In the previous nine matchups with Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights provided the backdrop for Ohio State's true freshmen to get valuable playing time. Fourteen freshmen played against the Scarlet Knights last year. This year? Greg Schiano's crew kept the game closer than any time in the series' history, limiting Ryan Day to playing seven of his youngsters in the 35-16 victory in Piscataway.
Carnell Tate and Luke Montgomery were the only freshmen to play on offense, while Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Malik Hartford had reps with the defense.
With Denzel Burke unavailable on Saturday, Mathews started for the first time as a Buckeye.