Day: Losing Harrison ‘absolutely’ affected game
ATLANTA– Ohio State star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was knocked out of Saturday’s loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl with a concussion.Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said Harrison was put into concussion procedure after he took a massive hit from Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard in the end zone with less than a minute left in the third quarter. He was analyzed by the medical personnel and remained on the Ohio State sideline but did not reenter the game.Referees at first punished Bullard for targeting, however the call was overturned upon evaluation.2 Associated”I was told that it was not targeting, that [Harrison] didn’t take a shot to the head, which is tough for– I didn’t see it, so I do not know, “Day said.” However to get a concussion and not get struck in the head– I have to see the replay.”Harrison stated he felt sufficient to return. When asked if he understood the entire time, he stated yes.”It was just a routine hit,”he stated.”I felt like I sufficed to return in the game.
“Harrison stated he” absolutely” wished to return however appreciated the trainers’ choice to hold him
out. Ohio State trainer Shaun Barnhouse had multiple discussions with Harrison on the sideline. “At the end of the day, they are keeping an eye out for my health and safety,”stated Harrison, who had 5 catches for 106 lawns and 2 goals. “I respect their decision.” Ohio State was leading 35-24 when Harrison took the hit. The Buckeyes opted for a basket to extend their result in 14 points.From then on
, Georgia outscored Ohio State 18-3. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett tossed a 10-yard goal pass to Adonai Mitchell
to take a one-point lead with 54 seconds left.Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud drove the offense 43 backyards in 51 seconds, however Noah Ruggles missed a 50-yard basket effort with three seconds left.
“To state that losing Marvin had an impact on the game, it absolutely did, “Day said.But it wasn’t just Harrison’s loss that impacted the Ohio State offense.
Starting tight end Cade Stover left the game with a lower back injury in the first quarter.” We lost Cade early in the game, which actually sent us into a little tailspin in a number of groupings, “Day said.Still, Stroud had among his finest games of the season, getting better from a bad performance in a loss to Michigan that almost left Ohio State out of the playoff.Stroud completed 23 of
34 passes for 348 backyards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for 34 lawns. “I think we need to have won the game, naturally,”Stroud said.Day said the very same.”I don’t think there’s one
man in that locker space who doesn’t seem like we need to have won the game,”he said. “And I believe, once again, that’s
a part of this thing that’s going to being in our stomachs for a long time.”Harrison stated it”injured bad “not to be out with his colleagues.” Fourth quarter, College Football Playoffs, possibility to go to the championship game, “he said.”I wish I might have been out there with my teammates. “Harrison also stated he wanted he ‘d carried out better. “I do not think I made enough plays when I remained in the game to help the team win, “he stated.”I didn’t perform my finest today. I’m going to return to the drawing board and attempt and improve next year.”ESPN’s Pete Thamel added to this report.