ANN ARBOR, Michigan - Ohio State defensive end Jonathon Cooper’s first, last and only sack of 2019 flashed by in a blink on Saturday at Michigan.
Cooper beat his man off the edge, then reached out to grab Shea Patterson as the Wolverine quarterback stepped up into the pocket.
Whatever contact occurred as Cooper passed by was enough to cause Patterson to lose balance. Even though Cooper ended up on the ground a few yards away, he was credited with the solo takedown.
Considering everything Cooper went through to enjoy that moment, he was not worried about style points.
“This season has been very, very tough,” said Cooper, who opened the season recovering from surgery for a high ankle sprain and missed eight of the first 11 games. "I honestly wasn’t going into this game thinking, ‘Oh. I want to make this big-time play or big-time sack.'
“Every single week, whether I’m playing or not, I want to make sure that I give everything to this team — everything that I have, whether that’s on the field or off the field. I’m happy that I made that play. It means the world to me that my teammates were there and I stepped up for them.”
Ohio State announced prior to the Nov. 23 game against Penn State that Cooper would play in only one more game — his fourth of the season. That would allow him to use a redshirt season for this injury plagued year and come back with a full year of eligibility in 2020.
Last week coach Ryan Day said no decision had been made as to when Cooper would play that final game. Yet defensive end Chase Young said after Saturday’s 56-27 victory over Michigan that he expected Cooper to return for The Game.
Cooper said he considered coming back against Penn State or waiting until the Big Ten championship game. In the end “something inside of me” told him he needed to be on the field in Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
“I feel like this game would mean more to me and my brothers, to end the regular season undefeated,” Cooper said. "I wanted to make sure that I gave everything I’ve got.
“Not only is this the rivalry game, but I feel like it’s the last time I really get to play emotionally with my brothers when it means something. I was feeling really good this week, had a pretty good practice, and asked the coaches if I can do this one.”
Cooper’s three tackles Saturday eclipsed his season total (two) coming into the game.
He now shifts back into mentor mode for the postseason, however long that lasts. Ohio State plays Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, then likely will make the College Football Playoffs regardless of outcome.
Young, who came into the week leading the nation in sacks and tackles for loss per game, will obviously hold down one edge spot. The other will be shared predominately by sophomore Tyreke Smith and freshman Zach Harrison, who stepped ip in Cooper’s earlier absences.
“He always told me he wanted to come back for the big one,” Young said. "He came out here and he played very well.
“I’m proud of Coop. That’s big bro.”
Big bro will still be in Columbus next season after Young and others Cooper mentored have departed. He maximized his impact for his last 2019 appearance.
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNsZXZlbGFuZC5jb20vb3N1LzIwMTkvMTIvd2h5LW9oaW8tc3RhdGUtZm9vdGJhbGxzLWpvbmF0aG9uLWNvb3Blci1yZXR1cm5lZC10by1wbGF5LWFnYWluc3QtbWljaGlnYW4uaHRtbNIBhAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbGV2ZWxhbmQuY29tL29zdS8yMDE5LzEyL3doeS1vaGlvLXN0YXRlLWZvb3RiYWxscy1qb25hdGhvbi1jb29wZXItcmV0dXJuZWQtdG8tcGxheS1hZ2FpbnN0LW1pY2hpZ2FuLmh0bWw_b3V0cHV0VHlwZT1hbXA?oc=5
2019-12-01 10:30:00Z
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