Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson combine to extend the Ohio State lead over Minnesota

College football kicked off in earnest on Thursday night. Following the amuse-bouche that was “Week 0” in the college game, a number of teams were in action this evening. The marquee matchup comes from the Big Ten, where Minnesota hosts Ohio State.

In action for the Buckeyes tonight is a pair of talented wide receivers, each of whom is trying to make a case for WR1 in the upcoming draft. Both Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson have drawn attention as potential first-round selection in 2021. And as the third quarter winds down, both players have found their way into the end zone.

Olave got his first touchdown of the season on Ohio State’s opening drive of the second half, hauling in a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud and then racing to the front pylon for a 38-yard touchdown:

Olave begins this play on the right side of the formation, and works all the way across the field. A pair of vertical routes from the left side clear out Minnesota defenders, giving Olave a ton of room to operate. Stroud buys a bit of time in the pocket before finding Olave, and the Buckeyes are on the board.

Later in the third quarter it was Wilson’s turn, and his route highlights what he offers as a route-runner:

Wilson begins this play in the slot and releases vertically, stressing the leverage of the safety in coverage. The WR then flashes to the outside with two hard steps, trying to sell the safety on a corner route. The defender buys in, opening his hips to the outside. That’s exactly what Wilson is looking for, as he then cuts inside on the post route. The move forces the safety to execute a difficult baseball turn, and that is all Wilson needs to get leverage to the inside and get open. His QB drops in the throw, and the Buckeyes are again in the end zone.

With the fourth quarter underway, the Buckeyes now hold a ten-point lead. But with this talented duo of receivers, they have the ability to put up points when they need to.