Malik Hartford filled in as Ohio State’s starting free safety in place of Josh Proctor in its 35-7 win over Youngstown State on Saturday.

It was the first career start for Hartford, a freshman from West Chester who had backed up Proctor in the Buckeyes’ season-opening win at Indiana a week earlier.

An unspecified injury sidelined Proctor for the nonconference opener against the Penguins.

He was in line to make his second consecutive start at free safety before the Buckeyes began practicing this week, but was listed as questionable on the pregame status report and held out after going through warmups.

It’s possible a foot or ankle injury was impacting Proctor as his left ankle was wrapped in tape as he went through warmups. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said it was only a short-term issue.

Hartford had a tackle on the Penguins’ opening drive, getting to running back Tyson King as he picked up a first down.

Ja’Had Carter, a transfer from Syracuse who competed with Proctor and Hartford for the starting free safety spot in preseason practices, began rotating behind him in the second quarter and finished with two tackles.

A late hit on quarterback Mitch Davidson in the third quarter came close to leading to Carter’s ejection as officials reviewed it for targeting, but it was determined that he did not lead with the crown of his helmet. Carter’s shoulder hit Davidson’s helmet as he slid for a first down.

When Proctor started last week at Indiana last week, he had four tackles and a pass break-up.

Vest in view

Jim Tressel was among the spectators for Saturday’s game and donned fitting fashion for the occasion.

Tressel, the Buckeyes’ former coach who also led Youngstown State’s program and recently served as the university’s president, wore a sweater vest featuring both schools’ logos across the chest.

“One of my buddies said this is what you ought to wear,” Tressel said. “And that’s what we did.”

He watched from a suite in the press box at Ohio Stadium with family and friends.

“It’s a lot of pride,” Tressel said. “We had unbelievable memories from both places, and it’s been fun.”

Tressel, who turned 70 in December, retired as Youngstown State’s president in February after nearly a decade leading the school.

He resigned as Ohio State’s coach in 2011 as part of the fallout of a scandal known as “Tattoogate” in which five players violated NCAA rules by selling personal memorabilia in exchange for tattoos and moved into university administration.

Flags fly

Left tackle Josh Simmons was flagged for an illegal hands to the face in the second quarter, nullifying a 17-yard touchdown run by TreVeyon Henderson, though the Buckeyes would reach the end zone later in the series.

As Henderson took off, Simmons ripped off the helmet of defensive end Dylan Wudke, drawing the flag and setting them back 15 yards.

It was the second penalty in the first half for Simmons, who was also called for holding on a third down in the first quarter.

Starting as the right tackle at San Diego State last season, Simmons was the most heavily penalized tackle across the Football Bowl Subdivision.

He transferred to Ohio State following spring practice and won the starting job over Tegra Tshabola in preseason training camp.

Cornerback's INT

Denzel Burke picked off a pass midway through the third quarter when he snatched the ball out of the grasp of Youngstown State wide receiver Bryce Oliver in the end zone.

It was a heave by Beau Brungard, the Penguins’ backup quarterback who lofted a throw of about 40 yards.

Burke’s interception was the first by a Buckeyes cornerback in a span of 20 games, the last one coming by Cameron Brown in a win over Penn State in 2021.

None of the cornerbacks intercepted a pass last season.

Injury on kickoff

Freshman linebacker Arvell Reese was held out after he was injured covering a kickoff in the first quarter.

Trainers tended to Reese for several minutes as he was down on the field and appeared shaken up.

Earlier in the week, Day had praised Reese, along with cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr., for his kickoff coverage in the opener at Indiana.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on Facebook and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He can also be contacted at jkaufman@dispatch.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football starts Malik Hartford as free safety in Week 2