Ohio State football’s Cotton Bowl opponent down two starting defenders: Buckeye Breakfast
The Cotton Bowl rivalry for Ohio State football knocked out two starters in the defen…
Missouri will play without two defensive starters in Friday night’s game. Both linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw will be unable to play due to injury.
Hopper ranks second on the Tigers with 55 tackles (six for loss) while recording six quarterback hurries and three pass breakups. Rakestraw totaled 35 tackles and three pass breakups.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day on Saturday confirmed safety Lathan Ransom will be unable to play Friday due to the lower-body injury that cost him the end of the regular season.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said Saturday his team will have no NFL Draft-related opt-outs. A handful of draft-eligible Ohio State players have not yet announced their plans.
Henderson playing?
The photos Ohio State released on its social media accounts from Sunday morning’s practice hinted at active status for one key contributor.
One photo showed running back TreVeyon Henderson in pads during practice. The three-year starter has not announced whether he plans to play Friday, or whether he expects to return for the 2024 season.
Ohio State practiced for 65 minutes inside AT&T Stadium in the first of its five practices in Dallas.
NFL Buckeyes
Zach Harrison’s single-season high for sacks at Ohio State was 3.5 in his freshman and senior seasons. The Falcons rookie has three in the past week after record two Sunday in a 29-10 victory over the Colts. Jeff Okudah added a tackle as the Falcons improved to 7-8.
Among other OSU alums in the NFL:
• Justin Fields rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown and added 170 passing yards with another touchdown to lead the Bears to a 27-16 victory over the Cardinals.
• Offensive tackle Taylor Decker was seen sharing an emotional moment with quarterback Jared Goff after the Lions clinched the NFC North championship with a 30-24 victor over the Vikings. Decker has spent his entire eight-year career in Detroit, which had not won a division title since 1993.
• Ezekiel Elliott scored a touchdown while totaling 60 yards on 21 touches as the Patriots rallied for a 26-23 victory at Denver. Shaun Wade added three tackles.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 61 yards on six receptions helped the Seahawks to a 20-17 victory at the Titans. Dre’Mont Jones added a sack.
• Garrett Wilson helped the Jets hold off the Commanders 30-28 by turning nine receptions into 76 yards. Terry McLaurin’s 50 yards on three receptions led the Commanders.
After the game, they traded jerseys.
