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OSU QB J.T. Barrett Grateful For Season, Despite Injury

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett says he feels alright following surgery this week to repair a fractured ankle. Barrett admits he's thought about why the injury happened when it did, at the peak of a spectacular season that included being named the Big Ten Conference's Freshman of the Year. But upon further reflection, Barrett says he recognizes how fortunate he was:

 
"I'm grateful... blessed, for the opportunity, and enjoyed all of it.  And I think it's just crazy to think about that at the beginning of the year, myself personally, I wasn't try to go out there and break any records.  I wasn't trying to play outside myself, I was just trying to put the team in the best position to win each and every week.  Whether it be my preparation or just making plays out there on the field, or handing the ball off or, you know, tossing it two yards and counting it as a pass or whatever it may be - I was just trying to make sure that at the end of the week we were 1-0 and winning games.  So, definitely blessed, and all of that goes to God for the time that I was healthy and things like that.  So definitely grateful and appreciate that, and my teammates as well."
 
Barrett became a Heisman Trophy candidate this year after throwing for more than 28-hundred yards and a school-record 34 touchdowns. He had 938 rushing yards and 11 more touchdowns on the ground for a school-record total of 3,772 offensive yards. Having a hand in 45 touchdowns this season also set a Big Ten record. Barrett's leg will remain in a cast for six weeks, then he'll need a walking boot for another four. The 11-and-1 Buckeyes take on the 10-and-2 Wisconsin Badgers Saturday night in the conference championship game.