November 19, 2024

What’s it like to block Ohio State football’s Chase Young?


CHICAGO — Imagine being a quarterback in the Big Ten with the understanding that at some point you’re going to play against Ohio State. Imagine taking a snap and trying to find an open receiver all while knowing that a 6-foot-5, 265-pound human being could be coming from behind you at full speed to take your head off. Now imagine being the player assigned to keep that from happening. Illinois offensive lineman Alex Palczewski remembers the first time he lined up against the Buckeyes in 2017. The Illini lost that game 52-14 and were held to 89 rushing yards while quarterback Chayce Crouch was held to 16 passing yards, completing four of his 14 passes. The Buckeyes sacked him twice in that game. “We played them my freshman year and that was a tough time,” Palczewski said. “I was playing guard at 280 pounds as an 18-year-old. I remember blocking…

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