Ohio State has released the Players of the Game and Champions from Saturday’s 52-51 win at Maryland.
Redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Tuf Borland was named the defensive Player of the Game for the Buckeyes. He led the team with eight tackles, with a career-high four tackles for loss and one sack.
The Buckeye backfield of redshirt sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins and sophomore running back JK Dobbins were the co-Players of the Game on offense. Haskins set numerous season records on the day in completing 28-of-38 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed a career-high 15 times for 59 yards and three touchdowns.
Dobbins also set career marks with 37 rushes and 203 yards, scoring once.
The special teams Player of the Game was redshirt sophomore playmaker Demario McCall. McCall had a key 42-yard kickoff return late in the game to set up an Ohio State scoring drive.
Despite allowing 45 points, three other defensive players joined Borland as Champions. Defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones, defensive end Chase Young, and linebacker Malik Harrison all earned the mark. Harrison finished with five tackles and two TFLs, while both Young and Jones added several tackles and a sack a piece.
The numbers of Champions on the Ohio State offense were considerably larger.
Offensive linemen Isaiah Prince, Demetrius Knox, Michael Jordan, Malcolm Pridgeon, and Joshua Alabi all graded as Champions. Alabi came off the bench when Thayer Munford went down and played very well.
Tight ends Luke Farrell and Rashod Berry were also named Champions. Farrell is a regular customer at this point in the season.
McCall also graded as a Champion on offense, stepping in for the injured Mike Weber who did not play.
Receivers Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon, Binjimen Victor, and KJ Hill were named Champions as well.
Dixon and McLaurin both went over 100 yards receiving on the day. Victor was targeted just twice on the day, but caught both passes, including a clutch 3-yard touchdown late in the game.
Meals needs to get off of Borland’s case (as do a lot of ‘fans’). Yes, the kid misses tackles at times – he’s not Spiels – but 8 tackles including 4 for loss and a sack isn’t the POS Meals and some are trying to make him out to be. Reminds me of the “fans” that used to dog Laurinaitis as well.
Competition is healthy for a team to advance, anyone notice how better Haskins ran the ball since Martell has been given chances? This should be going on across the board at every position since all players can have their results graded for being in the right position, winning the one on one, finishing the play – the next man up provides incentive like nothing else.