COLUMBUS — Carnell Tate has carved out a role as a key weapon for Ohio State in both the passing game and as a perimeter blocker. The Buckeyes might have to find a way to beat Iowa without him on Saturday, though.

Tate, a second-year receiver from Chicago, is questionable for the Buckeyes’ Big Ten home opener against Iowa (3:30 p.m., CBS). He popped up on the official ‘availability report’ that the program must send in to the Big Ten ahead of the matchup on Saturday.

He’s the only contributor whose status is up in the air.

Tate has become a pivotal factor for this Ohio State offense in the first four games of the year, starting in every game so far. He has 14 catches for 219 receiving yards and a touchdown on the season, making him the third-leading receiver behind Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka in this offense.

“His accountability is tremendous,” Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said last week. “His blocking, his attention to detail, his route running, the precision of his routes — he’s had a great guy in Emeka to look up to, [and] we saw Marvin work last year, but [Carnell’s] carving out his own legacy here.

“I mean, he’s a guy that we look to who has become a major part of our offense, and someone that does a lot of things for us. … He’s becoming a complete football player and also a leader.”

Now the Buckeyes might have to find a way to beat Iowa without one of their top leaders and receivers. Carnell Tate is questionable for the Iowa game.

Other news for Ohio State

Ohio State defensive tackle and potential All-American Tyleik Williams has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day make it official on Wednesday that Williams will be back Saturday.

It’s not just that Williams is a really good defensive tackle. The senior is also a big-time leader for this Buckeyes defensive front that has clearly missed him on the interior during the last two games. His return will provide a major boost ahead of the Iowa matchup — in which Ohio State will need to stop the nation’s second leading rusher in Kaleb Johnson.

“Tyleik’s a great player, but he’s a leader,” Day said. “And there’s a lot of communication in there. One thing about Tyleik, he’s got a very, very high football IQ. There were times where we did miss him, but it was good to see other guys step up too. We need to continue to see that. But there’s no question that he’s a very, very strong player, makes a lot of plays, but also has leadership.

“He’s been in the program for a while, and has strong relationships with everybody on the team, but in particular, the guys up front. Helps them, that part of it, for sure. So it’s good to have him back this week.”

Full report for Buckeyes

The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.

Questionable

WR Carnell Tate

Out for Ohio State

RB Rashid Sesay
WR Reis Stocksdale
RB TC Caffey (out for season)

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