Ohio State Buckeyes dodged bad news with positive injury update from win over Purdue
Ohio State has no real worries with one of their top players on offense.
The Ohio State Buckeyes trailed 3-0 early against the Purdue Boilermakers, which was unfamiliar territory — it was the first time they had been behind since the Big Ten opener against the Washington Huskies. The Buckeyes eventually found their rhythm, turning a 24-3 halftime lead into a 34-10 win over the Boilermakers. Keep in mind, this is the same Purdue team that lost just 21-16 to the Michigan Wolverines a week ago.
There was some early concern for the Buckeyes when star wide receiver Carnell Tate wasn’t on the field despite not being listed on the injury report. Tate was on the sidelines in full uniform but without a helmet, appearing ready to play but ultimately held out.
Ryan Day gives a positive update on WR Carnell Tate
“Carnell, we felt like he was gonna be OK to play, but when he went through warmups, he just felt something there,” Day said after the game. “So we just wanted to be really careful. Could he have played? Yeah, probably. But we’re just gonna rest him to make sure.”
Big Ten Network reported during the game that Tate experienced some tightness in warmups. Entering Week 11 against Purdue, Tate ranked second on the team — just 14 yards behind Jeremiah Smith — with 711 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on the season. It has been a breakout junior campaign for Tate, who has proven he’s the next first-round wide receiver to come out of Columbus. Last year, as the Buckeyes’ third option, he totaled 733 yards; this season, the 6-3 wideout from Chicago is on pace to blow past that mark.
Smith picked up the slack in Tate’s absence, posting 10 catches for 137 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Julian Sayin. Both Smith and Sayin are firmly in the Heisman conversation, and their performances against Purdue only strengthened their cases. Sayin finished 27-of-33 passing for 303 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
With Tate sidelined, Ohio State rotated in some of its depth — a positive development that is needed in a long season. Bryson Rodgers, freshman tight end Nate Roberts, Mylan Graham, and Jelani Thurman caught passes for the Buckeyes. Ultimately, the Buckeyes took the cautious route with Tate in a game they didn’t really need him for. Ohio State entered as roughly a 30-point favorite and handled business from start to finish.
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