Buckeyes Face Purdue Without Key Weapon
In what was supposed to be another dominant display from the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, fans witnessed an unexpected development during their November 8, 2025 matchup against Purdue. The explosive junior wide receiver Carnell Tate, who has been terrorizing defenses throughout the season, was surprisingly absent from the starting lineup at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Last-Minute Scratch Raises Concerns
From the opening kickoff, attentive viewers noticed something unusual about the Buckeyes' offensive setup. Tate, who typically occupies the WR-X position according to Ohio State's official depth chart, stood on the sidelines in uniform but without his helmet during the team's initial drives. The 20-year-old IMG Academy product has been instrumental in Ohio State's high-octane passing attack this season.
Through eight games leading up to the Purdue contest, Tate had accumulated impressive statistics with 711 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His dynamic partnership with fellow star Jeremiah Smith has been one of the most feared receiving duos in college football. Given Purdue's struggling pass defense, ranked 92nd nationally, many expected Tate to have a field day against the Boilermakers secondary.
Precautionary Decision Explained
The mystery surrounding Tate's absence was solved during the first half when Big Ten Network sideline reporter Brooke Fletcher provided crucial information. "Tate felt a little tight during pre-game warmups, prompting head coach Ryan Day to err on the side of caution," Fletcher reported from the sidelines.
She emphasized that "He isn't hurt, but was tight during warmups, so the Buckeyes are keeping him out as a matter of precaution." The situation became more definitive at halftime when Coach Day confirmed to Fletcher that Tate would be ruled out for the remainder of the game.
During his post-half interview on Fox Sports, Day elaborated on his decision, stating he "didn't feel comfortable" putting Tate back into the game. Notably, Tate's name didn't appear on the pre-game unavailable list, indicating the tightness developed shortly before kickoff.
Ohio State's Receiving Depth Tested
While this marks the first time a minor physical issue has kept Tate completely off the field this season, Ohio State has capable replacements ready to step up. The depth chart shows:
Wide Receiver (WR-X)
Carnell Tate (#17, JR)
Quincy Porter (#11, FR)
David Adolph (#82, RS JR)
Wide Receiver (WR-Z)
Jeremiah Smith (#4, SO)
Mylan Graham (#5, RS FR)
Slot Receiver (WR-SL)
Brandon Inniss (#1, JR)
Bryson Rodgers (#13, RS SO)
Phillip Bell (#7, FR)
The timing of Tate's absence comes at a critical juncture as Ohio State continues their pursuit of back-to-back national championships. While the decision to sit him against Purdue demonstrates the program's long-term thinking, it also tests the team's depth at the wide receiver position.
