J.K. Dobbins, Damon Arnette named LGHL Week 3 MVPs

For the second week in a row, the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes utterly dominated a team that some analysts thought could present a problem for Ryan Day’s team. For the third week in a row the Buckeyes have taken care of business against lesser opponents and continue to prove that they are one of the best teams in the country.

The Buckeye victories over the past three weeks — especially against Cincinnati and Indiana — have been full-team performances in which the offense, defense, and special teams have all shown.

Yesterday in Memorial Stadium, the Buckeyes defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 51-10 to move to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Big Ten, and with the way that other conference teams have been struggling in recent weeks, OSU could be setting itself up for a really special season with a really special group of players.

Week 3 Offensive MVP: J.K. Dobbins

Rushing: 22 carries, 193 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: 2 catches, 14 yards, 1 TD

Late news out of Bloomington, Ind. is that the city council has passed a law outlawing J.K. Dobbins from ever stepping foot inside the city limits again. Following his 181-yard coming-out party in 2017 and yesterday’s 2.5 quarter butt-kicking, I understand the local legislature’s move.

Dobbins is on record as being disappointed with his 2018 performance and his 91-yard outing in the season opener against Florida Atlantic. Since then, I think it’s safe to say that he’s upped his game. He had 146 yards from scrimmage and two TDs against Cincinnati in Week 2, and 207 yards and another pair of scores against IU.

Dobbins appears to be running with much more purpose; hitting holes hard and looking to go north-to-south, rather than dancing in the backfield inviting tackles for loss. His new, harder-nosed focus was never more evident than on this second quarter run in which literally 64 percent of Hoosier defenders on the field got a hand on him, yet he would not be deterred.

Week 3 Defensive MVP: Damon Arnette

2 tackles (2 solo), 2 pass breakups, 1 INT, 1 TD

This one came down to Arnette or Chase Young (who won the prestigious award last week), but we gave the edge to the cornerback because of all the slings and arrows that he has suffered (mostly deservedly) over the past few years. The long line of defensive backs at Ohio State is a proud group, and when it became the ultra-talented Arnette’s turn to step up, he didn’t exactly rise to the level of the #BIA legacy.

However, after getting a stern talking to from Ohio State legend and pro football Hall of Famer Cris Carter, Arnette decided to put the NFL off for another year and return to Columbus, and in the early going it’s been pretty successful.

Against the Hoosiers, it is pretty safe to say that Arnette himself accounted for at least a 13- (if not 21-) point swing in Ohio State’s favor. In the first quarter, the CB broke up what otherwise would have been a touchdown pass from IU quarterback Peyton Ramsey to receiver Donovan Hale.

The pass was all but caught — with the help of Hale’s helmet — before Arnette came swiping down dislodging the ball on second down. Pete Werner made a stop for a short gain on third down, and the Hoosiers were forced to settle for a field goal.

Then, in the waining seconds of the third quarter, Arnette jumped a pass from Ramsey at the goal line and went 96 yards, avoiding tacklers and waiting for blockers, all the way to the endzone to get the Buckeyes to the final score of the day, 51-10.

With as much negativity as Arnette has dealt with over the past year — again, most of it deserved — yesterday had to be a great day for him, and I am happy for Damon.

Honorable Mention

Chris Olave
3 catches, 5 targets, 70 yards, 1 TD
1 punt block