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Ohio State without DT Tommy Togiai, DE Tyreke Smith, K Blake Haubeil for national title game
Ohio State will be without a few key players for Monday’s College Football Playoff title game against Alabama.
The Buckeyes had defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, defensive end Tyreke Smith and kicker Blake Haubeil listed as unavailable on the team’s status report ahead of the game.
Togiai has been one of Ohio State’s best defensive players in 2020. He has 23 tackles and three sacks through seven games. He’s also forced a fumble.
Smith has eight tackles and a sack so far this season. Ohio State’s defensive line was an integral part of the team’s CFP semifinal win over Clemson.
Haubeil announced in an emotional Instagram statement hours before kickoff that he won’t be available after catching COVID-19.
“I’m extremely upset, but at the same time I’m overwhelmingly thankful to be an individual who is asymptomatic,” Haubeil wrote. “I have spent the past four months making sacrifices, and have not seen family and friends one single time. So, to say I’m pissed off is a complete understatement.”
Both DE Zach Harrison and running back Master Teague were unavailable against Clemson. They not on the unavailable list for Monday night’s game. Harrison has two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2020 while Teague is the team’s second-leading rusher behind Trey Sermon.
Who will kick for Ohio State?
Haubeil, a senior, successfully converted all 24 of his extra point attempts this season while connecting of 5-of-7 field goal attempts in five games. He missed two games with a groin injury.
Freshman Jake Seibert will likely take Haubeil’s place against the Crimson Tide. Seibert connected on all 13 of this extra point attempts this season. He missed his only field goal attempt while playing for an injured Haubeil.
Full list of unavailable players for Ohio State
CB Cam Brown
DL Jacolbe Cowan
K Dominic DiMaccio
DT Ty Hamilton
WR Jaylen Harris
K Blake Haubeil
OT Dawand Jones
LB Cade Kacherski
LB Mitchell Melton
DE Tyreke Smith
DT Tommy Togiai
SAF Kourt Williams
RB Miyan Williams
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