Xavier Johnson

ANALYSIS
Johnson logged season highs in both targets and rushing attempts for the Buckeyes' depleted offense. The graduate senior has seen little-to-no usage outside of kick-return duties through the first five games of the season, but he had to play a bigger role with wideout Emeka Egbuka (undisclosed) and running backs TreVeyon Henderson (undisclosed) and Miyan Williams (undisclosed) all ruled out pregame. The necessity for Johnson only increased after second-string running back Chip Trayanum was also forced out in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury of his own. As a result, Ohio State employed a unique rushing rotation between Johnson, running back Dallen Hayden (11 carries, 76 yards, one touchdown) and backup quarterback Devin Brown (eight carries, 20 yards, one touchdown). It's likely that Ohio State will primarily rely on Hayden and Brown in the running game should Henderson, Williams and Trayanum remain sidelined moving forward.