Explosive Carries And a Thrilling Catch-and-Run Mark Another Huge Performance for Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson

One of the gorgeous aspects of sports is that a viewer’s emotions can swing several times in a single sequence or play.

Anxiety must have been the emotion pervading Ohio State's fanbase when the Buckeyes lined up for a 3rd-and-9 on their 26-yard line ahead just 21-16 margin in the fourth quarter on the road against Rutgers.

Hope appeared next when Kyle McCord dropped back to pass, looked downfield, progressed through his reads and found TreVeyon Henderson underneath with a bit of space, though a first down was not guaranteed as Rutgers defenders loomed.

That’s why hope turned into relief when Henderson dipped his shoulder inside, then cut outside to wheel around Rutgers linebacker Daniel Djabome toward the sideline and pick up what looked like a solid 20-or-so-yard gain and keep the drive alive.

But then Henderson swung relief into exuberance. The Hopewell, Virginia, native outran a second defender in safety Shaquan Loyal, somehow swung his momentum back the opposite direction mere inches from the sideline and dashed up the numbers for a 65-yard catch-and-run to the 9-yard line. Ohio State scored a touchdown three plays later to extend its lead to 28-16.

"I wasn’t even expecting it to hit that big," Henderson said. "Kyle put the ball where it needed to be, and I ended up making a play. I wasn’t expecting it to be that huge, though."

Yeesh! pic.twitter.com/JEWJV6o1Rc
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 4, 2023

Henderson was responsible for many positive emotions from Ohio State fans against the Scarlet Knights.

For the second straight game since returning from injury, Henderson combined for 200 rushing and receiving yards. With 22 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown to go with five receptions for 80 yards against the Scarlet Knights, he led the Buckeyes in rushing yards, receiving yards and receptions.

He’s undoubtedly one of the top reasons Ohio State avoided Rutgers’ upset bid in Piscataway.

"He’s done a great job this year not only running the ball but catching the ball too," McCord said. "He’s become a great weapon for us. When he’s healthy, I don’t think there’s a better back in the country. He’s doing an unbelievable job."

Henderson played a vital role in each of the Buckeyes' first three touchdown drives on offense.

On their lone scoring foray of the first half, Henderson collected 26 yards in three straight runs to open what became a six-play, 54-yard scoring drive.

He scored Ohio State’s next offensive touchdown himself – a 9-yard rumble in which he broke three tackles – after another 35:56 of game time had passed to extend the Buckeyes' lead to 21-9.

TreVeyon Henderson is a game-changer. pic.twitter.com/zGEOpTejod
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 4, 2023

Henderson's electrifying 65-yard catch-and-dash came on the team's following possession, setting up a 4-yard touchdown pass from McCord to Marvin Harrison Jr. to make it a 28-16 Ohio State lead.

"It’s a blessing to be able to be out here and give this team everything I’ve got," Henderson said. "With God on my side, I’m going to continue to try to do that."

Eighty-one of Henderson’s 128 rushing yards came in the second half as Ohio State leaned on him to move the ball against Rutgers. Two of his runs went for 20 yards or more.

"Early on, they weren’t playing us in a two-high shell," Day said. "They dropped the safeties really deep and put clouds on both sides to take that part (of the field) away. We recognized that at halftime and said, 'We’ve got to be patient enough to run the ball all the way down the field.'"

"When he’s healthy, I don’t think there’s a better back in the country. He’s doing an unbelievable job."– Kyle McCord on TreVeyon Henderson

Henderson's explosiveness has been a rejuvenating sight for Ohio State’s offense, who certainly missed his production while he was out for three consecutive games against Maryland, Purdue and Penn State. The Buckeyes averaged a mere 1.9 yards per carry against both the Terrapins and Nittany Lions.

Henderson returned for his first action since the Notre Dame game on Sept. 23 last week at Wisconsin. He erupted for 164 yards on 24 carries, with another four receptions for 45 yards.

"It’s all God, man. It’s all God," Henderson said. "I went through what I went through, and he held me up. So I’m just trying to keep going, and thanks to him, I can come out here and give it everything I can."

Henderson’s will hope to continue swinging fans' emotions in the best ways possible as the all-important college football month of November wears on.

"When you get him to the second level, he’s dangerous," Ryan Day said. "Once he gets out into the open field, those are good to great. Fast. ... He is a mismatch and a very explosive player."