Ryan Day gives Carnell Tate injury update that will calm Ohio State fans everywhere

Relax Buckeye nation, Carnell Tate is going to be just fine.

The junior wide receiver did not play Saturday against Purdue despite being dressed. There was no word in the first half of why Tate wasn't on the field and his absence was barely acknowledged by the broadcast crew on the Big Ten Network.

But Buckeyes coach Ryan Day put a rest to any potential rumors during his halftime interview with sideline reporter Brooke Fletcher. 

“No no, he’s not going to play,” Day said of his star receiver. “We’re going to hold him. It was kind of a thing before the game [where] we just didn’t feel comfortable putting him out there, so you won’t see him in the second half.”

Tate is having a massive season with 39 catches, 711 yards and seven touchdowns. His 18.2 yards per catch leads the Buckeyes. If the injury is just precautionary, Tate should be available next Saturday when Ohio State hosts UCLA.

​Ohio State is rolling in West Lafayette

Despite the absence of Tate, the Buckeyes are well on their way to another victory — their 13th consecutive win going back to last season. Ohio State trailed Purdue 3-0 after the first quarter, but since then, it's been smooth sailing and the Buckeyes lead 27-3 early in the fourth quarter.

It's been another solid outing for quarterback Julian Sayin, who is 27-of-33 for 303 yards and a touchdown. Sayin did throw an interception, his first turnover in the past five games, but he's also on track to complete over 70 percent of his passes for the eighth straight game. 

Jeremiah Smith has a season-high 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. 

Bo Jackson and Isaiah West have both done a good job in the run game, but overall the Buckeeys are still struggling for consistency there and only averaging four yards per carry today.