Unexpected: The offensive performance of Ohio State football was appalling during their 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri on Friday night.
Enough so that a defensive player from Michigan felt sorry for the Buckeyes.
While the Wolverines were in California getting ready to play Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl, Kris Jenkins was questioned about the game.
Multiple reporters on the scene report that Jenkins expressed regret for the way the Buckeyes appeared after freshman Lincoln Kienholz was forced to play behind a porous offensive line due to Devin Brown’s injury.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES NEWS AS OF LATEST
Once more, Ohio State’s defense was expected to perform too well.
Observations of Andrew Gillis
Ohio State defensive lineman with experience logs onto the NCAA transfer portal
In the first significant early entry decision for the Buckeyes, Ohio State’s “Baby Aaron Donald” enters the 2024 NFL Draft.
The new leader was welcomed by Ohio State, but when he lost, the Cotton Bowl collapsed. Nathan Baird’s findings
According to Dave Briggs of the Toledo Blade, Jenkins stated, “I didn’t like that at all.” We played on a different team than that.
Since I’m a hater, I don’t really care if they win, but I also don’t want to see them end their career in that manner. That was difficult.
Naturally, this was not the same offense that on November 25 in Ann Arbor scored 24 points. Kyle McCord, the starting quarterback, transferred to Syracuse. Marvin Harrison Jr., a star receiver, chose not to play.
Julian Fleming, another starting receiver, put his name in the portal. Enokk Vimahi, who saw limited action, was moved from right guard to center to make room for Matt Jones, who had been benched for Carson Hinzman.
At first, neither Keinholz’s green status nor Harrison’s opt-out were known to Jenkins. Even Ohio State’s 3-0 opponent and self-described “Grade A hater” thought that was a hard way for his rival to lose.
Jenkins remarked, “A hater wants to see their rivals lose.” You simultaneously want your opponent to lose and don’t want them to. Because it’s even more satisfying to hate them when you play them and win.
