Ohio State Buckeyes Marvin Harrison Jr. Shines in Heisman Trophy Worthy Display
The Ohio State Buckeyes leave Camp Randall Stadium with a hard-fought 24-10 victory over their Big-10 foes, the Wisconsin Badgers, as they move to 8-0 on the season. After blowing out Wisconsin last year in Columbus, the Badgers, under new coach Luke Fickell, put up a fight that not many might've expected.
However, even on a night where the Buckeyes offense wasn't as effective as it has been in recent weeks, star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. still proved too much to handle.
“I believe he’s the best football player in the country,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said about Harrison Jr following their eighth win of the season.
Oct 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) scores a touchdown in front of Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jordan Turner (54) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The junior receiver continues to make a case for the Heisman Trophy, as he led the Buckeyes in receiving with 123 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. For most, that kind of stat line would be a career night. However, for Harrison, that is just his fourth-best game of the season statistically.
Like last week, it was a defensive showdown early as both offenses struggled to get in a groove. However, the Buckeyes showed the most promise of the two offenses, having multiple opportunities to take a convincing lead, except two turnovers proved costly.
The Buckeyes managed only 10 points in the first half, with Harrison Jr., providing the sole touchdown as he took a short crossing route 16 yards for a score. However, that would only be a preview of what was to come.
Following Wisconsin's touchdown to open the second half, which tied the game at 10 a piece, the Buckeyes went right back to what worked... Harrison Jr. After finding Harrison for a 16-yard gain on second down, McCord would find him again, this time for a 19-yard touchdown that'd see the Buckeyes retake the lead they'd never end up surrendering.
With the win on the road versus Wisconsin, Harrison Jr. now sits at 889 yards on the year with eight touchdowns on 48 receptions.
With four regular-season games left to play and potentially a fifth if the Buckeyes make the Big-10 title game, barring injury, Harrison is on pace to potentially put himself in a position to win college football's most prestigious individual award.
