September 20, 2021

Henderson, Martinez, Johnson and Kacherski earn Player of the Game recognition

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State’s coaching staff has named three players on defense, five on offense and two specialists as champions for their performances in Ohio State’s 41-20 win over Tulane. In addition, Cameron Martinez (defense), TreVeyon Henderson (offense), Xavier Johnson (special teams) and Cade Kacherski (special teams) are the Buckeyes’ respective players of the game.

First-time champions from Saturday included TE Mitch Rossi, OL Matthew Jones and DT Tyleik Williams. Williams recorded his first career sack while Rossi and Jones played extensively for an offense that produced a season-high 323 yards rushing.

Henderson’s historic day on the ground, which included 277 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns, broke Ohio State’s freshman rushing record, which was set 49 years ago by Archie Griffin when he ran for 239 yards versus North Carolina. Henderson piled up 207 of his yards in the second half and scored on TD runs of 52 and 48 yards, respectively, in the third quarter. His 277 yards are the most by an FBS player in a game so far this season.

Martinez, a redshirt freshman, put the exclamation point on Ohio State’s win when he returned an interception 61 yards late in the fourth quarter. He also added three tackles and three pass breakups. The interception was the first of Martinez’s career.

Johnson returned two kickoff for an average of 18.5 yards/kick with a long of 22. Kacherski, meanwhile, played multiple special teams units and made one tackle.

Ohio State Champions vs. Tulsa
Offense: TE Mitch Rossi, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Garrett Wilson, OL Matthew Jones
Player of the Game: RB TreVeyon Henderson
Defense: DT Tyleik Williams, SAF Ronnie Hickman
Player of the Game: SAF Cameron Martinez
Special Teams Players of the Game: RB Xavier Johnson and LB Cade Kacherski

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COURTESY OSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS