COLUMBUS- Carnell Tate has played a role as a key weapon for Ohio State, both in the passing game and as a perimeter blocker. The Buckeyes may have to find a way to beat Iowa without him on Saturday.

Tate, a second-year receiver from Chicago, is questionable for the Buckeyes’ Big Ten home opener against Iowa (3:30 p.m., CBS). He showed off the official “availability report” that the program must send to the Big Ten ahead of Saturday’s game.

He is the only contributor whose status is up in the air.

Tate has become a crucial factor for this Ohio State offense through the first four games of the year, starting in every game thus far. He has 14 catches for 219 receiving yards and a touchdown on the season, making him the third-leading receiver behind Jeremiah Smith And Emeka Egbuka in this crime.

“His responsibility is enormous,” Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said last week. “His blocking, his attention to detail, his route running, the precision of his routes – he had a great guy in Emeka to look up to, (and) we saw Marvin work last year, but (Carnell’s) got his own legacy built here.

“I mean, he’s a guy that we look at and has become a big part of our offense and someone that does a lot of things for us. … He will be a complete football player and also a leader.”

Now the Buckeyes may have to find a way to beat Iowa without one of their top leaders and receivers. Carnell Tate is questionable for the Iowa game.

In other news for the state of Ohio

Ohio State defensive tackle and potential All-American Tyleik Williams has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day made it official on Wednesday that Williams will be back on Saturday.

It’s not just that Williams is a very good defensive tackle. The senior is also a big leader for this Buckeyes defensive front, which has clearly missed him on the interior the past two games. His return will provide a big boost heading into the Iowa game, where Ohio State will have to stop the nation’s second-leading rusher, Kaleb Johnson.

“Tyleik is a great player, but he is a leader,” Day said. “And there is a lot of communication involved. One thing about Tyleik is that he has a very, very high football IQ. There were moments where we missed him, but it was good to see other guys stepping up as well. We have to continue to see that. But there is no doubt that he is a very, very strong player, makes a lot of action, but also has leadership.

“He has been in the program for a while and has strong relationships with everyone on the team, but especially the guys up front. It helps them, that part of it, for sure. So it’s good that he’s back this week.”

Full report for Buckeyes

The full program availability report has now been confirmed, noting that Ohio State does not provide details on injury or disciplinary matters.

Doubtful

W. Carnell Tate

On the way to Ohio State

RB Rashid Sesay
WR Reis Stocksdale
RB TC Caffey (out for season)