Just eight seconds after freshman receiver Chris Henry Jr. scored a touchdown, freshman defensive lineman Jamir Perez carried the ball across the goal line in the Buckeyes' 59-3 win over Kent State on Sept. 19.
With the Buckeyes rotating a majority of their starters for second- and third-string players midway through the third quarter, multiple freshmen saw increased playing time against the Golden Flashes
."For the younger players, it was another opportunity to be on the field," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. "Build some confidence going into conference play."
Henry has snuck into the back of the wide receiver rotation, recording a 15-yard touchdown reception in the season opener against Ball State and earning nine reps in the 24-23 loss to Texas,
though he went without being targeted.
While fellow freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd finished the Kent State game with more catches than Henry, with four for 66 yards, Henry made the most of his lone target with 14:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey found Henry on the right sideline for a 5-yard pass, which Henry took an additional 70 yards for a 75-yard touchdown.
Henry avoided an initial tackle from defensive back Lennox Lemon before maneuvering past two other Kent State defenders and hightailing to the end zone. During the run, linebacker Quan Rhodes-McKee made one last attempt to bring Henry down, but was too late in grabbing the wide receiver's left foot.
Henry's 6-foot-5, 211-pound stature has contributed to the high expectations set for the five-star recruit.
"He's been serious since he came through the door," Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain said. "And when he gets on the field, he's going to do the best with his opportunities, and that's exactly what we've seen."
Fahey, who finished four drives with 141 passing yards and the Henry touchdown, entered as the backup for Julian Sayin in the third quarter over sophomore Tavien St. Clair. The two shared the late-game duties, as they did against Ball State, though St. Clair only appeared in two drives and recorded an interception.
How Jamir Perez took advantage of Kent State mistake
Perez made his debut against Ball State but played four snaps compared to 17 against Kent State. On Kent State's first play following Henry's touchdown, 6-3, 349-pound Perez picked up the ball off a fumbled Kent State snap and converted the turnover into a 14-yard touchdown.
"You can see the sideline, they all [celebrated]," Day said. "And for me, that's what I'm looking for. The whole sideline just going out on the field, celebrating as a team. I think you saw some of that today."
bmackay@dispatch.com
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State freshmen put final stamp on win vs Kent State
