COLUMBUS – More than 75,000 Buckeye fans enjoyed brilliant sunshine and warm temperatures, watched a legend return to Ohio Stadium to score his first touchdown in nearly a half century, and sized up the 2023 edition of the Ohio State football team during the annual spring game.
The scrimmage that marks the conclusion of spring football practice at Ohio State is an opportunity for many who don’t get the opportunity to see a home game during the regular season soak up the game-day atmosphere at the Horseshoe.
On the field, the defensive squad, wearing gray jerseys, defeated the Buckeye offense, dressed in scarlet, 40-31.
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The format of the game used a scoring system that awarded points to the defense for three-and-outs, sacks, takeaways and scores off turnovers.
Five gray squad players recorded sacks and Gabe Powers scored the most tackles with eight.
The 75,122 fans did not get the opportunity to see the anticipated showdown between quarterback contenders between junior-to-be Kyle McCord and second-year freshman Devin Brown because Brown injured the little finger on his throwing hand.
McCord, alternating quarterback series with Oregon State transfer Tristan Gebbia, was 18-for-34 for 184 yards and Gebbia finished 14-for-24 for 127 yards.
McCord hit Carnell Tate with a 37-yard touchdown pass and Gebbia threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Noah Rogers. Both Tate and Rogers are true freshmen
Neither quarterback was intercepted.
Second-year player Chip Trayanum, who played both linebacker and running back last season, led all rushers with 110 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run down the sidelines in the first half.
Archie returns
Forty-nine years after winning the first of his two Heisman Trophies, Archie Griffin added to his career rushing touchdown total with a 25-yard run.