Ohio State's J.T. Tuimoloau reveals motivation behind historic efficiency

"Let the sport come to you."

Of all of the textual content messages Ohio State defensive finish J.T. Tuimoloau obtained this previous weekend, that one from his mother caught with him as he took the sector towards Penn State.

"She sends me a textual content earlier than I'm going play," Tuimoloau instructed FOX Sports activities faculty soccer analyst Matt Leinart. "I went on the market and that textual content is what made it an amazing efficiency for me."

Ohio State's J.T. Tuimoloau recaps the sport of his life towards Penn State

Matt Leinart talks to Ohio State DL J.T. Tuimoloau about his unbelievable efficiency towards Penn State.

"Nice" could be an understatement when describing Tuimoloau’s outing within the Buckeyes’ 44-31 victory over the then-No. 13 Nittany Lions.

The sophomore defensive finish completed the sport with six tackles, two sacks, two interceptions a compelled fumble, a fumble restoration and scored a landing within the win. He turned the primary FBS participant this century to document two interceptions, two sacks, a compelled fumble and a fumble restoration in the identical contest.

FOX Sports activities faculty soccer analyst Joel Klatt dubbed Tuimoloau’s outing "nearly as good a efficiency as I’ve ever seen. FOX Sports activities’ Emmanuel Acho summoned former Nebraska nice Ndamukung Suh’s exhibiting towards Texas from the 2009 Large 12 Championship Recreation: "[That] was the best faculty soccer sport I had ever seen by a defender … right now, I noticed a greater sport."

The efficiency had social media buzzing, as nicely, with reactions from an extended listing {of professional} athletes together with LeBron James, Paolo Banchero, and former Buckeye standout Chris Olave.

When requested what it meant to obtain such excessive reward from so many individuals, Tuimoloau was fast to reference the identical particular person whom he credited for his excellent sport.

"I known as my mother proper after the sport, and I type of had that second the place I seemed again in any respect the issues my dad and mom sacrificed for me and my household to get up to now," Tuimoloau mentioned. "That performed an enormous half in it."

Whereas Tuimoloau made it some extent to credit score his household for his latest success, he additionally identified Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who's in his first season at Ohio State. Knowles served because the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 2018-21 earlier than becoming a member of the Buckeyes' employees final December.

"He's at all times bringing the play-free and play-fast mentality," Tuimoloau mentioned of Knowles. "Having him right here permits us to play free and simply go. He needs us to be on our toes on a regular basis and at all times be prepared."

Ohio State extends lead with J.T. Tuimoloau pick-six

The Buckeyes took a 44-24 lead over the Nittany Lions after J.T. Tuimoloau intercepts Sean Clifford and takes it to the home.

Since Knowles’ arrival in Columbus, the Buckeyes have improved drastically on the defensive facet of the ball, holding opponents to 270 yards per sport, which ranks sixth amongst FBS groups. Ohio State allowed greater than 370 yards per contest only a 12 months in the past.

Tuimoloau will now look to construct on final weekend’s efficiency, because the Buckeyes attempt to take care enterprise on Saturday towards Northwestern and get one step nearer to securing a spot in each the Large Ten Championship Recreation and the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

If Tuimoloau is ready to proceed his torrid tempo, will probably be arduous for Buckeye followers to not begin placing the previous top-ranked recruit in the identical dialog as latest OSU standouts like Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Chase Younger.

"These three guys … these are Ohio State greats," Tuimoloau mentioned. "Simply to be behind these guys is a real honor."

So are all of the congratulatory textual content messages, particularly these from Mother.

Learn extra:

Get extra from Faculty Soccer Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra