Buckeyes LB Tommy Eichenberg Reaches 200 Career Tackles

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg reached a new career milestone against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Saturday.

Entering Saturday, Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg was four tackles away from 200 tackles and he needed just one drive to surpass the mark.

On the sixth defensive play, Eichenberg raced across the field to the far sideline, combining with cornerback Davison Igbinsoun to bring down Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver Malachi Corley to reach the 200-tackle milestone in his career.

The Cleveland native had six tackles on the Hilltoppers' first offensive drive of the game and 16 through two games and one drive.

Eichenberg brought down running back Davion Ervin-Poindexter after a 3-yard gain on Western Kentucky's first play. Following a tackle by Igbinosun and an incomplete pass from quarterback Austin Reed, Eichenberg recorded five tackles in a row — four on pass plays and one on a run.

Ohio State forced a turnover on downs two plays later. Reed looked for a receiver deep but safety Josh Proctor's tight coverage forced the incompletion. On fourth down attempt, Reed rifled a pass over the middle that was knocked away by linebacker Steele Chambers.

Eichenberg is in his fifth year with the Buckeyes but didn't establish himself until last season. He announced himself on the national scene with a team-leading 120 tackles in the first year of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' scheme.

Playing in the two-linebacker system, more responsibility fell on he and Chambers to play sideline to sideline, and they both took full advantage.

Tom Cousineau has the program's single-season record with 211 and Marcus Marek holds the program's all-time tackles record with 572.