Ohio State cruised to a dominant 59-3 win over Kent State on September 19 to move to 2-1 on the season, but the victory came with a concerning subplot: highly touted true freshman running back Legend Bey suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and didn’t return to the game. It’s the latest setback in what has been a frustrating and slow start to Bey’s college career through the first three weeks of the season.
How Legend Bey Got Hurt Against Kent State
The Kent State game was supposed to be Bey’s chance to finally get going after playing just one snap the week before against Texas. Instead, an injury cut his day short almost immediately. On his very first — and only — carry of the game, Bey was tackled at the line of scrimmage for no gain and came up limping. Rather than coming off the field right away, Bey stayed in for one additional play to finish executing a block before the pain forced him to hop off the field under his own power.
Ohio State’s medical staff spent an extended period examining his lower leg on the sideline before moving him into the medical tent for further evaluation and privacy. After heavily taping his ankle and testing his lateral movement, the training staff officially ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Bey did briefly ride a stationary bike after emerging from the tent and returned to the sideline with his helmet still on — typically a sign a player hopes to return — but he was not cleared to go back in.
What Ryan Day Said About Legend Bey’s Injury
Following the game, Ryan Day offered a brief update on Bey’s condition, saying simply that the freshman had tweaked his ankle and that the team hopes to have him back next week. Without a more detailed medical diagnosis attached to that update, Bey’s actual status heading into Big Ten play remains somewhat uncertain. Day did indicate optimism that Bey’s ankle issue isn’t considered a long-term injury and expressed hope that he’ll be available when Ohio State hosts Illinois in its Big Ten opener the following week — another Big Noon Kickoff game in Columbus.
Why Legend Bey’s Injury Is Especially Frustrating for Ohio State
The timing of this injury stings in part because of how much opportunity Bey was set to have against Kent State specifically. With Ohio State heavily favored and able to rotate deep into its depth chart, this was supposed to be the exact type of low-pressure game where Bey could finally settle in, build rhythm, and show off the explosiveness that made him such a hyped recruit. That opportunity never materialized. Bey had just one touch in the win over Texas the week before, and now he managed only a single stuffed carry against Kent State before his day ended early.
Compounding the frustration, Bey also didn’t get a chance to return kickoffs against Kent State — a role the coaching staff had hoped to feature him in after some early struggles in that department during the season opener against Ball State.
Legend Bey’s Statistics Through Three Games
On the season, Bey has managed relatively modest production for a player who entered the year with significant hype: two receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown, along with eight carries for 37 yards. For a former four-star recruit who played quarterback in high school in Texas before converting to running back, those numbers reflect a player who simply hasn’t had the chance to find any consistent rhythm through three games, between limited opportunities and now multiple in-game setbacks.
Should Ohio State Fans Actually Be Concerned?
Despite Ryan Day’s relatively upbeat tone, there’s a fair argument that Buckeye fans should remain at least somewhat concerned about the situation. Ohio State’s running game as a whole has yet to fully find its footing through three games, and getting Bey more involved has been viewed as one potential fix. Instead, his continued absence from meaningful snaps — first due to limited usage, and now due to injury — means that particular remedy remains on hold. Until Ohio State gets clearer confirmation on his practice status this week, it’s difficult to know whether “hopes to have him back” translates into a full workload against Illinois or another limited, cautious role.
What’s Next for Legend Bey and Ohio State
All eyes will be on Ohio State’s practice reports over the coming days for clearer signs of Bey’s recovery timeline. If he’s able to return to practice and play a full role against Illinois, it would mark a meaningful step forward not just for his own development, but for an Ohio State rushing attack that could use another dynamic weapon as Big Ten play begins. If the injury lingers even slightly longer than hoped, though, it would mark yet another disappointing chapter in what has so far been an underwhelming freshman season for one of the Buckeyes’ most talented young playmakers.
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