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Ohio State Football: Buckeyes have decision to make at RB

By Frank Teriaca

Nov 12, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden (5) runs past Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Beau Robbins (41) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Indiana Hoosiers At Ohio State Buckeyes
Nov 12, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden (5) runs past Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Beau Robbins (41) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Indiana Hoosiers At Ohio State Buckeyes /
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The Ohio State football team survived a scare against Maryland on Saturday afternoon. This Buckeye coaching staff has a huge decision to make this week.

The Ohio State football team went into College Park and got out with a close 43-30 victory in a game that was much closer than the score indicated. The Buckeye defense probably played its worst game of the season, the coaching staff made a plethora of mistakes, and quarterback C.J. Stroud did not look sharp.

For all that went wrong, one player made the most of his opportunity. Freshman running back Dallan Hayden had the game of his life on a day that this Buckeye offense needed it most. TreVeoyon Henderson came back from injury and started for Ohio State but aside from a nice catch and run, he was highly ineffective.

Ryan Day essentially benched him in the second half. Henderson is clearly not 100 percent so it’s tough to fault him but when he does get carries, TreyVeon tends to dance around and not hit open holes quickly enough.

But Dallan Hayden is starting to look like JK Dobbins 2.0 and that’s high praise, I know. Hayden finished with 146 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He hits holes hard and is constantly getting five to 10 yards regularly. When a hole isn’t there, he still hits the line hard and bangs ahead for a few. Bottom line is that Ohio State does not win this game on Saturday without Dallan Hayden’s performance.

This leads to the inevitable question of who gets the playing time next Saturday in Columbus against Michigan. It’s pretty clear that Henderson is banged up and I really can’t foresee him doing much against the Wolverines.

Miyan Williams is a wild card. He was running pretty well in the first half last week against Indiana until a defensive lineman fell on both his ankles. He apparently had a good week of recovery and was close to making the trip to Maryland.

But I believe the time is right to let Hayden carry the load against the Wolverines come Saturday. It’s a lot to ask of a true freshman I know, but Hayden has gotten better every week and is proving to be up to the task. He’s also been the most decisive of the three backs and that’s definitely a plus for him.

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But it’s Ryan Day’s call. And to be honest, I believe that he will go with Miyan Williams if he’s anywhere close to being at 100 percent. I just hope that Day and running back coach Tony Alford isn’t afraid to make the switch to Hayden against Michigan if it’s warranted. C.J. Stroud and this offense need consistency out of the running game and Hayden is the only player currently providing that.

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