Etienne Sabino return boosts Ohio State defense in his final game with Buckeyes

Due to the Ohio State Buckeyes' lack of bowl eligibility, senior linebacker Etienne Sabino will be making his final career appearance with the team on Saturday against the Michigan Wolverines, as Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch writes. Sabino's season nearly ended in October, but a surgical procedure substantially improved his rate of recovery.

One of five captains on the Buckeyes, Sabino expressed his excitement for playing against Michigan this week, saying, "If all else failed, I wanted to be back for this game, no matter what. If I couldn’t have played in this game, I don’t know — I’d probably have been an emotional wreck right now. But here I am. I’m just happy I’m back"

On Oct. 6, Sabino suffered a fracture of his right fibula in the Buckeyes' blowout victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, putting the rest of his season (and his college career) at risk. An orthopedic surgeon attached a small plate over the crack days later, though, which proved to significantly enhance the linebacker's recovery.

Placed on a four-to-six week timetable for his recovery, Sabino finally made his return to the playing field last week, starting and playing nearly every snap in the Buckeyes' victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. He recorded six tackles as the Badgers were held to just 14 points.