Ohio State led Illinois 7-0 in the second quarter, when all of a sudden Luke Fickell found himself making a decision he didn't think he would have to until next season.
Not that Fickell wasn't worried about doing what he needed to in order for Ohio State to earn its 10th win of 2015, but the Buckeye defensive coordinator recognized a reality he probably would have to face this offseason: Life without Darron Lee.
"All you've got to do is look back at the one play Darron went out, one play in the Illinois game, (he) took a shot in the chest and the very next play they come out throw the bubble (screen) out in the field," Fickell said Feb.