Nelson Mandela once said “the future belongs to our youth.” That phrase seems to apply to the current Ohio State football team.
Coming off a 41-20 win over Tulsa on Saturday, Ohio State named its players of the game for all three phases on Sunday. Two freshmen – true freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson and redshirt freshman defensive back Cameron Martinez – earned the distinction for the offense and defense, respectively.
As for special teams, senior linebacker Cade Kacherski and junior wide receiver Xavier Johnson – both walk-ons – earned standout recognition after combining for three tackles in return coverage.
Henderson was a lock to win the offense's player of the game after his record-setting performance on Saturday. The true freshman running back shattered Archie Griffin's previous single-game rushing record for an Ohio State freshman. His 277 rushing yards are the third-most for any Buckeye running back in a single game in school history.
record-setting day for the true freshman @TreVeyonH4 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/mfvruGPQDT
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 19, 2021
Martinez, along with true freshman Denzel Burke, stood out as young studs in the secondary against Tulsa. The two combined for seven total tackles and five pass deflections, but Martinez took the edge for player of the game honors when he sealed the victory with a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Will a Pick - ever stop giving us chills?
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) September 18, 2021
The answer is no.
Cameron Martinez (@C_Mart1k) with the 4th quarter PICK - 6 for @OhioStateFB . pic.twitter.com/psO9bmK040
playmaker @C_Mart1k #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/bmAq7fMOsz
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 19, 2021
Kacherski recorded the first tackle of his Ohio State career against Tulsa, while Johnson saw playing time on all four kickoff, punt and return units.
special players making special plays @cade_kacherski1 @J5Xavier pic.twitter.com/jU1Jprw1Hn
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 19, 2021
Henderson will look to keep rolling and the young defensive backs will look to help Ohio State's overall pass defense improve as the Buckeyes continue their season next Saturday against Akron, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
