Marvin Harrison Jr. wanted to return for fourth quarter but respects trainers' decision
ATLANTA — Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was having the Peach Bowl he needed to have for the No. 4 Buckeyes to upset top-ranked Georgia.
Harrison made five grabs for 106 yards and two touchdowns. That was, until the Biletnikoff Award finalist was knocked out of the game with less than a minute to go in the third quarter.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was pressured on 3rd-and-Goal and backpedaled before lofting up a pass to the back of the end zone for Harrison.
As he’s wont to do, Harrison made a play on the ball, despite being draped in coverage by Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo. But while Harrison was trying to reel in the catch, he took a punishing blow from Bulldogs rover Javon Bullard.
A flag was thrown for targeting, but, after review, that call was overturned, and Bullard remained in the game. Harrison, on the other hand, was eventually helped off the field by Ohio State trainers, went into concussion protocol and didn’t return to action.
“To say that losing Marv didn’t have an impact on the game,” Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said,” it absolutely did.”
Day added: “I was told that it was not targeting, that he didn’t take a shot to the head, which is hard — I didn’t see it, so I don’t know. But, to get a concussion and not get in the head, I’d have to see the replay.”
Harrison said he “absolutely” wanted to go back in the game.
He understands why he didn’t get that opportunity.
“I respect the trainers’ decision to keep me out,” Harrison said. “At the end of the day, they’re just looking for my health and my safety. I respect their decision, though.”
Without Harrison, Ohio State’s offense couldn’t find the end zone. The Buckeyes were outscored, 18-3, in the final frame, as Georgia strung together back-to-back touchdown drives to take the lead with under a minute to go.
Stroud drove Ohio State down to the Bulldogs’ 32-yard line. Except, the Buckeyes went -1 yard in the next three plays, and place kicker Noah Ruggles missed a 50-yard, potential game-winning field goal.
Ohio State, which at one point led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, was outgained, 187-97, in total yards over the final frame in Harrison’s absence.
“It hurt bad,” Harrison said of being sidelined. “Fourth quarter, College Football Playoff, chance to go to the National Championship. I wish I could be out there for my teammates and do the best I can to help.”
