Ohio State’s X-factor playmaker may have fully arrived, and they will need him to beat Penn State

In a close win over Nebraska, Ohio State received a breakout performance that should foreshadow good things in the future for one key playmaker. Wide receiver Carnell Tate went over 100 yards for the first time in his career in a 21-17 win over Nebraska. Tate made four catches and one of them was a […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day applauds his defense during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. O...
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In a close win over Nebraska, Ohio State received a breakout performance that should foreshadow good things in the future for one key playmaker.

Wide receiver Carnell Tate went over 100 yards for the first time in his career in a 21-17 win over Nebraska. Tate made four catches and one of them was a 40-yard touchdown from quarterback Will Howard.

The Buckeyes had said during the bye week that they were going to more emphasis on pushing the ball downfield with Howard and they did just that on the touchdown to Tate.

Ohio State’s wide receiver room is stacked and when it is talked about Tate is not the first or second player ever mentioned. Still, he is a future NFL guy just like freshman Jeremiah Smith and senior Emeka Egbuka.

Tate is third on the team in receiving with 334 yards in six games played, and has scored two touchdowns. As a freshman last season, Tate contributed with 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown. He has taken a much bigger role this season as the No. 3 option for Howard.

Penn State is a team that is better against stopping the run, than stopping the pass. Smith and Egbuka will be the top two targets that Nittany Lions defensive backs Jalen Kimber and A.J. Harris are drawn to. This top-five matchup could be another opportunity for Tate to step up.

Of course, operating with Smith and Egbuka leaves a lot of meat on the bone for Tate. He needs to use that to his advantage and continue to stack strong games. If the 6-foot-3 wide receiver can do that, his stock is going to keep on rising. 

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