Ohio State running back Chip Trayanum left the No. 3 Buckeyes' 41-7 win against Purdue after taking a big hit in the first quarter on Saturday. Trayanum returned to the sideline at the beginning of the second quarter, though he was without his helmet and did not return. Trayanum caught a swing pass out of the backfield for a first down late in the first quarter but was walloped by three Purdue defenders. He was slow to get up and lost his balance while running off the field to the injury tent.
The senior from Akron, Ohio, came into Saturday ranking second on the team with 45 carries for 207 yards and three touchdowns for the Buckeyes. He posted 37 all-purpose yards in the first quarter against Purdue. With Trayanum sidelined, running back Dallan Hayden and wide receiver Xavier Johnson both saw action taking carries. Ohio State also used backup quarterback Devin Brown as a rusher.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day declined to reveal Trayanum's injury in postgame media availability.
The injury is a troubling sign for Ohio State's running back room, which was already painfully thin coming into Saturday. Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams were both ruled out of the game against Purdue with undisclosed injuries. Second-leading receiver Emeka Egbuka was also out, along with top defensive back Denzel Burke.
Ohio State had publicly considered redshirting the sophomore Hayden, who had not recorded a stat since the opener against Indiana. Hayden led the team with 11 carries for 76 yards rushing and a touchdown in the win. Johnson added five carries for 39 yards.
The Buckeyes face their biggest test of the season as they host No. 6 Penn State at 12 p.m. at Ohio Stadium.
