The buzz after Ohio State’s 49-21 victory over Indiana in last week’s season opener was the emergence of freshman running back J.K. Dobbins.
The true freshman from Texas started against the Hoosiers when the coaches decided before the game to sit returning starter Mike Weber because of a lingering hamstring issue unless he was absolutely needed in the game.
They didn’t regret the decision to use Dobbins. The powerfully built back carved up the Indiana defense for 181 yards on 29 carries. He didn’t get into the end zone, but his long runs set up several scores.
“I wasn’t necessarily surprised,” Ohio State center Billy Price said. “As a player and a guy who’s been blocking for him for a couple weeks now, I know what he can do. We always say give him a little crevice and the kid scoots through and breaks tackles. I’m just very, very happy he’s on our side of the ball.”
This week, with Weber expected back for the big matchup with No. 7 Oklahoma in Ohio Stadium (8 p.m. ET on ABC), the Buckeyes are excited about the possibility of having not one but two elite runners available. Coach Urban Meyer is, for sure, pondering how to utilize the two.
“I haven’t figured that out yet,” he said. “They will both play. We haven’t figured the exact rotation.”
Weber, a 1,000-yard rusher as a redshirt freshman last year, practiced Monday at full speed.
“It gives us a lot of options,” quarterback J.T. Barrett said. “They both have the ability to catch the ball. It opens a lot of things up for us. Having those guys rotate and remain explosive.”
Dobbins wasn’t surprised by his performance in his first college game.
“I felt like I was going to do the things I did,” he said. “I practice against the best defense in college football every day.”
Barrett also gives Ohio State another running threat in the backfield. He rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in the opener. Antonio Williams added 44 yards on seven carries.
Barrett and the Ohio State offense warmed up after a slow start at Indiana. After the Buckeyes trailed at halftime, they outscored the Hoosiers 36-7, using a run-pass combo in the second half to win going away.
Whether Ohio State can run the ball against Oklahoma like it did against Indiana will be something to watch in the big nonconference matchup between the storied programs.
A year ago in Ohio State’s 45-24 blowout win at Oklahoma, Weber accounted for 123 of Ohio State’s 291 yards on the ground. The Buckeyes rang up 443 total yards against the Sooners.
Oklahoma hasn’t lost since the game against Ohio State last September.
The Sooners weren’t tested in their opener last Saturday against Texas-El Paso, rolling to a 56-7 win at home. The defense gave up only 73 yards rushing and 167 total yards against the Miners.
“They’re big, very athletic and they’re talented up front,” Price said. “I think with those guys you have to give them a lot of respect. They’re big dudes. Looking forward to a great matchup with them.”