Offensive linemen are known for having a thankless job, but Ohio State’s Philly Brown made sure he expressed his gratitude for some much-needed help he received from right tackle Reid Fragel against Michigan State last week.

Brown fumbled after making a short reception in the first quarter and was too tangled up in traffic to retrieve the ball. But much to his relief, Fragel pounced on it with his 6-foot-8, 310-pound frame, saving the Buckeyes from a costly turnover in a tight win.

“When we got to the sidelines, I went up to him and said, ‘Thank you,’ and gave him a hug,” Brown said. “I usually never fumble. And when I fumbled, I was kind of down. … He helped me get back to (being) myself. He said, ‘Cheer up.’ He said he’s got me.

“That was the longest play ever to see the ball bouncing around. And to see big Reid jump on it, that made me feel good.”

Brown may have needed a pep talk from a teammate to forget about his gaffe, but the junior’s consistent play all season has given the Buckeyes a lift.

He had 12 catches against the Spartans — one of the all-time top-five receiving days at OSU – and is tied for the Big Ten lead with 32 receptions this season. Brown also has tied former Buckeye star Terry Glenn for the most receptions through five games in program history.

Many of his catches come on swing passes, which really are like glorified runs, but he had four first-down grabs against the Spartans and has become a dependable possession receiver.

“I’m glad coach Herman has developed so much trust in me that he can call that many plays for me,” Brown said, referring to offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

“I’m blessed to be in this situation. It’s the perfect situation.”

Brown already has 18 more catches than he had last season when he tied for the team lead.

“He’s really improved, and it couldn’t happen to a guy that’s more committed to excellence right now. The good thing is he’s not near what he can be,” coach Urban Meyer said.

“He’s earned that. He’s our guy to go to right now in certain situations. I’m very proud of him.”

But Meyer couldn’t resist needling Brown for a relatively paltry 84 receiving yards against the Spartans, a seven-yard average.

“He’s allowed to make a guy miss once in a while, get more than eight yards,” Meyer said. “That’s going to be my coaching (point), that you can break a tackle.”