Ohio State Football Faces Key Loss with Denzel Burke Out Against Penn State
Ohio State’s football team will be without one of its key players, Denzel Burke, in their upcoming matchup against Penn State. The young cornerback’s absence will surely affect the Buckeyes’ defense, which has been performing exceptionally well this season.
Burke has not only been an outstanding player on the field but has also held his teammates accountable, contributing to the unit’s rise as one of the best in the country. However, he was listed as out on the pregame status report, meaning Ohio State will have to make adjustments to compensate for his absence.
Jordan Hancock, the primary backup at outside cornerback and nickel safety, has been preparing to play both positions in Burke’s absence. True freshman Jermaine Mathews will likely have an expanded role in the game if the Buckeyes choose to continue using Hancock at nickel in their defensive strategy.
The bigger question now is whether Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, and offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich, can take advantage of Burke’s absence to bring new explosiveness to their struggling offense. Penn State currently ranks near the bottom when it comes to the number of explosive plays, with only 16 plays of 20-plus yards this season. Allar has shown potential with 6.9 yards per game, but the team lacks a consistent receiving threat, with KeAndre Lambert-Smith being the only receiver with more than 16 receptions.
Fortunately for Ohio State, their defense has been exceptional at limiting explosive plays. Only five teams have allowed fewer plays of 20-plus yards than the Buckeyes’ 15. Last season, they allowed an average of four explosive plays per game, but this year they have cut it down to just 2.5. Notably, opponents have struggled to break off explosive touchdowns against Ohio State, with the team only allowing one touchdown longer than 9 yards and none longer than 15 yards.
Much of this defensive security has come from Burke’s significant contributions as one of the starting cornerbacks. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, but it also opens up an opportunity for Ohio State’s young players to step up and prove themselves.
The game against Penn State will be a test for both teams. Ohio State will need to adjust their defensive strategy and find a way to compensate for Burke’s absence. On the other hand, Penn State will look to capitalize on the matchup and add some much-needed explosiveness to their struggling offense. It remains to be seen which team will come out on top in this pivotal Big Ten showdown.
