
- Freshmen Emeka Egbuka with some nice catches so far today. This Buckeye reception room is loaded.
- Mitch Rossi gets a target out there from CJ Stroud.
- Jack Sawyer with his second “bag” of the day. The state of Ohio struggled last year to reach the quarterfinals. Sawyer – although he played football while in touch – does so today.
- Kyle McCord begins the second quarter on quarterback.
First term
- Garrett Wilson is back in for Team Buckeye.
- Safety Lathan Ransom with a nice play while sitting in the outside of the zone and breaking a pass.
- Jack Miller is now in the quarterfinals for Team Brutus.
- Kyle McCord fiddles after being ‘sacked’ by Jack Sawyer. Jake Seibert’s 40 goal attempt is missed.
- Garrett Wilson down to the play. It was as if he had been blown away by the wind.
- Kyle McCord is in now and takes a shot on his first throw. He beats Garrett Wilson for a 55-yard gain. Nice recognition after the play action.
TOUCHDOWN (3:44) Brutus 7 Buckeye 0
- CJ Stroud beats Marvin Harrison Jr. on an oblique route for a five-yard score. It was a good throw and Harrison selected first-year Denzel Burke.
- CJ Stroud throws it up and Chris Olave picks the inexperienced Demario McCall for a big win. Nice play.
- CJ Stroud is now on the field for Team Brutus.
- Not sure Jack Miller should have made that throw with such close coverage by Ryan Watts, even on Garrett Wilson. Miller looked good except it was on the ride.
- Jack Miller’s pass is intercepted near the end zone. Ryan Watts with the choice.
- Jack Miller is the first fullback on the field. Nothing to read into, just that which team is there to get started.
- Mock kicks off and we’re gone. Team Buckeye first on the field.
Prediction
- Thayer Munford and Jeremy Ruckert are the captains of spring today. Still going on with one.
- Long snapper Roen McCullough will play as a linebacker today and carries No. 49 due to a number of injuries on the position.
- The state of Ohio without Marcus Williamson, Mitchell Melton, Ellijah Gardiner, Tyleik Williams, Haskell Garrett and Jaylen Harris, among others, has already been ruled out this spring.
Here are some selected items from your spring exercise coverage to enjoy before the game:
Expectations are suspended as Julian Fleming recovers
Ohio State Announces Schedules for Spring
Garrett Wilson moves receiver positions again
Chris Olave was unfinished on his return for his senior season
Five players to watch on defense in Ohio State’s spring game
Five players to watch in the attack in Ohio State’s spring game
What to look for in Ohio State Spring Game
Ryan Day does not turn his hand over who could be the starting quarterback of the state of Ohio
Jack Sawyer will play a role for the Scarlet and Gray as a first-year student
Tyreke Smith, Zach Harrison want to warm up Buckeyes’ speed heat
A Healthy Taron Vincent Turns Head into Ohio State’s Spring Practice
Larry Johnson reloads Buckeye defensive line
Greg Studrawa built a deep, talented attacking venue in the state of Ohio
Thayer Munford wants to be the best pack in the country for the fifth year
Paris Johnson likes to move to the guard to help the Buckeyes
Ohio State wants to ‘bring back BIA mentality’
Josh Proctor strives for improvement in the secondary series this year
Injuries in the secondary open doors for young cornerbacks this spring
Matt Barnes said adding to secondary coach was ‘great’
Cade Stover continues its development at the end
TreVeyon Henderson Adapts to Life in Ohio
Teradja Mitchell finally sees a path to playing time at linebacker
Jeremy Ruckert can be “such a fixed end as there may be at university this year
Why Al Washington chose to stay in the state of Ohio
Master Teague wants to be the Scarlet and Grey’s starter
Miyan Williams sets his case back
Tony Alford believes the running room in the state of Ohio is full of talent
Demario McCall has a very good attitude after the sixth year
Zach Harrison Changed Attitude in Important Off-Season for Ohio Stae
Kerry Coombs: The loss of Alabama makes you ‘rethink’ how you do things defensively
Ryan Day is excited about the Buckeyes’ running back room
Jack Miller’s past experiences prepared him to start in the state of Ohio