Ohio State defensive back Lorenzo Styles suffered an injury during Saturday’s game against Rutgers following a collision in the second quarter. His injury occurred as the Scarlet Knights advanced into Buckeye territory. At the time of the incident, Ohio State held a narrow lead, 7-0, thanks to a touchdown by Bo Jackson. Rutgers managed to capitalize on a forced fumble earlier in the game, converting it into a Jai Patel field goal, which brought the score to 7-3 with 11:50 remaining in the first half.
Entering this matchup, Ohio State boasted a perfect 10-0 record and was ranked No. 1 nationally, while Rutgers came in at 5-5. Styles has had an impressive season up to this point, recording 24 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one pass deflection. He is known for his physicality on the field and has not missed a tackle all season.
Following the collision, veteran Ohio State reporter Tim May noted that Styles was seen on the sidelines with his helmet in hand. However, no timeline has been provided for his potential return. Styles, who is currently in his third season with Ohio State after transferring from Notre Dame, was a highly regarded recruit when he entered college, ranked as a four-star prospect and the top-ranked wide receiver in Ohio in the Class of 2022.
The Buckeyes were already facing challenges with several key players sidelined, including wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who were ruled out before kickoff. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day provided a brief update on their status, indicating that they are focused on recovery and remain in good spirits, while the medical staff continues to work diligently on their rehabilitation.
As the Buckeyes navigate the remainder of the season, the team remains hopeful for Styles’ recovery and the eventual return of injured players, as they aim to maintain their dominant performance heading towards the playoffs.