Jones’ big play vs. TCU showed Buckeyes’ mettle

After momentum swung TCU’s way on Saturday night, Dre’Mont Jones heard the Horned Frogs talking on the field as if their upset of Ohio State was all but clinched.

TCU led by eight in the third quarter and Ohio State had lost defensive end Nick Bosa to injury.

“TCU thought we were down and out,” Jones said Tuesday night. “They were saying on the field that we were going to quit — it’s over now.”

Jones said that he and his teammates didn’t feel the need to say anything back.

“We knew the truth,” he said. “We’re not afraid of a challenge. We just kind of brushed it off and played.”

Jones made the biggest play of all. The junior defensive tackle shed his block, intercepted a shovel pass from Shawn Robinson and then stiff-armed the quarterback on his way to a 28-yard return for the go-ahead touchdown in Ohio State’s 40-28 victory. His was the middle score in a three-touchdown flurry in just over four minutes.

It was Jones’ first collegiate touchdown, though he said the play remains a bit fuzzy to him. He hasn’t watched replays of it repeatedly.

“I have to see the film again,” Jones said. “I don’t remember what I did.”

Bosa update

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer did not provide much of an update about Bosa’s status during the Big Ten coaches teleconference, on which Meyer participated for the first time this season following his three-game suspension.

“We’ll know midweek here,” Meyer said. “Further tests are being done now.”

Bosa has lived up to his status as a preseason All-American this season. His strip-sack of Robinson resulted in Ohio State’s first touchdown on Saturday.

Bosa leads the team in tackles with 14, an unusual feat for a defensive end. He has six tackles for loss and four sacks, both team highs, as well as a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He left the TCU game early in the third quarter and returned to the bench in street clothes.

“He is one of the best players I’ve been around and one of the better persons,” Meyer said. “Just an elite player.”

Meyer added that defensive tackle Robert Landers is probable for this week’s game with an unspecified injury.

Linebacker assessment

The play of Ohio State’s linebackers has come under scrutiny, particularly in light of big plays the Buckeyes have surrendered this year. But Meyer said he is not disappointed with their play.

“Malik Harrison has been playing great,” Meyer said. “The other guys are getting better. (Defensive coordinator) Greg Schiano is very pleased with the progress. They have to get better with experience.”

Snead back

Meyer said on the teleconference before practice that freshman running back Brian Snead would return to the field on Tuesday. Snead didn’t make the trip to Texas for the TCU game because of disciplinary reasons, Meyer said. Snead and fellow freshmen Master Teague III are battling for third-string playing time behind J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber.

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

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