Two broken hands? That's not enough to slow Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg
Tommy Eichenberg is a man of few words, so it’s not surprising the Ohio State linebacker was less than expansive in talking about his injured hands.
Asked if both are broken, as defensive lineman Zach Harrison said they were after the Maryland game, Eichenberg replied, “I’m not sure. They feel good, though.”
That’s likely mind over fracture because Eichenberg’s toughness is unquestioned.
Kirk Herbstreit on OSU vs. Michigan: 'Been building everything to get to this point'
“Tommy's as tough as they come, as tough as any player I've been around,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “He epitomizes what we want to be as a defense and I think as a program because nothing's nothing is going to stop him. No matter what the circumstances of the injury, he's going to show up.”
Tommy Eichenberg refuses to sit out Ohio State football vs. Michigan game
Eichenberg has no intention of missing Saturday’s game against Michigan.
“It would take me a lot to stop me from playing, especially with this team, this defense,” he said. “I’d say everyone who’s still playing football right now is battling different things. Everyone has pain every time they step on the field.”
Ohio State football vs. Michigan: Want to attend the Ohio State Michigan game? Resale tickets start at $237
The discomfort hasn’t noticeably affected his play. In last week’s 43-30 win over Maryland, Eichenberg had 13 tackles, 10 solo. He said the injury has forced him to be even more fundamentally sound as he tackles.
“You’ve got to use your body,” he said. “You’ve got to use everything you can.”
Like his teammates, Eichenberg is driven by the painful memory of last year’s 42-27 loss to Michigan. It was a bad day for the defense. Eichenberg, who had five tackles, was unhappy with his performance in that game.
“I didn’t play well, that’s for sure,” he said. “I definitely did not play up to the standard of how I should play. I’ve been trying to play better ever since.”
That game proved to be a turning point for Eichenberg. He had 17 tackles in Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory against Utah and is an All-American candidate this year. Eichenberg leads Ohio State with 105 tackles and is considered the leader of the defense.
OSU Buckeyes football: Ohio State football safety Ronnie Hickman to enter 2023 NFL draft
He credits Knowles in part for his and the defense’s success.
“He’s helped a lot,” Eichenberg said. “He’s a great teacher and tries to put us in the best position to succeed so we just have got to do our job.”
Eichenberg on playing Michigan at Ohio Stadium: 'It’s been a long time coming, so I’m excited.'
Eichenberg is a fourth-year junior, but he has never played Michigan at Ohio Stadium. The 2020 game was canceled because of a COVID outbreak among the Wolverines.
“It’s been a long time coming, so I’m excited,” he said.
'We have scars.' After last year's loss, Ohio State gets chance for revenge vs. Michigan
Two broken hands sure aren't enough to stop him.
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tommy Eichenberg excels for Ohio State football despite broken hands
