Courtesy: Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -Green jerseys with silver feathers on the shoulders, topped by white helmets.
That appears to be the answer to perhaps the most-asked question of Rose Bowl week: Just what will the fashion-forward Oregon Ducks wear for their first postseason trip to Pasadena in 15 years?
"We expected them to do something wild and crazy for coming back to the Rose Bowl," said a vaguely disappointed Ohio State defensive lineman Doug Worthington. "We'll go out there and look at it for about 30 seconds, and then we'll forget it."
There's no such mystery around Ohio State, which will wear the latest version of the white-and-gray ensemble that has suited the Buckeyes since well before their last Rose Bowl 13 years ago.
"But we care about this part the most, and I think they do, too," Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman said Wednesday, pointing to the Rose Bowl emblem on his jersey's shoulder.
Beyond that patch, the ever-evolving Ducks (10-2) and the tradition-rich Buckeyes (10-2) seem to have little in common in their approaches to offenses, uniforms and everything in between. Their many contrasts could make for a compelling game Friday in two powerful programs' overdue returns to the Rose Bowl.
"We've all heard about how much being in this particular game means to our fans and our alumni," Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''Everybody knows this is your real goal every season when you're a Big Ten or a Pac-10 team. It feels good to be part of that tradition coming back."
Oregon has its well-deserved reputation as Nike's laboratory, with its innovative fashion sense and impressive facilities. Most of the No. 7 Ducks, who largely hail from California, cite that connection as a reason for choosing the school.
"Our tradition is no tradition," Oregon left tackle Bo Thran said. "We're always changing things up, trying new approaches. We want to make our own, and that's what we're doing this season."
The approach couldn't be much more different in Columbus. Ohio State places a heavy emphasis on its decades of football tradition enjoying a revival under Jim Tressel, the genteel coach who wears ties on the sideline and shepherds his players' every move.
"Everybody who comes to Ohio State knows what we stand for and what we try to accomplish," Coleman said. ''Coach Tressel has a vision for what he wants to happen in this program, and we respect everything that got us to this point, all the guys who came before us."
Several Ducks were surprised this week to learn that for all the Buckeyes' success in recent years under Tressel, No. 8 Ohio State hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1997.
The Buckeyes have played for bigger prizes during that time, winning a national championship along the way - but they were in the Granddaddy of Them All only two years more recently than Oregon, which never made it during just-departed coach Mike Bellotti's successful tenure.
With rookie coach Chip Kelly leading a high-scoring offense, the Ducks rebounded from their season-opening loss at Boise State to win the Pac-10 title and a second trip to Pasadena, where they beat UCLA 24-10 in October without injured quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Kelly claims he never once mentioned the Rose Bowl to his Ducks until they beat Oregon State in the Civil War to qualify.
"We knew if we just won the Pac-10, everything else would come together," Oregon safety T.J. Ward said. "Coach Kelly didn't have to tell us what we were playing for."
Every player on both Rose Bowl teams crowded into a conference room at a downtown hotel on Wednesday morning - except Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount, who stayed back at the team hotel in Beverly Hills. Blount has barely spoken to the media since punching a Boise State player after the Ducks' season-opening loss, leading to an eight-game suspension.
"He believes in actions, not words," Kelly said in explaining Blount's absence. "He wants to finish the season, and I respect him. It's his choice. He can talk to anybody, but he chose not to."
If the Buckeyes are tired of talking about anything, it's their three straight postseason losses in BCS bowl games, including last year's Fiesta Bowl following national championship games in the previous two seasons. Ohio State's senior class could go out as the winningest in school history with a victory - but a loss would leave those seniors with four Big Ten titles, but no postseason wins.
And though Ohio State might lean on its past more than Oregon, both schools are well aware of the history in the game they're playing Friday.
"You just feel the tradition," Tressel said. "I don't care how old you are."
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Rose Bowl Week Begans!
I know I haven't posted anything on here for a long time! Here is the latest on the buckeyes and the Rose Bowl!
Buckeyes Practice, Lift Weights & Ride Rides
LOS ANGELES - The members of the Ohio State football team spent just over two hours stretching, lifting weights and practicing under somewhat overcast skies but pleasant conditions Saturday morning at the Home Depot Center.
The start of the practice was split between one of the numerous practice fields at the Home Depot Center - a sprawling athletics complex in Carson, Calif., that is home to MLS Soccer's LA Galaxy and Chivas USA as well as the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Tennis Association - and the weight room at the complex. The offense ran through drills in shorts on one of the lower turf fields while the defense lifted and then the two units switched workout locations.
The latter part of the morning was a full team practice session in shorts and helmets.
Following practice, showers and a return trip to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - the hotel and practice facility are about 35 minutes apart - the team had just about enough time to return to their rooms and relax briefly before boarding the busses once again for the trip to Disneyland.
Tressel Confirms Players' Status A note of interest from Saturday: coach Jim Tressel confirmed to members of the media that four players from the typical team roster this season are not with the team in California: senior receiver and return specialist Ray Small; senior defensive lineman Rob Rose; sophomore running back Bo DeLande; and freshman receiver Duron Carter.
Tomorrow The team will begin a series of 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. practices for the next three days. The team will eat dinner at Lawry's The Prime Rib as part of the Rose Bowl's annual "Beef Bowl."
A Delightful Day at Disneyland
LOS ANGELES - Members of the Ohio State football team (and Oregon's team, too) spent about seven hours Saturday afternoon enjoying rides and having a great time as the special guests at Disneyland.
Visiting the park on what the locals say is one of its busiest days of the year, the Buckeyes had plenty of time to experience much of what Disneyland and its adjacent sister park, California Adventure, has to offer.
Toward the end of the evening the Buckeyes were treated to a welcome reception at the ESPNZone, located in the Downtown Disney District. At about 7:15 p.m. the team boarded the busses for the 43-mile trip back to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza for team meetings before calling it a night.
Welcome Ceremony Members of the Ohio State and Oregon football teams kicked off the day at Disneyland with a nicely attended - media, Rose Bowl court, Tournament of Roses dignitaries, media and fans - welcome reception with the park's iconic Sleeping Beauty's Castle looming in the background.
Ohio State was represented by coach Jim Tressel, the team's senior tri-captains Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington, and offensive lineman Jim Cordle. Oregon coach Chip Kelly was on hand with his team captains: senior defensive end Will Tukuafu, cornerback Walter Thurmond, center Jordan Holmes and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
A Majestic Symbol Each team was presented with its own trophy at the welcome reception: a "Crystal Castle" described as "a majestic symbol of a place where dreams do come true."
First a Little Work Before the welcome reception started, the four members of each team and the coaches autographed 22 footballs that will be used for charitable purposes. Ohio State was the first to arrive and sign the balls. In between the signings, the eight players had just a moment to shake hands and talk briefly with each other.
In the Director's Chairs After the welcome reception the players and coaches met with the media for a good 30 minutes of up-close interviews and photos. Each of the players was stationed at his own director's chair next to a nice-sized Disneyland sign with their name on it.
Buckeyes Practice, Lift Weights & Ride Rides
LOS ANGELES - The members of the Ohio State football team spent just over two hours stretching, lifting weights and practicing under somewhat overcast skies but pleasant conditions Saturday morning at the Home Depot Center.
The start of the practice was split between one of the numerous practice fields at the Home Depot Center - a sprawling athletics complex in Carson, Calif., that is home to MLS Soccer's LA Galaxy and Chivas USA as well as the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Tennis Association - and the weight room at the complex. The offense ran through drills in shorts on one of the lower turf fields while the defense lifted and then the two units switched workout locations.
The latter part of the morning was a full team practice session in shorts and helmets.
Following practice, showers and a return trip to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - the hotel and practice facility are about 35 minutes apart - the team had just about enough time to return to their rooms and relax briefly before boarding the busses once again for the trip to Disneyland.
Tressel Confirms Players' Status A note of interest from Saturday: coach Jim Tressel confirmed to members of the media that four players from the typical team roster this season are not with the team in California: senior receiver and return specialist Ray Small; senior defensive lineman Rob Rose; sophomore running back Bo DeLande; and freshman receiver Duron Carter.
Tomorrow The team will begin a series of 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. practices for the next three days. The team will eat dinner at Lawry's The Prime Rib as part of the Rose Bowl's annual "Beef Bowl."
A Delightful Day at Disneyland
LOS ANGELES - Members of the Ohio State football team (and Oregon's team, too) spent about seven hours Saturday afternoon enjoying rides and having a great time as the special guests at Disneyland.
Visiting the park on what the locals say is one of its busiest days of the year, the Buckeyes had plenty of time to experience much of what Disneyland and its adjacent sister park, California Adventure, has to offer.
Toward the end of the evening the Buckeyes were treated to a welcome reception at the ESPNZone, located in the Downtown Disney District. At about 7:15 p.m. the team boarded the busses for the 43-mile trip back to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza for team meetings before calling it a night.
Welcome Ceremony Members of the Ohio State and Oregon football teams kicked off the day at Disneyland with a nicely attended - media, Rose Bowl court, Tournament of Roses dignitaries, media and fans - welcome reception with the park's iconic Sleeping Beauty's Castle looming in the background.
Ohio State was represented by coach Jim Tressel, the team's senior tri-captains Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington, and offensive lineman Jim Cordle. Oregon coach Chip Kelly was on hand with his team captains: senior defensive end Will Tukuafu, cornerback Walter Thurmond, center Jordan Holmes and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
A Majestic Symbol Each team was presented with its own trophy at the welcome reception: a "Crystal Castle" described as "a majestic symbol of a place where dreams do come true."
First a Little Work Before the welcome reception started, the four members of each team and the coaches autographed 22 footballs that will be used for charitable purposes. Ohio State was the first to arrive and sign the balls. In between the signings, the eight players had just a moment to shake hands and talk briefly with each other.
In the Director's Chairs After the welcome reception the players and coaches met with the media for a good 30 minutes of up-close interviews and photos. Each of the players was stationed at his own director's chair next to a nice-sized Disneyland sign with their name on it.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
THE Game...Ohio State vs. Michigan!
Here is the game preview, some history, and lots and lots of information! My prediction for the game is Ohio State-34 Michigan-7.
Buckeye going for sixth straight win over the Maize and Blue Saturday in Ann Arbor
#9/8 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) at Michigan (5-6, 1-6)
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 - Noon ET
Michigan Stadium (106,201), Ann Arbor, Mich.
The Broadcasts
Television: Saturday’s game will be televised live on ABC with Sean McDonough (P-by-P) and Matt Millen (analyst) in the booth and Holly Rowe on the sidelines.
Radio: WBNS (FM 97.1 The Fan) is the flagship station for the 73-station Ohio State radio network. The Jim Tressel pregame show airs 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Paul Keels will call the play-by-play with former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines. The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 122.
FIRST AND 10
Ohio State has won five Big Ten titles in a row and will be looking to win the 2009 title outright with a win at Michigan Saturday
OSU has accepted a bid to the 2010 Rose Bowl
This is the 106th meeting between the schools in football; Michigan leads the series 57-42-6, though Ohio State has won the last five
Coach Jim Tressel is 92-21 in 9 seasons at Ohio State; 227-78-2 in his 24th season overall
Tressel’s 227 career wins ranks third among active FBS coaches, one ahead of Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer (226).
Ohio State has totaled seven team rushing performances for at least 200 yards this season, tying for the most in the Tressel era
Ohio State’s defense has allowed just 10 touchdowns over its past 39 quarters of play
Ohio State’s all-time Big Ten record now stands at 456-190-28 – the best percentage of any Big Ten school
Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five defensive categories
The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and turnover margin
MICHIGAN AT A GLANCE
The Wolverines are 5-6 (1-6 Big Ten) and are looking for one more win to become bowl eligible. UM started the season 4-0, but have lost 6-of-7 since, including a 45-24 loss at Wisconsin Saturday.
Michigan leads the Big Ten in scoring in all games played with 31.2 ppg. They rank second in rushing with 195.8 ypg, just ahead of Ohio State’s 194.2. Senior running back Brandon Minor is the team’s leading rusher with 502 yards and eight touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier is fourth in the conference in passing efficiency with a 132.85 rating. He has completed 142 of 243 attempts (58.4 percent) with six interceptions and 12 touchdowns.
Defensively, senior Brandon Graham ranks fourth nationally with 1.9 TFL’s per game. The Wolverines give up an average of 28.1 points and 400.2 yards of total offense per game. They also lead the Big Ten and rank second nationally in net punting with 42.1 yards per punt.
Rich Rodriguez is in his second year at Michigan with an overall record of 8-15 and 113-77-2 overall as a head coach.
SERIES RECORD
Michigan leads the all-time series with Ohio State by a 57-42-6 count. *Michigan leads 27-22-2 in games played in Columbus.
Since 1951, the Buckeyes hold a 30-26-2 lead, including victories in seven of the eight games during the Jim Tressel era. Ohio State has won the last five meetings with Michigan.
The two teams first met in 1897 and the rivalry has been continuous since 1918. Since 1935, the game has been the traditional conference finale between the two schools.
IN THE BIG TEN
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 456-190-28 all-time in Big Ten games, and 259-112-18 in conference home games. The Buckeyes’ all-time conference win percentage of 69.6% is the best of any Big Ten school.
BIG TEN ROAD TRIPS
The loss at Purdue snapped an Ohio State 16-game win streak in Big Ten road games. That’s the longest such string ever by an Ohio State football team. The conference record is 17 games, set by Michigan between 1988-92.
17 - Michigan (Oct. 29, 1988-Nov. 7, 1992)
16 - Ohio State (Oct. 22, 2005-Oct. 3, 2009)
11 - Ohio State (Nov. 16, 1974-Nov. 5, 1977)
10 - Michigan (Oct. 6, 1945-Nov. 6, 1948)
Ohio State is 197-78-10 (.709) all-time in Big Ten road games. By decades on the road in the Big Ten: 7-4 (1913-19); 12-6-1 (1920-29); 17-6-1 (1930-39); 8-9-2 (1940-49); 17-8-1 (1950-59); 24-6 (1960-69); 30-5-1 (1970-79); 26-14-1 (1980-89); 26-11-3 (1990-99); 30-9 (2000-09). Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 27-8 (.771) in Big Ten road games overall.
IN REGULAR SEASON FINALES
In regular season finales, the Buckeyes are 61-54-5 all-time.
IN ROAD FINALES
Ohio State is 66-47-6 all-time in final road games of the regular season. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 6-2 in those games.
THE SENIOR CLASS
At Michigan, the 19-member senior class enters its final regular-season game with a 42-8 record, four Big Ten titles, three wins over Michigan, two trips to the BCS title game and four BCS bowl invitations to its credit since 2006. The most wins by an Ohio State senior class? 43, in 1995-98, 2002-05 and 2005-08.
The 2009 seniors: Andre Amos (Middletown, Ohio); Jake Ballard (Springboro, Ohio); Kurt Coleman (Dayton, Ohio); Jim Cordle (Lancaster, Ohio); Todd Denlinger (Troy, Ohio); Joe Gantz (Wooster, Ohio); Tom Ingham (Centerville, Ohio); Andrew Moses (Dublin, Ohio); Aaron Pettrey (Raceland, Ky.); Dan Potokar (Grove City, Ohio); Rob Rose (Cleveland, Ohio); Anderson Russell (Atlanta, Ga.); Ryan Schuck (Selinsgrove, Pa.); Ray Small (Cleveland, Ohio); Austin Spitler (Bellbrook, Ohio); Jon Thoma (Alliance, Ohio); Marcus Williams (Ironton, Ohio); Lawrence Wilson (Akron, Ohio); and Doug Worthington (Athol Springs, N.Y.).
ROSE BOWL BOUND
With its 27-24 overtime victory against Iowa, Ohio State has already earned a share of the 2009 Big Ten championship. That marks the fifth season in a row that the Buckeyes have earned a Big Ten title, and the 34th Big Ten football title overall for Ohio State. The most consecutive Big Ten titles by Ohio State is six, from 1972-77.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
Ohio State is 130-104-12 all-time when facing a ranked opponent, and 40-41-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 36-13 overall and 12-6 on the road against ranked teams.
FORCING TURNOVERS
The Buckeyes have forced 28 opponent turnovers through the first 11 games, an average of 2.5 per contest. Ohio State has forced 19 interceptions and recovered nine opponent fumbles; the Buckeyes also scored a defensive two-point PAT on a Brian Rolle pass interception and runback versus Navy.
Anderson Russell came through with two interceptions, one in overtime, in the victory over Iowa. The last time a Buckeye had two interceptions in a game was Kurt Coleman vs. Troy in 2008.
Ross Homan had an interception against New Mexico State, while Brian Rolle recovered an Aggie fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Thaddeus Gibson also recovered a New Mexico State fumble. Homan added another interception at Penn State and a 21-yard pick against Iowa.
The Buckeyes picked off two Minnesota passes, with interceptions by Austin Spitler and Kurt Coleman (for a 40-yard return). The Buckeyes also recovered two Gopher fumbles.
Coleman (89 yards) and Jermale Hines (32 yards) each returned interceptions for touchdowns against Wisconsin. That was the first time since Sept. 23, 2006 vs. Penn State, when Malcolm Jenkins (61) and Antonio Smith (55) each returned picks for TDs, that Ohio State had two interception returns for a score in a single game. Coleman’s return was the fifth longest in Ohio State history.
With two picks by Russell and an interception by Homan in the overtime win against Iowa, it was the second time this season Ohio State recorded three interceptions in a game. Three defenders – Rolle, Lawrence Wilson and Hines – also had interceptions against Illinois. The last time the Buckeyes had three interceptions in a game was Sept. 6, 2008, against Ohio.
Chekwa: INT (Pur)
Coleman: INT (Navy, Wisc/TD, Minn); FF (Navy, Tol, Illi); FR (Pur)
Denlinger: INT (Ind)
Domicone: FR (Minn)
Gibson: FF (Navy, Illi); FR (Minn, NMS)
Heyward: FR (Navy)
Hines: INT (Illi, Wisc/TD)
Homan: INT (USC, NMS, PSU, Iowa); FF (Wisc); FR (Tol)
Rolle: PAT INT (Navy); INT (Illi); FR (NMS/TD)
Russell: INT (Ind, Iowa/2), FR (Ind, Minn)
Simon: FF (Minn)
Spitler: INT (Minn)
Sweat: INT (Tol); FF (Ind)
Torrence: INT (Pur); FF (Ind)
Williams: FF (NMS)
Wilson: INT (Illi)
Worthington: FR (Navy)
THE SILVER BULLET DEFENSE
Ohio State’s defensive squads have held opponents to fewer than 21 points 48 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. The Buckeyes are 45-3 in those games. Ohio State’s defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 25 times since the start of the 2006 season.
Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five categories in 2009: rushing defense (4th), total defense (5th), scoring defense (6th), turnover margin (7th) and pass efficiency defense (8th). Ohio State ranks 16th among the NCAA leaders in pass defense.
The back-to-back shutouts of Toledo and Illinois were the first time since 1996 that the Buckeye defense recorded consecutive shutouts. In 1996, Ohio State whitewashed Minnesota (45-0 at home) and Illinois (48-0 at Illinois) in November of that season.
The last time Ohio State had three shutouts in a season was 1996, against Pitt (72-0), Minnesota (45-0) and Illinois (48-0). The 1973 and 1977 Ohio State squads each recorded four shutouts, a season record since WWII.
The Buckeye defense had a nine-quarter scoreless streak stopped at Indiana; the Buckeyes have allowed only 10 touchdowns over the past 39 quarters.
The 38-0 shutout of Toledo (which had averaged 42.5 points in its first two games) was the first by the Buckeyes since a 43-0 shutout of Youngstown State in the 2008 season opener and the fourth shutout of the Tressel era. The Buckeyes held the Rockets to just 210 total yards, only 13 of those on the ground.
Against the USC Trojans, Ohio State’s defense did not allow a first down until the 13:15 mark of the second quarter and held the Trojans to only 5 yards of total offense on their first three possessions. The previous week, USC totaled 620 yards of total offense against San Jose State.
THE RUN STOPPERS Ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense, the Buckeyes are giving up just 83.7 yards per game on the ground this season, allowing just 2.7 yards per rush. OSU’s opponents have scored only six rushing touchdowns in 11 games.
During a three-game span, Ohio State allowed just 13, 82 and 18 yards rushing vs. Toledo, Illinois and Indiana, an average of only 37.6 yards/game.
It has been 21 games since the Buckeye defense allowed a 100-yard individual rushing performance; that was by USC’s Joe McKnight, who gained 105 yards on 12 carries in the 2008 meeting. That streak is second-longest in the nation, trailing only Alabama (30 games).
Since the beginning of the 2005 season, the Buckeyes have allowed only seven 100-yard rushers during a span of 63 games. That mark is the best record by an FBS school during that time period.
Big Ten Rankings (Big Ten games only) Rank Category
1st Scoring Defense (13.0)
1st Total Defense (273.4)
1st Opp. 3rd Down Conversion % (30.1)
T-1st Sacks (21)
2nd Pass Efficiency Defense (98.6)
2nd Rushing Defense (80.6)
2nd Opponent First Downs (113)
4th Pass Defense (192.9)
NCAA Rankings Rank Category
4th Rushing Defense (83.73)
6th Scoring Defense (12.36)
5th Total Defense (258.27)
8th Pass Efficiency Defense (97.19)
16th Pass Defense (174.55)
32nd Sacks (2.55)
Fewest 100-yd rushers allowed (FBS Teams Since 2005) 1. Ohio State 7
2. Boston College 8
2. Alabama 8
4. Boise State 10
4. Florida 10
4. Penn State 10
Teams That Have Not Allowed a 100-Yard Rusher in 2009
Alabama
Arkansas State
Duke
Nevada
Ohio State
Oklahoma State
Penn State
Texas
Number of Games Allowing Fewer than 21 Points (FBS Teams Since 2005) Team No. Record
1. Ohio State 48 45-3
2. TCU 46 43-3
3. Virginia Tech 45 42-3
3. Florida 45 44-1
5. Penn State 44 41-3
THREE AND OUT
The Ohio State defense is averaging 5.7 three-and-outs per contest this season, second in the nation in that statistic. Ohio State forced New Mexico State to go three-and-out 12 times in that 45-0 shutout. The Buckeyes forced both Toledo and Indiana to go three-and-out seven times, and Penn State eight times. OSU recorded five three-and-outs against both Southern Cal and Illinois; four against Navy, Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin; and three against Iowa. Ohio State has 63 total three-and-outs for the 2009 campaign.
Avg. per gm Totals #/gms
Clemson 5.8 58/10
Ohio State 5.72 63/11
Texas 5.70 57/10
TCU 5.70 57/10
Ole Miss 5.6 45/8
Florida 5.5 55/10
Alabama 5.1 41/8
Tennessee 5.0 40/8
FEWEST POINTS
Ohio State has allowed 136 points through 11 games this season, an average of 12.3 per game. The record for the fewest points allowed in a season in the Tressel era is 166, both in 2006 and 2007.
COLEMAN LOTT TROPHY QUARTER-FINALIST, WUERFFEL NOMINEE
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the 20 quarter-finalists for the annual Lott Trophy, among them Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman.
A three-year starter, the senior shows 60 tackles in 10 games this season. He has forced three fumbles in 2009, recovering one, and has three interceptions, including an 89-yard return for a touchdown against Wisconsin (the fifth-longest such play in OSU history). His totals against Minnesota put him above the 200-tackle mark for his career; he now shows 211 career stops.
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT* Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
There are eight defensive backs on the quarter-finalist list; six linebackers and six defensive linemen. The Big 12 has six players on the list, the SEC five, the Pac-10 four, the Big Ten three and one each from the Mountain West and WAC.
The finalists will be announced Nov. 24. Those four finalists will be flown to Newport Beach, Ca. for the annual black-tie banquet that will be televised by FOX Sports West.
In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.
Coleman, with a tremendous record of community service, is also among the nominees for the Wuerffel Trophy. Named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player that best combines exemplary community service, with academic and athletic achievement.
100/200
Only three times in Ohio State history has a Buckeye quarterback rushed for 100 yards and passed for 200 yards or more in the same game, a feat achieved twice by sophomore Terrelle Pryor already this season. The three times it has happened at OSU:
145 rush/241 pass: T. Smith vs. Michigan (2004)
110 rush/262 pass: T. Pryor vs. Toledo (2009)
104 rush/239 pass: T. Pryor vs. Minnesota (2009)
TOTAL OFFENSE
Completing his sophomore season, Terrelle Pryor has eclipsed 4,000 total offense yards for his career. He is now in 12th place on Ohio State’s all-time list with 4,329 yards, passing Rex Kern (4,158); next on the list are Cornelius Greene (4,414) and Craig Krenzel (5,097).
Pryor totaled 343 yards of total offense in the win over Minnesota, rushing for 104 yards (his third career 100-yard rushing game) with a 15-yard TD run and passing for 239 yards with scoring strikes of 62 and 57 yards to DeVier Posey against the Gophers. That was the ninth-best single game in OSU history.
Pryor’s 372 yards of total offense against Toledo marked a career high for the sophomore signalcaller, and the best total offense game of his career. His previous high was 232 against Penn State last season. The Toledo win was the first time an Ohio State player had 300+ yards of total offense since Troy Smith had 328 against Michigan in 2006. Pryor’s performance was the fifth best total offense game in OSU history.
412 - Art Schlichter (Florida State, 1981)
408 - Troy Smith (Notre Dame, 2005)
388 - Joe Germaine (Penn State, 1997)
386 - Troy Smith (Michigan, 2004)
372 - Terrelle Pryor (Toledo, 2009)
Against the Rockets, Pryor recorded career highs with 17 completions, 27 attempts and 262 yards. He also rushed 12 times for 110 yards, including a career-long 43-yarder in the third quarter.
Pryor’s 200-Yard Total Offense Games Tot (Run/Pass) Opp
372 (110/262) vs. Toledo, 2009
343 (104/239) Minnesota, 2009
255 (34/221) @ Purdue, 2009
232 (6/226) Penn State, 2008
230 (33/197) @ Northwestern, 2008
222 (63/159) @ Indiana, 2009
218 (83/135) New Mexico State, 2009
213 (36/177) USC, 2009
205 (66/139) Troy, 2008
204 (30/174) Navy, 2009
POSEY AND SANZENBACHER
Ohio State’s top targets in 2009 have been sophomore DeVier Posey and junior Dane Sanzenbacher, with 1,184 yards and 13 touchdowns between them through 11 games. And the two even connected on a 39-yard touchdown pass from DeVier to Dane off a reverse against New Mexico State.
Posey, who shows 47 receptions for 689 yards this year, has scored seven times this season; his long gains were 62-yard TDs against Minnesota and Penn State. Posey’s scoring plays have averaged 37.8 yards per TD catch.
Sanzenbacher, with 26 receptions for 495 yards, is averaging 19 yards per reception this season. His long gain was a 76-yard touchdown from Terrelle Pryor in the win over Toledo.
PRYOR ON THE RUN
Sophomore Terrelle Pryor has surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his career, just the fifth Buckeye quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 career yards. He has totaled 1,264 yards on the ground in 24 games, and is averaging 4.82 yards per career carry. Pryor has scored 13 rushing touchdowns at Ohio State.
Cornelius Greene 2,066 from 1972-75
Rex Kern 1,714 from 1968-70
Art Schlichter 1,303 from 1978-81
Terrelle Pryor 1,264 from 2008-present
Troy Smith 1,168 from 2003-06
An Ohio State quarterback has rushed for 100 or more yards in a game 26 times in school history. Pryor’s 104-yard effort against Minnesota was the third 100-yard rushing performance of his career. Only Cornelius Greene, Rex Kern and John Mummey had four career 100-yard rushing games among all-time Ohio State quarterbacks.
Top 10 Rushing Yards for Ohio State Quarterback in a Game Yards Player Opp/Year
146 Cornelius Greene Wisconsin, 1974
145 Troy Smith Michigan, 2004
139 Rex Kern Washington, 1969
129 Rex Kern Stanford (Rose Bowl), 1971
129 Tom Matte Illinois, 1960
127 Troy Smith Iowa, 2005
127 Cornelius Green Illinois, 1974
124 Ron Maciejowski Wisconsin, 1968
121 Rex Kern Northwestern, 1968
120 Cornelius Greene UCLA, 1975
100-YARD RUSHERS
The Buckeyes have totaled seven team rushing performances for at least 200 yards this season. They had seven in 2008, the most under Jim Tressel. The last time that had previously occurred was in 1996.
Four players – Dan Herron, Terrelle Pryor, Brandon Saine and Jordan Hall – have been the Buckeyes’ leading ground gainer in at least one contest this season.
Pryor (110/Toledo and 104/Minnesota) and Saine (113/Indiana and 103/Iowa) have each had a pair of 100+ efforts on the ground during 2009.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
This season in the first quarter, the Buckeyes have outscored the opposition 65-20. In the second quarter, the Buckeyes are ahead 102-33, and Ohio State holds an 83-31 advantage in third-quarter scoring. Ohio State has outscored its 2009 opponents 77-52 in fourth-quarter play.
Ohio State has held the opposition scoreless in 25 quarters this year (56.8%).
The Buckeyes are outscoring opponents by 17.6 points per game (30.0-12.4) this season.
OHIO STATE CAPTAINS
Seniors Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington were elected as 2009 captains of the Ohio State football team. An offensive game captain will be selected each week.
Jim Cordle served as captain against Navy, Purdue and Iowa; Jake Ballard was the fourth captain for the USC and Wisconsin contests. Bryant Browning was offensive captain for Toledo, and Dane Sanzenbacher was captain for Illinois and Penn State. Brandon Saine and Dexter Larimore served as game captains at Indiana. Aaron Pettrey was a captain for the Minnesota contest. Andrew Moses served as captain versus New Mexico State.
The last time Ohio State had only defensive players as permanent captains was in 2002, when Mike Doss and Donnie Nickey were captains of the national championship squad.
DOWN THE STRETCH
During the Jim Tressel era, the Buckeyes are 80-6 (.930) when winning or tied at the half. Ohio State is 85-6 (.934) when winning or tied going into the fourth quarter of a game under Tressel.
W/T at Half W/T into 4th
2001 6-2 7-3
2002 9-0 11-0
2003 10-0 10-0
2004 8-0 8-0
2005 9-1 8-1
2006 11-0 12-0
2007 10-0 11-0
2008 8-2 9-1
2009 9-1 9-1
Total 80-6 85-6
BUCKS WIN 77 PERCENT OF OHIO STADIUM GAMES
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 391-107-20 (.774) in Ohio Stadium since that facility opened in 1922.
The crowd of 106,033 against Southern California was the largest ever to watch a game at Ohio Stadium, besting last year’s crowd of 105,711 against Penn State. The attendance of 105,092 against Navy was an opening day record for Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State has hosted 55 consecutive crowds of 100,000 or larger at Ohio Stadium; three of this year’s crowds ranked among the top 15 all-time. Ohio State’s all-time record in Columbus is 534-154-35 in 722 games.
FOR STARTERS
When the Ohio State-Michigan game kicks off, the Buckeyes will have a total of 38 players with at least one game of starting experience.
Those are: Anderson Russell (36); Kurt Coleman (34); Doug Worthington (33); Jim Cordle, Cameron Heyward (31); Bryant Browning, Chimdi Chekwa (25); Jake Ballard, Mike Brewster, Thaddeus Gibson, Terrelle Pryor (21); Ross Homan (17); Jermale Hines (14); Todd Denlinger, Dane Sanzenbacher (13); Dane Sanzenbacher (12); Justin Boren (11); Brian Rolle, DeVier Posey (10); Austin Spitler, Lawrence Wilson, Devon Torrence (9); Dexter Larimore, Zach Boren, J.B. Shugarts, Brandon Saine (8); Dan Herron, Ray Small (7); Rob Rose (5); Mike Adams (4); Andrew Miller (3); Andre Amos, Tyler Moeller, Jake Stoneburner (2); Aaron Gant, Duron Carter, Nathan Williams, Marcus Hall (1).
Getting their first Ohio State start against Navy were six players: Andre Amos, Justin Boren, Zach Boren, Andrew Miller, DeVier Posey and Brian Rolle. Jake Stoneburner made his first start against USC. Devon Torrence, Duron Carter and J.B. Shugarts were first time starters vs. Toledo. Mike Adams was a first-time starter against Illinois, and Nathan Williams made his first start vs. New Mexico State. Marcus Hall got his first start in the Iowa game.
The Boren brothers – Justin (OG) and Zach (FB) - products of Pickerington, Ohio, are the first siblings to start in the same game for the Buckeyes since John (LB) and Mike (NG) Sullivan from Mentor, Ohio, started nine games together during the 1988 season.
IN NOVEMBER
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 286-132-19 in November games. Ohio State is 180-78-11 in November home games and 106-54-8 on the road that month.
Eleven members of the Buckeye roster have birthdays this month: Bo DeLande, Scott Sika, Jermale Hines, Etienne Sabino, Andrew Miller, Brian Rolle, Grant Schwartz, Don Matheney, Rocco Pentello, Travis Howard and Aaron Gant.
AVERAGE PER DOWN
Here’s a breakdown of how the 2009 Ohio State offense is operating on first, second, third and fourth down.
On first down, the Buckeyes have run a total of 308 plays, gaining 1,926 yards for an average of 6.2 yards per play. On second down, OSU has tried 234 plays for 1,231 yards, a 5.3 average. On third down, the Buckeyes have run 151 plays, gaining 1,014 yards for a 6.7 average. Ohio State has tried only seven fourth-down attempts, gaining 14 yards.
Ohio State’s touchdowns this season have come 14 times on first down (nine rushing and five passing TD), 13 times on second down (four passing and nine rushing), seven times on third down (six passes and one rush) and once on a fourth-down pass.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Ten true freshmen have seen action for the Buckeyes in 2009. Seven Ohio State true freshmen made their first collegiate appearance in the opener against Navy: DB C.J. Barnett, FB Zach Boren, WR Duron Carter, TE Reid Fragel, FB Adam Homan, LB Storm Klein and DT John Simon. Tailback Jordan Hall, another true freshman, saw his first action against Toledo, and LB Jonathan Newsome played for the first time against Illinois. OL Marcus Hall played for the first time at Indiana.
BOUNCING BACK
During the Jim Tressel era at Ohio State, in the games following the Buckeyes’ 21 losses, OSU has a 19-2 record. Thirteen of those games were at Ohio Stadium, where the Buckeyes under Tressel are 12-1 in the game following a loss. Only once during the Tressel era has Ohio State recorded back-to-back losses, a three-game stretch with losses at Northwestern, to Wisconsin and at Iowa in October, 2004.
IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Under Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 25-2 at Ohio Stadium versus non-conference teams, the only loss coming to USC earlier this season and 25-22 to No. 2 Texas in 2005. The Buckeyes are 30-4 overall in regular season non-conference games since 2001.
ON SCHOLARSHIP
Three Ohio State seniors received scholarship aid for the 2009 autumn quarter that began Sept. 23: Marcus Williams, who is in physical therapy school; Andrew Moses, who is working toward a second bachelor’s degree after earning his first in political science; and Jon Thoma, who is completing his degree in communication. Three additional seniors – Ryan Schuck, Joe Gantz and Tom Ingham – will receive scholarship aid for the winter quarter.
THE GRADUATES
Six members of the 2009 Buckeye squad have already earned their bachelor’s degrees: Andrew Moses (political science), Aaron Pettrey (social and behavioral sciences), Anderson Russell (communication), Austin Spitler (communication), Marcus Williams (health sciences), Lawrence Wilson (communication). Nine more members of the team are expected to graduate following the autumn quarter.
ESPN/CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Four members of the Ohio State football squad have been selected to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA academic all-district team for District 4.
Named to the all-district academic second team were offensive guard Bryant Browning, defensive tackle Todd Denlinger, offensive guard Andrew Moses and running back Marcus Williams. Browning, a junior from Cleveland, Ohio, is a 3.33 marketing student; Moses, from Dublin, Ohio, graduated with a 3.86 gpa in political science. Denlinger, a senior from Troy, Ohio, holds a 3.33 average in construction systems management. Williams, from Ironton, Ohio, has a 3.64 gpa in the physical therapy graduate program.
District 4 includes all colleges in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
HONOR ROLL
In 2008, 27 Buckeyes were named to the Big Ten’s all-academic team; the Buckeyes have led the conference over the past seven years. Additionally, 46 Ohio State football players qualified for the annual OSU Scholar-Athlete Dinner in May, which requires a grade-point average of 3.00 or better for the past academic year.
POTOKAR HONORED BY FWAA
Ohio State’s Dan Potokar is the weekly nominee for the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the season. Potokar, from Grove City, Ohio, has battled several rounds with cancer and is currently helping the Buckeyes as a student assistant.
Though a walk-on, Potokar had been impressive as a wide receiver during spring practice in 2007 and was part of the Ohio State track team’s 400-meter relay team. But in the fall of 2007, he became ill and was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and abdomen.
Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the lesions remained on his lungs. Potokar underwent several weeks of intensive treatments in Indianapolis, including two stem-cell transplants. Several months later, five tumors were discovered in Potokar’s brain, necessitating full-brain radiation and something similar to laser surgery.
Last winter, tests indicated the cancer was gone.
Potokar, a student assistant coach, is on track to earn a business degree and is scheduled to be married next May. Potokar has also reached out to other athletes who have been diagnosed with cancer.
For the fourth straight year, the Football Writers Association of America and the FedEx Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.
2009 FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 23: D.J. Williams, Arkansas
Sept. 30: Mark Herzlich, Boston College
Oct. 7: Darius Nall, UCF
Oct. 14: Ricky Rosas, USC
Oct. 21: Derrick Coleman, UCLA
Oct. 28: Connecticut Huskies
Nov. 4: Antoine “Shaky” Smithson, Utah
Nov. 11: Dan Potokar, Ohio State
CHRIS SPIELMAN TO ENTER COLLEGE FB HALL
Two-time Ohio State All-American linebacker Chris Spielman, the 28th Buckeye inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, was recognized at halftime of the Navy game. The four-year letterwinner (1984-87) and the winner of the 1987 Lombardi Award will be inducted at a ceremony in South Bend, Ind., in the summer of 2010.
Spielman, hailing from Massillon Washington High School, ranks third all-time in tackles (546) at Ohio State and first in solo stops (283). Perhaps the most notable performance by Spielman was his 29-tackle day against Michigan in 1986.
Tenacious and hard-hitting on the field, the linebacker is just as strong away from the field, as is his wife, Stefanie. In 1998, the couple learned that Stefanie had breast cancer. Despite the physical and emotional strain of dealing with such a disease, and the unthinkable worries, the couple has been tireless advocates for cancer research and they have helped to raise millions to fight the disease.
After his playing days in Columbus, Spielman was drafted in the second round by Detroit in 1988 and went on to play for the Lions and Buffalo Bills before finishing up his career with the Cleveland Browns. The 12-year NFL veteran and four-time Pro Bowler then made the move to the broadcast booth where he is a college football analyst for ESPN and co-hosts The Big Show on WBNS radio in Columbus. He and Stefanie are the parents of four children.
OHIO STATE REPRESENTED AT JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Buckeye freshmen Storm Klein (LB, Newark, Ohio) and Jack Mewhort (OL, Toledo, Ohio) spent three weeks this summer as part of USA Football’s Junior National Team in the inaugural IFAF Junior World Championships held in Canton, Ohio. Team USA won the gold medal with wins over France (78-0), Mexico (55-0) and Canada (41-3) in the championship game. Klein (who was also a team captain) and Mewhort were both named to the all-tournament team.
NOT SINCE 1922-24
Ohio State ranks second among all NCAA Div. I programs with 84 consecutive seasons since last posting back-to-back losing records. The Buckeyes have not been under .500 for two or more consecutive seasons since 1922-24, which trails only Tennessee; the Vols have not had back-to-back losing seasons since 1909-11, a span of 97 consecutive seasons.
School Years Last
Tennessee 97 1909-11
Ohio State 84 1922-24
Southern Miss 74 1933-34
Arizona State 61 1946-47
Alabama 51 1854-57
IN NIGHT GAMES
Ohio State is now 6-3 at home (27-13 away from home) in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 33-16 in night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 15-10 in night games and 8-3 in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium. Tressel’s teams are 2-3 at home in night games.
WHERE THEY GO NEXT
The Ohio State-Michigan game is the regular-season finale for both teams.
*Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Buckeye going for sixth straight win over the Maize and Blue Saturday in Ann Arbor
#9/8 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) at Michigan (5-6, 1-6)
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 - Noon ET
Michigan Stadium (106,201), Ann Arbor, Mich.
The Broadcasts
Television: Saturday’s game will be televised live on ABC with Sean McDonough (P-by-P) and Matt Millen (analyst) in the booth and Holly Rowe on the sidelines.
Radio: WBNS (FM 97.1 The Fan) is the flagship station for the 73-station Ohio State radio network. The Jim Tressel pregame show airs 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Paul Keels will call the play-by-play with former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines. The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 122.
FIRST AND 10
Ohio State has won five Big Ten titles in a row and will be looking to win the 2009 title outright with a win at Michigan Saturday
OSU has accepted a bid to the 2010 Rose Bowl
This is the 106th meeting between the schools in football; Michigan leads the series 57-42-6, though Ohio State has won the last five
Coach Jim Tressel is 92-21 in 9 seasons at Ohio State; 227-78-2 in his 24th season overall
Tressel’s 227 career wins ranks third among active FBS coaches, one ahead of Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer (226).
Ohio State has totaled seven team rushing performances for at least 200 yards this season, tying for the most in the Tressel era
Ohio State’s defense has allowed just 10 touchdowns over its past 39 quarters of play
Ohio State’s all-time Big Ten record now stands at 456-190-28 – the best percentage of any Big Ten school
Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five defensive categories
The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and turnover margin
MICHIGAN AT A GLANCE
The Wolverines are 5-6 (1-6 Big Ten) and are looking for one more win to become bowl eligible. UM started the season 4-0, but have lost 6-of-7 since, including a 45-24 loss at Wisconsin Saturday.
Michigan leads the Big Ten in scoring in all games played with 31.2 ppg. They rank second in rushing with 195.8 ypg, just ahead of Ohio State’s 194.2. Senior running back Brandon Minor is the team’s leading rusher with 502 yards and eight touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier is fourth in the conference in passing efficiency with a 132.85 rating. He has completed 142 of 243 attempts (58.4 percent) with six interceptions and 12 touchdowns.
Defensively, senior Brandon Graham ranks fourth nationally with 1.9 TFL’s per game. The Wolverines give up an average of 28.1 points and 400.2 yards of total offense per game. They also lead the Big Ten and rank second nationally in net punting with 42.1 yards per punt.
Rich Rodriguez is in his second year at Michigan with an overall record of 8-15 and 113-77-2 overall as a head coach.
SERIES RECORD
Michigan leads the all-time series with Ohio State by a 57-42-6 count. *Michigan leads 27-22-2 in games played in Columbus.
Since 1951, the Buckeyes hold a 30-26-2 lead, including victories in seven of the eight games during the Jim Tressel era. Ohio State has won the last five meetings with Michigan.
The two teams first met in 1897 and the rivalry has been continuous since 1918. Since 1935, the game has been the traditional conference finale between the two schools.
IN THE BIG TEN
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 456-190-28 all-time in Big Ten games, and 259-112-18 in conference home games. The Buckeyes’ all-time conference win percentage of 69.6% is the best of any Big Ten school.
BIG TEN ROAD TRIPS
The loss at Purdue snapped an Ohio State 16-game win streak in Big Ten road games. That’s the longest such string ever by an Ohio State football team. The conference record is 17 games, set by Michigan between 1988-92.
17 - Michigan (Oct. 29, 1988-Nov. 7, 1992)
16 - Ohio State (Oct. 22, 2005-Oct. 3, 2009)
11 - Ohio State (Nov. 16, 1974-Nov. 5, 1977)
10 - Michigan (Oct. 6, 1945-Nov. 6, 1948)
Ohio State is 197-78-10 (.709) all-time in Big Ten road games. By decades on the road in the Big Ten: 7-4 (1913-19); 12-6-1 (1920-29); 17-6-1 (1930-39); 8-9-2 (1940-49); 17-8-1 (1950-59); 24-6 (1960-69); 30-5-1 (1970-79); 26-14-1 (1980-89); 26-11-3 (1990-99); 30-9 (2000-09). Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 27-8 (.771) in Big Ten road games overall.
IN REGULAR SEASON FINALES
In regular season finales, the Buckeyes are 61-54-5 all-time.
IN ROAD FINALES
Ohio State is 66-47-6 all-time in final road games of the regular season. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 6-2 in those games.
THE SENIOR CLASS
At Michigan, the 19-member senior class enters its final regular-season game with a 42-8 record, four Big Ten titles, three wins over Michigan, two trips to the BCS title game and four BCS bowl invitations to its credit since 2006. The most wins by an Ohio State senior class? 43, in 1995-98, 2002-05 and 2005-08.
The 2009 seniors: Andre Amos (Middletown, Ohio); Jake Ballard (Springboro, Ohio); Kurt Coleman (Dayton, Ohio); Jim Cordle (Lancaster, Ohio); Todd Denlinger (Troy, Ohio); Joe Gantz (Wooster, Ohio); Tom Ingham (Centerville, Ohio); Andrew Moses (Dublin, Ohio); Aaron Pettrey (Raceland, Ky.); Dan Potokar (Grove City, Ohio); Rob Rose (Cleveland, Ohio); Anderson Russell (Atlanta, Ga.); Ryan Schuck (Selinsgrove, Pa.); Ray Small (Cleveland, Ohio); Austin Spitler (Bellbrook, Ohio); Jon Thoma (Alliance, Ohio); Marcus Williams (Ironton, Ohio); Lawrence Wilson (Akron, Ohio); and Doug Worthington (Athol Springs, N.Y.).
ROSE BOWL BOUND
With its 27-24 overtime victory against Iowa, Ohio State has already earned a share of the 2009 Big Ten championship. That marks the fifth season in a row that the Buckeyes have earned a Big Ten title, and the 34th Big Ten football title overall for Ohio State. The most consecutive Big Ten titles by Ohio State is six, from 1972-77.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
Ohio State is 130-104-12 all-time when facing a ranked opponent, and 40-41-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 36-13 overall and 12-6 on the road against ranked teams.
FORCING TURNOVERS
The Buckeyes have forced 28 opponent turnovers through the first 11 games, an average of 2.5 per contest. Ohio State has forced 19 interceptions and recovered nine opponent fumbles; the Buckeyes also scored a defensive two-point PAT on a Brian Rolle pass interception and runback versus Navy.
Anderson Russell came through with two interceptions, one in overtime, in the victory over Iowa. The last time a Buckeye had two interceptions in a game was Kurt Coleman vs. Troy in 2008.
Ross Homan had an interception against New Mexico State, while Brian Rolle recovered an Aggie fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Thaddeus Gibson also recovered a New Mexico State fumble. Homan added another interception at Penn State and a 21-yard pick against Iowa.
The Buckeyes picked off two Minnesota passes, with interceptions by Austin Spitler and Kurt Coleman (for a 40-yard return). The Buckeyes also recovered two Gopher fumbles.
Coleman (89 yards) and Jermale Hines (32 yards) each returned interceptions for touchdowns against Wisconsin. That was the first time since Sept. 23, 2006 vs. Penn State, when Malcolm Jenkins (61) and Antonio Smith (55) each returned picks for TDs, that Ohio State had two interception returns for a score in a single game. Coleman’s return was the fifth longest in Ohio State history.
With two picks by Russell and an interception by Homan in the overtime win against Iowa, it was the second time this season Ohio State recorded three interceptions in a game. Three defenders – Rolle, Lawrence Wilson and Hines – also had interceptions against Illinois. The last time the Buckeyes had three interceptions in a game was Sept. 6, 2008, against Ohio.
Chekwa: INT (Pur)
Coleman: INT (Navy, Wisc/TD, Minn); FF (Navy, Tol, Illi); FR (Pur)
Denlinger: INT (Ind)
Domicone: FR (Minn)
Gibson: FF (Navy, Illi); FR (Minn, NMS)
Heyward: FR (Navy)
Hines: INT (Illi, Wisc/TD)
Homan: INT (USC, NMS, PSU, Iowa); FF (Wisc); FR (Tol)
Rolle: PAT INT (Navy); INT (Illi); FR (NMS/TD)
Russell: INT (Ind, Iowa/2), FR (Ind, Minn)
Simon: FF (Minn)
Spitler: INT (Minn)
Sweat: INT (Tol); FF (Ind)
Torrence: INT (Pur); FF (Ind)
Williams: FF (NMS)
Wilson: INT (Illi)
Worthington: FR (Navy)
THE SILVER BULLET DEFENSE
Ohio State’s defensive squads have held opponents to fewer than 21 points 48 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. The Buckeyes are 45-3 in those games. Ohio State’s defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 25 times since the start of the 2006 season.
Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five categories in 2009: rushing defense (4th), total defense (5th), scoring defense (6th), turnover margin (7th) and pass efficiency defense (8th). Ohio State ranks 16th among the NCAA leaders in pass defense.
The back-to-back shutouts of Toledo and Illinois were the first time since 1996 that the Buckeye defense recorded consecutive shutouts. In 1996, Ohio State whitewashed Minnesota (45-0 at home) and Illinois (48-0 at Illinois) in November of that season.
The last time Ohio State had three shutouts in a season was 1996, against Pitt (72-0), Minnesota (45-0) and Illinois (48-0). The 1973 and 1977 Ohio State squads each recorded four shutouts, a season record since WWII.
The Buckeye defense had a nine-quarter scoreless streak stopped at Indiana; the Buckeyes have allowed only 10 touchdowns over the past 39 quarters.
The 38-0 shutout of Toledo (which had averaged 42.5 points in its first two games) was the first by the Buckeyes since a 43-0 shutout of Youngstown State in the 2008 season opener and the fourth shutout of the Tressel era. The Buckeyes held the Rockets to just 210 total yards, only 13 of those on the ground.
Against the USC Trojans, Ohio State’s defense did not allow a first down until the 13:15 mark of the second quarter and held the Trojans to only 5 yards of total offense on their first three possessions. The previous week, USC totaled 620 yards of total offense against San Jose State.
THE RUN STOPPERS Ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense, the Buckeyes are giving up just 83.7 yards per game on the ground this season, allowing just 2.7 yards per rush. OSU’s opponents have scored only six rushing touchdowns in 11 games.
During a three-game span, Ohio State allowed just 13, 82 and 18 yards rushing vs. Toledo, Illinois and Indiana, an average of only 37.6 yards/game.
It has been 21 games since the Buckeye defense allowed a 100-yard individual rushing performance; that was by USC’s Joe McKnight, who gained 105 yards on 12 carries in the 2008 meeting. That streak is second-longest in the nation, trailing only Alabama (30 games).
Since the beginning of the 2005 season, the Buckeyes have allowed only seven 100-yard rushers during a span of 63 games. That mark is the best record by an FBS school during that time period.
Big Ten Rankings (Big Ten games only) Rank Category
1st Scoring Defense (13.0)
1st Total Defense (273.4)
1st Opp. 3rd Down Conversion % (30.1)
T-1st Sacks (21)
2nd Pass Efficiency Defense (98.6)
2nd Rushing Defense (80.6)
2nd Opponent First Downs (113)
4th Pass Defense (192.9)
NCAA Rankings Rank Category
4th Rushing Defense (83.73)
6th Scoring Defense (12.36)
5th Total Defense (258.27)
8th Pass Efficiency Defense (97.19)
16th Pass Defense (174.55)
32nd Sacks (2.55)
Fewest 100-yd rushers allowed (FBS Teams Since 2005) 1. Ohio State 7
2. Boston College 8
2. Alabama 8
4. Boise State 10
4. Florida 10
4. Penn State 10
Teams That Have Not Allowed a 100-Yard Rusher in 2009
Alabama
Arkansas State
Duke
Nevada
Ohio State
Oklahoma State
Penn State
Texas
Number of Games Allowing Fewer than 21 Points (FBS Teams Since 2005) Team No. Record
1. Ohio State 48 45-3
2. TCU 46 43-3
3. Virginia Tech 45 42-3
3. Florida 45 44-1
5. Penn State 44 41-3
THREE AND OUT
The Ohio State defense is averaging 5.7 three-and-outs per contest this season, second in the nation in that statistic. Ohio State forced New Mexico State to go three-and-out 12 times in that 45-0 shutout. The Buckeyes forced both Toledo and Indiana to go three-and-out seven times, and Penn State eight times. OSU recorded five three-and-outs against both Southern Cal and Illinois; four against Navy, Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin; and three against Iowa. Ohio State has 63 total three-and-outs for the 2009 campaign.
Avg. per gm Totals #/gms
Clemson 5.8 58/10
Ohio State 5.72 63/11
Texas 5.70 57/10
TCU 5.70 57/10
Ole Miss 5.6 45/8
Florida 5.5 55/10
Alabama 5.1 41/8
Tennessee 5.0 40/8
FEWEST POINTS
Ohio State has allowed 136 points through 11 games this season, an average of 12.3 per game. The record for the fewest points allowed in a season in the Tressel era is 166, both in 2006 and 2007.
COLEMAN LOTT TROPHY QUARTER-FINALIST, WUERFFEL NOMINEE
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the 20 quarter-finalists for the annual Lott Trophy, among them Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman.
A three-year starter, the senior shows 60 tackles in 10 games this season. He has forced three fumbles in 2009, recovering one, and has three interceptions, including an 89-yard return for a touchdown against Wisconsin (the fifth-longest such play in OSU history). His totals against Minnesota put him above the 200-tackle mark for his career; he now shows 211 career stops.
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT* Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
There are eight defensive backs on the quarter-finalist list; six linebackers and six defensive linemen. The Big 12 has six players on the list, the SEC five, the Pac-10 four, the Big Ten three and one each from the Mountain West and WAC.
The finalists will be announced Nov. 24. Those four finalists will be flown to Newport Beach, Ca. for the annual black-tie banquet that will be televised by FOX Sports West.
In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.
Coleman, with a tremendous record of community service, is also among the nominees for the Wuerffel Trophy. Named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player that best combines exemplary community service, with academic and athletic achievement.
100/200
Only three times in Ohio State history has a Buckeye quarterback rushed for 100 yards and passed for 200 yards or more in the same game, a feat achieved twice by sophomore Terrelle Pryor already this season. The three times it has happened at OSU:
145 rush/241 pass: T. Smith vs. Michigan (2004)
110 rush/262 pass: T. Pryor vs. Toledo (2009)
104 rush/239 pass: T. Pryor vs. Minnesota (2009)
TOTAL OFFENSE
Completing his sophomore season, Terrelle Pryor has eclipsed 4,000 total offense yards for his career. He is now in 12th place on Ohio State’s all-time list with 4,329 yards, passing Rex Kern (4,158); next on the list are Cornelius Greene (4,414) and Craig Krenzel (5,097).
Pryor totaled 343 yards of total offense in the win over Minnesota, rushing for 104 yards (his third career 100-yard rushing game) with a 15-yard TD run and passing for 239 yards with scoring strikes of 62 and 57 yards to DeVier Posey against the Gophers. That was the ninth-best single game in OSU history.
Pryor’s 372 yards of total offense against Toledo marked a career high for the sophomore signalcaller, and the best total offense game of his career. His previous high was 232 against Penn State last season. The Toledo win was the first time an Ohio State player had 300+ yards of total offense since Troy Smith had 328 against Michigan in 2006. Pryor’s performance was the fifth best total offense game in OSU history.
412 - Art Schlichter (Florida State, 1981)
408 - Troy Smith (Notre Dame, 2005)
388 - Joe Germaine (Penn State, 1997)
386 - Troy Smith (Michigan, 2004)
372 - Terrelle Pryor (Toledo, 2009)
Against the Rockets, Pryor recorded career highs with 17 completions, 27 attempts and 262 yards. He also rushed 12 times for 110 yards, including a career-long 43-yarder in the third quarter.
Pryor’s 200-Yard Total Offense Games Tot (Run/Pass) Opp
372 (110/262) vs. Toledo, 2009
343 (104/239) Minnesota, 2009
255 (34/221) @ Purdue, 2009
232 (6/226) Penn State, 2008
230 (33/197) @ Northwestern, 2008
222 (63/159) @ Indiana, 2009
218 (83/135) New Mexico State, 2009
213 (36/177) USC, 2009
205 (66/139) Troy, 2008
204 (30/174) Navy, 2009
POSEY AND SANZENBACHER
Ohio State’s top targets in 2009 have been sophomore DeVier Posey and junior Dane Sanzenbacher, with 1,184 yards and 13 touchdowns between them through 11 games. And the two even connected on a 39-yard touchdown pass from DeVier to Dane off a reverse against New Mexico State.
Posey, who shows 47 receptions for 689 yards this year, has scored seven times this season; his long gains were 62-yard TDs against Minnesota and Penn State. Posey’s scoring plays have averaged 37.8 yards per TD catch.
Sanzenbacher, with 26 receptions for 495 yards, is averaging 19 yards per reception this season. His long gain was a 76-yard touchdown from Terrelle Pryor in the win over Toledo.
PRYOR ON THE RUN
Sophomore Terrelle Pryor has surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his career, just the fifth Buckeye quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 career yards. He has totaled 1,264 yards on the ground in 24 games, and is averaging 4.82 yards per career carry. Pryor has scored 13 rushing touchdowns at Ohio State.
Cornelius Greene 2,066 from 1972-75
Rex Kern 1,714 from 1968-70
Art Schlichter 1,303 from 1978-81
Terrelle Pryor 1,264 from 2008-present
Troy Smith 1,168 from 2003-06
An Ohio State quarterback has rushed for 100 or more yards in a game 26 times in school history. Pryor’s 104-yard effort against Minnesota was the third 100-yard rushing performance of his career. Only Cornelius Greene, Rex Kern and John Mummey had four career 100-yard rushing games among all-time Ohio State quarterbacks.
Top 10 Rushing Yards for Ohio State Quarterback in a Game Yards Player Opp/Year
146 Cornelius Greene Wisconsin, 1974
145 Troy Smith Michigan, 2004
139 Rex Kern Washington, 1969
129 Rex Kern Stanford (Rose Bowl), 1971
129 Tom Matte Illinois, 1960
127 Troy Smith Iowa, 2005
127 Cornelius Green Illinois, 1974
124 Ron Maciejowski Wisconsin, 1968
121 Rex Kern Northwestern, 1968
120 Cornelius Greene UCLA, 1975
100-YARD RUSHERS
The Buckeyes have totaled seven team rushing performances for at least 200 yards this season. They had seven in 2008, the most under Jim Tressel. The last time that had previously occurred was in 1996.
Four players – Dan Herron, Terrelle Pryor, Brandon Saine and Jordan Hall – have been the Buckeyes’ leading ground gainer in at least one contest this season.
Pryor (110/Toledo and 104/Minnesota) and Saine (113/Indiana and 103/Iowa) have each had a pair of 100+ efforts on the ground during 2009.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
This season in the first quarter, the Buckeyes have outscored the opposition 65-20. In the second quarter, the Buckeyes are ahead 102-33, and Ohio State holds an 83-31 advantage in third-quarter scoring. Ohio State has outscored its 2009 opponents 77-52 in fourth-quarter play.
Ohio State has held the opposition scoreless in 25 quarters this year (56.8%).
The Buckeyes are outscoring opponents by 17.6 points per game (30.0-12.4) this season.
OHIO STATE CAPTAINS
Seniors Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington were elected as 2009 captains of the Ohio State football team. An offensive game captain will be selected each week.
Jim Cordle served as captain against Navy, Purdue and Iowa; Jake Ballard was the fourth captain for the USC and Wisconsin contests. Bryant Browning was offensive captain for Toledo, and Dane Sanzenbacher was captain for Illinois and Penn State. Brandon Saine and Dexter Larimore served as game captains at Indiana. Aaron Pettrey was a captain for the Minnesota contest. Andrew Moses served as captain versus New Mexico State.
The last time Ohio State had only defensive players as permanent captains was in 2002, when Mike Doss and Donnie Nickey were captains of the national championship squad.
DOWN THE STRETCH
During the Jim Tressel era, the Buckeyes are 80-6 (.930) when winning or tied at the half. Ohio State is 85-6 (.934) when winning or tied going into the fourth quarter of a game under Tressel.
W/T at Half W/T into 4th
2001 6-2 7-3
2002 9-0 11-0
2003 10-0 10-0
2004 8-0 8-0
2005 9-1 8-1
2006 11-0 12-0
2007 10-0 11-0
2008 8-2 9-1
2009 9-1 9-1
Total 80-6 85-6
BUCKS WIN 77 PERCENT OF OHIO STADIUM GAMES
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 391-107-20 (.774) in Ohio Stadium since that facility opened in 1922.
The crowd of 106,033 against Southern California was the largest ever to watch a game at Ohio Stadium, besting last year’s crowd of 105,711 against Penn State. The attendance of 105,092 against Navy was an opening day record for Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State has hosted 55 consecutive crowds of 100,000 or larger at Ohio Stadium; three of this year’s crowds ranked among the top 15 all-time. Ohio State’s all-time record in Columbus is 534-154-35 in 722 games.
FOR STARTERS
When the Ohio State-Michigan game kicks off, the Buckeyes will have a total of 38 players with at least one game of starting experience.
Those are: Anderson Russell (36); Kurt Coleman (34); Doug Worthington (33); Jim Cordle, Cameron Heyward (31); Bryant Browning, Chimdi Chekwa (25); Jake Ballard, Mike Brewster, Thaddeus Gibson, Terrelle Pryor (21); Ross Homan (17); Jermale Hines (14); Todd Denlinger, Dane Sanzenbacher (13); Dane Sanzenbacher (12); Justin Boren (11); Brian Rolle, DeVier Posey (10); Austin Spitler, Lawrence Wilson, Devon Torrence (9); Dexter Larimore, Zach Boren, J.B. Shugarts, Brandon Saine (8); Dan Herron, Ray Small (7); Rob Rose (5); Mike Adams (4); Andrew Miller (3); Andre Amos, Tyler Moeller, Jake Stoneburner (2); Aaron Gant, Duron Carter, Nathan Williams, Marcus Hall (1).
Getting their first Ohio State start against Navy were six players: Andre Amos, Justin Boren, Zach Boren, Andrew Miller, DeVier Posey and Brian Rolle. Jake Stoneburner made his first start against USC. Devon Torrence, Duron Carter and J.B. Shugarts were first time starters vs. Toledo. Mike Adams was a first-time starter against Illinois, and Nathan Williams made his first start vs. New Mexico State. Marcus Hall got his first start in the Iowa game.
The Boren brothers – Justin (OG) and Zach (FB) - products of Pickerington, Ohio, are the first siblings to start in the same game for the Buckeyes since John (LB) and Mike (NG) Sullivan from Mentor, Ohio, started nine games together during the 1988 season.
IN NOVEMBER
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 286-132-19 in November games. Ohio State is 180-78-11 in November home games and 106-54-8 on the road that month.
Eleven members of the Buckeye roster have birthdays this month: Bo DeLande, Scott Sika, Jermale Hines, Etienne Sabino, Andrew Miller, Brian Rolle, Grant Schwartz, Don Matheney, Rocco Pentello, Travis Howard and Aaron Gant.
AVERAGE PER DOWN
Here’s a breakdown of how the 2009 Ohio State offense is operating on first, second, third and fourth down.
On first down, the Buckeyes have run a total of 308 plays, gaining 1,926 yards for an average of 6.2 yards per play. On second down, OSU has tried 234 plays for 1,231 yards, a 5.3 average. On third down, the Buckeyes have run 151 plays, gaining 1,014 yards for a 6.7 average. Ohio State has tried only seven fourth-down attempts, gaining 14 yards.
Ohio State’s touchdowns this season have come 14 times on first down (nine rushing and five passing TD), 13 times on second down (four passing and nine rushing), seven times on third down (six passes and one rush) and once on a fourth-down pass.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Ten true freshmen have seen action for the Buckeyes in 2009. Seven Ohio State true freshmen made their first collegiate appearance in the opener against Navy: DB C.J. Barnett, FB Zach Boren, WR Duron Carter, TE Reid Fragel, FB Adam Homan, LB Storm Klein and DT John Simon. Tailback Jordan Hall, another true freshman, saw his first action against Toledo, and LB Jonathan Newsome played for the first time against Illinois. OL Marcus Hall played for the first time at Indiana.
BOUNCING BACK
During the Jim Tressel era at Ohio State, in the games following the Buckeyes’ 21 losses, OSU has a 19-2 record. Thirteen of those games were at Ohio Stadium, where the Buckeyes under Tressel are 12-1 in the game following a loss. Only once during the Tressel era has Ohio State recorded back-to-back losses, a three-game stretch with losses at Northwestern, to Wisconsin and at Iowa in October, 2004.
IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Under Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 25-2 at Ohio Stadium versus non-conference teams, the only loss coming to USC earlier this season and 25-22 to No. 2 Texas in 2005. The Buckeyes are 30-4 overall in regular season non-conference games since 2001.
ON SCHOLARSHIP
Three Ohio State seniors received scholarship aid for the 2009 autumn quarter that began Sept. 23: Marcus Williams, who is in physical therapy school; Andrew Moses, who is working toward a second bachelor’s degree after earning his first in political science; and Jon Thoma, who is completing his degree in communication. Three additional seniors – Ryan Schuck, Joe Gantz and Tom Ingham – will receive scholarship aid for the winter quarter.
THE GRADUATES
Six members of the 2009 Buckeye squad have already earned their bachelor’s degrees: Andrew Moses (political science), Aaron Pettrey (social and behavioral sciences), Anderson Russell (communication), Austin Spitler (communication), Marcus Williams (health sciences), Lawrence Wilson (communication). Nine more members of the team are expected to graduate following the autumn quarter.
ESPN/CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Four members of the Ohio State football squad have been selected to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA academic all-district team for District 4.
Named to the all-district academic second team were offensive guard Bryant Browning, defensive tackle Todd Denlinger, offensive guard Andrew Moses and running back Marcus Williams. Browning, a junior from Cleveland, Ohio, is a 3.33 marketing student; Moses, from Dublin, Ohio, graduated with a 3.86 gpa in political science. Denlinger, a senior from Troy, Ohio, holds a 3.33 average in construction systems management. Williams, from Ironton, Ohio, has a 3.64 gpa in the physical therapy graduate program.
District 4 includes all colleges in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
HONOR ROLL
In 2008, 27 Buckeyes were named to the Big Ten’s all-academic team; the Buckeyes have led the conference over the past seven years. Additionally, 46 Ohio State football players qualified for the annual OSU Scholar-Athlete Dinner in May, which requires a grade-point average of 3.00 or better for the past academic year.
POTOKAR HONORED BY FWAA
Ohio State’s Dan Potokar is the weekly nominee for the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the season. Potokar, from Grove City, Ohio, has battled several rounds with cancer and is currently helping the Buckeyes as a student assistant.
Though a walk-on, Potokar had been impressive as a wide receiver during spring practice in 2007 and was part of the Ohio State track team’s 400-meter relay team. But in the fall of 2007, he became ill and was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and abdomen.
Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the lesions remained on his lungs. Potokar underwent several weeks of intensive treatments in Indianapolis, including two stem-cell transplants. Several months later, five tumors were discovered in Potokar’s brain, necessitating full-brain radiation and something similar to laser surgery.
Last winter, tests indicated the cancer was gone.
Potokar, a student assistant coach, is on track to earn a business degree and is scheduled to be married next May. Potokar has also reached out to other athletes who have been diagnosed with cancer.
For the fourth straight year, the Football Writers Association of America and the FedEx Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.
2009 FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 23: D.J. Williams, Arkansas
Sept. 30: Mark Herzlich, Boston College
Oct. 7: Darius Nall, UCF
Oct. 14: Ricky Rosas, USC
Oct. 21: Derrick Coleman, UCLA
Oct. 28: Connecticut Huskies
Nov. 4: Antoine “Shaky” Smithson, Utah
Nov. 11: Dan Potokar, Ohio State
CHRIS SPIELMAN TO ENTER COLLEGE FB HALL
Two-time Ohio State All-American linebacker Chris Spielman, the 28th Buckeye inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, was recognized at halftime of the Navy game. The four-year letterwinner (1984-87) and the winner of the 1987 Lombardi Award will be inducted at a ceremony in South Bend, Ind., in the summer of 2010.
Spielman, hailing from Massillon Washington High School, ranks third all-time in tackles (546) at Ohio State and first in solo stops (283). Perhaps the most notable performance by Spielman was his 29-tackle day against Michigan in 1986.
Tenacious and hard-hitting on the field, the linebacker is just as strong away from the field, as is his wife, Stefanie. In 1998, the couple learned that Stefanie had breast cancer. Despite the physical and emotional strain of dealing with such a disease, and the unthinkable worries, the couple has been tireless advocates for cancer research and they have helped to raise millions to fight the disease.
After his playing days in Columbus, Spielman was drafted in the second round by Detroit in 1988 and went on to play for the Lions and Buffalo Bills before finishing up his career with the Cleveland Browns. The 12-year NFL veteran and four-time Pro Bowler then made the move to the broadcast booth where he is a college football analyst for ESPN and co-hosts The Big Show on WBNS radio in Columbus. He and Stefanie are the parents of four children.
OHIO STATE REPRESENTED AT JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Buckeye freshmen Storm Klein (LB, Newark, Ohio) and Jack Mewhort (OL, Toledo, Ohio) spent three weeks this summer as part of USA Football’s Junior National Team in the inaugural IFAF Junior World Championships held in Canton, Ohio. Team USA won the gold medal with wins over France (78-0), Mexico (55-0) and Canada (41-3) in the championship game. Klein (who was also a team captain) and Mewhort were both named to the all-tournament team.
NOT SINCE 1922-24
Ohio State ranks second among all NCAA Div. I programs with 84 consecutive seasons since last posting back-to-back losing records. The Buckeyes have not been under .500 for two or more consecutive seasons since 1922-24, which trails only Tennessee; the Vols have not had back-to-back losing seasons since 1909-11, a span of 97 consecutive seasons.
School Years Last
Tennessee 97 1909-11
Ohio State 84 1922-24
Southern Miss 74 1933-34
Arizona State 61 1946-47
Alabama 51 1854-57
IN NIGHT GAMES
Ohio State is now 6-3 at home (27-13 away from home) in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 33-16 in night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 15-10 in night games and 8-3 in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium. Tressel’s teams are 2-3 at home in night games.
WHERE THEY GO NEXT
The Ohio State-Michigan game is the regular-season finale for both teams.
*Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Captains Talk "The Big Game"
Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio State had to beat Penn State to stay in the Big Ten race. The next week the Buckeyes needed to beat Iowa to win the conference and go to the Rose Bowl.
With those missions accomplished the last two weeks, the ninth-ranked Buckeyes now face another big game against archrival Michigan on Saturday.
What's on the line for Ohio State this week?
''I don't think I can have a good Thanksgiving without winning this game,'' defensive tackle Doug Worthington said Monday.
The month of November has brought three consecutive high-pressure games for the Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1), who have wrapped up at least a share of their fifth consecutive Big Ten title.
When offensive tackle Jim Cordle walked into Ohio State's practice facility on Monday morning, he was greeted by the team's strength and conditioning director, Eric Lichter. Lichter looked at Cordle, still limping slightly from a midseason foot injury and said, ''I think you peaked last week.''
Cordle looked at him with a smile and responded, ''No, I still have one more game in me and this team has one more game in us.''
The Buckeyes can lock up an outright conference crown by beating their bitter rivals, but that's about it.
Michigan (5-6, 1-6) has much more at stake. The Wolverines need a win to qualify for a bowl game, to end a five-game losing skid in conference play, to snap a five-game losing skid to Ohio State, to avoid the basement in the Big Ten and to take some of the heat off embattled second-year head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Ohio State's players and coaches swear they haven't been beaten down by the past two grueling games against the best the Big Ten can throw at them. The Buckeyes needed overtime to beat Iowa 27-24 in Columbus on Saturday.
''Someone described this month as tough, tougher and toughest,'' coach Jim Tressel said. ''We've battled through the tough and the tougher, and now we're excited about the toughest.''
With two-thirds of those hurdles behind them, the Buckeyes find it easier to concentrate on the task at hand.
''We knew that this was how our November was going to go,'' wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''We talked about it - all three are huge games and we were going to have to take them one at a time. The week leading up to (each) game we knew it was going to be the most important game of our year. (We were) able to take care of the Penn State and Iowa games, and now all the focus goes onto Michigan.''
Having come through so much, the Buckeyes recognize they have just one game left before getting some time off to nurse their bruises and to catch up on their sleep.
''It wears you down, that tough stretch, but what energizes you is this game,'' Cordle said. ''There's no way we won't be up for this game.''
The wear and tear has been as much mental as physical. After losing at Purdue on Oct. 17, the Buckeyes have had no margin for error in the Big Ten race.
''We couldn't turn the ball over, we could miss assignments. We had to be perfect,'' tight end Jake Ballard said. ''We did just about everything to come out with a win against Iowa and Penn State.''
Players and coaches who are a part of Ohio State teams that beat Michigan receive a small, gold charm in the shape of a pair of football pants. It's a prized possession for a Buckeye.
In addition to getting yet another one of the trinkets for beating their rivals, the Buckeyes would like nothing more than to deprive the Wolverines of a bowl trip.
''I don't think we're going to have any problem with this game as far as getting up for it or being ready for it,'' Worthington said. ''It's something that we need, something we want. We're hungry for it. ... Their seniors will go to a bowl game if they beat us, so we don't want to be the guys who lose those gold pants or catapult them to a nice little sunny trip.''
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio State had to beat Penn State to stay in the Big Ten race. The next week the Buckeyes needed to beat Iowa to win the conference and go to the Rose Bowl.
With those missions accomplished the last two weeks, the ninth-ranked Buckeyes now face another big game against archrival Michigan on Saturday.
What's on the line for Ohio State this week?
''I don't think I can have a good Thanksgiving without winning this game,'' defensive tackle Doug Worthington said Monday.
The month of November has brought three consecutive high-pressure games for the Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1), who have wrapped up at least a share of their fifth consecutive Big Ten title.
When offensive tackle Jim Cordle walked into Ohio State's practice facility on Monday morning, he was greeted by the team's strength and conditioning director, Eric Lichter. Lichter looked at Cordle, still limping slightly from a midseason foot injury and said, ''I think you peaked last week.''
Cordle looked at him with a smile and responded, ''No, I still have one more game in me and this team has one more game in us.''
The Buckeyes can lock up an outright conference crown by beating their bitter rivals, but that's about it.
Michigan (5-6, 1-6) has much more at stake. The Wolverines need a win to qualify for a bowl game, to end a five-game losing skid in conference play, to snap a five-game losing skid to Ohio State, to avoid the basement in the Big Ten and to take some of the heat off embattled second-year head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Ohio State's players and coaches swear they haven't been beaten down by the past two grueling games against the best the Big Ten can throw at them. The Buckeyes needed overtime to beat Iowa 27-24 in Columbus on Saturday.
''Someone described this month as tough, tougher and toughest,'' coach Jim Tressel said. ''We've battled through the tough and the tougher, and now we're excited about the toughest.''
With two-thirds of those hurdles behind them, the Buckeyes find it easier to concentrate on the task at hand.
''We knew that this was how our November was going to go,'' wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''We talked about it - all three are huge games and we were going to have to take them one at a time. The week leading up to (each) game we knew it was going to be the most important game of our year. (We were) able to take care of the Penn State and Iowa games, and now all the focus goes onto Michigan.''
Having come through so much, the Buckeyes recognize they have just one game left before getting some time off to nurse their bruises and to catch up on their sleep.
''It wears you down, that tough stretch, but what energizes you is this game,'' Cordle said. ''There's no way we won't be up for this game.''
The wear and tear has been as much mental as physical. After losing at Purdue on Oct. 17, the Buckeyes have had no margin for error in the Big Ten race.
''We couldn't turn the ball over, we could miss assignments. We had to be perfect,'' tight end Jake Ballard said. ''We did just about everything to come out with a win against Iowa and Penn State.''
Players and coaches who are a part of Ohio State teams that beat Michigan receive a small, gold charm in the shape of a pair of football pants. It's a prized possession for a Buckeye.
In addition to getting yet another one of the trinkets for beating their rivals, the Buckeyes would like nothing more than to deprive the Wolverines of a bowl trip.
''I don't think we're going to have any problem with this game as far as getting up for it or being ready for it,'' Worthington said. ''It's something that we need, something we want. We're hungry for it. ... Their seniors will go to a bowl game if they beat us, so we don't want to be the guys who lose those gold pants or catapult them to a nice little sunny trip.''
Friday, November 6, 2009
-Ohio State at Penn State Game Preview-
Ohio State at Penn State Game Preview
Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Two teams, both looking for a signature win, and neither can afford a loss.
No. 15 Ohio State travels to No. 11 Penn State in a showdown that may not determine the Big Ten champion but will almost definitely decide who it won't be.
''We know how important all these games are,'' Buckeyes wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''It's come to a point in a season where we have to win out and we have to play well in November to be a great team.''
Each team has played one ranked opponent this year and lost. The Nittany Lions (8-1, 4-1) fell at home to unbeaten Iowa, 21-10, in their Big Ten opener. Since then, they have won five in a row.
Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) lost to Southern Cal 18-15 way back on Sept. 12. The Buckeyes followed that by winning six of seven games, the lone setback a stunning 26-18 defeat at Purdue.
The Buckeyes follow up the game against Penn State with one at home against Iowa (9-0, 5-0). So they still control their own destiny in their quest to capture a fifth consecutive Big Ten title.
''Maybe fans out there think Ohio State hasn't beaten anybody, a great opponent,'' Buckeyes linebacker Austin Spitler said. ''And neither has Penn State. But we're going to find out Saturday who the best is between Penn State and Ohio State.''
To beat the Nittany Lions, the Buckeyes will have to play perhaps their best game of the season and do it in the most hostile environment.
''There's so much energy and electricity,'' coach Jim Tressel said about the atmosphere in Beaver Stadium. ''It's a fun place to play. There's noise. There's excitement.''
Sometimes, the Nittany Lions faithful might carry that to the extreme. That becomes evident when visiting teams almost have to run a gauntlet down a walkway underneath the stadium to get to the field.
''It's something. They're throwing stuff at you, spitting on you, yelling everything you can think of at you,'' Spitler said, smiling. ''But it doesn't bring you down, it really fires you up and gets you going. I think it's a positive in a way for us.''
The focal point of most of that venom figures to be Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He was heralded as the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit while playing his high school ball in Jeannette, Pa. - about a 65-mile drive from Happy Valley. Pryor narrowed his final choices down to Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State before deciding to be a Buckeye.
Pryor knows he'll be a marked man. He was already talking about it moments after the Buckeyes polished off overmatched New Mexico State 45-0 last Saturday.
''I'll probably get booed as soon as I go out to warm up,'' he said. ''I'm happy here, and we'll be ready to go.''
Tressel said on Tuesday that he didn't feel the need to prepare Pryor for the fans.
''I'm sure he's very aware of that,'' Tressel said. ''I'm sure as we go through the preparation for the week, we'll talk a lot about poise and patience because that's what you have to do. You have to be a poised guy. ... That's what being part of a great environment is all about.''
The visiting team has won the last two games in the heated series.
''The last time they came here (in 2007) it wasn't very fun, because it was a night game and they really put it to us,'' Penn State linebacker Sean Lee said. ''We weren't even able to make their offense punt (in a 37-17 loss). ... But the atmosphere at both stadiums, especially Beaver Stadium, is unbelievable. It's something you dream of as a young kid, and finally as a fifth-year senior, now that I'm healthy, it's going to be great.''
A season-ending knee injury to kicker Aaron Pettrey, the Big Ten's leading scorer, puts a damper on some of the excitement for Ohio State.
Pettrey was blocked on a first-half kickoff last week, tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right (kicking) leg. He was scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday.
In his place, the Buckeyes will go with 26-year-old former Major League Soccer player Devin Barclay, a former walk-on who beat out scholarship kicker Ben Buchanan for the No. 2 spot behind Pettrey. Barclay missed two of his three field-goal attempts in his college debut last week after Pettrey went out.
Buchanan, sick last week, is expected to battle him for the job this week.
''We were very comfortable with Aaron from anywhere,'' Tressel said of Pettrey's range. ''These guys aren't quite there.''
Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Two teams, both looking for a signature win, and neither can afford a loss.
No. 15 Ohio State travels to No. 11 Penn State in a showdown that may not determine the Big Ten champion but will almost definitely decide who it won't be.
''We know how important all these games are,'' Buckeyes wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''It's come to a point in a season where we have to win out and we have to play well in November to be a great team.''
Each team has played one ranked opponent this year and lost. The Nittany Lions (8-1, 4-1) fell at home to unbeaten Iowa, 21-10, in their Big Ten opener. Since then, they have won five in a row.
Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) lost to Southern Cal 18-15 way back on Sept. 12. The Buckeyes followed that by winning six of seven games, the lone setback a stunning 26-18 defeat at Purdue.
The Buckeyes follow up the game against Penn State with one at home against Iowa (9-0, 5-0). So they still control their own destiny in their quest to capture a fifth consecutive Big Ten title.
''Maybe fans out there think Ohio State hasn't beaten anybody, a great opponent,'' Buckeyes linebacker Austin Spitler said. ''And neither has Penn State. But we're going to find out Saturday who the best is between Penn State and Ohio State.''
To beat the Nittany Lions, the Buckeyes will have to play perhaps their best game of the season and do it in the most hostile environment.
''There's so much energy and electricity,'' coach Jim Tressel said about the atmosphere in Beaver Stadium. ''It's a fun place to play. There's noise. There's excitement.''
Sometimes, the Nittany Lions faithful might carry that to the extreme. That becomes evident when visiting teams almost have to run a gauntlet down a walkway underneath the stadium to get to the field.
''It's something. They're throwing stuff at you, spitting on you, yelling everything you can think of at you,'' Spitler said, smiling. ''But it doesn't bring you down, it really fires you up and gets you going. I think it's a positive in a way for us.''
The focal point of most of that venom figures to be Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He was heralded as the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit while playing his high school ball in Jeannette, Pa. - about a 65-mile drive from Happy Valley. Pryor narrowed his final choices down to Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State before deciding to be a Buckeye.
Pryor knows he'll be a marked man. He was already talking about it moments after the Buckeyes polished off overmatched New Mexico State 45-0 last Saturday.
''I'll probably get booed as soon as I go out to warm up,'' he said. ''I'm happy here, and we'll be ready to go.''
Tressel said on Tuesday that he didn't feel the need to prepare Pryor for the fans.
''I'm sure he's very aware of that,'' Tressel said. ''I'm sure as we go through the preparation for the week, we'll talk a lot about poise and patience because that's what you have to do. You have to be a poised guy. ... That's what being part of a great environment is all about.''
The visiting team has won the last two games in the heated series.
''The last time they came here (in 2007) it wasn't very fun, because it was a night game and they really put it to us,'' Penn State linebacker Sean Lee said. ''We weren't even able to make their offense punt (in a 37-17 loss). ... But the atmosphere at both stadiums, especially Beaver Stadium, is unbelievable. It's something you dream of as a young kid, and finally as a fifth-year senior, now that I'm healthy, it's going to be great.''
A season-ending knee injury to kicker Aaron Pettrey, the Big Ten's leading scorer, puts a damper on some of the excitement for Ohio State.
Pettrey was blocked on a first-half kickoff last week, tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right (kicking) leg. He was scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday.
In his place, the Buckeyes will go with 26-year-old former Major League Soccer player Devin Barclay, a former walk-on who beat out scholarship kicker Ben Buchanan for the No. 2 spot behind Pettrey. Barclay missed two of his three field-goal attempts in his college debut last week after Pettrey went out.
Buchanan, sick last week, is expected to battle him for the job this week.
''We were very comfortable with Aaron from anywhere,'' Tressel said of Pettrey's range. ''These guys aren't quite there.''
Monday, November 2, 2009
Ohio State wins 45-0!
Ohio State won 45-0 Saturday at the Horseshoe vs. New Mexico State. Here are the post game notes.
No. 17/15 Ohio State (7-2) 45, New Mexico State (3-6) 0
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 31, 2009
Attendance: 104,719
OHIO STATE POSTGAME NOTES
• Ohio State is 815-308-53 in its 120th season of play. The win total ranks fifth all-time among FBS schools.
• Jim Tressel's record with the Buckeyes is 90-21 and his career record is 225-78-2. Tressel's 225 victories rank fourth among active FBS coaches.
• Ohio State is 51-5 at home since the start of the 2002 season and 55-7 overall under Jim Tressel.
• Ohio State boasts a record of 359-126-28 in games played in October.
• The Buckeyes are 429-131-14 all-time as a Top 25 team.
• Jim Tressel is now 78-6 when leading at the half and 83-6 when leading going into the fourth quarter in his Ohio State career.
• The Buckeyes have won 70 games since the start of the 2003 season, the sixth best among FBS schools.
• Ohio State is 53-0 when scoring 30 or more points in the Jim Tressel era (since 2001).
SERIES NOTES
• Saturday was the first meeting between Ohio State and New Mexico State on the football field.
• The Buckeyes are 4-0 all-time against members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC): 2-0 against Fresno State and 1-0 against San Jose State and New Mexico State.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Ohio State scored a season-high 45 points, the most since scoring 45 in 2008 at Northwestern.
• The 45-point margin of victory was the largest since defeating Northwestern by 51 in 2007 (58-7).
• Ohio State scored 28 points in the second quarter. The last time the Buckeyes scored 4 TD's in a quarter was Oct. 17, 2007 against Kent State.
• With 83 yards rushing (in the first half only), Terrelle Pryor moved into fourth place on Ohio State's all time rushing list among quarterbacks with 1,185 yards.
- Cornelius Greene (2,066 from 1972-75)
- Rex Kern (1,714 from 1968-70)
- Art Schlichter (1,303 from 1978-81)
- Terrelle Pryor (1,185 from 2008-present)
- Troy Smith (1,168 from 2003-06)
• Terrelle Pryor is 15-3 as Ohio State's starting quarterback (note: Pryor did not start at QB in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl).
• Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 37 of Ohio State's 60 offensive touchdowns (61.6 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (25 passing, 11 rushing, 1 receiving).
• True freshman Jordan Hall rushed 10 times for a career-high 90 yards, including a career-long 39-yard run in the third quarter.
• Sophomore wide receiver DeVier Posey threw the first TD pass of his career in the second quarter, a 39-yarder to Dane Sanzenbacher. It marked the first time an Ohio State WR threw a TD pass in a game since Ted Ginn Jr. on Oct. 21, 2006 against Indiana - a 38-yarder to Rory Nicol.
• The offensive line did not allow a sack for the second time this season. It previously kept the quarterback safe vs. Illinois.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• OSU has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 47 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 44-3 in those games.
• The Buckeyes have secured three shutouts in 2009 (vs. Toledo, Illinois and New Mexico State), marking the first time since the 1996 season (vs. Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Illinois)
• Ohio State has allowed only seven 100-yard rushers since the start of the 2005 season (61 games). That mark is the best among FBS schools during that span.
• Ohio State has not allowed a 100-yard rusher over its past 19 games, the second-longest streak in the nation. Alabama is first at 27 games.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed just seven touchdowns over its past 31 quarters of play.
• Junior linebacker Ross Homan intercepted his second pass of the season and the third of his career in the second quarter.
• Junior linebacker Brian Rolle recorded his first career touchdown in the third quarter when he recovered a NMSU fumble in the end zone.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Junior kicker Devin Barclay kicked his first career field goal in the third quarter, a 29-yarder at the 7:05 mark.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
• Ohio State's fourth captain was senior offensive lineman Andrew Moses.
• Ohio State's honorary captain was former Buckeye defensive lineman Tim Anderson (2000-03).
No. 17/15 Ohio State (7-2) 45, New Mexico State (3-6) 0
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 31, 2009
Attendance: 104,719
OHIO STATE POSTGAME NOTES
• Ohio State is 815-308-53 in its 120th season of play. The win total ranks fifth all-time among FBS schools.
• Jim Tressel's record with the Buckeyes is 90-21 and his career record is 225-78-2. Tressel's 225 victories rank fourth among active FBS coaches.
• Ohio State is 51-5 at home since the start of the 2002 season and 55-7 overall under Jim Tressel.
• Ohio State boasts a record of 359-126-28 in games played in October.
• The Buckeyes are 429-131-14 all-time as a Top 25 team.
• Jim Tressel is now 78-6 when leading at the half and 83-6 when leading going into the fourth quarter in his Ohio State career.
• The Buckeyes have won 70 games since the start of the 2003 season, the sixth best among FBS schools.
• Ohio State is 53-0 when scoring 30 or more points in the Jim Tressel era (since 2001).
SERIES NOTES
• Saturday was the first meeting between Ohio State and New Mexico State on the football field.
• The Buckeyes are 4-0 all-time against members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC): 2-0 against Fresno State and 1-0 against San Jose State and New Mexico State.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Ohio State scored a season-high 45 points, the most since scoring 45 in 2008 at Northwestern.
• The 45-point margin of victory was the largest since defeating Northwestern by 51 in 2007 (58-7).
• Ohio State scored 28 points in the second quarter. The last time the Buckeyes scored 4 TD's in a quarter was Oct. 17, 2007 against Kent State.
• With 83 yards rushing (in the first half only), Terrelle Pryor moved into fourth place on Ohio State's all time rushing list among quarterbacks with 1,185 yards.
- Cornelius Greene (2,066 from 1972-75)
- Rex Kern (1,714 from 1968-70)
- Art Schlichter (1,303 from 1978-81)
- Terrelle Pryor (1,185 from 2008-present)
- Troy Smith (1,168 from 2003-06)
• Terrelle Pryor is 15-3 as Ohio State's starting quarterback (note: Pryor did not start at QB in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl).
• Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 37 of Ohio State's 60 offensive touchdowns (61.6 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (25 passing, 11 rushing, 1 receiving).
• True freshman Jordan Hall rushed 10 times for a career-high 90 yards, including a career-long 39-yard run in the third quarter.
• Sophomore wide receiver DeVier Posey threw the first TD pass of his career in the second quarter, a 39-yarder to Dane Sanzenbacher. It marked the first time an Ohio State WR threw a TD pass in a game since Ted Ginn Jr. on Oct. 21, 2006 against Indiana - a 38-yarder to Rory Nicol.
• The offensive line did not allow a sack for the second time this season. It previously kept the quarterback safe vs. Illinois.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• OSU has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 47 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 44-3 in those games.
• The Buckeyes have secured three shutouts in 2009 (vs. Toledo, Illinois and New Mexico State), marking the first time since the 1996 season (vs. Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Illinois)
• Ohio State has allowed only seven 100-yard rushers since the start of the 2005 season (61 games). That mark is the best among FBS schools during that span.
• Ohio State has not allowed a 100-yard rusher over its past 19 games, the second-longest streak in the nation. Alabama is first at 27 games.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed just seven touchdowns over its past 31 quarters of play.
• Junior linebacker Ross Homan intercepted his second pass of the season and the third of his career in the second quarter.
• Junior linebacker Brian Rolle recorded his first career touchdown in the third quarter when he recovered a NMSU fumble in the end zone.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Junior kicker Devin Barclay kicked his first career field goal in the third quarter, a 29-yarder at the 7:05 mark.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
• Ohio State's fourth captain was senior offensive lineman Andrew Moses.
• Ohio State's honorary captain was former Buckeye defensive lineman Tim Anderson (2000-03).
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ohio State looses to Purdue...Is this Pryor's fault??
After an ugly battle Ohio State lost to Purdue on Saturday 18-26. It wasn't necessarily a blow-out game. Ohio State still did have a chance in the 4th quarter but when your QB throws 2 interceptions and fumbles the ball two times what are the odds of that? I know I said in a previous post that I was going to try not to bash Terrelle Pryor well...I think he should be treated the same as Boeckman was last season (which would be like dirt). I don't think that I'm even going to waste my time summarizing the game or finding post game notes. We already know what happened Ohio State lost and that’s pretty much all that matters right now. I know I focus on last season maybe a little too much. But the fact that Boeckman got benched after Ohio lost to a #1 ranked team in country and the fact that Purdue wasn't even ranked and Pryor is going to remain the starter! Well that bothers me. I know that people like to pretend that it was all Todd's fault but it wasn't. So I ask myself why isn't Pryor being treated the same way that Boeckman was last year? Tressel has never explicitly said what Pryor provides that Boeckman did not. To quote one of his statements "We probably don't have enough time, nor would I share every little reason or rationale for any personnel decision ... It was just a decision based upon our compilation of data and we felt we needed to go that direction." Tressel also blamed Boeckman for not reading a backside blitz and getting rid of the ball quicker against the Trojans. I wonder what he has to say about that now? For some reason Coach Tressel would stand by Terrelle no matter what. I'll never understand why Coach tressel made the terrible decision that he did. Simply put Pryor is not the QB Jim Tressel or anyone else tried to make him out to be. Coach Tressel made everyone believe that Pryor was this great player with all this talent who never made any mistakes. Which is false. If Pryor wants all this credit and if he wants people to idol him then he better get with it. He should be benched. That's what Tressel did to Boeckman and Terrelle performed worse on Saturday then Boeckman ever did in the short time that he started.
I found those quotes from Tressel in an article on the Morning Journal website here's the link if you would like to read it it's a GREAT article! http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/16/sports/mj129332.txt
I found those quotes from Tressel in an article on the Morning Journal website here's the link if you would like to read it it's a GREAT article! http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/16/sports/mj129332.txt
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Ohio State vs. Purdue at a glance...
This Saturday Ohio State will head to West Lafayette Indiana to take on Big Ten opponent Purdue. The game is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm EST
BUCKEYES LOOK TO TIE BIG TEN ROAD RECORD
The Buckeyes currently hold a 16-game win streak in Big Ten road games. That's the longest such string ever by an Ohio State football team. The conference record is 17 games, set by Michigan between 1988-92.
17 - Michigan (Oct. 29, 1988-Nov. 7, 1992)
16 - Ohio State (Oct. 22, 2005-current)
11 - Ohio State (Nov. 16, 1974-Nov. 5, 1977)
10 - Michigan (Oct. 6, 1945-Nov. 6, 1948)
Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 26-7 (.787) in Big Ten road games overall.
PURDUE AT A GLANCE
Since a season-opening win over Toledo (52-31), Purdue (1-5, 0-2) has lost five straight, with four by an average of 4.5 points. The Boilers lost by two at Oregon, by a touchdown to NIU before two fourth-quarter, heartbreaking defeats to Notre Dame and Northwestern at home.
Despite their record the Boilermakers pose one of the top passing attacks in the Big Ten. Senior quarterback Joey Elliot leads the Big Ten in passing and total offense with 262.5 yards per game through the air and 283.7 yards per game overall. Running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in rushing with 99.8 ypg while receiver Keith Smith is second in the Big Ten in both receptions (7.0) and yards per game (97.5). Meanwhile, senior receiver/return man Aaron Valentine ranks first with 145.2 all-purpose yards per game.
Purdue is led by first-year head coach Danny Hope, who spent 2003-07 as the head coach at Eastern Kentucky, his alma mater, where he went 32-8 in OVC play. In 2008 Hope served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Purdue under former coach Joe Tiller.
SERIES RECORD
The Buckeyes and Boilermakers have met 51 times previously on the football field, with Ohio State holding a 37-12-2 advantage in the series. Ohio State leads 12-6 in all games at Purdue. Ohio State leads 24-5-2 in all games played at Columbus; the Buckeyes were 23-7 winners last season at Purdue.
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 453-189-28 all-time in Big Ten games, and 257-112-18 in conference home games. The Buckeyes' all-time conference win percentage of 69.7% is the best of any Big Ten school.
BUCKEYES LOOK TO TIE BIG TEN ROAD RECORD
The Buckeyes currently hold a 16-game win streak in Big Ten road games. That's the longest such string ever by an Ohio State football team. The conference record is 17 games, set by Michigan between 1988-92.
17 - Michigan (Oct. 29, 1988-Nov. 7, 1992)
16 - Ohio State (Oct. 22, 2005-current)
11 - Ohio State (Nov. 16, 1974-Nov. 5, 1977)
10 - Michigan (Oct. 6, 1945-Nov. 6, 1948)
Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 26-7 (.787) in Big Ten road games overall.
PURDUE AT A GLANCE
Since a season-opening win over Toledo (52-31), Purdue (1-5, 0-2) has lost five straight, with four by an average of 4.5 points. The Boilers lost by two at Oregon, by a touchdown to NIU before two fourth-quarter, heartbreaking defeats to Notre Dame and Northwestern at home.
Despite their record the Boilermakers pose one of the top passing attacks in the Big Ten. Senior quarterback Joey Elliot leads the Big Ten in passing and total offense with 262.5 yards per game through the air and 283.7 yards per game overall. Running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in rushing with 99.8 ypg while receiver Keith Smith is second in the Big Ten in both receptions (7.0) and yards per game (97.5). Meanwhile, senior receiver/return man Aaron Valentine ranks first with 145.2 all-purpose yards per game.
Purdue is led by first-year head coach Danny Hope, who spent 2003-07 as the head coach at Eastern Kentucky, his alma mater, where he went 32-8 in OVC play. In 2008 Hope served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Purdue under former coach Joe Tiller.
SERIES RECORD
The Buckeyes and Boilermakers have met 51 times previously on the football field, with Ohio State holding a 37-12-2 advantage in the series. Ohio State leads 12-6 in all games at Purdue. Ohio State leads 24-5-2 in all games played at Columbus; the Buckeyes were 23-7 winners last season at Purdue.
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 453-189-28 all-time in Big Ten games, and 257-112-18 in conference home games. The Buckeyes' all-time conference win percentage of 69.7% is the best of any Big Ten school.
Ohio State beats Wisconsin!
Sorry I'm posting this so late! I know that every true buckeye fan already knows that Ohio State beat Wisconsin 31-13!! Hopefully true Buckeye fans are reading this so I won't even waste my time and post anything about last Saturday.
Friday, October 2, 2009
OSU-IU Preview!
Head coach gives final briefing before Buckeyes head for meeting under the lights with IU
After putting together a dominant performance and watching the Big Ten's highest-ranked team get upset in the first week of conference play, Ohio State had reason to feel good about its chances to win the league.
The Buckeyes, though, aren't looking that far ahead with their next game coming against an Indiana team that nearly pulled off an upset of its own last week.
The ninth-ranked Buckeyes look to build on an impressive conference-opening performance Saturday night when they visit the Hoosiers, coming off a narrow loss to a Top 25 opponent.
Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) has bounced back from an 18-15 loss to then-No. 3 Southern California on Sept. 12 with its first back-to-back shutouts since 1996. After routing Toledo 38-0 on Sept. 19, the Buckeyes limited Illinois to 170 yards to win their rain-soaked Big Ten opener 30-0 last Saturday.
Terrelle Pryor was limited by the weather, finishing 8 for 13 for 82 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The sophomore quarterback, though, ran 11 times for 59 yards as part of Ohio State's balanced ground attack. Dan Herron rushed for 75 yards and two TDs, and Brandon Saine had 81 yards on 13 carries.
While those players carried the offense, the defense delivered another lock-down performance, holding the Illini to their lowest yardage total since Sept. 9, 2006.
"We want a mentality that we want to get to the ball, have at least five or six guys at the minimum there," lineman Doug Worthington said. "And we did a good job doing that today."
Coach Jim Tressel has been very impressed with his defensive unit, including its showing in the loss to the Trojans.
"When you can control the trenches, which thus far we've done a pretty good job with that, you've got a very good chance," he said. "(Then) you've got guys in the back end that are very disciplined and do what they're supposed to do. They know that the other guys are going to be putting some pressure on the opposing quarterback."
Ohio State's strong performance last week, combined with conference favorite Penn State losing at home to Iowa, was encouraging for Tressel and his players. However, they refuse to look past the Hoosiers (3-1, 0-1), who gave then-No. 23 Michigan a test before falling 36-33 last Saturday.
"Obviously they watch TV. They watch the highlights," Tressel said of his players. "They see the facts and figures and they saw that Indiana had every opportunity to win their Big Ten opener and put up a lot of yards and made a lot of plays, so our guys went to work on that."
Indiana had four go-ahead scores - including Darius Willis' 85-yard run midway through the fourth quarter - and outgained Michigan 467-372, but it gave up a touchdown with 2:29 left and suffered its seventh loss in its last eight games against Top 25 teams.
"I thought about what a big win this would have been for our football team," said coach Bill Lynch, who threw his headset and tossed a piece of chewing gum toward the seats at Michigan Stadium in frustration.
Lynch said Tuesday he didn't think the gum hit anyone and he's entirely focused on the Buckeyes.
Indiana has lost 14 straight against Ohio State by an average of 22.7 points since the teams played to a 27-all tie in 1990. The Hoosiers, 2-23-1 against the Buckeyes in Bloomington, haven't won in the series since 1988.
These teams last met in 2006, when then-No. 1 Ohio State cruised to a 44-3 home victory en route to an undefeated regular
After putting together a dominant performance and watching the Big Ten's highest-ranked team get upset in the first week of conference play, Ohio State had reason to feel good about its chances to win the league.
The Buckeyes, though, aren't looking that far ahead with their next game coming against an Indiana team that nearly pulled off an upset of its own last week.
The ninth-ranked Buckeyes look to build on an impressive conference-opening performance Saturday night when they visit the Hoosiers, coming off a narrow loss to a Top 25 opponent.
Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) has bounced back from an 18-15 loss to then-No. 3 Southern California on Sept. 12 with its first back-to-back shutouts since 1996. After routing Toledo 38-0 on Sept. 19, the Buckeyes limited Illinois to 170 yards to win their rain-soaked Big Ten opener 30-0 last Saturday.
Terrelle Pryor was limited by the weather, finishing 8 for 13 for 82 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The sophomore quarterback, though, ran 11 times for 59 yards as part of Ohio State's balanced ground attack. Dan Herron rushed for 75 yards and two TDs, and Brandon Saine had 81 yards on 13 carries.
While those players carried the offense, the defense delivered another lock-down performance, holding the Illini to their lowest yardage total since Sept. 9, 2006.
"We want a mentality that we want to get to the ball, have at least five or six guys at the minimum there," lineman Doug Worthington said. "And we did a good job doing that today."
Coach Jim Tressel has been very impressed with his defensive unit, including its showing in the loss to the Trojans.
"When you can control the trenches, which thus far we've done a pretty good job with that, you've got a very good chance," he said. "(Then) you've got guys in the back end that are very disciplined and do what they're supposed to do. They know that the other guys are going to be putting some pressure on the opposing quarterback."
Ohio State's strong performance last week, combined with conference favorite Penn State losing at home to Iowa, was encouraging for Tressel and his players. However, they refuse to look past the Hoosiers (3-1, 0-1), who gave then-No. 23 Michigan a test before falling 36-33 last Saturday.
"Obviously they watch TV. They watch the highlights," Tressel said of his players. "They see the facts and figures and they saw that Indiana had every opportunity to win their Big Ten opener and put up a lot of yards and made a lot of plays, so our guys went to work on that."
Indiana had four go-ahead scores - including Darius Willis' 85-yard run midway through the fourth quarter - and outgained Michigan 467-372, but it gave up a touchdown with 2:29 left and suffered its seventh loss in its last eight games against Top 25 teams.
"I thought about what a big win this would have been for our football team," said coach Bill Lynch, who threw his headset and tossed a piece of chewing gum toward the seats at Michigan Stadium in frustration.
Lynch said Tuesday he didn't think the gum hit anyone and he's entirely focused on the Buckeyes.
Indiana has lost 14 straight against Ohio State by an average of 22.7 points since the teams played to a 27-all tie in 1990. The Hoosiers, 2-23-1 against the Buckeyes in Bloomington, haven't won in the series since 1988.
These teams last met in 2006, when then-No. 1 Ohio State cruised to a 44-3 home victory en route to an undefeated regular
Ohio State-Wisconsin Game Time Set at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10
Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State-Wisconsin football game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Oct. 10, the Big Ten Conference announced today. The contest will be played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus and will be televised by ABC on a regional basis. Mirror coverage will be available in other areas through the ESPN networks.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State-Wisconsin football game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Oct. 10, the Big Ten Conference announced today. The contest will be played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus and will be televised by ABC on a regional basis. Mirror coverage will be available in other areas through the ESPN networks.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Today The Victory Bell Turns 50!
I got this article in an e-mail today and thought I would post it!
The Victory Bell
If you have attended an Ohio State football game, after a Buckeye victory you have probably heard the ringing of a bell resonating from the southeast corner of Ohio Stadium. This bell, known to all as 'The Victory Bell,' is rung after every home football win for 15 minutes. For victorious Michigan games, the bell may ring for up to 30 minutes.
This 2,420-pound bell was a gift from the classes of 1943, 1944, and 1954. Housed within what is known as the Bell Tower, the Victory Bell rests approximately 80 feet above the ground.
The bell was installed on October 1, 1959, and then rang in victory the very next day after the Ohio State football team beat the University of California. Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternityvolunteered to ring the bell, and they have enjoyed the honor ever since.
As with every Ohio State tradition, the Victory Bell is at the center of some of the university's best-loved stories. In 1965 after a Buckeye victory over Iowa, the students assigned to ring the bell found that its clapper had been stolen. Members of Alpha Phi Omega improvised by hitting the bell with whatever they could find including a lead pipe and their shoes.
On a clear day, it is said that the Victory Bell can be heard from five miles away, but in any weather, it solidly stands as a symbol of Ohio State's competitive spirit.
It's Rang For 3,765 Minutes In The Past Fify Years!
The Victory Bell
If you have attended an Ohio State football game, after a Buckeye victory you have probably heard the ringing of a bell resonating from the southeast corner of Ohio Stadium. This bell, known to all as 'The Victory Bell,' is rung after every home football win for 15 minutes. For victorious Michigan games, the bell may ring for up to 30 minutes.
This 2,420-pound bell was a gift from the classes of 1943, 1944, and 1954. Housed within what is known as the Bell Tower, the Victory Bell rests approximately 80 feet above the ground.
The bell was installed on October 1, 1959, and then rang in victory the very next day after the Ohio State football team beat the University of California. Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternityvolunteered to ring the bell, and they have enjoyed the honor ever since.
As with every Ohio State tradition, the Victory Bell is at the center of some of the university's best-loved stories. In 1965 after a Buckeye victory over Iowa, the students assigned to ring the bell found that its clapper had been stolen. Members of Alpha Phi Omega improvised by hitting the bell with whatever they could find including a lead pipe and their shoes.
On a clear day, it is said that the Victory Bell can be heard from five miles away, but in any weather, it solidly stands as a symbol of Ohio State's competitive spirit.
It's Rang For 3,765 Minutes In The Past Fify Years!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Ohio State wins 30-0!!
Ohio State played the fighting Illini on Saturday but it wasn't much of a fight! Here are the post name notes. Sorry I'm posting so late!
No. 13/11 Ohio State (3-1) 30, Illinois (1-2) 0
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 26, 2009
Attendance: 105,219
OHIO STATE POSTGAME NOTES
• Ohio State is 811-308-53 in its 120th season of play. The win total ranks fifth all-time among FBS schools.
• Ohio State is 451-189-28 in Big Ten play all-time.
• Since 1950, the Buckeyes boast the second-best winning percentage among FBS schools at .755 (489-153-15). Oklahoma is first with a .757 winning percentage.
• Saturday was Jim Tressel's 300th career game as a head coach. He has coached 106 games at Ohio State and 194 at Youngstown State.
• The win was the 500th collegiate victory for the Tressel family. Jim Tressel has 221 in his career at Youngstown State and Ohio State. Dick Tressel had 124 victories at Hamline and father Lee Tressel recorded 155 career wins at Baldwin Wallace.
• Jim Tressel's record with the Buckeyes is 86-20 and his career record is 221-77-2. Tressel's 221 victories rank fourth among active FBS coaches.
• The Buckeyes have won their last five Big Ten openers by a combined score of 181-40.
• Jim Tressel is 8-1 in Big Ten openers at Ohio State.
• Since joining the Big Ten in 1913, Ohio State is 70-23-4 in Big Ten openers.
• The Buckeyes are 425-130-14 all-time as a Top 25 team.
• The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 149-23-5 in September games and a record of 122-11-4 in September home games.
• Crowds of more than 100,000 have seen the last 51 games at Ohio Stadium.
• The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 387-107-20 all-time at Ohio Stadium.
• Ohio State is 48-5 (.905) at Ohio Stadium since the start of the 2002 national championship season.
OFFENSIVE NOTES• Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is 11-2 as Ohio State's starting quarterback. Pryor finished the day 8-for-13 with a touchdown.
• With 82 yards passing against Illinois, Terrelle Pryor now has 2,006 for his career.
• After netting 141 yards of total offense against the Illini, Terrelle Pryor now has 2,872 and needs just 73 yards of total offense to pass Antonio Pittman for 22nd on Ohio State's all-time list (2,945).
• Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 25 of Ohio State's 44 offensive touchdowns (56.8 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (17 passing, 7 rushing, 1 receiving).
• Running back Brandon Saine finished the game with 81 rushing yards, two shy of his career high.
• Running back Dan "Boom" Herron has rushed for at least one touchdown in eight-consecutive games. He finished the game with 75 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
• Saturday marked the first time the Buckeyes did not allow a sack since Nov. 15, 2008 at Illinois.
• Sophomore Mike Adams made his first career start at tackle for the Buckeyes.
DEFENSIVE NOTES• Ohio State has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 43 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 40-3 in those games.
• The last time Ohio State recorded back-to-back shutouts was Nov. 2 and 9, 1996 against Minnesota and at Illinois. The last time Ohio State had two shutouts in a season was 1998.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 22 times since the start of the 2006 season.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed zero points over its last eight quarters of play and only one touchdown over the past 11.
• Junior linebacker Brian Rolle recorded his second career interception when he picked off a Juice Williams pass in the first quarter. He returned it 39 yards to help set up Ohio State's first field goal.
• Senior Todd Denlinger had a sack and a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss.
• Junior Thaddeus Gibson tied a career high with 2.0 tackles for loss. He finished with a career-high seven tackles.
• Senior Lawrence Wilson picked off his second career pass in the third quarter. He also had two pass break-ups.
• The last time the Buckeyes had three interceptions in a game was Sept. 6, 2008 against Ohio.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Senior kicker Aaron Pettrey connected on a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter, his sixth field goal of 50 yards or more in his career and his second of the season.
• Aaron Pettrey connected on multiple field goals for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career. He tied his career high with three field goals against Illinois.
No. 13/11 Ohio State (3-1) 30, Illinois (1-2) 0
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 26, 2009
Attendance: 105,219
OHIO STATE POSTGAME NOTES
• Ohio State is 811-308-53 in its 120th season of play. The win total ranks fifth all-time among FBS schools.
• Ohio State is 451-189-28 in Big Ten play all-time.
• Since 1950, the Buckeyes boast the second-best winning percentage among FBS schools at .755 (489-153-15). Oklahoma is first with a .757 winning percentage.
• Saturday was Jim Tressel's 300th career game as a head coach. He has coached 106 games at Ohio State and 194 at Youngstown State.
• The win was the 500th collegiate victory for the Tressel family. Jim Tressel has 221 in his career at Youngstown State and Ohio State. Dick Tressel had 124 victories at Hamline and father Lee Tressel recorded 155 career wins at Baldwin Wallace.
• Jim Tressel's record with the Buckeyes is 86-20 and his career record is 221-77-2. Tressel's 221 victories rank fourth among active FBS coaches.
• The Buckeyes have won their last five Big Ten openers by a combined score of 181-40.
• Jim Tressel is 8-1 in Big Ten openers at Ohio State.
• Since joining the Big Ten in 1913, Ohio State is 70-23-4 in Big Ten openers.
• The Buckeyes are 425-130-14 all-time as a Top 25 team.
• The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 149-23-5 in September games and a record of 122-11-4 in September home games.
• Crowds of more than 100,000 have seen the last 51 games at Ohio Stadium.
• The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 387-107-20 all-time at Ohio Stadium.
• Ohio State is 48-5 (.905) at Ohio Stadium since the start of the 2002 national championship season.
OFFENSIVE NOTES• Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is 11-2 as Ohio State's starting quarterback. Pryor finished the day 8-for-13 with a touchdown.
• With 82 yards passing against Illinois, Terrelle Pryor now has 2,006 for his career.
• After netting 141 yards of total offense against the Illini, Terrelle Pryor now has 2,872 and needs just 73 yards of total offense to pass Antonio Pittman for 22nd on Ohio State's all-time list (2,945).
• Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 25 of Ohio State's 44 offensive touchdowns (56.8 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (17 passing, 7 rushing, 1 receiving).
• Running back Brandon Saine finished the game with 81 rushing yards, two shy of his career high.
• Running back Dan "Boom" Herron has rushed for at least one touchdown in eight-consecutive games. He finished the game with 75 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
• Saturday marked the first time the Buckeyes did not allow a sack since Nov. 15, 2008 at Illinois.
• Sophomore Mike Adams made his first career start at tackle for the Buckeyes.
DEFENSIVE NOTES• Ohio State has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 43 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 40-3 in those games.
• The last time Ohio State recorded back-to-back shutouts was Nov. 2 and 9, 1996 against Minnesota and at Illinois. The last time Ohio State had two shutouts in a season was 1998.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 22 times since the start of the 2006 season.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed zero points over its last eight quarters of play and only one touchdown over the past 11.
• Junior linebacker Brian Rolle recorded his second career interception when he picked off a Juice Williams pass in the first quarter. He returned it 39 yards to help set up Ohio State's first field goal.
• Senior Todd Denlinger had a sack and a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss.
• Junior Thaddeus Gibson tied a career high with 2.0 tackles for loss. He finished with a career-high seven tackles.
• Senior Lawrence Wilson picked off his second career pass in the third quarter. He also had two pass break-ups.
• The last time the Buckeyes had three interceptions in a game was Sept. 6, 2008 against Ohio.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Senior kicker Aaron Pettrey connected on a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter, his sixth field goal of 50 yards or more in his career and his second of the season.
• Aaron Pettrey connected on multiple field goals for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career. He tied his career high with three field goals against Illinois.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Ohio State Wins Big Time VS. Toledo Rockets!!
Ohio State vs. Toledo post game notes.
SERIES NOTES
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Toledo, 2-0. Ohio State won the first meeting in 1998 in Columbus, 49-0.
The Buckeyes are 26-1 against members of the Mid-American Conference.
Toledo has been shutout in both games vs. the Buckeyes and outscored 87-0 in the two meetings.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is 10-2 as Ohio State's starting quarterback. Pryor recorded career highs with 17 completions, 27 attempts and 262 yards. He also rushed 12 times for 110 yards, including a career-long 43-yarder in the third quarter. It marks the second 100-yard rushing game of his career.
Terrelle Pryor had 372 yards of total offense, the first time an Ohio State player has had 300+ yards of total offense since Troy Smith had 328 against Michigan in 2006
Terrelle Pryor hooked up with Toledo native Dane Sanzenbacher for a 76-yard touchdown on Ohio State's first offensive possession both were career longs for Pryor and Sanzenbacher.
Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 24 of Ohio State's 41 offensive touchdowns (58.5 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (16 passing, 7 rushing, 1 receiving).
Wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher caught five passes for a career-high 126 yards and a career-high two touchdowns. He is averaging 26.7 yards per catch this season.
Running back Dan "Boom" Herron has rushed for at least one touchdown in seven-consecutive games. He finished the game with 42 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.
Freshman running back Jordan Hall saw his first game action on offense, running 7 times for 44 yards.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Ohio State has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 41 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 39-3 in those games.
Ohio State's defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 21 times since the start of the 2006 season.
Ohio State's defense allowed just three first downs and 77 total yards in the first half against Toledo's potent offense that came in averaging 558 yards per game. The Buckeyes held the Rockets to 210 yards of total offense, more than 300 yards below their season average.
Toledo did not run a play in Ohio State territory until the 4:26 mark of the third quarter.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Redshirt freshman Ben Buchanan saw the first action of his career at punter. His first punt traveled 51 yards. On the day he punted three times for an average of 42.7 yards.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Former Buckeye All-American and current strength coordinator Jeff Uhlenhake was today's honorary captain for the Buckeyes. Uhlenhake was a 10-year NFL veteran and was a four-year starter at offensive guard for the Buckeyes from 1985-88.
Junior offensive lineman and Cleveland native Bryant Browning was today's offensive captain for the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes made their first appearance in Cleveland since the 1991 season when Ohio State defeated Northwestern, 34-3, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Buckeyes have played a total of 16 games in Cleveland in its history.
True freshman wide receiver Duron Carter made his first career start along with J.B. Shugarts and Devon Torrence.
SERIES NOTES
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Toledo, 2-0. Ohio State won the first meeting in 1998 in Columbus, 49-0.
The Buckeyes are 26-1 against members of the Mid-American Conference.
Toledo has been shutout in both games vs. the Buckeyes and outscored 87-0 in the two meetings.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is 10-2 as Ohio State's starting quarterback. Pryor recorded career highs with 17 completions, 27 attempts and 262 yards. He also rushed 12 times for 110 yards, including a career-long 43-yarder in the third quarter. It marks the second 100-yard rushing game of his career.
Terrelle Pryor had 372 yards of total offense, the first time an Ohio State player has had 300+ yards of total offense since Troy Smith had 328 against Michigan in 2006
Terrelle Pryor hooked up with Toledo native Dane Sanzenbacher for a 76-yard touchdown on Ohio State's first offensive possession both were career longs for Pryor and Sanzenbacher.
Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 24 of Ohio State's 41 offensive touchdowns (58.5 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (16 passing, 7 rushing, 1 receiving).
Wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher caught five passes for a career-high 126 yards and a career-high two touchdowns. He is averaging 26.7 yards per catch this season.
Running back Dan "Boom" Herron has rushed for at least one touchdown in seven-consecutive games. He finished the game with 42 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.
Freshman running back Jordan Hall saw his first game action on offense, running 7 times for 44 yards.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Ohio State has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 41 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 39-3 in those games.
Ohio State's defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 21 times since the start of the 2006 season.
Ohio State's defense allowed just three first downs and 77 total yards in the first half against Toledo's potent offense that came in averaging 558 yards per game. The Buckeyes held the Rockets to 210 yards of total offense, more than 300 yards below their season average.
Toledo did not run a play in Ohio State territory until the 4:26 mark of the third quarter.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Redshirt freshman Ben Buchanan saw the first action of his career at punter. His first punt traveled 51 yards. On the day he punted three times for an average of 42.7 yards.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Former Buckeye All-American and current strength coordinator Jeff Uhlenhake was today's honorary captain for the Buckeyes. Uhlenhake was a 10-year NFL veteran and was a four-year starter at offensive guard for the Buckeyes from 1985-88.
Junior offensive lineman and Cleveland native Bryant Browning was today's offensive captain for the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes made their first appearance in Cleveland since the 1991 season when Ohio State defeated Northwestern, 34-3, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Buckeyes have played a total of 16 games in Cleveland in its history.
True freshman wide receiver Duron Carter made his first career start along with J.B. Shugarts and Devon Torrence.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Ohio State vs. Toledo Tomorrow in Cleveland!
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 11/11 Ohio State has put the heart-breaking USC loss behind them and has now shifted its focus to Saturday's matchup with in-state MAC foe Toledo at Cleveland Browns Stadium (ESPN Plus/WSYX6/Noon ET).
Ohio State coaches and players understand the kind of challenge that lies ahead. As a team, Toledo is ranked No. 7 nationally in both total offense (558.5 ypg) and passing offense (371.0 ypg) and 15th in scoring at 42.5 ppg. Toledo's quarterback, senior Aaron Opelt, leads the nation in total offense at 437.0 yards per game. He threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns in a loss at Purdue in the season opener and 319 yards and four scores in a 54-38 win over Colorado last Friday in Toledo.
The Rockets are led by former Ohio State assistant, Tim Beckman, who, like Jim Tressel, is an alum of Berea High School in Berea, Ohio. Beckman coached Ohio State's cornerbacks from 2005-06
Ohio State coaches and players understand the kind of challenge that lies ahead. As a team, Toledo is ranked No. 7 nationally in both total offense (558.5 ypg) and passing offense (371.0 ypg) and 15th in scoring at 42.5 ppg. Toledo's quarterback, senior Aaron Opelt, leads the nation in total offense at 437.0 yards per game. He threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns in a loss at Purdue in the season opener and 319 yards and four scores in a 54-38 win over Colorado last Friday in Toledo.
The Rockets are led by former Ohio State assistant, Tim Beckman, who, like Jim Tressel, is an alum of Berea High School in Berea, Ohio. Beckman coached Ohio State's cornerbacks from 2005-06
Ohio State looses to USC
Yes I know we're all aware of what happened last week against USC @ the Horseshoe. And I'm sure nobody or at least any Ohio State fan wants to hear anymore about it. It was a close game and I'm sure from kick off up until USC scored that game winning TD. Every Ohio State fan thought they OSU was going to win.
Well unfortunately that didn't happen.
While you were watching the game did anything look familiar to you? When I saw Terrelle Pryor throw that interception I immediately thought of last year when Ohio State played USC and Boeckman threw that interception to Rey Maualuga. To this day that video is shown all over the Internet. When I went to look on youtube for the video of Terrelle Pryor throwing that interception on Saturday. I couldn't find anything! Not a thing! And don't even get me started on rude comments that Brent Musberger said about Boeckman. I don't want to say the kind of things about Terrelle that people said about Todd last year. So I'll stop before it's to late!
Well unfortunately that didn't happen.
While you were watching the game did anything look familiar to you? When I saw Terrelle Pryor throw that interception I immediately thought of last year when Ohio State played USC and Boeckman threw that interception to Rey Maualuga. To this day that video is shown all over the Internet. When I went to look on youtube for the video of Terrelle Pryor throwing that interception on Saturday. I couldn't find anything! Not a thing! And don't even get me started on rude comments that Brent Musberger said about Boeckman. I don't want to say the kind of things about Terrelle that people said about Todd last year. So I'll stop before it's to late!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Look for James Laurinaitis Thursday on the Latest Big Ten Quad with Host Eddie George!
James Laurinaitis will host BIG TEN QUAD tonight @ 8:00 pm with Eddie George Simeon Rice and Lorenzo White. I will post more later about the Ohio State USC game. I just wanted to make sure that I got that posted before it got to late.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tomorrow...Ohio State vs. USC!
It's finally here! Tomorrow we will have the chance to watch Terrelle Pryor prove himself. This game will say a lot about coach Tressel choice to bench Todd Boeckman. Here's a little history to explain what this game means.
The numbers themselves are staggering ...
-More than 300 all-time First-Team All-Americans
-Almost 150 NFL total First-Round Draft picks
-Close to 60 combined College Football Hall of Famers
-46 total Rose Bowl games
-18 combined recognized national titles
-7 Heisman Trophy winners ... each!
Ohio State and USC. Is there a better combination of talent and history? That's debatable, but come Saturday the only number that matters is 1 ... as in 1 more classic clash!
Here's a look at the series ...
SERIES RECORD Southern California leads the all-time series with the Buckeyes by a 12-9-1 count. The first meeting between the two schools was a 13-12 USC home victory in 1937. The latest meeting at Ohio Stadium came in 1990, a 35-26 USC victory in Columbus. Ohio State's last win was a 42-21 victory in the Rose Bowl following the 1973 season
The winner has averaged 25.3 points per game during the series, with the losing team averaging 8.6, making the average margin of victory 16.7 points. Seven of the previous 22 meetings have been shutouts. Six games have been decided by a touchdown or less. The home team has won nine of the 15 regular season matchups.
Ohio State is 50-24-2 overall against the Pac-10; the Buckeyes have faced every conference school at least twice in football. In regular season games, Ohio State is 44-17-2 against the Pac-10.
The OSU-USC Series:
1937 at USC 13, Ohio State 12
1938 USC 14, at Ohio State 7
1941 Ohio State 33, at USC 0
1942 at Ohio State 28, USC 12
1946 Ohio State 21, at USC 0
1947 USC 32, at Ohio State 0
1948 at Ohio State 20, USC 0
1949 Ohio State 13, at USC 13
1954 Ohio State 20, USC 7*
1959 at USC 17, Ohio State 0
1960 at Ohio State 20, USC 0
1963 at USC 32, Ohio State 3
1964 at Ohio State 17, USC 0
1968 Ohio State 27, USC 16*
1972 USC 42, Ohio State 17*
1973 Ohio State 42, USC 21*
1974 USC 18, Ohio State 17*
1979 USC 17, Ohio State 16*
1984 USC 20, Ohio State 17*
1989 at USC 42, Ohio State 3
1990 USC 35, at Ohio State 26
2008 at USC 35, Ohio State 3 *Rose Bowl
Jack Tatum - Saturday's honorary captainDefensive back 1968-70
Jack Tatum was one of the dominant defensive players and most intimidating forces in college football during his career at Ohio State. A three-year starter, a two-time All-American and the national Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, he was known for his tenacity and fierce style of play. The 6-1, 208-pound Tatum came to Ohio State as a running back, but moved to defense in the spring of his freshman year. He was a mainstay of the defense for the next three seasons as OSU rolled up a 27-2 record and won the 1968 national championship, two Big Ten titles and played in two Rose Bowls. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
USC Coach Pete Carroll Connected with OSU
Pete Carroll, current USC head coach, was an assistant for the Buckeyes in the 1979 season under Earle Bruce. Carroll, who coached the defensive backfield helped guide the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl that season, ironically losing a tight 17-16 decision to USC. Read Carroll's bio from the 1979 season below.
1979 Season Glance
Former Ohio State player and assistant coach Earle Bruce is named head coach. The Buckeyes finish the regular season 11-0 and come within a point of a national championship, falling 17-16 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Bruce is named the Big Ten and national coach of the year in his first season.
Here's a link if you want to read a little more about the players and this game--
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=987019
The numbers themselves are staggering ...
-More than 300 all-time First-Team All-Americans
-Almost 150 NFL total First-Round Draft picks
-Close to 60 combined College Football Hall of Famers
-46 total Rose Bowl games
-18 combined recognized national titles
-7 Heisman Trophy winners ... each!
Ohio State and USC. Is there a better combination of talent and history? That's debatable, but come Saturday the only number that matters is 1 ... as in 1 more classic clash!
Here's a look at the series ...
SERIES RECORD Southern California leads the all-time series with the Buckeyes by a 12-9-1 count. The first meeting between the two schools was a 13-12 USC home victory in 1937. The latest meeting at Ohio Stadium came in 1990, a 35-26 USC victory in Columbus. Ohio State's last win was a 42-21 victory in the Rose Bowl following the 1973 season
The winner has averaged 25.3 points per game during the series, with the losing team averaging 8.6, making the average margin of victory 16.7 points. Seven of the previous 22 meetings have been shutouts. Six games have been decided by a touchdown or less. The home team has won nine of the 15 regular season matchups.
Ohio State is 50-24-2 overall against the Pac-10; the Buckeyes have faced every conference school at least twice in football. In regular season games, Ohio State is 44-17-2 against the Pac-10.
The OSU-USC Series:
1937 at USC 13, Ohio State 12
1938 USC 14, at Ohio State 7
1941 Ohio State 33, at USC 0
1942 at Ohio State 28, USC 12
1946 Ohio State 21, at USC 0
1947 USC 32, at Ohio State 0
1948 at Ohio State 20, USC 0
1949 Ohio State 13, at USC 13
1954 Ohio State 20, USC 7*
1959 at USC 17, Ohio State 0
1960 at Ohio State 20, USC 0
1963 at USC 32, Ohio State 3
1964 at Ohio State 17, USC 0
1968 Ohio State 27, USC 16*
1972 USC 42, Ohio State 17*
1973 Ohio State 42, USC 21*
1974 USC 18, Ohio State 17*
1979 USC 17, Ohio State 16*
1984 USC 20, Ohio State 17*
1989 at USC 42, Ohio State 3
1990 USC 35, at Ohio State 26
2008 at USC 35, Ohio State 3 *Rose Bowl
Jack Tatum - Saturday's honorary captainDefensive back 1968-70
Jack Tatum was one of the dominant defensive players and most intimidating forces in college football during his career at Ohio State. A three-year starter, a two-time All-American and the national Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, he was known for his tenacity and fierce style of play. The 6-1, 208-pound Tatum came to Ohio State as a running back, but moved to defense in the spring of his freshman year. He was a mainstay of the defense for the next three seasons as OSU rolled up a 27-2 record and won the 1968 national championship, two Big Ten titles and played in two Rose Bowls. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
USC Coach Pete Carroll Connected with OSU
Pete Carroll, current USC head coach, was an assistant for the Buckeyes in the 1979 season under Earle Bruce. Carroll, who coached the defensive backfield helped guide the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl that season, ironically losing a tight 17-16 decision to USC. Read Carroll's bio from the 1979 season below.
1979 Season Glance
Former Ohio State player and assistant coach Earle Bruce is named head coach. The Buckeyes finish the regular season 11-0 and come within a point of a national championship, falling 17-16 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Bruce is named the Big Ten and national coach of the year in his first season.
Here's a link if you want to read a little more about the players and this game--
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=987019
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Paint the Town Scarlet!
Show your buckeye pride!
Paint the Town Scarlet
Fans can get geared up for the Sept. 12 primetime matchup with USC (8 p.m./ESPN) by participating in the week-long lead up promotion "Paint the Town Scarlet." Fans have the opportunity to enter a contest for the best decorated homes or offices (exterior only with flags, lights, etc.) to be selected and displayed during the USC game on the Ohio Stadium south end zone video board.
Also starting Sept. 7, fans can purchase a special Ohio State-USC commemorative game day T-shirt from the Official Team Shop.
Spread Scarlet Statewide
Fans also are encouraged to spread their Scarlet Fever statewide as the Buckeyes travel to Cleveland in Week 3 to play a neutral-site away game against the Toledo Rockets at Browns Stadium Sept. 19 (noon/ESPN Plus).
Scarlet and Gray Fridays/Lose the Blue Week vs. Michigan
Ohio State has a season-long Scarlet & Gray Fridays campaign to promote Ohio State licensed apparel in the workplace, culminating in the annual "Lose the Blue" clothing donation drive for Good Will of Central Ohio. Last year, Ohio State fans donated more than 7,000 pounds of blue clothing during the campaign.
The Ohio State Department of Athletics and the Ohio State University Office of Trademark and Licensing Services run the "Lose the Blue" clothing drive annually during the week when the Michigan and Ohio State football teams renew their storied rivalry. In 2007, more than 6,000 pounds of clothing were donated.
Summit your photos--
webmaster@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu
Paint the Town Scarlet
Fans can get geared up for the Sept. 12 primetime matchup with USC (8 p.m./ESPN) by participating in the week-long lead up promotion "Paint the Town Scarlet." Fans have the opportunity to enter a contest for the best decorated homes or offices (exterior only with flags, lights, etc.) to be selected and displayed during the USC game on the Ohio Stadium south end zone video board.
Also starting Sept. 7, fans can purchase a special Ohio State-USC commemorative game day T-shirt from the Official Team Shop.
Spread Scarlet Statewide
Fans also are encouraged to spread their Scarlet Fever statewide as the Buckeyes travel to Cleveland in Week 3 to play a neutral-site away game against the Toledo Rockets at Browns Stadium Sept. 19 (noon/ESPN Plus).
Scarlet and Gray Fridays/Lose the Blue Week vs. Michigan
Ohio State has a season-long Scarlet & Gray Fridays campaign to promote Ohio State licensed apparel in the workplace, culminating in the annual "Lose the Blue" clothing donation drive for Good Will of Central Ohio. Last year, Ohio State fans donated more than 7,000 pounds of blue clothing during the campaign.
The Ohio State Department of Athletics and the Ohio State University Office of Trademark and Licensing Services run the "Lose the Blue" clothing drive annually during the week when the Michigan and Ohio State football teams renew their storied rivalry. In 2007, more than 6,000 pounds of clothing were donated.
Summit your photos--
webmaster@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu
Monday, September 7, 2009
Ohio State vs. Navy Box Score
Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER
Ohio State- TD 12:37 Dane Sanzenbacher 38 Yd Pass From Terrelle Pryor (Aaron Pettrey Kick)
Navy- TD 5:43 Ricky Dobbs 16 Yd Run (Joe Buckley Kick
Ohio State- FG 1:30 Aaron Pettrey 23 Yd
First Quater final score 10-7 OSU
SECOND QUATER
Ohio State- TD 9:01 Terrella Pryor 2 YD Run (Aaron Pettrey Kick)
Ohio State- FG 00:55 Aaron Pettrey 25 Yd
Second Quater final score 7-20 OSU
THIRD QUATER
Navy- TD 1:24 Marcus Curry 16 Yd Pass From Ricky Dobbs (Joe Buckley Kick)
Third Quater final score 14-20 OSU
FORTH QUATER
Ohio State- FG 14:11 Aaron Pettrey 52 Yd
Ohio State- TD 11:56 Daniel Herron 6 Yd Run (Pat Failed)
Navy- TD 6:15 Marcus Curry 85 Yd Pass From Ricky Dobbs (Joe Buckley Kick)
Navy- TD 2:23 Ricky Dobbs 24 Yd Run (Two-Point Conversion Failed)
Ohio State- DC 2:23 Brian Rolle 2-point conversion return
Forth Quater Final score 31-27 Ohio State
GAME ATTENDANCE: 105,092
FIRST QUARTER
Ohio State- TD 12:37 Dane Sanzenbacher 38 Yd Pass From Terrelle Pryor (Aaron Pettrey Kick)
Navy- TD 5:43 Ricky Dobbs 16 Yd Run (Joe Buckley Kick
Ohio State- FG 1:30 Aaron Pettrey 23 Yd
First Quater final score 10-7 OSU
SECOND QUATER
Ohio State- TD 9:01 Terrella Pryor 2 YD Run (Aaron Pettrey Kick)
Ohio State- FG 00:55 Aaron Pettrey 25 Yd
Second Quater final score 7-20 OSU
THIRD QUATER
Navy- TD 1:24 Marcus Curry 16 Yd Pass From Ricky Dobbs (Joe Buckley Kick)
Third Quater final score 14-20 OSU
FORTH QUATER
Ohio State- FG 14:11 Aaron Pettrey 52 Yd
Ohio State- TD 11:56 Daniel Herron 6 Yd Run (Pat Failed)
Navy- TD 6:15 Marcus Curry 85 Yd Pass From Ricky Dobbs (Joe Buckley Kick)
Navy- TD 2:23 Ricky Dobbs 24 Yd Run (Two-Point Conversion Failed)
Ohio State- DC 2:23 Brian Rolle 2-point conversion return
Forth Quater Final score 31-27 Ohio State
GAME ATTENDANCE: 105,092
Friday, September 4, 2009
Boeckman Moves Up to #3 QB!
I just found out today that Todd is the #3 QB. Here's the article if you would like to read it. It's basically the same thing I posted Wednesday. But I'll post it anyways.
The Jaguars have released 25-year old QB Paul Smith. Smith played in 2 pre-season games for the Jaguars completing 8 of 15 passes (53.3%) for 87 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 interceptions. He also carried the ball 1 time for 3 yards. Undrafted rookie Todd Boeckman from the Ohio State Buckeyes moves up to the #3 job for the Jaguars. Todd Boeckman lost his starting job at Ohio State last season but he was very effective two years ago for them. Last season Boeckman completed 57 of 93 passes (61.3%) for 620 yards with 5 TD passes and 2 interceptions (130.7 QB Rating). He completed 255 of 402 passes (63.4%) for 3,085 yards with 31 TD passes and 16 interceptions in his four years at Ohio State. He should be able to handle holding a clipboard for the Jags this season.
The Jaguars have released 25-year old QB Paul Smith. Smith played in 2 pre-season games for the Jaguars completing 8 of 15 passes (53.3%) for 87 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 interceptions. He also carried the ball 1 time for 3 yards. Undrafted rookie Todd Boeckman from the Ohio State Buckeyes moves up to the #3 job for the Jaguars. Todd Boeckman lost his starting job at Ohio State last season but he was very effective two years ago for them. Last season Boeckman completed 57 of 93 passes (61.3%) for 620 yards with 5 TD passes and 2 interceptions (130.7 QB Rating). He completed 255 of 402 passes (63.4%) for 3,085 yards with 31 TD passes and 16 interceptions in his four years at Ohio State. He should be able to handle holding a clipboard for the Jags this season.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Navy No Easy Opener for No. 6 Buckeyes; Post-Practice Interviewsþ
Well I decided today that I'm still going to post articles about Ohio State even though Todd Boeckman is graduated. After all this is an Ohio State blog too. Saturday is the season opener and I think everyone is excited for that.
By Rusty MillerAssociated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- This much is certain when it comes to No. 6 Ohio State's recent series of opening-game opponents: Navy is no Youngstown State.
While the Penguins were almost grateful to open the season at Ohio Stadium the last two seasons, the Buckeyes recognize that Navy won't be nearly so star-struck.
The Buckeyes opened with 38-6 and 43-0 routs of Youngstown State, the only Football Championship Subdivision team Ohio State has ever played.
Navy is at another level.
"We've got a great Navy team coming in week one," offensive guard Bryant Browning said. "First off, those guys have won a lot of games. They go to bowl games, and they win. We're usually facing, I guess you could say, a lesser opponent sometimes -- you could say it that way. But Navy is not one of those teams. They're going to come in here looking for a big upset."
Ohio State's contest against Navy on Saturday -- the first regular-season meeting between the teams since 1931 -- is not expected to be so lopsided as recent debuts for the Buckeyes
"Navy's no pushover," quarterback Terrelle Pryor said. "And you know they're going to be tough. They serve our country. You also got to appreciate that too because they serve our nation and protect us."
There are also a couple of other reasons why the game could be a problem for the Buckeyes.
For one, the Midshipmen's triple-option attack is something foreign to a defense that regularly faces spread attacks.
"Whenever you play someone like Navy it raises the urgency because you can't look at them and say, 'Well, I know what they do. Yeah, this is what they run. We know how to stop that,"' coach Jim Tressel said. "Plus our guys have a tremendous respect for the people who choose to go into that particular world. You've got to be courageous and our guys know that. ... It'll be an eye-opener for us."
For another, a date with No. 4 Southern California, which ravaged the Buckeyes 35-3 in SoCal a year ago, is looming a week later. The Buckeyes know they can't be distracted by that, since they'll likely have their hands full with the Midshipmen.
Unlike Youngstown State or the Mid-American Conference schools the Buckeyes usually open against, the Midshipmen won't be intimidated by the more than 100,000 in attendance. They've played on big stages and in big games, winning their last 13 against Army and Air Force to take the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy the last six years.
Apparently, Ohio State's fans have noticed.
Tressel said that athletic department officials have told him that there is as much or more interest in Navy tickets as any game on the Buckeyes' schedule. He hinted that the Ohio Stadium record attendance of 105,711 could be eclipsed.
A typical cupcake in the opener wouldn't draw nearly so much attention.
Navy returns 25 letterwinners and 13 starters from a team that went 8-5 last season, led the nation in rushing for an NCAA-record fourth-consecutive season (292.4 rushing yards per game) and went to the EagleBank Bowl, losing 29-19 to Wake Forest.
Junior quarterback Ricky Dobbs leads Navy's offense. He gained 495 yards and scored eight times a year ago.
All the Buckeyes are wary of the Midshipmen's option game.
"We haven't seen this since I've been here," linebacker Austin Spitler said. "The preparation has been unbelievable and the coaches have really stressed the importance of doing our 1/11th. Since it's something we haven't seen, it is a difficult situation."
And no easy way to open a season
By Rusty MillerAssociated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- This much is certain when it comes to No. 6 Ohio State's recent series of opening-game opponents: Navy is no Youngstown State.
While the Penguins were almost grateful to open the season at Ohio Stadium the last two seasons, the Buckeyes recognize that Navy won't be nearly so star-struck.
The Buckeyes opened with 38-6 and 43-0 routs of Youngstown State, the only Football Championship Subdivision team Ohio State has ever played.
Navy is at another level.
"We've got a great Navy team coming in week one," offensive guard Bryant Browning said. "First off, those guys have won a lot of games. They go to bowl games, and they win. We're usually facing, I guess you could say, a lesser opponent sometimes -- you could say it that way. But Navy is not one of those teams. They're going to come in here looking for a big upset."
Ohio State's contest against Navy on Saturday -- the first regular-season meeting between the teams since 1931 -- is not expected to be so lopsided as recent debuts for the Buckeyes
"Navy's no pushover," quarterback Terrelle Pryor said. "And you know they're going to be tough. They serve our country. You also got to appreciate that too because they serve our nation and protect us."
There are also a couple of other reasons why the game could be a problem for the Buckeyes.
For one, the Midshipmen's triple-option attack is something foreign to a defense that regularly faces spread attacks.
"Whenever you play someone like Navy it raises the urgency because you can't look at them and say, 'Well, I know what they do. Yeah, this is what they run. We know how to stop that,"' coach Jim Tressel said. "Plus our guys have a tremendous respect for the people who choose to go into that particular world. You've got to be courageous and our guys know that. ... It'll be an eye-opener for us."
For another, a date with No. 4 Southern California, which ravaged the Buckeyes 35-3 in SoCal a year ago, is looming a week later. The Buckeyes know they can't be distracted by that, since they'll likely have their hands full with the Midshipmen.
Unlike Youngstown State or the Mid-American Conference schools the Buckeyes usually open against, the Midshipmen won't be intimidated by the more than 100,000 in attendance. They've played on big stages and in big games, winning their last 13 against Army and Air Force to take the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy the last six years.
Apparently, Ohio State's fans have noticed.
Tressel said that athletic department officials have told him that there is as much or more interest in Navy tickets as any game on the Buckeyes' schedule. He hinted that the Ohio Stadium record attendance of 105,711 could be eclipsed.
A typical cupcake in the opener wouldn't draw nearly so much attention.
Navy returns 25 letterwinners and 13 starters from a team that went 8-5 last season, led the nation in rushing for an NCAA-record fourth-consecutive season (292.4 rushing yards per game) and went to the EagleBank Bowl, losing 29-19 to Wake Forest.
Junior quarterback Ricky Dobbs leads Navy's offense. He gained 495 yards and scored eight times a year ago.
All the Buckeyes are wary of the Midshipmen's option game.
"We haven't seen this since I've been here," linebacker Austin Spitler said. "The preparation has been unbelievable and the coaches have really stressed the importance of doing our 1/11th. Since it's something we haven't seen, it is a difficult situation."
And no easy way to open a season
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Jaguars sign Todd Boeckman again!
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed rookie quarterback Todd Boeckman and waived first-year quarterback Paul Smith today.
Smith was cut Sunday and replaced by former Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman, who is joining the Jaguars for the second time. He was originally signed June 17 and cut July 31. Now he has a shot at being a practice-squad player.
Smith was cut Sunday and replaced by former Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman, who is joining the Jaguars for the second time. He was originally signed June 17 and cut July 31. Now he has a shot at being a practice-squad player.
This is his new roster picture.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Boeckman still has NFL hopes
I came across this article today. It's from the Columbus Dispatch, enjoy!
--Boeckman still has NFL hopes--
Todd Boeckman can't remember the last time he wasn't in training camp this time of year.
"It's probably been 10 years," the former Ohio State quarterback said. "Maybe more than that, if you count seventh and eighth grade."
The Jacksonville Jaguars released Boeckman on Friday, just two days before they opened camp.
It was the latest disappointment he has endured in the past year. After being named first-team All-Big Ten in 2007, the fifth-year senior was benched in favor of freshman Terrelle Pryor after three games last fall.
Boeckman went undrafted in April but landed a tryout with the Cincinnati Bengals. He never heard back from them. The Jaguars signed him in June, and it was a tough blow to be cut just as he was getting ready to head to Florida
I've had a lot of ups and downs," Boeckman said. "I don't know even know the full reason (Jacksonville cut him). I thought I'd at least get a shot in camp."
Boeckman lives in Columbus and will continue working out in case he does get a call. He hasn't had time to formulate a backup plan, such as playing in another pro league or getting a job outside football
There are a lot of unknowns now," he said, adding that he hopes teams will need a quarterback at some point this preseason. "I just have to wait and see if anything pops up."
--Boeckman still has NFL hopes--
Todd Boeckman can't remember the last time he wasn't in training camp this time of year.
"It's probably been 10 years," the former Ohio State quarterback said. "Maybe more than that, if you count seventh and eighth grade."
The Jacksonville Jaguars released Boeckman on Friday, just two days before they opened camp.
It was the latest disappointment he has endured in the past year. After being named first-team All-Big Ten in 2007, the fifth-year senior was benched in favor of freshman Terrelle Pryor after three games last fall.
Boeckman went undrafted in April but landed a tryout with the Cincinnati Bengals. He never heard back from them. The Jaguars signed him in June, and it was a tough blow to be cut just as he was getting ready to head to Florida
I've had a lot of ups and downs," Boeckman said. "I don't know even know the full reason (Jacksonville cut him). I thought I'd at least get a shot in camp."
Boeckman lives in Columbus and will continue working out in case he does get a call. He hasn't had time to formulate a backup plan, such as playing in another pro league or getting a job outside football
There are a lot of unknowns now," he said, adding that he hopes teams will need a quarterback at some point this preseason. "I just have to wait and see if anything pops up."
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