When Ohio running back Anthony Tyus breaks free into the open field, he runs as if he’s angry at the ground. Tyus, one of Ohio’s newest additions on offense, has used his running ability to lead Ohio to a Mid-American Conference Championship game appearance.
Tyus would describe his running ability as a mix of Saquan Barkley and Derrick Henry, his two favorite NFL running backs who inspired him throughout his young career.
“I’ve always run hard,” Tyus said. “I’ve always been big on switching it up; being elusive sometimes, running straight sometimes. Defenders never know what they’re going to get.”
Since Week One of Ohio’s season, Tyus has stood out as a pivotal part of an explosive offense which has scored north of 28 points per game. In his first game as a Bobcat, Tyus broke out with 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Tyus’ hard-running ability started when he was a kid, growing up with a dad who used to play middle linebacker in the MAC at Central Michigan.
“(My dad) always told me how defenders were tougher and how they’d whip up on the running backs,” Tyus said. “I didn’t believe that. We give the blows.”
Ohio got Tyus via the transfer portal after he spent three seasons with Northwestern.
“Ohio University was the first team to reach out to me in the portal, and that meant a lot,” Tyus said.
Since getting to Ohio, Tyus has rushed for 960 yards and eight touchdowns. With the MAC Championship game on the horizon, Tyus has a chance to become the tenth player with a 1,000-yard rushing season in program history.
Though he’s only spent 11 total games with the team, Tyus quickly became familiar with the history and culture Ohio brings.
“Coach Albin makes an emphasis that we know the culture behind everything,” Tyus said. “Who came before us, what we’re playing for, how much it means to win on The Frank. That all plays a big role in why it's so hard to beat us on The Frank.”
Tyus, a native of Portage, Michigan, has loved every minute of playing for Ohio, mainly due to the culture that Ohio coach Tim Albin has worked so hard to ingrain in his players.
“When you get here, there’s no one isolated; it’s a family,” Tyus said.
Riding that culture and family-like feel, Ohio has put together yet another incredible offensive season. Now, being one win away from a MAC title, Tyus is ready to give everything he has to bring Ohio its sixth MAC trophy.
“People don’t understand that not only is it hard to win college football games, but it’s really hard to get to conference championship games,” Tyus said. “It’s a privilege to be there.”
In Ohio’s final few games, Tyus helped elevate the team to the top of the MAC standings and clinch a berth in the title game. Against Toledo, Tyus rushed for 125 yards with a touchdown, which put Ohio in position to control its destiny in its final home game against Ball State.
Needing a win to advance against Ball State, Tyus once again had a huge game, leading all rushers with 109 yards on the ground.
Tyus has had a trip to Detroit on his mind since he put pen to paper on coming to Ohio. Now, he has a chance to deliver on a goal he’s had since stepping foot in Athens.
“(Winning the MAC) would mean a lot,” Tyus said. “That was my first goal when they offered me.”
