Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate did not participate in the Buckeyes’ commanding 34-10 victory over Purdue, as a precautionary decision after he experienced an issue shortly before the game. Although he was not listed as injured in the pregame report, Tate showed signs of discomfort during warmups at Ross-Ade Stadium, prompting coach Ryan Day to exercise caution.
“We felt like he was going to be OK to play,” Day stated. “But when he went through warmups, he just felt something there, and we wanted to be really careful. Could he have played? Probably.”
The specifics of Tate’s injury were not disclosed, but his absence led Ohio State to widen their receiver rotation, providing an opportunity for younger players. Redshirt freshman Mylan Graham and redshirt sophomore Bryson Rodgers stepped up in Tate’s place, with Graham making a notable catch for 20 yards in the third quarter and Rodgers contributing with two receptions for 30 yards.
Despite missing this game, Tate has established himself as a key asset for quarterback Julian Sayin this season, accumulating 39 receptions for 711 yards and seven touchdowns. He has developed a strong rapport with sophomore Jeremiah Smith, achieving over 100 receiving yards in three of the last four games.
As Ohio State continues its campaign, the opportunity for other receivers to gain experience could bolster the team’s depth as they look ahead to future matchups.