Oct 28, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) reacts to throwing the go ahead touchdown pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half at Ohio Stadium. Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this week but is expected to play in Saturday’s Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Barrett underwent the surgery on Sunday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He has experienced issues with the knee all season and the situation became worse when it was injured before and during last Saturday’s 31-20 victory over Michigan.
Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer hasn’t publicly mentioned that Barrett underwent surgery but said in a Thursday radio appearance that Barrett has been cleared to play against the undefeated Badgers.
Barrett’s knee issue worsened prior to the game at Michigan when he was warming up behind the bench area and was bumped into by someone carrying a camera. Barrett’s knee twisted and he fell to the turf. He was treated by medical personnel and cleared to play.
Late in the third quarter, the knee again twisted while he was being tackled and Barrett departed. Meyer was irate after the game and called for an “all-out investigation” of the pregame incident.
–North Carolina State football coach Dave Doeren confirmed to multiple outlets that he will remain at the school after discussing the Tennessee job.
ESPN reported, citing a source, that Doeren and N.C. State have agreed in principle to a new five-year contract worth $3 million annually. Doeren had been making $2.2 million per year and had three years remaining on his current deal.
Doeren guided the Wolfpack to an 8-4 overall record and 6-2 mark in ACC play this season. The 45-year-old Doeren owns a 33-30 record in five seasons at N.C. State.
With Doeren staying at N.C. State, Tennessee is expected to turn its attention toward former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin for its vacant position. Sumlin was fired on Sunday after six seasons with the Aggies.
–Florida State is requesting an answer from Jimbo Fisher on whether or not he intends to remain the school’s football coach.
Fisher has been linked to the Texas A&M opening and he has declined to discuss the situation. There are reports he has already been given the framework of an upcoming job offer.
Fisher stuck to his often-repeated statement during a Thursday morning appearance on ESPN radio, and that comment is only creating more speculation that he is prepared to move on.
“Well, I’m a coach, we’re coaching through this game,” Fisher said in reference to Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe. “And then we always make decisions at the end of the year after things are finished.”
–Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph was the surprising winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Rudolph was the selection over Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield in balloting for the award that goes to the nation’s top senior quarterback. Mayfield is the prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Rudolph leads the nation with 4,553 passing yards and has 35 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
The other finalists were Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett, North Carolina State’s Ryan Finley and Penn State’s Trace McSorley.
