Freshman Tracker: Jesse Mirco's Flashy Foot, Denzel Burke Locks Down and TreVeyon Henderson Scores

The Buckeyes lose their first noon game in 44 games, Ryan Day's regular season winning streak is gone and the perfect record against Oregon went Poof. On the bright side, Denzel Burke continued to impress as a starting cornerback. Besides Burke, eight other true freshmen played in Ohio State's stunning 35-28 loss to the Ducks.

Mirco, My Man

Ohio State's second drive of the game stalled at Oregon's 34-yard line and the coaching staff had a fourth-down decision to make. In a similar position during the game's opening drive, Ryan Day's team went for it and failed to convert on fourth down. This time, Day decided to punt deep in the Ducks' territory. Jesse Mirco delayed his pooch punt, allowing his gunners extra time to get in position and placed the punt perfectly on the 1-yard line.

The drawback to such a great punt was that it allowed Oregon to march 99 yards on 10 plays for the game's opening score. The Buckeyes' ensuing drive was a three-and-out that ended on their own 37. Mirco was called upon again and met the challenge. He rolled right, then blasted the punt away from the Ducks' return man and toward the left sideline. The oblong ball tumbled end over end and landed in the waiting arms of Julian Fleming at the Oregon 1-yard line.

This time, the Silver Bullets Nerf Balls were able to hold the Ducks to a punt. On the ensuing drive, Ohio State was able to score and tie the game at 7-7. 

Mirco finished the game with a 43.3 yard average, a long of 62 and two punts downed at the 1. Insert your Jim Tressel joke/observation/quote here.

JESSE MIRCO FOR #CFB HEISMAN

Two punts downed at the 1-yard line

pic.twitter.com/5VQkYRhLLJ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 11, 2021

One Not Done

Denzel Burke started against Minnesota due to Cam Brown and Sevyn Banks being unavailable. Yesterday, Brown returned to the starting lineup alongside the true freshman from Arizona. The Ducks didn't go after Burke the way Minnesota did in the season opener. The youngster finished the day with one tackle and also broke up a pass. 

The low statistical numbers could be a sign that Oregon respected Burke's game. It also could have been a result of the Ducks picking on Cam Brown returning from injury. The low stats were not because of a lack of playing time. Burke was on the field for a team-high 74 defensive snaps. He only left the field for one defensive play.

Burke's play is getting noticed by the coaches on both sidelines. 

Henderson's First Rushing Touchdown

With Ohio State trailing 28-14 early in the 4th quarter, TreVeyon Henderson blasted his way thru the Ducks' defensive line to pull the Buckeyes within one score. The game's momentum was swinging in favor of the home team and the crowd was becoming raucous.

How was the freakish freshman with game-changing ability rewarded? He didn't have a carry or pass thrown his way for the remaining 12 minutes and 54 seconds of the game. 

One possible reason for Henderson not getting late-game touches was Oregon's defense. The Ducks did a decent job of keeping him bottled up as he finished the game with only one of his twelve carries going for double digits. However, that one run was impressive as he broke three tackles to gain 11 yards and a first down.

Another reason for No. 32 getting shelved was the team turning to a predominantly pass offense. It appears Miyan Williams is looked upon as the better pass protector and that kept Henderson's talented feet on the sideline for the remainder of the game.

Even with possible pass blocking deficiencies, it's hard to comprehend keeping a player who only needs one touch for a touchdown off the field. Especially when Henderson could have been used for a screen or wheel route.   

In the end, Henderson played in five of Ohio State's 13 offensive series, had 38 snaps and finished the contest with 12 carries for 54 yards and one reception for 11 yards – he also had his first collegiate rushing touchdown.

Ohio State pulls within one score of Oregon after TreVeyon Hendersons first career rushing TD https://t.co/oBKqXu8UXV

— Ohio State Buckeyes (@Buckeyes) September 11, 2021

Special Teams and Snaps Spotlight

Emeka Egbuka replaced TreVeyon Henderson on the kickoff return team. Egbuka was only able to return two of Oregon's six kickoffs. The freshman from Steilacoom, Washington showed glimpses of his talent as he spun and dodged his way through the Ducks' special teams. Egbuka had 56 return yards with a long of 29 yards.

For the second consecutive week, Donovan Jackson was a lineman on the field goal unit. 

Others who played in the game were defensive linemen J.T. Tuimoloau (12 snaps) Jack Sawyer (3) and Tyleik Williams (3). Around the midpoint of the second quarter, Tuimoloau and Williams combined to shut down Oregon's CJ Verdell for a gain of zero. It was the first tackle for both players. Tuimoloau also knocked down a pass in the fourth quarter.

Marvin Harrison Jr. saw the field for only one offensive snap, six fewer than he played in Minneapolis. 

Under the NCAA's redshirt rules, a player can appear in up to four games at any point throughout the season and still count it as his redshirt year. Through the second game of the 2021 season, nine of Ohio State's 23 scholarship true freshmen have seen the field.

• #3 Ohio State 28, #12 Oregon 35
• sept. 11, 2021 • OHIO STADIUM • COLUMBUS, OH
• • Ohio State falls to Oregon in home opener
• • run defense doomed Ohio state as defense struggles persist
• • ohio state had three 100-yard receivers for the first time ever
• • despite the loss, ohio state's goals are still achievable
• • OHIO STATE POSTGAME • Notebook • quotebook
• • PHOTOS • five things • debriefing • three key stats • social reax