After missing Ohio State’s win over Rutgers last week, running back TreVeyon Henderson was back on the field against Michigan State, and he ran like a man that was itching to get back.
Henderson – who received the majority of the carries with running back Miyan Williams a late scratch – rushed for 119 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown, his fourth of the season, and had a 26-yard trot on Ohio State’s first drive of the game that helped lead to a score.
“I thought he ran well. I thought he ran hard,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. “Again, the offensive line played strong. Tight ends, at time unsung heroes. These guys are working really hard on the edge, and Cade (Stover) is just a really good football player. But Tre ran hard today and it was good to see him back after last week.”
Henderson’s day ended sooner than he or Ohio State would have preferred, though, as he exited the game following a 1-yard gain early in the third quarter. Backup up near his own goal line, Henderson received a carry and was forced outside, where a Spartan defender made an awkward tackle that briefly left Henderson on the field.
He got up shortly though, walking off under his own power to Ohio State’s sideline. Already up 35-13, the Buckeyes saw a healthy dose of running back Dallan Hayden in the second half with Williams also out. Hayden finished with 14 carries for 70 said.
When he was in the game, Henderson was running hard, and Day said after the game that he likely would have kept Henderson in under different circumstances.
“If it was a different game he probably would have come back in,” Day said. “Out of an abundance of caution we decided to hold him out. We didn’t feel like we needed to use him at that point.”
Along with Henderson, Day said he expects Ohio State to have Williams back following the off week. Having both of the Buckeyes’ lead backs will be of the utmost importance considering the noon kickoff against Iowa that awaits on Oct. 22.
