Ohio State’s defensive staff prides itself on rotating in a number of talented athletes, but an injury to junior linebacker Dante Booker gave sophomore Jerome Baker an opportunity to start on Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners, and he took full advantage. His standout defensive performance helped propel the Buckeyes to a 45-24 victory in Norman.
On the strength of seven total tackles, including one and a half sacks, and an interception return for a touchdown, Baker was name the co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the first of his career.
His pick-six was one of two interceptions on the game, upping the Buckeyes’ season total to nine, which is tied with Cincinnati and SMU for the most in the FBS.