COLUMBUS, Ohio — Quinshon Judkins had one of those plays in Ohio State’s 32-31 loss to Oregon that always seem to haunt the Buckeyes in big games but his mistake may now have some context.
The transfer running back fumbled one of his 11 carries for 23 yards and a touchdown early in the first quarter of a game OSU led 7-0. Ending that drive with points would’ve made it a two-possession game early giving Ohio State all momentum in a road environment and possibly taking the crowd out of it.
That’s a different situation, putting the Ducks on their heels in a game that maybe doesn’t end 31-32 because of it. But that’s not how things played out because Judkins did fumble having the ball ripped away from him by Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.
That action may have been made easier thanks to a compromised Judkins not at 100%. He played that game with his hand decently wrapped. Now, according to On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos, Judkins has undergone a medical procedure to remedy whatever issue his hand was dealing with.
The good news about this injury is that Judkins isn’t expected to miss any time because of it with this being an off week for the Buckeyes. But it doesn’t take any solace away from feeling like not having one of the nation’s best running backs at full strength played a role in why the Buckeyes lost on Saturday.
So far this season, Judkins has turned 71 carries in 491 yards and six touchdowns to go along with seven catches for 67 yards.
Judkins and Ohio State will return to the field with a 5-1 record next Saturday to host Nebraska at noon on Fox.
