Ohio State notes: Miller, Hyde a formidable rushing duo (with video)
COLUMBUS — Ohio State came close to having two 1,000-yard rushers this season.
Quarterback Braxton Miller is one of the rushing leaders in the nation with 1,271 yards and 13 touchdowns on 227 carries (5.6-yard average).
Carlos Hyde finished 30 yards shy of 1,000. He gained 970 yards and 16 touchdowns on 185 attempts (5.2 average).
"He's developing into one of the best backs in the country," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. "He's a powerful guy. He's come a long way."
The 6-foot, 232-pound junior was the leading rusher in the Buckeyes' 26-21 win over Michigan on Saturday. He had 146 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
"The offensive line said, ‘Run behind me,' " Miller said. "I figured, ‘Shoot, might as well.' "
Hyde said he was proud of Ohio State's turnaround this season.
"To go from a 6-7 season last year to 12-0, it's very special," he said.
Hyde said he's ready to get back in the weight room — soon. Continued...
"I'm ready to get back to the offseason workouts right now," he said. "I'm going to take a break and get my body back. I'll really grind hard in the offseason."
He was thrilled to play in the big-game atmosphere at Ohio Stadium.
"That's exactly why I came here — to play in big games like this," he said. "Having a shot at being undefeated made it even more special."
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson's rushing touchdown in the second quarter was the 91st overall TD of his career. It set a Wolverines record and surpassed Chad Henne's 90.
Robinson is second in NCAA history in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. He trails only West Virginia's Pat White.
Buckeyes defensive end John Simon, a sure-fire All-America selection, was held out of Saturday's game with a sore knee.
"I had a bad feeling early in the week when I saw his knee," Meyer said. "It was a bursa. It's not a structural issue. It's just a swelling we couldn't get out."
The 6-foot-2, 263-pounder would have been playing in his final game at Ohio State. Continued...
"We did a good job of rallying together," Buckeyes defensive end Nathan Williams said. "There are no words to describe what John brings to this team."
Seniors will be missed
Meyer almost broke down talking about the program's 19 seniors.
"It's almost like you're losing some of your children when they go away to college," he said.
"Our house is going to be empty. But the foundation's really, really strong. I want to make sure they're properly recognized as one of the great groups of seniors in the history of this program, however we're going to do that. Maybe we'll get 19 bronze statues."
-- The Wolverines hold a 45-44-4 edge in the all-time series with Ohio State.
-- The Buckeyes have won nine of the last 11 meetings against Michigan.
Cleveland Sports By Bleacher Report
Location, ST | website.com
National Sports Videos
Local Sports Galleries
Top Sports Stories
- Friday's high school football scoreboard
- High school football: Statistical look at Mentor, Kirtland state semifinals
- Saturday's high school football scoreboard
- Chris Lillstrung: The Baron Cup will never be the same
- College football: Area players update for Nov. 24
- Outdoors: Will Ohio's adult deer hunters do as well as did their young counterparts?
- College notes: Gilmour grad Bekka Simko second-team All-American in track
Recent Activity on Facebook
Staff Writer Jeff Schudel brings 25 years of experience covering the Browns to his regular offerings on team performance and player moves.
Sportswriters from The News-Herald go behind the scenes of the area's high school and professional sports.
Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.
Our die-hard sports fans dream of the city's first professional championship.
Jeffrey L. Frischkorn takes you with him as he chronicles his outdoors adventures around Northeast Ohio and beyond.