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September 2009
Buckeyes’ Coleman suspended for helmet hit
Northmont graduate Kurt Coleman has been suspended one game for leading with his helmet on a tackle late in Ohio State’s win over Illinois on Saturday.
THE AP STORY:
COLUMBUS — Ohio State strong safety Kurt Coleman has been suspended for one game for a helmet-to-helmet hit and “targeting a defenseless opponent” in the ninth-ranked Buckeyes’ 30-0 win over Illinois on Saturday.
Coleman, a team captain and second-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, was flagged for the hit on Illinois backup quarterback Eddie McGee on the final drive of the game. McGee had gained 4 yards when he was hit by Coleman.
Coleman will miss Ohio State’s game at Indiana on Saturday night.
In announcing the suspension on Monday, the conference cited a new rule for the 2009 season mandating a post-game video review by a conference of any flagrant personal fouls.
OSU’S REACTION:
COLUMBUS — Ohio State director of athletics Gene Smith and head football coach Jim Tressel issue a joint reaction to the one-game suspension of Kurt Coleman by the Big Ten Conference:
“Obviously, we will abide by the one-game suspension from the Big Ten Conference, but we feel as if there was poor judgment throughout.
“We concur that Kurt’s hit was late and a result of poor judgment; he was thus penalized and removed from the game by his coaches. We do not agree that it was “pre-meditated” or that he was “targeting a defenseless” player.
“The decision to suspend points to the Conference office’s feeling as if there was poor judgment by the game officials for their decision not to eject at the time.
“In our estimation, the final “poor judgment” is in levying a one-game suspension in this particular case. We will abide by the decision, learn from it, and move forward.”
Ohio State will have no further comment regarding this matter.
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OSU-Indiana tickets available
This just in from OSU:
$55 Tickets for Indiana Game Available General public can purchase tickets online through OhioStateBuckeyes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Tickets for the 7 p.m. game Saturday between Ohio State and Indiana at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. are available for purchase. The cost of each ticket is $55.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets can do so online at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Click on the Athletics heading at the top of the home page and use the drop down menu to access the ticket office page. Once there:
— Click on “Manage Your Ohio State Buckeyes Account”;
— Login with your Account ID and password (new customers may click on “Create Account” to create a profile); and
— Once logged in, click on “Buy Tickets” and select the Indiana away game to purchase your tickets.
Seat locations will be located in section 101 at Memorial Stadium.
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Security reminder about Ohio Stadium
The Ohio State athletic department sent out a note with reminders about Ohio Stadium security heading into the Buckeyes’ game against Illinois at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The text is below:
The security and safety procedures for home football games at The Ohio State University will be maintained at their current levels. Bags will continue to be vigilantly checked upon entry into Ohio Stadium for the remainder of the football season. Those entering the stadium are advised to allow additional time to ensure they arrive for the start of the game, Mike Penner, assistant athletics director for event management, said Thursday. The Buckeyes open Big Ten play at 3:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Illinois.
“We take the security of our fans, student-athletes and staff seriously,” Penner said. “Recent advisories issued by the federal government have provided us the opportunity to re-emphasize to our staff and our fans the procedures we already have in place.”
Ohio Stadium Policies
Bags larger than 14x14 inches are prohibited in Ohio Stadium. Guests attempting to enter Ohio Stadium with a larger bag will be asked to return it to their vehicle. All bags are subject to search.
The following items are not permitted in Ohio Stadium: Alcohol, baby strollers, bags (larger than 14” x 14”), balls, banners, beverages, bottles, professional cameras with detachable lenses, chair back seats, containers, weapons, drugs, fireworks, flags, food, Frisbees, ice chests, irritants, knives, noisemakers, picnic baskets, televisions or radios without headsets, signs, Thermoses and video recorders.
Entry to the stadium begins two hours prior to kickoff.
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Homan honored as Buckeyes’ top defender
This just in from OSU:
Ohio State Football Award Winners Outstanding play against Toledo recognized
COLUMBUS - The Ohio State football coaching staff has selected its weekly award winners for outstanding play in Saturday’s 38-0 shutout of Toledo in Cleveland.
Linebacker Ross Homan was the Buckeyes’ defensive player of the week, with six tackles and a fumble recovery. Punter Ben Buchanan was the player of the week on the special units. Wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, with five catches for 126 yards and two scores, was the offensive player of the week.
Scout team champions were: Offense: Chris Fields; Defense: Jordan Whiting; Special Units: Tony Harlamert.
The “Attack Force” award went to defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. Bryant Browning was the Jim Parker lineman of the week. The Jack Tatum Big Hit of the week was not awarded.
Ohio State (2-1) opens Big Ten play Saturday hosting Illinois (1-1) in a 3:30 p.m. game at Ohio Stadium that will be televised by ABC and ESPN.
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Buckeyes in Cleveland: 8-6-1
When the Ohio State football team plays Toledo at Cleveland Stadium, it will be the first time the Buckeyes have played in Cleveland since 1991.
Overall, the Buckeyes have an 8-6-1 record playing in Cleveland, although they have played there only once since 1944 and have won seven straight. The games:
1892: Western Reserve 40, Ohio State 18
1894: Case 38, Ohio State 0
1898: Western Reserve 49, Ohio State 0
1899: Ohio State 5, Case 5
1903: Case 12, Ohio State 0
1906: Ohio State 9, Case 0
1908: Case 18, Ohio State 8
1910: Case 14, Ohio State 10
1912: Ohio State 31, Case 6
1914: Ohio State 7, Case 6
1916: Ohio State 28, Case 0
1934: Ohio State 76, Western Reserve 0
1942: Ohio State 44, Illinois 20
1944: Ohio State 26, Illinois 12
1991: Ohio State 34, Northwestern 3
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Toledo asks fans to trade scarlet for blue
Toledo football coach Tim Beckman has a history with Ohio State and coach Jim Tressel. not only did Beckman coach for Tressel in 2005 and ‘06, but his father, Dave, played at Baldwin-Wallace for Tressel’s father, Lee, who coaches B-W.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not trying to gain more Toledo fans heading into the Rockets’ matchup with Ohio State on Saturday at Cleveland Stadium.
On Monday, Toledo asks people to trade in scarlet OSU apparel for free replacement Toledo T-shirts during Beckman’s weekly coaches show on Monday.
Beckman referenced the event on his Twitter account.
Thanks to all students & fans for your support last night @ my radio show! I am glad u trade in ur scarlet gear for some midnight blue ones
It’s also interesting to see the way Beckman is using Twitter as a recruiting tool more than information for fans. He certainly asks for fan support, but he also includes thoughts like these near the end of tweets:
Out looking for champions on and off the field. Join the 2010 Rockets
Come be coached bt UT Coaches & Players!
Join the Rockets in 2010 & WIN big
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OSU-USC viewship: 10.6 million
Whether you think Ohio State made a good impression against USC or not, we now know plenty of people were watching.
The numbers out today say that 10.6 million people watched the ESPN broadcast, making it the most-viewed college football game in the network’s history.
Is college football gaining popularity? This from Sports Media Watch:
Saturday’s game ranks as the most-viewed college football game in the 30-year history of ESPN. The previous record holder was Miami/Florida State in ‘06 (9.1 million). In the span of less than a week, ESPN drew two of its three largest college football audiences — Miami/Florida State on Labor Day drew 8.4 million, currently the third-most viewed college football game ever on ESPN.
Bad news, though. More people — 11.9 million — were watching last year when USC trounced Ohio State.
So, maybe it’s not such a good thing.
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Jim Tressel is “nearly hopeless”: A summary in 2,386 words
There’s a man named Chris Brown, and he’s a blogger with Yahoo! Sports covering college football.
On Monday, following the weekend of action, Brown put together a lengthy and involved analysis of the Ohio State-USC game, and one of his conclusions is this:
I’m convinced the situation in Columbus is nearly hopeless
A strong statement, but Brown has the photos and breakdowns to back up the way he feels. But beware, Buckeyes fans. The 2,386 words will not be pleasant for you, and reading will be even less pleasant if you believe in Jim Tressel.
A defining sentence, summing up the angst held by many Ohio State fans:
For all the talk of Tressel’s buttoned-down, conservative approach, and how his teams don’t make mistakes, the most basic and fundamental errors permeated throughout Ohio State’s offensive plan like cancer in its late stages, and the only conclusion I could draw from this game is that Tressel — whatever he may be as a motivator, a recruiter, a teacher of technique or as a disciplinarian — is not up to the challenge of leading his team past others that equal his in talent.
It’s a very interesting and researched piece, but it’s not going to make you feel any better about the game, despite the close score.
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OSU-Illinois to kick off at 3:30
This just in from OSU:
Ohio State-Illinois at 3:30 Will be televised regionally by ABC and ESPN
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State-Illinois game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Sept. 26, the Big Ten Conference announced today. The contest will open the Big Ten season for the Buckeyes and will be played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
The game will be televised on a regional basis by ABC; regions that don’t get the ABC broadcast will find the action mirrored on one of the ESPN networks.
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Is Ohio State just too boring to win?
Here’s the thought from The Wall Street Journal:
Can USC beat you with their Hollywood-like stage show as much as their hard-hitting defensive play?
In the dour confines of Ohio Stadium, the constant drumbeat of the USC band, the cheerleaders with the sultry sweaters, the celebrity coach with the pearly white teeth and the parade of massively recruited running backs will make a spectacle the likes of which Columbus has seldom seen. In contrast, Ohio State’s discipline, its Midwestern humility, its work ethic may suddenly seem small.
Could the Buckeyes, in fact, be on the down side of things because Ohio is, well, more boring that LA?
Psychologists argue that teams with mystique like USC can be intimidating to opponents. “Athletes are reluctant to admit it,” says Saul Miller, a sports psychologist based in Vancouver who has worked with college, pro and Olympic athletes, “but there’s no question: Some people are intimidated, whether it’s playing in a round with Tiger Woods or against an athlete with celebrity status. It’s a real phenomenon.”
I guess what they’re saying is: If you’re going to the game as an Ohio State fan, don’t show that you’re impressed by the USC theatrics. That’s just what they want.
Don’t give in to Will Ferrell and Snoop Dog.
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Odds and Ends: Helping you understand Ohio State-USC
Consider this …
— USC tailback Joe McKnight can run the 100 meters in 10.4 seconds (he was Louisiana state champ in 2006 and second in 2007). Taylor Mays, the superb safety, has run a 4.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Those are two seriously fast people to watch.
— The Buckeyes have caught plenty of grief for their performance in night games. Under Jim Tressel, OSU is 2-2 in home night games and 14-9 overall in night games (the USC game is set to kick off shortly after 8 p.m.).
— During Pete Carroll’s nine seasons at USC, he has played 91 first-year freshmen. Ninety-one. That includes five already this season. Of course, Buckeyes fans are really only concerned about on Saturday, quarterback Matt Barkley.
— Under Tressel, Ohio State is 24-1 at home against non-conference teams. Bad news, though. The only loss came against another Top 10 team, No. 2 Texas in 2005 (25-22). Anyone else still think Justin Zwick would’ve been the starter for the year if Troy Smith hadn’t entered the game and screwed everything up? But, it worked out OK. Just not that night.
— Of the 15 losses USC has suffered under Carroll, 14 have come by a touchdown or less. The other was a margin of 11 points. Close games are no stranger here.
— Tressel’s teams have gone 51-6 at home, 32-12 against the Top 25 and 8-7 against the Top 10.
— There have been 11 opposing runners to gain at least 100 yards against USC in the past 87 games. Carroll, meanwhile, is 52-2 when his teams hold opponents to 300 yards or less. Keep that number in mind.
— Carroll is 6-0 against the Big Ten.
— Facing that kind of rushing defense, Ohio State will need some passing success against USC. Remember OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor’s best passing game: 16-of-25 for 226 yards against Penn State, another very strong defense. I’m just saying, it’s possible.
— If you’re an OSU fan, don’t feel too great about a halftime lead. In Carroll’s tenure, USC has outscored opponents 1,860 to 809 in the second half.
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USC offensive line: Big, mean, boring
Much has been made this week about USC’s offensive line, its experience and its ability to be a leading force in the Trojans beating Ohio State on Saturday.
So who are these guys? Let’s see what USC has to say about them. (There are six of them, because two of the positions have two players listed as possible starters.)
LT Charles Brown, 6-6, 285, Sr.: “Brown started all season at left offensive tackle and did a commendable job as a junior in 2008.” Commendable. Ouch.
LG Butch Lewis, 6-5, 285, Jr.: First problem: His middle name is Wendell. He started the first five games last season before missing one with illness and serving as a backup for awhile before getting his job back. Coming into the year, USC said he “will now push to start at left tackle as a junior in 2009. He could also work on the right side again.” Guess that didn’t last long.
LG/C Jeff Byers, 6-3, 290, Sr.: Starter for the previous two seasons at left guard, now works at both left guard and center. Already working on his MBA, partially because he missed two seasons with injury and is in his sixth year of eligibility. Don’t get near him, though. He missed part of the 2008 spring camp with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
C Kristofer O’Dowd, 6-5, 300, Jr.: Missed spring practices while recovering from should surgery after starting all of 2008 at center. USC says: “O’Dowd will anchor USC’s offensive line while starting for his second season at center as a junior in 2009.”
RG Alex Parsons, 6-4, 300, Sr.: Started the last 10 games in 2008 at right guard, but it was only his second season on offense. He switched from defensive tackle to offensive line in 2007.
RT Tyron Smith, 6-6, 285, So.: “The promising Smith likely will start at right offensive tackle as a sophomore in 2009.” This line, as well as the previous five bios, proves that even a school’s athletic communications department just can’t make an offensive line sound exciting.
But if you’re looking for experience, consider this: USC’s returning offensive linemen have a combined 96 starts between them.
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Barkley to OSU crowd: “Bring it on”
In case you haven’t heard, USC quarterback Matt Barkley was in high school last year. He’s a true freshman starting for the Trojans, who will visit Ohio Stadium on Saturday in the one of the premier non-conference college football games this season.
Many Ohio State fans have placed some confidence in the game because of Barkley’s inexperience, especially considering Ohio Stadium holds one of the largest crowd’s in college football.
Barkley, apparently, isn’t as concerned, according to the Los Angeles Times:
“Bring it on,” Barkley said after practice. “I’ll imagine they’re all cheering for us.”
Cockiness, maybe? Or just confidence? Or fake confidence? We’ll see on Saturday.
But inexperience isn’t as much of an issue. Barkley has earned so much attention, praise and microscope treatment, he’s not exactly you’re fresh-from-high-school player. He’s even ahead of where Terrelle Pryor was last year at USC, because he graduated from high school early to attend USC spring practices. Pryor did not.
Barkley has his own Web site. He was his high school team’s starting quarterback for four years, and even as a freshman he passed for 1,685 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He did, however, throw 18 interceptions as a high school senior, which is a surprising statistic. Granted, he also completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards and 23 touchdowns, but he nearly matched those TD passes with interceptions.
To me, Ohio State fans should feel most optimistic about that stat.
Still, to help Barkley along, the Trojans practiced with added crowd noise on Tuesday. Afterward, he told reporters he was ready for the noise.
“It will be a little louder,” he said, “but I’ve got a loud voice.”
