Wan'Dale Robinson
WR / NEBRASKA
![Wan'Dale Robinson [David Zalubowski/The Associated Press]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/2019/09/27/NBUX/ghows-OH-937de8e5-78b7-5bdf-e053-0100007f52ca-b6107bdc.jpeg?width=660&height=521&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Ohio State coach Ryan Day never mentioned Rondale Moore by name.
Day said only, “the kid from Purdue.”
Most understood the reference.
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In last season’s sole OSU loss, the Boilermakers' Moore, then a freshman receiver, caused trouble for the Buckeyes. He was an elusive player to tackle, turning his 12 catches into 170 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Day was reminded of Moore this week when he discussed Wan'Dale Robinson, a freshman for Nebraska.
As Ohio State prepares to face the Cornhuskers on Saturday, Robinson could pose problems as a similar all-purpose player.
In four games, he has caught 17 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 119 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.
Both players are similar in stature. Moore is listed at 5-foot-9, and Robinson at 5-foot-10. And they are fast.
Day said Robinson is “dynamic.”
“He could be a matchup problem for you if he gets on a linebacker or speed sweeps, things like that,” Day added. “He can do a bunch of different things, a little bit of a hybrid.”
Robinson had his best performance last week in Nebraska’s comeback win at Illinois, totaling 168 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, receiving recognition as the Big Ten’s freshman of the week.
As the Cornhuskers rallied from a 14-point deficit early in the third quarter, Robinson was eager to play a role and scored the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run.
“Two or three times, he came up to me and said, ‘I got you. Get me the ball.’” Nebraska coach Scott Frost said. “And he did his job, stayed calm and played well.”
It took longer for Robinson to acclimate during the initial weeks after recovering from injuries in preseason camp, Frost said.
But a breakout awaited.
“We kind of knew that it was a matter of time before he became a weapon for us,” Frost said.
jkaufman@dispatch.com
@joeyrkaufman