COLUMBUS — Ohio State will be without starting defensive end Jonathon Cooper and starting outside linebacker Malik Harrison today when the Buckeyes take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Kickoff is set for noon and the game can be seen on Fox Sports 1.
Both players left last week’s game against Indiana early and spent the week in concussion protocol.
Cooper’s absence makes an already thinning defensive line even thinner. The Buckeyes have been without Nick Bosa since the second half of the TCU game several weeks ago. Defensive tackles Dre’Mont Jones and Robert Landers have been battling their own injuries as well.
In Cooper’s place will likely be fourth-year junior Jashon Cornell, who is a Minnesota native. This will also mean increased reps for true freshmen Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday. Smith had his first sack as a Buckeye last week.
Replacing Harrison will be a bit more interesting. When he went down last week, fourth-year junior Justin Hilliard took his place. Will Hilliard be there again, or will it be backup Keandre Jones?
The wildcard could be sophomore Baron Browning, who was an outside linebacker in the spring before moving back to the middle when Tuf Borland injured his Achilles tendon.
Harrison is second on the team in tackles (25).