INDIANAPOLIS -- As the Ohio State football team slogged and stumbled through its worst half of defense this season, Jeff Okudah watched in silence from the sideline.

The Buckeyes’ star cornerback had dived in vain at the feet of Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor as the running back broke away for a 44-yard touchdown on the opening series of the Big Ten championship game. Okudah sustained a head impact on that play, and as a result, he sat out the remainder of the first half for what he called precautionary reasons.

Okudah spent that time without his helmet — either sitting on the bench or standing on the sideline. As the Buckeyes fell behind 21-7 at halftime, one of the most talented players on what had been the nation’s top-ranked defense could do little more than observe.

“It was tough,” Okudah said. “It really hurt me. I just knew I had to come out second half and be a leader for this defense.”

The decision to remove Okudah from the game is consistent with Ohio State’s written policy on concussions and head injuries. Athletes experiencing concussion-like symptoms are removed from competition for further evaluation by athletic trainers. Testing can be administered that, when compared to baseline testing all athletes participate in, helps determine if a concussion has occurred.

Okudah said he underwent concussion protocol testing at halftime and was cleared to return to the game. (Consistent with Ohio State’s policy regarding all injuries, a team spokesman declined to confirm any details of Okudah’s medical interactions.)

“After we did that, everything was all good,” Okudah said.

After Okudah returned — and perhaps not entirely coincidentally — the Buckeyes’ defensive performance improved significantly.

Wisconsin put up 294 yards in the first half but managed only 138 after halftime. Of those, 119 came on the Badgers’ final two possessions after the 34-21 final score had been established.

Okudah finished with four tackles and one pass breakup. A nominee for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back, Okudah and the rest of the secondary held Wisconsin leading receiver Quintez Cephus without a second-half catch until those final two series.

“The Silver Bullets came alive,” Okudah said. “If we can do that, it will be a lot of success in the future.”

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