Ohio State sophomore linebacker Malik ookarrison (39), cornerback Damon Arnette (3) and safety Damon Webb (7) take down Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in the third quarter in the game against Penn State on Oct. 28. Ohio State won 39-38. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor
Ohio State posted its depth chart four days ahead of its game Saturday against Illinois, revealing changes at the linebacker positions and at the two kicker positions.
Sophomore linebacker Malik Harrison was named a co-starter at outside linebacker with redshirt junior Dante Booker. Head coach Urban Meyer had said earlier in the day on the Big Ten coaches teleconference that Booker was still questionable for Saturday’s game. Booker and junior linebacker Jerome Baker both missed last Saturday’s matchup against Michigan State with undisclosed injuries. He cleared Baker to play on the teleconference.
At special teams, redshirt junior Sean Nuernberger was listed as the lone starter at kicker. Last week, freshman Blake Haubeil was a co-starter with Nuernberger. As for the kickoff specialist, Nuernberger is no longer listed as the starter, and now Haubeil is listed as the co-starter. Despite the fact Nuernberger was listed as the starter last week, Haubeil handled kickoff duties all throughout last Saturday’s game.
Ohio State’s game against Illinois kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately said Malik Hooker would be co-starting at outside linebacker. In fact, Malik Harrison is listed as a co-starter. Hooker, a former Buckeye, is now a safety for the Indianapolis Colts.
