COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There was a demonstration of strength during last weekend's Ohio State football game that had nothing to do with Anthony Schlegel's take down of a fan that ran onto the field.
Jacob Jarvis, 14, and his younger brother Noah Studebaker, 7, each have been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys across all races and cultures. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and limited therapeutic options exist.
Jacob and Noah have been friends of Coach Urban Meyer and the Ohio State football team since July 2013. They attend practices several times a week with their father and mother, Chad and Tracy Studebaker, they take part in Friday night meals at the OSU Golf Course, and they attend as many home football games as possible.
So last week's Coach to Cure MD weekend was a special time for Jacob and Noah and also for the Buckeyes. Meyer asked them to be honorary captains during the coin toss ceremony so the two of them -- Jacob piloting his wheelchair while holding his favorite Buckeye's hand, Jeff Heuerman, with Noah riding on back -- joined Heuerman and captains Michael Bennett, Curtis Grant and Doran Grant at the center of the field opposite Cincinnati's captains. And Ohio State won the coin toss!
Following the Buckeyes' 50-28 win over the Bearcats, the boys and their parents joined the team in the post-game locker room celebration. It was then that coach Meyer asked Heuerman to say a few words and present the game ball to Jacob.
Heuerman called the moment "one of the most special things" he has ever done at Ohio State. Jacob Jarvis was overcome with emotion and could manage only a simple "Go Bucks" in the moment.
Ohio State's communications department contributed to this article.
