
11-05-2008, 06:40 AM
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Capo Regime
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 40,875
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Total Points: 17,682,411.54
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Dispatch
Quote:
College football: Buckeyes appear focused after bye
Players show no hangover from loss to Penn State
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 3:26 AM
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
In recent years, Ohio State has struggled after bye weeks. But if yesterday was any indication, this year's team might buck that trend. Back in game-week preparations for the first time since an Oct. 25 loss to Penn State, the 12th-ranked Buckeyes (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) sounded nothing like a team that had seen its top two goals -- a national title and an outright Big Ten title -- go down the drain.
Instead, coach Jim Tressel was loose and relaxed, and his players talked tough. They spoke of winning out, starting Saturday at Northwestern (7-2, 3-2), and then letting a typically crazy college football season play out around them.
Safety Kurt Coleman said he felt this year's team was better than the 2007 club.
They sounded unified, as well, with tight end Rory Nicol, a fifth-year senior, emphatically supporting freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
When last seen, Pryor had his head in his hands on the sideline, distraught at his fourth-quarter fumble and interception that he felt were the reasons the Buckeyes lost 13-6 to Penn State.
That was his first loss in seven starts since taking over for senior Todd Boeckman. It could have caused cracks and divisions to form within the team, but Nicol nipped that thinking in the bud.
Cont...
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