COLLEGE PARK, Md. — When the Ohio State football coaches turned to Dallan Hayden with a season potentially on the line, they tried to simplify a complicated scenario. The Buckeye rushing game could barely find first gear, let alone second. Maryland would not relent. Ohio State needed the true freshman to keep the clock running, keep picking up first downs and keep playing with a poise beyond his age. “They just told me to trust what I see and, most importantly, to take care of the ball,” Hayden said. By doing both, Hayden became the steady, striking presence the offense needed to grind out a 43-30 victory at Maryland. The victory officially began Michigan week. No more pretense about focusing solely on the opponent ahead. The anticipation the Buckeyes have carries since their season-defining loss in Ann Arbor one year ago surged to the present as time expired in SECU…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football’s best chance to beat Michigan may come from the lead back it least expected
