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| Hall looks to improve even more in B1G play |
There were not many yards to be had for anyone on the Buckeye offense since their average starting field position was in Colorado territory. Hall set up Carlos Hyde’s 5-yard touchdown run with a 90-yard kick return in the 3rd quarter. He also returned the opening kick past midfield but it was called back for a holding penalty.
In just two games this season, Hall has rushed for more yards (171-161) than he did all of last season. He showed last season that he was a dangerous return man, and he proved that all three times he got the ball on kick and punt returns.
The junior has made the transformation from backup to starting running back look flawless. Hall had 87 yards against Miami and was one of the few to look like they were ready to play against the Hurricanes. Hall will have to be ready to play this week when the Buckeyes welcome Sparty to Ohio Stadium.
The first Big Ten game of the season will provide another test for the depleted Buckeyes. The game against Michigan State will be the final one without the suspended players. Getting Boom Herron back will definitely help the ground game grow even more.
Expect Hall to get a bulk of the carries this week as the Buckeyes would like to establish the ground game and not put the game completely on the shoulders of Braxton Miller, who will be starting just the second game of his career. With Herron’s fresh legs coming back next week, Hall will be able to take a few more carries knowing that he will not have to carry the full load against Nebraska.
For a guy who has played under Terrelle Pryor’s shadow for pretty much his entire career, both at Ohio State and in high school in Jeannette, Pa. (hadn’t you heard? Hall and Pryor went to high school together. Maybe Musberger will let you know), this year is shaping up to be his breakthrough season.
