Bo Jackson was dealing with an injury during Ohio State’s win against Illinois. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day provided a status update on his freshman running back on Tuesday.
Every Buckeye held their breath on Saturday.
Freshman running back Bo Jackson saw limited action, sitting out most of the third quarter and the entire fourth in Ohio State’s 34-16 victory over Illinois. With a heavy workload to start his collegiate career, it’s understandable that the explosive back needed some time to recover.
Speculation about Jackson’s absence late in the game intensified when the broadcast raised concerns about a possible lower-body injury.
In his stead, the Buckeyes leaned on CJ Donaldson and James Peoples, the other key backs in the rotation. They helped Ohio State close out the game comfortably, securing another Big Ten win and keeping the team undefeated in the 2025 season.
After the game, head coach Ryan Day addressed the concerns.
“He could’ve kept playing,” Day said, but he explained that the decision to hold Jackson out was strategic. Had the game been closer, Jackson would have remained on the field. After taking some time during the week to regain full health, Day confirmed that Jackson is ready for Ohio State’s upcoming matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 3:30 p.m. EST.
This is a major relief for the Buckeyes. The 2025 rushing game has experienced its share of inconsistencies, and missing Jackson would have been a serious setback.
So far this season, Jackson has 58 carries for 407 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 7.0 yards per attempt and 81.4 yards per game. His strong presence on the ground provides sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin a reliable complement to the passing game.
Outside of Jackson, production from CJ Donaldson and James Peoples has been limited. Neither back brings the same explosiveness or versatility to the rushing attack. In the win over Illinois, Ohio State’s rushing averaged just 2.86 yards per carry—the second-lowest mark of the season. Donaldson carried 13 times for 44 yards, while Peoples added five carries for seven yards.
Still, head coach Ryan Day has noted improvements as the season progresses.
“We’re always looking to get better,” Day said. “There’s been some positive things across the board, and then some things we need to get better at.”
The running back room is young and inexperienced, especially after losing top talents Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson to the 2025 NFL Draft. With big gaps to fill, Jackson, Donaldson, and Peoples are gradually finding their rhythm.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Jackson will be available this weekend, giving the team its best chance to maintain a productive rushing attack.
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