After running for a total of 524 yards in the victories over the Northwestern Wildcats and Clemson Tigers, senior tailback Trey Sermon was projected to play a major role in the Ohio State Buckeyes’ offensive attack against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Instead, Sermon suffered an apparent left collarbone injury on Ohio State’s first play from scrimmage and Alabama rolled to a 52-24 victory, securing their third national championship in the CFP era.

There does appear to be good news, however, as Sermon’s mother, Natoshia Mitchell, told The Columbus Dispatch’s Buckeye Xtra her son’s injury is “not serious.”

Sports Betting in Big Ten Country

Sports betting in Ohio is officially launching on January 1, 2023.

Pre-registration is now open at FanDuel Ohio for an extra $100 bonus. Go pre-register now.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

“Trey is fine, his injury is not serious, and he is headed back to Columbus,” she said, without elaborating on specifics of his wound.

Taken back to the locker room for evaluation by the school’s medical staff, Sermon was transported to Broward General Hospital during the game, which is about 16 miles northeast of the stadium.

Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope shared an update from the university, echoing Mitchell’s comments.

Despite having played in four seasons, Sermon does have the option to return to Columbus in 2021, as the National Collegiate Athletic Association decided in August to not count the 2020 campaign as a year of eligibility for student-athletes.

All told, the Marietta, Georgia native ran for 870 yards and four touchdowns on 116 carries, an average of 7.5 yards per attempt, and added 12 receptions for 95 yards in 2020.

The Buckeyes are scheduled to open their 2021 slate against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Minneapolis’ TCF Bank Stadium on Thursday, September 2.