Eric Boggs
Ohio State is at full strength as it heads into a highly anticipated showdown with Oregon on Saturday. Every scholarship player will be available for the No. 2 Buckeyes as they prepare to face the No. 3 Ducks on the road, in what promises to be one of the biggest regular-season matchups this year. The return of wide receiver Carnell Tate adds even more firepower to the offense. The only player on the Buckeyes’ availability report is walk-on running back TC Caffey, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Tate, who was listed as questionable last week against Iowa due to an undisclosed injury, sat out as a precaution. In his absence, Bryson Rodgers and Brandon Inniss stepped up at wide receiver. After the 35-7 win over Iowa, head coach Ryan Day explained the decision to rest Tate.
“If we needed to put him in the game, he absolutely could have played, but we just felt like it was the right thing to do,” Day said. “Hopefully, we’ll have 100% Carnell going into next week.”
Tate has been a key contributor this season despite missing one game, ranking third on the team behind Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith in receptions and receiving yards. So far in 2024, he’s recorded 14 catches for 219 yards and one touchdown. Day confirmed Wednesday that Tate is ready to go for the Oregon game.
With Tate back in action, Ohio State will have all 22 of its offensive and defensive starters on the field for the first time this season. Left guard Donovan Jackson and linebacker Cody Simon missed the season opener against Akron, Jackson also missed Week 2 versus Western Michigan, and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams missed Weeks 4 and 5 against Marshall and Michigan State before Tate sat out the Iowa game.
The Buckeyes and Ducks are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on NBC, and Ohio State fans are eager to see their team take the field at full strength in this pivotal clash.
