With Tyleik Williams' status still uncertain, Tywone Malone emerges on Buckeyes defensive line

COLUMBUS — Ohio State isn't ready to fully prepare for the road trip to Michigan State without star defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. The senior tackle and force in the middle of the Buckeyes dominant defense was missing from action Saturday in the win over Marshall, and his presence was clearly missed by a defense that fielded multiple big bodies in his place -- but none of them could actually replace what Williams brings to the defensive interior. But if the Buckeyes must turn to a second-string tackle to fill in for Williams, fourth-year defensive tackle Tywone Malone, who transferred from Ole Miss to Ohio State ahead of the 2023 season, could be in line to earn that nod to open Big Ten play.