The biggest test remains, but Ohio State football’s O-line has held up despite injuries

ATLANTA – Injuries decimated the one unit on Ohio State’s team that seemed least equipped to handle it.

The most important test is Monday, of course, but the Buckeyes’ offensive line has held up better than almost anyone outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center believed.

When left tackle Josh Simmons and then center Seth McLaughlin were lost for the season with injuries, many dismissed Ohio State’s national championship chances. But if that unit can do it one more time against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff title game, it would be quite an achievement.

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Fryar (70) fires up the crowd during the first half of the College Football Playoff first round game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.

“I think it just shows that our offensive line is resilient and tough,” senior right tackle Josh Fryar said. “We look adversity in the eye and we just say, ‘FU, we’re going to do it.’ ”

Fryar and right guard Tegra Tshabola have been the only constants on the line, and even Tshabola has been in a rotation at guard with Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld in the postseason. Left guard Donovan Jackson has flourished as Simmons’ replacement at tackle. Carson Hinzman has taken over effectively for McLaughlin, who won the Rimington Trophy as the country’s top center.

“I’ve been here for five years, and I’ve been on a lot of offensive lines,” Fryar said. “I think this is the closest one we’ve had by far because of the adversity we’ve overcome to get to this point.”

More: Notre Dame embraces playing man pass defense vs Ohio State football: ‘It’s our DNA’

Quarterback Will Howard has been sacked only twice in the past five games, both in the CFP semifinal against Texas. The run blocking has been inconsistent but generally more effective…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/biggest-test-remains-ohio-state-175213554.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2025-01-19 17:52:00

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