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It is the polar opposite of last time out in this edition of Buckeye Clips. With Ohio State off last weekend, the program’s alum made up for it by showing out all across the NFL. This week, the current Buckeyes got a chance to show out on the field — to the tune of a 52-12 blowout of Michigan State — but were mostly quiet in the NFL, with many guys unfortunately out with injuries for Week 13’s action.
Still, not a weekend goes by without at least a few OSU alum making their presence felt on the biggest stage. Let’s get to the highlights.
The Rookies
Chase Young had without a doubt the biggest performance of the weekend, and he did so on national TV as he helped lead the Washington Football Team to a win over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. His biggest play of the night came on fourth and goal, where he somehow came all the way across the formation to stop Benny Snell short of the end zone.
Chase Young is a different kind of athlete.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 7, 2020
Unreal effort to get the stop on 4th and goal
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/131cdri5QZ
Want another angle? You get another angle.
The ❌ighty Chase Young with the 4th down stop ‼️ @youngchase907
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 7, 2020
: #WASvsPIT on FOX pic.twitter.com/dJ4CpFvzX7
Young didn’t record a sack on the day, but he made his presence felt all game as he got consistent pressure on Big Ben and was flying around making tackles like this.
Chase Young chasing this play down is something most guys at his position just can't do. Not at this speed, anyway. pic.twitter.com/2mPpBAKtI7
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 8, 2020
Can’t help but agree.
Chase Young's the Defensive Rookie of the Year, btw.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 8, 2020
J.K. Dobbins had a nice game on Tuesday night after coming back from the COVID-19 list, as the rookie toted the rock 11 times for 71 yards and a TD including this long sideline scamper.
On the loose ‼️ @Jkdobbins22
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 9, 2020
: #DALvsBAL on FOXpic.twitter.com/OclYcFHJoa
Despite still splitting carries in a loaded Baltimore Ravens backfield, Dobbins made sure to make the most of his opportunities every time he touched the ball.
All day https://t.co/OlZuDDp8yt
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 9, 2020
Other miscellaneous news and notes for Buckeye rookies
- Damon Arnette exited the Las Vegas Raiders’ game against the New York Jets after an incidental helmet-to-helmet hit. Arnette already had a concussion earlier in the year.
- Jordan Fuller had three tackles for the Los Angeles Rams.
- Jonah Jackson started at left guard for the Detroit Lions.
- Davon Hamilton and Jeff Okudah were both out with injuries.
The Veterans
It has been a rough year for Michael Thomas, missing a large chunk of the season with injuries and then losing his starting quarterback shortly after returning. Still, none of this has stopped him from crushing the record books, becoming the faster player in NFL history to reach 500 career receptions — doing so in just 69 (nice) games.
@CantGuardMike becomes the fastest player in @NFL history to reach 500 receptions (69th career game) #Saints pic.twitter.com/fxldZv30Fg
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 6, 2020
He finished Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with nine catches for 105 yards. When you’re this good, you deserve to flex on em.
"He's able to separate, he gives you a great target radius – an area to throw to. That suits, I think, anybody who's passing the ball to him."
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 7, 2020
Michael Thomas shows ability to produce with all #Saints QBs » https://t.co/eFy4Wlsdts@JohnDeShazier | @Cantguardmike pic.twitter.com/hcZ6jd5qBT
His teammate Marshon Lattimore had a good game as well, registering four tackles and a pass breakup in the New Orleans Saints’ 21-16 victory.
@shonrp2 #ProBowlVote | : FOX pic.twitter.com/rOGUxuAtCM
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 6, 2020
It was a rough afternoon to be a Los Angeles Charger, but Joey Bosa still got his with three tackles and this viscous QB hit.
On his first snap since Oct. 25, Jarrett Stidham got smashed by Joey Bosa. Newton said the way Stidham responded (his TD pass to Gunner came three plays later) "speaks volumes of his growth." pic.twitter.com/SfkjHU4T7J
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) December 8, 2020
Vonn Bell has been one of the few bright spots on the Cincinnati Bengals defense. He finished Sunday’s action against the Miami Dolphins with six tackles and this QB hit.
Logan Wilson occupies the LG to start this blitz and then drops back. This leaves Vonn Bell as a free rusher who makes the most of his opportunity to hit the QB. pic.twitter.com/Un8QpfGaOa
— Sans (@bengals_sans) December 8, 2020
Unsurprisingly, one of the other best players on that defense is fellow Buckeye Sam Hubbard, who finished second on the team with 10 tackles this week.
Sam Hubbard is too good of a run defender to get blocked by a TE pic.twitter.com/hlW5vzWw0N
— Sans (@bengals_sans) December 8, 2020
Ezekiel Elliott had a bit of an average night — by his standards — for the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, rushing for 77 yards on 18 carries while also catching four passes for 18 yards.
Now that’s pretty @EzekielElliott
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 9, 2020
: #DALvsBAL on FOXpic.twitter.com/Gc73zTm3pB
Other miscellaneous news and notes for Buckeye veterans
- Noah Brown had three catches for 40 yards for the Cowboys.
- Jerome Baker had three tackles for the Miami Dolphins.
- Tyquan Lewis had a QB hit for the Indianapolis Colts.
- John Simon had two tackles including a TFL for the New England Patriots.
- Terry McLaurin had two catches for 14 yards for Washington.
- Taylor Decker, Andrew Norwell and Michael Jordan started along their respective offensive lines.