Freshman Tracker: Sloppy Conditions and Sloppy Play Prevent More Freshmen From Playing Against Northwestern

With the horrible weather and an unexpectedly tight game, the majority of Ohio State's true freshmen found themselves sidelined for the second straight week.

Ohio State did extend its lead to double digits late in the game, but only five true freshmen saw action in the surprisingly close 21-7 win. 

The members of the 2022 class to cross the sidelines of Ryan Field and play in front of the rain-soaked fans in the stands were Jyaire Brown, Caden Curry, Jayden Fielding, C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles.  

Seven scholarship freshmen were not on the travel roster: Omari Abor, Caleb Burton, Kyion Grayes, Avery Henry, Kenyatta Jackson, Hero Kanu and Gabe Powers. Grayes made the trip to Penn State one week earlier, but did not make the trek to Evanston.

Walk-on freshman running back TC Caffey, who had played in two games this season and traveled to Michigan State for Ohio State’s first road game of the year, also did not travel to Northwestern after suffering a season-ending injury.

What can Brown do for you?

Jyaire Brown was the only freshman to play a significant role on offense or defense against Northwestern. He served as Ohio State's third cornerback against Northwestern and played 28 snaps.

The highlight of the game for the Lakota West graduate was breaking up a pass intended for Northwestern's Donny Navarro. Following Miyan Williams’ 2-yard touchdown to put Ohio State up 21-7 with 4:21 to play in the game, the Wildcats were facing a 2nd-and-9 from Ohio State's 44-yard line. 

One play before, Northwestern lost starting quarterback Brendan Sullivan following a bombastic blow by Taron Vincent. Ryan Hilinski tried to connect with Navarro, but Brown was there to knock the ball harmlessly to the ground.

Two incompletions later, Ohio State took over possession and secured the team's ninth victory of the season. Brown was also responsible for covering Northwestern's gunner on five of the Buckeyes' six punt returns.

Breakdown of special teams play

Caden Curry helped on four of the six special teams units. The defensive end was a wing on Noah Ruggles' three extra-point attempts. He helped on all of Fielding's kickoffs and was on the field for both kickoff returns. Curry covered on five of the six punt returns.

Jayden Fielding only had to kick off four times, tying a season-low.

C.J. Hicks participated on all of Ohio State’s kickoffs and kick returns and five of six punt returns.

Sonny Styles joined Curry and Hicks on the kickoff, kickoff return and punt return teams. 

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Indiana incoming

On Saturday, the Hoosiers hosted Penn State and were throttled in Memorial Stadium, 45-14. Indiana is in a free fall as Tom Allen's team has lost six straight heading into next weekend’s Big Noon game against Ohio State.

With the Michigan game just three weeks away, the second half of the Indiana game should be the ideal time to rest the starters with some of the young blood. Then again, that was also supposed to happen at Northwestern.

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 eighth game of the 2022 season, 17 of Ohio State's 21 scholarship true freshmen have seen the field, with seven – Jyaire Brown, Kaleb Brown, Curry, Dallan Hayden, Hicks, Kye Stokes and Styles – now ineligible for a redshirt as they have appeared in five or more games. Fielding, who is not on scholarship, has also burned his redshirt by playing in all nine games.

(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)

• #2 Ohio State 21, Northwestern 7
• Nov. 5, 2022 • Ryan Field • Evanston, IL
• • Buckeyes Slog Past Northwestern, 21-7
• • No Style Points in Sloppy NW Win
• • Stroud Shows He Can Run When Needed
• • Buckeyes Break FBS 20-Point Record
• • Ohio State Postgame • Photos
• • Northwestern Postgame