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Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2011 > December > 29 > Entry
Buckeyes enjoying the Florida sun
A report from Ohio State Media Relations:
Buckeyes Continue Preparation for TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl
Speed was a topic of the day when Ohio State’s coaches and players were interviewed
Ponte Vedro, Fla. - Things are warming up nicely in Florida. The temperature for the Buckeyes’ morning practice at Hodges Field, located at the University of North Florida, was a practice perfect and sublime 59 degrees and, for the second day in the row, the practice was spirited and full of pep.
The Buckeyes spent a little more time in meetings at the hotel this morning before heading out to the practice fields (about a 20-minute drive with a significant police escort). Practice commenced just before 10 a.m. and ended two hours later at approximately noon.
Following practice, the defense showered and went back to the Sawgrass Marriott for meetings and lunch, the offense lifted weights (the defense lifted Wednesday) before heading back for lunch and meetings, and a few individuals spent time with the assembled media.
Thoughts from the Day
Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jim Bollman, defensive coordinator Jim Heacock and four players - Tyler Moeller, Etienne Sabino, Johnathan Hankins and Ryan Shazier - met with the media for interviews on the practice fields. Some thoughts from the day:
Coach Bollman on…
Florida’s defense: “They are really good up front. They have some really big and powerful guys. They also have some quickness on the edge and they can run at the inside linebacker spots. They may have some new guys in the back end, but at this time of year they have gained some experience. They will be formidable, that’s for sure.”
Coach Heacock on…
Florida’s offense: “Our guys have a great deal of respect for them. They have an athletic front and they have played very well up front. They have speed in the backfield. They changed to a pro-style offense this year and I think it’s been good for them. I think they have a little more power and they are a little more physical.”
Florida’s speed: “You hope we can keep up with their speed. You never know until you get out in the game and see how we’re playing. I think we have the potential when we are moving fast and playing fast that we can match up. A lot of it has to do with attitude and the approach you take to the game.”
Tyler Moeller on…
The game: “It would mean a lot to win this game. You always want to finish on top. It would give the team great morale heading into next year. And for me personally, and especially the seniors, it would be great to go out with a win in the last game.”
SEC vs. Big Ten speed: “I’d put Bradley Roby up against anyone in the 40-yard dash.”
Etienne Sabino on…
Being in Florida: “It feels great to be back here. This weather…you can’t beat it.”
Players from state of Florida increasing Ohio State’s team speed: “I would like to think we have added to Ohio State’s team speed.”
Johnathan Hankens on…
His speed: “I love getting off the ball, being quick and being able to make plays and run around.”
Ryan Shazier on…
Team speed: “I think we match up [to Florida’s speed] pretty well. People may overlook us just because we’re in the Big Ten and they don’t think we are fast. But I think we have just as much speed.”
In Memory
The Buckeyes will be wearing two additional decals on their helmets for the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl in the memory of two special individuals who lost their battles with illness earlier this month: former quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels and Jean Bruce, wife of coach Earle Bruce. A white decal with a black JD and a scarlet Buckeye leaf will honor Joe and a black decal with a white JB will honor Jean.
They’re Baaaaack
A flock (or horde or gaggle or gang) of turkey buzzards was chilling in the upper reaches of the stands at Hodges Field when the team arrived Thursday morning; enjoying the early morning warmth of the sun, no doubt. There were 29 of the large scavengers that looked to be about the size of a 12-pound turkey. Wednesday there were 18 buzzards in attendance. The stadium looks to hold about 7,500 fans, and it is typically used by the North Florida Ospreys’ soccer, track and field, and field hockey teams.
Turf Toes
The two practice fields the Buckeyes are utilizing for their bowl practices are the same kind of grass fields that the team will play on at EverBank Field (according to a couple locals at the field): a TifSport Bermuda grass overseeded with Rye grass.
A Muscular Bowling Alley
The planned entertainment for the day for the Buckeyes is an evening visit to an entertainment venue called Latitude 30. The location features bowling, billiards and the latest arcade games, plus big screen televisions and lots of music.
Looking Ahead…
The game day weather forecast changes every day, but today the forecast was for sunny blue skies and with a temperature of at least 65 degrees. So get your tickets for the game now at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
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By Clint
December 29, 2011 8:52 PM | Link to this
Buckeye Fans it doesn’t get any better …New Years Eve the #2 rated Ohio State Basketball Buckeyes play in Assembly Hall vs the unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers at 12 - 0 at 6P and on Jan 2nd the Football Buckeyes play in the Gator Bowl vs the SEC Florida Gators at 1P in Florida’s backyard . Go Buckeyes !
By To Clint
December 30, 2011 6:38 AM | Link to this
A real sportsfan would know that IU lost to Michigan State Wednesday night. Go Bucks!
By Not a Michigan Fan
December 30, 2011 10:06 AM | Link to this
Enjoying sun and sanctions.
By Brenda Crank
December 30, 2011 10:38 AM | Link to this
About those sanctions. How is it that the 2010 team screws up royally, apparently with the knowledge of their coach, most of whom will be gone after this year, and yet the NO BOWLS sanction will actually punish the 2012 team for what the 2010 team did? I understand that the NCAA feels it has to come down hard but it would have made a lot more sense to have made the restrictions THIS year so that those people who broke the rules last year (the ones who honored their Cotton Bowl agreement by continuing at OSU) would be the ones who were kept out of bowl action. I realize I’m not terribly knowledgeable about NCAA rules & procedures but bluntly, for the 2012-13 Buckeyes…this sucks.
By joe
December 30, 2011 12:46 PM | Link to this
Brenda, the infractions committee said long ago that their decision would not be for some time, especially with some of the new info that came out. When OSU self-punished itself, it was still in position to win the division and go to big 10 title game. No reason to yank themeslevs out of that type of possibility. It was actually the Sugar Bowl they played in and as an aside, it was the Sugar Bowl folks that lobbied the NCAA to allow OSU to play in it. Welcome to the NCAA where punishment is always handed down going forward, not in reverse.