COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State will be without seven players as the Buckeyes welcome Akron to Ohio Stadium for the season opener on Saturday.
OL Donovan Jackson and LB Cody Simon are the only two starters who will not suit up.
The full unavailable list can be seen below.
OL Armstrong, Devontae
SAF Bonsu, Jayden
DL Casto, Cade
OL Jackson, Donovan
LB Simon, Cody
WR Stocksdale, Reis
RB Caffey, Timothy (season)
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Ohio State vs. Akron: Key Matchups
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka vs. Akron's secondary. Egbuka, now out from under the shadow of superstar Marvin Harrison Jr., is poised for a huge season.
Players to Watch
Akron: Fifth-year transfer QB Ben Finley will try to lend some stability to an offense that hasn't had much the past few years. Finley is a career backup who played three years at North Carolina State before transferring to Cal for his fourth. The Zips used three quarterbacks during the disappointing 2023 season.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have many, but it will be interesting to see how Kansas State transfer QB Will Howard runs the offense and distributes the ball to his offensive weapons.
Facts & Figures
Ohio State beat Akron 59-7 in their last meeting in 2021.
In their four meetings, the closest was a 28-14 Buckeyes victory in 2001. In the next three games, Ohio State outscored the Zips 121-9.
Akron has won seven games over the last five seasons, just four against FBS teams.
Five of last year's losses by the Zips were by a touchdown or less; four of those by three or fewer points.
Besides Howard, the Buckeyes have other transfers expected to play key roles, including running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), safety Caleb Downs (Alabama) and center Seth McLaughlin (Alabama).
Freshman QB Julian Sayin is also an Alabama transfer.
Akron DE CJ Nunnally IV was first-team All-MAC last season and is considered one of the best pass-rushers in the conference.
The Zips also return its two top tacklers from last season, linebackers Antavious Fish (95) and Bryan McCoy (94).
Akron coach Joe Moorhead was the offensive coordinator for Oregon in 2021 when the Ducks upset Ohio State 35-28 in the Shoe.