Buckeyes waiting on status of one defensive starter for Western Kentucky matchup
COLUMBUS — For the second straight week, Ohio State is waiting on the status of one key defensive starter in the buildup to game time.
And while Josh Proctor, who was out last week, has already been ruled available for the Buckeyes, fellow starting safety Lathan Ransom is officially designated as questionable for the intriguing matchup against Western Kentucky (4 p.m., FOX).
No other Buckeyes are listed as questionable.
In addition to Ransom’s questionable status, Ohio State has declared freshman special teams ace Arvell Reese out for this game. He suffered an injury while covering a kickoff last week in the win over Youngstown State and did not return. Reese was recruited as a linebacker but has since made the switch to the defensive end room.
But the biggest question mark remains Ransom, who has been a starter for the Buckeyes in parts of each of the last three seasons. He is one of the leaders of a defense that will face a pass-happy Western Kentucky team that will test this Ohio State secondary.
Good thing the Buckeyes already have their definitive answer on Proctor’s status after his absence last week.
“Yes, he’ll be available,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said about Proctor on Thursday. “He’ll play a lot. He’ll be there. We’ll still rotate guys, but Josh will be there and plan on starting at this point.”
Proctor’s return is a welcome sign for the Buckeyes. And while Ransom’s status is still up in the air, Ohio State could certainly use him in the secondary against the Hilltoppers.
Other availability report notes
Freshman defensive lineman Will Smith Jr. is still out for the Buckeyes, as are sophomore wide receiver Kyion Grayes and fourth-year defender Kourt Williams II.
The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.
Questionable for Ohio State
Safety Lathan Ransom
Out for Buckeyes
Wide receiver Kyion Grayes
Tight end Zak Herbstreit
Defensive end Arvell Reese
Defensive lineman Will Smith Jr.
Wide receiver Reis Stocksdale
Safety/linebacker Kourt Williams II
Buckeyes vs. Western Kentucky: Game time, details
WKU is coming off a 41-24 win over USF and a 52-22 victory against Houston Christian. The Hilltoppers give up a ton of yards. They were 73rd nationally in total defense last year, and they’re 121st in that category through two games this season. But they know how to force turnovers. WKU was better than every other team in the country in that department in 2022. It was atop the FBS with 32 takeaways. The Hilltoppers already have six through two weeks of action this time around. Their defense, albeit quite porous — it gave up 374 rushing yards to USF — collects more possessions for a high-flying WKU offense that also features Biletnikoff Award candidate Malachi Corley.
- Time: 4 p.m. EST
- TV Channel: FOX
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 16
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Weather: High of 76º, 6% chance of rain during day, winds 5 mph
- The line: Ohio State is a 29.5-point favorite, per FanDuel.
- Over/under: 64.5 points
