Football: Henderson helps No. 9 Ohio State get back on track with 41-20 win over Tulsa

The Ohio State Football team enters the stadium before the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Fans cheering before the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

The Ohio State Marching Band enters Ohio Stadium before the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

The drum major of Ohio State's Marching Band runs onto the field before the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Members of the U.S. Army carry the American flag into Ohio Stadium before the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate senior Thayer Munford (75) enters Ohio Stadium before the Buckeyes' 41-20 win over Tulsa. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after his touchdown during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State junior wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after his 12-yard touchdown during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) and redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a touchdown during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State junior wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) catches a pass for a touchdown during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman running back Treveyon Henderson (32) makes his way down the field during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Members of the Ohio State Marching Band celebrate during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Fans celebrate during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20.Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman running back Treveyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman running back Treveyon Henderson (32) pushes a Tulsa defensive player out of the way while running down the field during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrates after a completed drive during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State sophomore tight end Gee Scott Jr. (13) moves the ball down the field during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshmen cornerback Denzel Burke (29) and linebacker Reid Carrico (28) celebrate during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

The Ohio State Buckeyes take a time-out during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

The Ohio State defense attempts to block a pass from Tulsa junior quarterback Davis Brin (7) during the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) falls into the end zone for a touchdown in the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) almost makes it to the end zone in the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State fans high five the Ohio State Football team as they walk back to the locker room after the Ohio State-Tulsa game Sept. 18. Ohio State won 41-20. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

No. 9 Ohio State was unimpressive coming out of the gates, but freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson’s record-setting performance lifted the Buckeyes to their first home win of the season Saturday. 

Coming off a loss to then-No. 12 Oregon, a dominant second half from Henderson allowed the Buckeyes to inch past Tulsa 41-20. 

Henderson finished the game with 277 yards on 24 carries and three scores — including 48- and 52-yard touchdown runs in the second half. The Hopewell, Virginia, native’s efforts allowed him to break the Buckeyes’ freshman single-game rushing record. 

Joining Henderson in the running game was graduate running back Master Teague III, who added 62 yards on 14 carries. Ohio State’s leading rusher heading into the game, redshirt freshman Miyan Williams, did not register a single carry Saturday. 

The Buckeyes’ offense struggled mightily in the first half, amassing just 199 total yards and only finding the end zone once. 

Redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud couldn’t find a rhythm early, completing just 8-of-15 passes for 99 yards and an interception. Stroud finished the game 15-of-25 for 185 yards and a touchdown. 

Stroud’s rough outing was compounded by uncharacteristically poor performance from one of his top targets, Chris Olave. The senior wide receiver was held without a catch. 

Although Olave couldn’t find the ball, junior wide receiver Garrett Wilson served as a steady hand for Stroud — hauling in six receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. 

After a disastrous performance against Oregon, Ohio State’s run defense got back on track against the Golden Hurricane. Having gave up 269 rushing yards to Oregon, Ohio State bounced back — holding Tulsa to just 73 rushing yards and 2.6 per carry. 

Leading the charge in the Buckeyes’ ground defense was a number of linebackers and defensive linemen. Most notably, sophomore linebacker Cody Simon picked up three tackles including one for loss.

In the secondary, Ohio State’s cornerbacks played well, but the Buckeyes were gashed across the middle by Tulsa junior quarterback Davis Brin. 

Brin completed 31-of-54 passes for 428 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, with redshirt sophomore Ronnie Hickman and redshirt freshman Cam Martinez turning possession in the Buckeyes’ favor. 

The duo of senior wide receivers JuanCarlos Santana and Josh Johnson helped Brin to his big day, combining for 15 catches, 227 yards and a touchdown. 

The Buckeyes close out their three-game home stand Sept. 25 against Akron at 7:30 p.m.