Recap

Ohio State entered this game with a lot of questions that needed answers, and the answers we got where not the ones the fans wanted. We never got to see a signifiant change to the defense, who were gashed again for 501 yards (428 yards against the pass). The run game improved, but the Golden Hurricane still got some yards when needed, and Ohio State had a stretch where they stopped Tulsa for 6 straight series. We also saw the same slow starting offense that ended the Oregon game. It took them 30 minutes of game play between those two games to score an offensive touchdown. Stroud appeared to have some issues with his timing and throwing, and was not able to get the ball in the hands of two of the best receivers in the country. 

We did get an answer to a star for this team in TreVeyon Henderson. In only three games for him to make a name for himself and explode onto the scene with 277 yards on 24 carried and 3 touchdowns. It only took him three quarters to break the freshman record for rushing yards in a game, and his performance was the third most rushing yards in a game. He started over Miyan Willaims, who did not record a snap this game, and broke for several long runs on the day, including touchdown runs of 48 yards and 52 yards. 

We are also seeing some emerging stars on defense with Denzel Burke and Cameron Martinez, who both had great games. Burke is showing he can be a lock down corner for this defense who was missing a key player even with Shaun Wade back last year. Martinez played limited snaps, but made the most of them as his game sealing interception for a touchdown helped make the final score more respectable.

Cj Stroud did not look as sharp, and if they are related to his shoulder injury, then Day needs to take a look at resting him soon with Akron coming to town the next week. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 185 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He did not attempt a rush, but was sacked two times from a loss of 14 yards, and fumbled the ball near midfield which helped Tulsa score their first touchdown thanks tot he short field. 

Outside of Henderson, Master Teague got into the game after not playing a snap last week against Oregon. He carried the ball 14 times for 64 yards. 

Chris Olave did not have a recorded catch this game at all. His one big catch was negated back due to a holding penalty, and with Strouds passing, his main target became Garret Wilson, who has 6 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. The next reciever with catches was Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 2 catches for 33 yards. Hopefully next week will be back to what to expect from a talented team. 

Star of the Game

TreVeyon Henderson broke the freshman record for rushing yards in a game, and ran for the 3rd most rushing yards of any running back in Ohio State history. The passing attack was stagnant, and CJ Stroud did not look as sharp with some of this throws, but Henderson was the main source of offense for the Buckeyes.

Playoff Picture

Ohio State still showed it had flaws. They did change up some things on defense with playing 2 safeties at times but the defense still gave up over 400 yards passing to a team that did not have a passing touchdown leading into this game. The offense, which has as much fire power as anyone in the country, became very one dimensional with the running game, and the pollsters will see that this game was still close in the 4th quarter before the Buckeyes were able to pull away. Other teams struggled around them in the polls, so it would not surprise me if the Buckeyes stay where they are at or drop because of the struggles. 

Looking Ahead

Ohio State (2-1) hosts Akron (1-2) at 7:30pm on BTN

Tulsa (0-3) returns home to host Arkansas State (1-2) at 8:00pm on ESPN+.

Photo credit: USA Today