Can Dallan Hayden bring the load for the run-down Buckeyes?

Dallan Hayden was allset for his minute.

With Ohio State’s top 3 running backs — TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum — notable to play with numerous injuries, Hayden was called up.

While any coach will inform you that having depth is an benefit, specifically in case of an emergencysituation, they’d rather not have to dip into it. But in Ohio State’s 41-7 win over Purdue last week, Ryan Day had to go deep into his bench and ask Hayden, his fourth-string running back who hadn’t played any significant minutes yet this season, to shoulder the load.

In his veryfirst genuine action because the College Football Playoff semifinal versus Georgia last year (he played briefly in the opener vs. Indiana, however didn’t record any statistics), Hayden led the group with 11 brings for 76 backyards and a goal. And he may be asked to offer a comparable or muchbetter efficiency on Saturday when No. 3 Ohio State hosts No. 7 Penn State in a important Big Ten East face-off (noon ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).

“It’s like the coaches constantly state, competitive spirit, you understand?” Hayden informed pressreporters after whipping the Boilermakers on the roadway. “When your number is called, you’ve gotta make a play. I believe we have the finest running back space in the nation, so I feel like when one goes down, it’s simply next-man-up.”

That might haveactually been fine versus Purdue, however Penn State is a various story. The Nittany Lions have the No. 1 defense in the nation right now, which is presently restricting offenses to 193.7 overall backyards per videogame on 3.4 backyards per play. It’s stingy on the ground, holding groups to 42.8 hurrying backyards per videogame and simply 6 hurrying goals.

“This will be the mostsignificant difficulty to date,” Day stated.

Especially with a diminished running back space.

Henderson, who was expected to play last weekend before a problem, and Williams have undefined injuries, while Trayanum went down in the veryfirst half vs. Purdue after takingin a tough hit. The IR list likewise consistsof star large receiver Emeka Egbuka, who missedouton the last videogame with a leg injury he continual the week before versus Maryland, and No. 1 cornerback Denzel Burke, who left Saturday’s videogame early with an concealed injury.

Day stated Tuesday that he’s “hopeful” that his handful of hurt playmakers will be allset to go by Saturday, however didn’t fancy much beyond that. This indicates Day will have to get imaginative offensively if the Buckeyes are going to have a shot at winning what is anticipated to be an legendary conference clash.

As a real freshman last year, Hayden played in 10 videogames, consistingof a breakout efficiency versus Maryland when he ran for a career-high 146 lawns and scored 3 goals. He can hit the holes, however does have drawbacks — mostlikely due to absence of experience — in pass defense and ball security. But he increased to the event last week when the Buckeyes required him.

“I idea when the ball was in his hands, he did some actually excellent things,” Day stated. “I idea our O-line opened up some holes, however Dallan ran difficult as well. I idea when he got through the line of skirmish, he got up to the securities, and one run in specific, he actually decreased his shoulder and ran the security over and completed that run truly well.”

The strategy is still for Hayden to redshirt this season. But if the other backs aren’t healthy, Day stated the strategy may alter.

“We’re gonna do what we believe is finest to win every videogame, and it was fantastic to see Dallan run out there and play well in the videogame,” Day stated. “When that choice [to redshirt] has to be made, we’ll make that choice. It doesn’t have to be made right now because we still have a little bit of wiggle space.

“But if it comes down to winning videogames, we’ll sit down with Dallan and make sure we’re all on the verysame page. I understand Dallan desires to play and desires to do what’s finest for himself, however likewise for Ohio State.”

Xavier Johnson, who is noted as a receiver, is another alternative Day can lean on. A sixth-year graduate trainee, Johnson brought the ball 5 times for 39 lawns and had one catch for 21 lawns versus the Boilermakers. Depending on everybody’s health status, he might have a more extensive function this week as well.

“He’s extremely flexible for us,” Day stated. “You saw him doing a lot of things, running the ball, capturing, obstructing, and when you have veteran guys like that, who can do lotsof things, you have to figure out methods to make it work since eventually noone cares. You gotta figure out a method to get it done.”

Johnson is a real veteran. He discovered how to block while playing unique groups and cornerback, foundout how to bring the ball while playing running back, and foundout how to run paths while playing large receiver.

“He can do numerous things,” Day stated. “And when you have that ability set, you’re a genuine weapon.”

That might be, however if Ohio State is going to beat a healthy Penn State group, it’s going to requirement some of its beginners back by Saturday.

Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She formerly composed for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” released in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on Twitter @LakenLitman.