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Ohio State could return several defensive starters for Purdue game
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Ohio State’s defense was nowhere near full strength last weekend, as the Buckeyes survived a scare from Minnesota in a 30-14 win.
The Gophers pushed around the defensive line and picked apart the secondary for a good portion of Saturday’s matchup. But the Buckeyes might be in a much better situation on that side of the football heading into this weekend’s matchup against Purdue.
Defensive end Jonathon Cooper and linebacker Malik Harrison both missed the Minnesota game due to concussion protocol. Cooper has filled in for the injured Nick Bosa and Harrison has recorded 25 tackles on the season.
Two more Buckeyes, defensive tackle Robert Landers and cornerback Damon Arnette are close to making returns as well. Landers is listed as probable for Saturday and Arnette is tabbed as questionable.
Urban Meyer provided the updates at his weekly press conference on Monday.
Ohio State will need as much talent and depth on the defensive side of the ball as it can get before this weekend. Purdue owns the second-best offense in the B1G, averaging 510.2 yards per game on the year. The Boilermakers are also winners of their last three games.
The Buckeyes and Boilermakers haven’t played since 2013, a game OSU won 56-0.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB