Tim May: How Buckeyes divvy up reps for deep stable of tailbacks, keep them ready for action

COLUMBUS — As Ohio State preps for Saturday’s colossal showdown of unbeatens with Penn State in Ohio Stadium, there are only so many hours (2-ish) in a practice, only so many reps as those minutes tick away.

With that in mind, what was coach Ryan Day’s plan in terms of apportioning those precious reps among his running backs this week? Would more reps go to Dallan Hayden, what with the way the victory at Purdue went down last Saturday?

“You take a look at how the week goes.  You spread some of the reps around,” Day said. “Then come up for air at the end of the week and figure out where guys are at, how they looked in practice.”

Not that he was expected to give away the details he, running backs coach Tony Alford and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline conjured. But it was a valid question, considering the circumstances (and, for example, as well as Hayden ran the ball, his pass protection could use some sharpening).

TreVeyon Henderson made the trip to Purdue but was ruled out as pregame warmups began as he continued to mend from what is believed to be a rib injury of some sort. Miyan Williams did not make the trip for unspecified physical concerns. 

And starter Chip Trayanum was running hard before a vicious tackle in which he appeared to take a blow to the helmet. He fell as he returned to the muddle huddle at midfield, was removed due to an apparent concussion protocol situation, though Day did not confirm that, and did not return to the field.

That left Hayden, whom the Buckeyes are trying to save a year of eligibility by playing him in four or fewer games (he now has played in two), and do-everything receiver Xavier Johnson to handle the running back duties the lion’s share of the afternoon, with some play by Evan Pryor.

As for reps in practice, though, as Day pointed out, it’s still talking about practice.

“I think the guys who are out will still get as many reps as well,” he said. “You’ll try to spread those around. Tony always does a great job of that, which is why I think Dallan was ready to play in the game the way he did, because we do spread those reps around.”

Harken back to August, when the Buckeyes were five deep at running back, and the question was whether the reps would be apportioned fairly. But just like last year, when the same preseason question was asked, the rigors of the grind six games in have chopped away at the depth chart.

“I know it’s a question every preseason, ‘How are you gonna spread those reps around?’ and I say, ‘Well, it’s a long season,’ “ Day said. “That’s kind of what happened there.

“But Dallan has been getting reps in practice. Give Tony credit for that, getting him ready.”

Alford keeps the backs rolling through, because as the past several games have proven, “next man up” seems to be the expectation, not simply a contingency plan for Ohio State.

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