Marcus Baugh has been through quite a lot in his career at Ohio State.
Before he had even gone through a fall camp practice, he was arrested for underage drinking. After a third violation, he was suspended indefinitely from the program.
Things have changed for Baugh, and that is good news for the Buckeyes.
Baugh was on the receiving end of J.T. Barrett's game-winning touchdown pass to beat No. 2 Penn State on Saturday in Columbus, keeping Ohio State's hopes of a Big Ten and possibly a national title alive.
The moment, Baugh said, was almost surreal.
"I had a good feeling it would come to me, just with how the defense was," he said. "Who would have thought they would have called my number for the game winner? Things change. We are rolling right now. Everybody is rolling."
Baugh and the Ohio State tight ends appear to have found their comfort zone in the Buckeye offense with Kevin Wilson. A fifth-year senior, Baugh now has three touchdowns this season, matching his total from his first four years on campus.
Barrett, who was in the same recruiting as Baugh, said he had a good feeling that the tight end was going to be open on the play.
"I saw the linebacker, I think it was 43, I was, like, 'J, just put it over the linebacker and we score.' And so I was able to do that," Barrett said. "That was about it. He was getting depth. I think he saw me looking at him, and I was able to put it in a good spot. And Marcus made a great catch."
The catch that ultimately won the game for Ohio State was a make-up grab for an early drop, Baugh said.
“I have to catch it. It was a good ball, great position, just had to catch it and make up big for when I dropped the first one," he said.
Denzel Ward's Overturned Interception, Explained
With Ohio State trailing 28-20, it appeared cornerback Denzel Ward had made an interception midway through the third quarter that would give the Buckeyes the ball back.
After further video review however, it was determined that Penn State wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins had possession of the ball first, as the call was overturned giving the Nittany Lions a 35-20 lead.
Following the game, referee John O'Neill explained the reasoning for overturning the call on the field of an interception.
“The offensive receiver had full possession of the ball, brought the ball down and completed the process of a catch. He then rolled over and at that point, the Ohio State defender came on him," O'Neill said. "By rule, joint possession belongs to the offense. The Penn State receiver had the ball first. He brought the ball down, completed the process of a catch, rolled over at which point the Ohio State defender came down on him.”
It was the second Ohio State interception that was nullified on the night. Buckeye safety Damon Webb collected an interception in the end zone earlier in the game, but was called for pass interference on the play, extending the Penn State drive. Nittany Lion quarterback Trace McSorley scored on the following play, a 6-yard touchdown run that gave the visitors a 28-10 lead.
Parris Campbell Fumbles, Exits With Injury
For the second straight game, Ohio State H-back Parris Campbell left with an injury in the first quarter.
Campbell caught a five yard pass from Barrett on Ohio State's first offensive possession, but fumbled after taking a hard hit. He played one more possession but was then taken to the locker room and did not return to action.
Per @MattyAOSU on @971thefan, Parris Campbell walked to the cart, and was subsequently carted to the Ohio State locker room.
— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) October 28, 2017
Against Nebraska on Oct. 14, Campbell also exited early after a shot to his upper body and did not return. In his place, Ohio State wide receiver/H-back K.J. Hill had a career night, catching 12 passes for 102 yards.
Following the game, Campbell's mother was seen walking up the players ramp with cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs. The extend of Campbell's injury is unknown at this time.
