How Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun and the rest of Ohio State’s defense graded against Oregon in the Rose Bowl

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun came into Ohio State’s rematch against Oregon in the Rose Bowl with a point to prove and each did just that.

Burke wanted to prove that his showing in the last meeting was nothing more than just a bad day and a better performance was on the horizon. The result was being targeted just once with no catches on his way to a Pro Football Focus grade of 70.1.

Igbinosun didn’t take lightly the way the Ducks’ receiver spoke of his ‘weaknesses’ heading into the College Football Playoff matchup. He allowed four catches on five targets but for only 45 yards and a score. He posted a grade of 65.3

Here’s how the rest of the defense graded:

(PFF grades every player on every play and uses a scale of 0-100, with higher grades indicating better play. PFF has explained its grades this way: 100-90 elite; 89-85 Pro Bowler; 84-70 starter; 69-60 backup; 59-0 replaceable. In other words, it’s similar to how we would match up percentages with traditional letter grades in school.)

NOTE: Snap counts in parentheses.

DEFENSIVE END

Jack Sawyer: 72.2 (49)

Mitchell Melton: 69.4 (9)

J.T. Tuimoloau: 65.0 (54)

Caden Curry: 64.1 (10)

Kenyatta Jackson: 57.8 (22)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Eddrick Houston: 79.3 (14)

Tyleik Williams: 77.0 (49)

Hero Kanu: 65.0 (8)

Tywone Malone: 59.5 (3)

Ty Hamilton: 57.8 (54)

Kayden McDonald: 56.8 (9)

LINEBACKER

Cody Simon: 71.6 (71)

Arvell Reese: 60.6 (2)

C.J. Hicks: 60.0 (1)

Sonny Styles: 55.8 (71)

CORNERBACK

Denzel Burke: 70.4 (41)

Jermaine Mathews: 69.8 (40)

Davison Igbinosun: 65.0 (63)

Jordan Hancock: 64.1 (69)

Lorenzo Styles Jr.: 52.9 (9)

SAFETY

Caleb Downs: 75.5 (72)

Lathan Ransom: 55.8 (72)