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Ohio State was expected to be shorthanded today versus Michigan State. What fans probably didn’t expect was three starting offensive linemen unavailable in addition to 20 other players. Ryan Day was not the only coach that did not make the trip. Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, quarterback coach Corey Dennis and special teams Coach Matt Barnes were also absent.
Here is the full list of players that were unavailable:
- WR Kamryn Babb
- LB Tuf Borland
- CB Cam Brown
- WR Mookie Cooper
- DL Jacolbe Cowan
- DL Aaron Cox
- RB Marcus Crowley
- DE Tyler Friday
- TE Patrick Gurd
- WR Jaylen Harris
- OL Paris Johnson, Jr.
- DB Cam Kittle
- QB Jagger Laroe
- LS Roen McCullough
- OL Thayer Munford
- OL Josh Myers
- OL Nicholas Petit-Frere
- DE Noah Potter
- SAF Josh Proctor
- TE Joe Royer
- WR Gee Scott
- DB Alec Taylor
- SAF Kourt Williams
Larry Johnson and the remaining coaching staff adjusted well despite the difficult circumstances. Sophomore left guard Harry Miller slid inside to center without much preparation, while Wyatt Davis remained the starting right guard. LT Dawand Jones, LG Matthew Jones and RT Max Wray all received their first career starts. Although there were some bad snaps, the line played well overall.
On defense Tuf Borland has been calling the shots from his inside linebacker position. Without Borland, Baron Browning slid back inside while senior Justin Hilliard started in Browning’s usual spot. The linebackers once again came to play and excelled.
The Spartans only hope against the Buckeyes was before the game because as soon as the first whistle blew, it was all scarlet and grey. The offense was explosive even on broken plays and the defense shut down the offense of MSU.
The Buckeyes made a massive statement to the whole country and the fourth-ranked Buckeyes now move to 5-0 ahead of a date with the Wolverines. The Spartans fall to 2-4.
