COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week on Monday after leading the Buckeyes to a 45-31 victory at Minnesota last Thursday.
Stroud, a redshirt freshman who made his first start with Ohio State, finished 13 of 22 passing for 294 yards and four touchdowns. All four of his touchdowns came in the second half of Thursday’s game after the Buckeyes trailed at halftime 14-10.
Stroud is the first Buckeye to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Tate Martell on Sept. 18, 2018.
As a true freshman, Stroud appeared briefly in two contests last season. He did not attempt any passes last year, but did have a 48-yard touchdown run against Michigan State on Dec. 5, 2020.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day gave credit to his new starting quarterback following Thursday’s victory after Stroud bounced back from throwing a first half interception.
“It’s his first game ever so there’s going to be some growing pains,” Day said. “You don’t walk out here at Ohio State and throw three-four touchdowns. Not in this conference — it just doesn’t happen. It takes some time, but I give him a lot of credit. He fought through it and keep swinging.”
Stroud said he is setting a higher bar for himself, despite an impressive start to the season.
“The game of football is about the ups and downs,” Stroud said. “My mind wasn’t right in the first half; I was a little all over the place but my teammates calmed me down. I prayed and it got better. I didn’t do terrible but I didn’t do as well as I wanted to.”
Chris Olave had two touchdowns versus Minnesota. Photo/Associated Press
In addition to Stroud’s honors, OSU receiver Chris Olave was named the Reese’s Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week. Olave caught two of Stroud’s four touchdown throws on Thursday.
Olave is tied for fifth place in career touchdown receptions with Brian Robiskie (24) at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes, ranked No. 4 nationally, will play in front of a packed Ohio Stadium crowd for the first time since 2019 on Saturday when Ohio State welcomes No. 11-ranked Oregon.
The game kicks off at noon.
