Straight 6 with Ben Buchanan
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<p><img align=left src="http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/gallery/files/3/9/8/0/tn.jpg" border="1" Hspace="10" Vspace="2">Since Jim Tressel's arrival in Columbus, the Buckeye special teams have truly become special. Groom, Sander, and of course Nugent are names that have been permanently entrenched in Buckeye lore due to their kicking prowess. Ohio rising Junior Ben Buchanan hopes to join that list one day...and he certainly has the leg to do it. As a sophomore, Ben booted 75% of his kickoffs into the endzone, went 5/7 on field goals with a long of 44 yards from the left hash, and was named Top Kicker & Top Punter at the 2006 Buckeye Kicking Academy after kicking a 60 yard bomb to win the field goal competition. The momentum in Ben's recruiting is starting to roll and the BP Recruiting Team was fortunate enough to grab this rising star to participate in "The Straight Six."
1) When you think of Ohio State football, what comes to mind?
BB: I immediately think of unbelievable winning tradition! Script Ohio also comes to mind. Mike Nugent's 55 yard game winner against Marshall and especially the 2003 Fiesta Bowl National Championship game I went to with my father and cousin Dan.
2) What are you looking for in a school and coaching staff?
BB: I am looking for a first class program that is well respected nationally not only for its athletics, but also, most importantly, for its academics. It would be an honor to play for Coach Tressel because he uses the special teams for field position and ultimately to win close games.
3) This is your Junior year...what goals have you set personally and for your team?
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BB: I always try to focus on team goals first and I hope that we will dominate the OCC Central and gain a birth into the Division 1 state playoffs. As for my individual goals, I hope to capitalize on my opportunities as a kicker, punter and receiver to help my team win our games. I will continue to work hard to improve my strength and technique to hit a 70 yard field goal by the end of this season.
4) When your career is over, how would you like people to remember Ben Buchanan?
BB: I hope that I will be remembered as a great person and a Godly man, a leader and a friend. I hope to be someone who made a difference in many people's lives and was always there to help!
5) If you were analyzing yourself on film, what would you list as your strengths and what needs some work?
BB: My strengths are my focus, technique, consistency and power. As a baseball pitcher, I learned early on how to stay cool and focus under pressure with the game on the line. I still need work on improving my technique as a punter and a kicker and I still need to get as strong and fast as I can.
6) What are some of your favorite things to do away from football?
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BB: I love spending time with my family! My other sport is baseball so my spring and summers have been spent on the baseball diamond. I enjoy golfing and traveling when I can. I am especially looking forward to returning to Honduras this February for a medical missionary trip.
The BPRT would like to thank Ben and Tim Buchanan for taking time to take part in the Straight Six. The Buckeye Nation will certainly be following Ben's career...hopefully all the way to Columbus.
Ben Buchanan's BP Thread
