Ryan Day confirms Ohio State likely lost more than just a game against Oregon on Saturday night

Despite leading 28-22 after three quarters of play against the Oregon Ducks, Ohio State suffered their first loss of the season in Week 7 of the college football season.

Oregon protected its home field with a 32-31 win over Ohio State and sent the Buckeyes to 5-1 on the season. Now following the loss, the Buckeyes have more than just a lost game to think about.

In the first half, left tackle Josh Simmons went down with what appeared to be a knee injury and it did not look good. Simmons has been a player who has become a pillar stone on the Ohio State offensive line this season. Following the game, head coach Ryan Day said that Simmons is likely lost for the season.

"It doesn't look great in terms of him being able to come back this season,” Day said after the disappointing loss.

Simmons was in pass protection and it appeared that his knee buckled and that it was a bit of a non-contact injury. Following the injury, the future NFL Draft pick was carted off of the football field.

In place for Simmons against Oregon was Zen Michalski, a redshirt junior. The Buckeyes were still able to rely on the left side of the offensive line and a large reason for that was left guard Donovan Jackson. Still, the loss of Simmons hurt the Buckeyes undoubtedly.

Simmons started 13 games for the Buckeyes last season after transferring over from San Diego State. The year-to-year development has been evident this year and Simmons has shown on the field why he is an early-round type of talent in the next draft .

With Simmons likely out for the season, that is a massive blow for the Buckeyes and it will force them to replace a player they planned on counting on this season. Offensive line coach Justin Frye will have to have Michalski up for the task. With the roster the Buckeyes have, they can’t allow the loss of Simmons to tank things on offense, nor will they.

Now, the Buckeyes have to go back to the drawing board and pick up the pieces after the loss. They will now have to likely prepare  to go on for the rest of the season without a big part of their offense.

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