Seven Ohio State freshmen saw the field during Ohio State’s 23-3 victory in Bloomington, but only two of the newcomers made their way onto the stat sheet in the season-opening contest against Indiana. 

Early in the fourth quarter, Malik Hartford stopped Andison Coby for a 2-yard gain after the Indiana receiver caught a short pass. With just under two minutes to remaining in the contest, Hartford broke up a 3rd-and-14 pass intended for Dequece Carter. The play forced Tom Allen’s team to punt, essentially ending the game. 

Hartford was the only freshman to play on defense, lining up at free safety for 25 snaps in the second half, and was also a regular on Ohio State’s punt return team vs. the Hoosiers.

Carnell Tate hauled in his first collegiate pass with a little over eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Ohio State had 1st-and-10 on Indiana’s 44-yard line when Kyle McCord connected with Tate. The IMG Academy graduate took the ball 15 yards to the Hoosiers’ 29-yard line. The drive eventually stalled at the Hoosiers’ 4-yard line, with Jayden Fielding completing the day’s scoring with a 22-yard field goal.

The first reception of WR Carnell Tate’s #Buckeyes career, and it goes for a gain of 15 yards.

Ohio State is on the move again. pic.twitter.com/GViCPZSr1G

— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) September 2, 2023

Tate also participated on the punt coverage, kickoff return and punt return teams.

Offensive lineman Luke Montgomery and receivers Brandon Inniss and Noah Rogers were the other freshmen to see playing time on the offensive side of the ball, with Montgomery playing four snaps as a sixth offensive lineman. Neither Inniss nor Rogers, who saw their playing time on Ohio State’s final possession of the game, had a pass thrown their way.

Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Arvell Reese saw action on Ohio State’s kickoff team. Reese was on all six kickoffs and Mathews helped on three. Mathews was also on the field for the Buckeyes’ final punt return of the game.

(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)