Ohio State expects Dallan Hayden to be 'big part' of running back rotation against Georgia
Ohio State coach Ryan Day on Tuesday said he expects freshman Dallan Hayden to have a larger role in the running back rotation when the Buckeyes meet Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal on New Year’s Eve.
“Certainly looking forward to getting some help back in that room,” Day said, “but Dallan’s going to be a big part.”
Hayden stepped up in the Buckeyes’ penultimate regular season game, rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-30 win at Maryland. All but one of his 27 carries came in the second half as he helped them to ice the game and avoid a scare from the Terrapins.
It was a much-needed effort as the Buckeyes were thin at the top of the rotation. Miyan Williams hadn’t made the trip to College Park due to an ankle injury, and TreVeyon Henderson aggravated a foot injury in the first half, leaving Hayden among the dwindling options available to carry the ball.
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But a week after his career rushing performance, his third 100-yard game of the season, Hayden saw only two carries against Michigan.
In the 45-23 loss to the Wolverines, he ran twice for 7 yards as a majority of the carries went to Chip Trayanum, a converted linebacker who rushed for a team-high 83 yards on 14 carries. Williams was available, but limited. Henderson was sidelined with his left foot in a walking boot.
When asked about Hayden’s limited role in The Game, Day said, “It was just kind of the flow of the game,” and said rotations at the position are left up to running backs coach Tony Alford.
“I thought, in the game, that Chip ran well,” Day said. “I thought he did some really good things, especially for his first game getting put into that environment.”
The Buckeyes will remain short-handed at running back in the playoff as Henderson told The Dispatch that he will undergo foot surgery, a procedure sidelining him for the rest of the season.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football's Dallan Hayden expected to see larger role in CFP
