Chris Olave, Miyan Williams, Zach Harrison and Mitch Rossi all earn special honors
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Following Ohio State’s season-opening 45-31 win over Minnesota last Thursday, 22 players earned champion recognition for their performances. The coaching staff also recognized four players of the game: DE Zach Harrison (defense), WR Chris Olave (offense), RB Miyan Williams (offense) and TE Mitch Rossi (special teams).
On defense, 12 players graded out as champions for a unit that had seven first-time starters on the field. Harrison, who had a sack and three tackles, and Haskell Garrett combined for what was perhaps the most critical play of the game. Late in the third quarter, with Ohio State holding a 24-21 lead, Harrison sacked Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan and forced a fumble, which Garrett scooped up and ran 32 yards into the endzone for a score and a 31-21 Ohio State lead.
Other champions on the defensive side of the ball included SAF Ronnie Hickman, the Buckeyes’ leading tackler with 11 stops, LB Teradja Mitchell (10 tackles), LB Cody Simon (seven tackles, one sack) and freshman CB Denzel Burke, who earned a start in his Buckeye debut and led the team with three pass breakups.
On the strength of a four-catch, 117-yard effort that included two touchdown receptions, Olave shared the Offensive Player of the Game honors with Miyan Williams, who had a 71-yard touchdown run to highlight his efforts. Olave moved into fifth place on Ohio State’s career TD receptions list with 24. Williams’ 125 yards on the ground was a career high.
On the special teams unit, Mitch Rossi was the player of the game for a unit that allowed just one kick return in eight total kickoffs.
Ohio State Champions vs. Minnesota
Offense: TE Jeremy Ruckert, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, OL Nicholas Petit-Frere, OL Dawand Jones, OL Luke Wypler, OL Thayer Munford, OL Paris Johnson Jr.
Players of the Game: WR Chris Olave and RB Miyan Williams
Defense: DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DT Antuwan Jackson, DT Haskell Garrett, DT Taron Vincent, CB Denzel Burke, SAF Josh Proctor, SAF Ronnie Hickman, SAF Bryson Shaw, LB Cody Simon, LB Tommy Eichenberg, LB Teradja Mitchell
Player of the Game: DE Zach Harrison
Special Teams Player of the Game: TE Mitch Rossi
Scout Team Players of the Week: Corey Rau, Jordan Hancock and Jackson Kuwatch
The People. The Tradition. The Excellence.
COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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