The whirlwind freshman season for Ohio State running back Legend Bey remains up in the air.
Head coach Ryan Day said during his Tuesday press conference that Bey’s availability for No. 5 Ohio State’s clash against No. 15 Iowa will depend on his performance in practice this week.
“It will kind of be based on how practice goes this week, how he does,” Day said. “We all know his ability level. (He) has to work to build trust. But we’d definitely like to see him on the field.”
The questions followed Bey’s absence from the field during the Buckeyes’ 42-19 victory over Illinois the previous Saturday.
Through his first four games, Bey has experienced an up-and-down rookie campaign.
After being suspended for the first two days of fall camp, Bey quickly turned heads and earned the role of starting kick returner for the season opener against Ball State.
His debut proved rocky as the rookie botched his first two returns, finishing with a 13-yard average on the two returns. However, he flashed the potential that made him one of Ohio State’s most intriguing prospects, rushing six times for 36 yards and catching two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown in the 56-3 rout over the Cardinals.
Since then, Bey has seen limited action. He logged just one carry against both Texas and Kent State, with both attempts resulting in no gain.
Bey could have an opportunity to return to the field when the Buckeyes face the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, but whether he plays will ultimately depend on how he performs in practice this week.
The last time Ohio State traveled to Iowa City was in 2017 when the No. 3 Buckeyes fell to an unranked Iowa squad 55-24.
Ohio State hasn’t won at Kinnick since the Buckeyes clambered back late on the heels of a Dan Herron touchdown to beat Iowa 20-17 on Nov. 20, 2010.
