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Game Thread Game One: Ohio State 34, Miami of Ohio 14 (final)

CountryRedHawk said:
OH, I got to see Lakota West's number 21(don't recall his name) but he is an amazing WR. Great speed, and very elusive. I saw him at the Mason-LW game.

I think I saw him drop 2 passes, that's it. He made a one handed catch like twice, which surprised me(I was rooting for Mason and Lebanon.) Good game, and I hear he's also playing bball for OSU. That's what I was told by some of the LW crowd.

Good to keep him in state, and not let him outta Ohio.
As far as I know the only WR from Lakota West that will consider playing BBall for tOSU, is Josh Chichester. He's a 6'8" WR that has already committed to tOSU to play football, and will definitely consider walking-on the basketball team. However, you throw me off by adding that his number is 21, because the pictures I've seen have him as #81. If I'm wrong about this, then so be it. This information is readily available on this website if you're willing to take the time to research before you post.
 
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Dayton Daily

I didn't realize how many Ohioans are on Miami's roster. I'm pretty sure BGSU and Toledo don't have this many. Anyway, some more fodder....

Ohio State rejection helps motivate some Miami players

Even new coach dreamed of playing for Buckeyes

By Kyle Nagel

Dayton Daily News

OXFORD | A simple helmet on the locker room floor helped Ryne Robinson make his college choice.


Robinson, a Miami University junior wide receiver, walked into the RedHawks' locker room during his recruiting visit in 2002 and saw an Ohio State University helmet mixed in with helmets from other top football programs. Miami coaches placed the helmets to show recruits what big schools the RedHawks had played in the past — and whom they would play in the future.

"I saw the Ohio State helmet, with that gray and the Buckeye stickers all over it," said Robinson, who has five career punt-return touchdowns, a Mid-American Conference record. "Ohio State was one of the schools that turned me down for a scholarship, so that was one of the biggest things in me signing my scholarship here, getting a chance to play against (Ohio State)."

Robinson, a Toledo Central Catholic High School graduate, will have that snub on his mind when Miami travels to Ohio Stadium on Saturday to face No. 6 Ohio State. For many of the 64 Buckeye State natives on Miami's roster, playing OSU holds special meaning.

"Right now, with no doubt, Miami is my school, Miami is my team," said Miami senior cornerback Ryan Redd. "But growing up basically in Columbus (Pickerington), I wanted to play for (Ohio State)."

In fact, the last time Miami played in Columbus, in 2000, Redd was on the sidelines as a recruit — an Ohio State recruit. And this summer, while working a job at a beer distribution company in Columbus, two of his co-workers were OSU offensive linemen.

"Guys at work always tried to start a little something," Redd said with a smile, "but we never got into it."

Even Miami coach Shane Montgomery has a soft spot for the Buckeyes. Montgomery quarterbacked Newark Catholic High School — about 30 miles east of Columbus — to the 1984 Division V state championship. He also loved Ohio State and would have played for the Buckeyes if they had offered him a scholarship. Instead, he became a two-time bowl MVP at North Carolina State.

"A lot of our players are from Ohio, so I know for those guys to have the chance to play against a state school like Ohio State means a lot to them," said Montgomery, who was promoted from offensive coordinator last December when former coach Terry Hoeppner accepted the same job at Indiana University.

But even for the players who haven't grown up wearing scarlet and gray, the importance of the game is obvious.

"A majority of us are from Ohio," said Miami quarterback Josh Betts, a Vandalia Butler High School graduate, "and those that aren't know what kind of team Ohio State is."

Miami players were certain to mention that a childhood love for the Buckeyes doesn't translate into rolling over for them on Saturday. Their confidence might be boosted by the close score from 2000 — a 27-16 OSU victory.

"We're going to be very confident going into this game," Montgomery said. "We have a lot of seniors, and most of these guys have played at places like Michigan and LSU and Iowa, so I think they'll be able to handle the situation."
 
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We Have High Expectations of Ourselves

BrutusReport.com:

We Have High Expectations of Ourselves

Josh Betts, Senior Redhawk Quarterback, on Miami <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place><st1:PlaceType>University's</st1:PlaceType> </st1:place>season, the MAC, and what players have improved the most during fall camp.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>

By Steve Patterson

<o:p> </o:p>

What's your outlook for the Miami Redhawks for the 2005 season?<o:p></o:p>

“We are very excited about the opportunities in front of us this year. With a senior filled team and a lot of returning experience, we have high expectations of ourselves.�<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

What will be the most difficult game of the year?

“I feel there will be many difficult games, but specifically, the <st1:place>Northern Illinois</st1:place> game at their place, <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Ohio</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> because of the level of play and atmosphere, and BGSU because of how successful they can be. Again though, it ends up being that a few of the games you didn't think would be as challenging make you dig the deepest and end up being the most difficult.�

<o:p> </o:p>

Has the MAC greatly improved and can teams in the MAC compete against other conferences?<o:p></o:p>

“Many of the MAC teams can compete against any conference. What we need to do is improve the MAC as a whole and better some of the teams who have consistently struggled, and I think we are moving toward this.�

<o:p> </o:p>

What position has the strongest personnel?<o:p></o:p>

“Probably Linebackers, because we have 5 seniors at linebacker and 8 years of starting (experience) between the starting three.�

<o:p></o:p>

Is there a position that needs more experience for the more difficult parts of the schedule?<o:p></o:p>

“Running back will be tested this year because we lost a couple kids, so endurance and being able to physically get through the entire season will be tested.�

<o:p> </o:p>

Who will be the MVP on the team this season?<o:p></o:p>

“Not sure, I know there will be so many times where many players will have to step up and with the senior leadership, I think that may be an interesting vote at the end of the season.�

<o:p> </o:p>

What young player has shown the most promise during fall practice?<o:p></o:p>

“I think Joe Hudson at linebacker will be a very good player in the future. “

<o:p> </o:p>

Who has made the most improvement from last year?<o:p></o:p>

“Charlie Norden has had a tremendous fall camp and is getting even better everyday and will be a great lineman at <st1:City><st1:place>Miami</st1:place></st1:City>.�<o:p></o:p>

<O:p
 
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I'm sticking with 48-7. Miami is in for some shit. Ryne Robinson won't get more than 25 yards on any single return, Terna Nande will get 10 tackles, but nothing spectacular. The secondary will be admitted as a group to the burn unit at tOSU hospital at halftime. Pittman goes for 125 and 3 scores, Haw breaks an 80 yarder and lights one up on his way into the endzone. I'm so pumped for this game to start, and I can't wait until AJ starts putting people on their backs.

Of course, I could be wrong and Miami could be using their upset win over Ohio State as a springboard to their first (and inevitable) national championship.:roll2:
 
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daddyphatsacs said:
Redd had better come ready to play at the other CB spot for Miami. Me thinks that he will be picked on quite a bit this weekend.
I went to HS with Redd. He's a good kid... it's such a shame that I have to watch him get torched aGinn and aGinn and aGinn this weekend. I'll be pulling for him in all his other games though. He was a beast in the State playoffs his Senior year. On another note, he is a cousin of Michael Redd.
 
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or just to get boeckman time in a real game situation.

its ridiculous to suggest that zwick might be looking like shit in practice, just because we are playing our second string quarterback, who many thought would start the game anyway.
 
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CountryRedHawk said:
How is the tailgating?!

(I asked and got nothing...)

Where is the best place to go? Info,please. :biggrin:
CRH,

If you said you were going to Cedar Point and asked "How do I find the roller coasters?" The answer would be the same:

Find a place to park (signs) and follow the stream of people.

You'll end up along Lane Ave with _everyone_ else.

People do manage to cook out next to their vehicles and have a private-ish party. But these people are Professionals. With RV's, Tents, etc. They will start rolling in on Friday. You need much better recon than a query to a board for that.
 
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scout.com (free)

8/31/05
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tressel Previews Miami At First Luncheon

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Jim Tressel

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Bucknuts.com Staff
Date: Aug 30, 2005

One of the weekly rituals of OSU game week is for Jim Tressel to meet with the media on Tuesday afternoons, and each session kicks off with Tressel answering questions during the weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference. In today's edition, and Tressel discussed OSU's first opponent, the quarterback situation, and more. Tressel also revealed a short time ago at his local press conference that Mike D'Andrea has been granted a medical redshirt year by the NCAA. (Story updated at 2:30 p.m.)
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Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel met with the media Tuesday at his first weekly press luncheon. The coach previewed Saturday’s season opener with Miami (Ohio) (12:10 p.m., ABC regional coverage).

“It’s game time for us and we’re excited,� Tressel said. “I can remember five or six days ago I heard some of the older guys saying, `Let’s go.’ They have gone against each other enough. We are just so anxious to play.

“Everyone in this room knows the great tradition at Miami (Ohio). Our guys who have grown up here in Ohio know about it. Miami (Ohio) is an excellent football team and it will be a tremendous challenge for us.�

Miami was 8-5 last year and is playing under first-year coach Shane Montgomery, who served as the offensive coordinator for coach Terry Hoeppner the last four years.

“I like their team speed,� Tressel said. “They have excellent speed in the secondary and with the linebacker corps and the receiving corps. We are very aware of how much speed they have on the field. They have a quarterback (Josh Betts) who threw for 3,000 yards last year.

“If you look up and down the line, this why they have been an extraordinary football team.�

Tressel said the Buckeyes came through preseason camp in good shape.

“We had a good camp,� he said. “We trained hard and the weather got hot and it was nasty. Then, we had a break in the weather. We’ve been able to stay relatively healthy.�

With quarterback Troy Smith serving the second of a two-game suspension for receiving illegal extra benefits from an OSU booster, junior Justin Zwick will start at quarterback. But Zwick missed nearly a week of camp time due to an ankle sprain.

“He is doing well,� Tressel said. “He missed probably five or six days of time. He’s ready to go. He’s running around and anxious to lead this football team.�

When asked if Zwick was 100 percent, Tressel smiled and said, “Let’s say 97. He’s pretty good.�

Tressel said even with Zwick in the game, the Buckeyes may experiment with the option.

“The option is a part of who we are,� he said. “We’ll run the option.�

The coach confirmed that redshirt freshman Todd Boeckman is also expected to get reps at quarterback.

“That’s our plan, but it’s just Tuesday,� Tressel said. “We like to play more guys early in the year and would like to get some experience for more than just one guy.�

Regarding the tailback position, Tressel said he expects sophomore Antonio Pittman to start. But he figures to have a lot of help.

“I would say that Antonio Pittman and Brandon Schnittker would get the first run at it,� he said. “Maurice Wells will get some opportunities. Both Shaun Lane and Erik Haw have shown us they’ve got some ability as well. I would say that three or more of them would play.�

The depth chart lists a bracket situation at left tackle with junior Doug Datish and sophomore Steve Rehring.

“I guess it will either be Doug Datish or Steve Rehring,� senior guard Rob Sims said. “They are both capable enough to play.�

Tressel added, “They will both play. Who will play the first play, I don’t know.�

The coach also took note of a couple players who were surprisingly listed in the two-deep with junior John Kerr backing up A.J. Hawk at outside linebacker and redshirt freshman Brandon Smith, a former linebacker, now backing up Ryan Hamby at tight end.

“John Kerr has been showing us for a couple of years as a scout team player that he is a football player,� Tressel said. “He earned his way into the two-deep. He is very competitive and he loves to hit people.

“With Brandon Smith, we had some injuries there at tight end. He was playing at a linebacker area where we felt we had enough depth. So we moved him over to tight end and we think he’s been outstanding there.�

Tressel said not to forget about another possibility at tight end.

“Our surprise tight end is Bobby Carpenter,� Tressel said. “We’ll sneak him over there. He’s a good tight end. He’s quick, he’s physical. He knows how to block. He’s smart. Somebody said he could come over and learn the playbook in about 30 minutes.�

Also Notable

* Tressel said OSU hopes to announce instate games for 2006-08 that should complete the school’s scheduling. When asked if Youngstown State may be in those plans, he smiled and said, “They might be.�

Once the contracts have been signed and returned, the schools involved will make joint announcements, Tressel said.

* Tressel revealed that linebacker Mike D’Andrea received notice today that the NCAA had granted his petition for a medical redshirt for last year, when he only played in four games.

That means D’Andrea, who missed much of preseason camp with a knee injury, can return at any point and play this year as a junior and would then have the option of coming back next year as well.

“He hasn’t had much work still,� Tressel said. “He is not 100 percent. But he heard today that the NCAA had granted his appeal on his redshirt. He has an opportunity to still have a good year and a half of great football ahead of him. We hope he is ready to go by the end of September.�

* Regarding true freshmen who should debut against Miami, Tressel said Wells, defensive backs Jamario O’Neal and Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Lawrence Wilson all figure to play. Those who could see action as well include defensive back Andre Amos, defensive linemen Todd Denlinger and Doug Worthington, wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline and perhaps offensive tackle Alex Boone.

* Tressel on the likelihood that Ted Ginn Jr. would play on defense: “I think that would be slim.�

* Tressel said several Buckeyes had been touched by the hurricane and tropical storms that swept across the Gulf Coast, including defensive tackle Nader Abdallah.

“Nader said he has talked with everyone and everyone seems to be doing fine,� Tressel said. “He has one brother he has not been in contact with, but I know he said the telephone service has been down.

“(Strength coach) Bernardo Ammerson has family in Hattiesburg, Miss., and that area was hit hard. They have a big tree by their home and he said that it fell the other direction. That was a good thing.�

Game Day Operations

OSU associate athletic director Richelle Simonson addressed the media on a number of topics including game day and ticket operations.

“The special point that we want to make about football game day is it’s not only about the football game, but also about having a safe, secure fan friendly environment,� Simonson said.

She said that OSU will continue with all security measures it has had in place since the 9-11 attacks.

“Our advice for them is to travel lightly,� she said.

Items banned from Ohio Stadium include concealed weapons, no TVs, radios without headsets, backpacks, banners, signs and food or beverages. Chair back seats are also prohibited unless needed for a health reason. Those with health issues should use the “exception gates� – gates 9, 14 and 25.

In terms of ticket policy, Simonson said those with discounted tickets need university ID cards to gain access to the stadium.

“All discounted seats for students, faculty and staff will require an OSU ID,� she said. “Those tickets are marked if they have to have the ID.�

Roughly 15 percent of the stadium capacity – listed at over 105,000 – will be faculty and staff members, while students will make up 22 percent of the capacity. Simonson said some 62 percent of faculty and staff ticketholders have upgraded their tickets so they can legally be resold and buyers can use them without needing an OSU ID.

Those upgrades must be done by Friday of game. They can be done game by game or with season tickets. Students have the option of upgrades beginning with the Iowa game, the first game on the student season ticket.

Simonson said the alcohol crackdowns in and around university parking lots of recent years will continue.

“There will be no changes from last year,� she said. “We will have uniformed officers out and about interacting with people. They will all have badges. We are trying to make sure we have a fan friendly environment. It is illegal to have alcoholic beverages in the parking lots on campus. They are simply enforcing the law.�

At the same time, Simonson said the university is stressing sportsmanship for all who attend OSU games.

“That is something we want to take to a new level and we are relying on fans, our part-time staff and our full-time staff,� she said. “We want to have the best game environment in the country.�

For more information on OSU’s game day policies as well as late ticket availability, check out this web site: www.athletics.osu.edu/gameday

Tressel Teleconference

Below is the story filed earlier today on Coach Tressel’s appearance on the weekly Big Ten teleconference:

Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel checked in via telephone a short time ago for this season's first Big Ten coaches teleconference. Tressel began with some thoughts on the opening game against Miami.

"It's great to get going," Tressel said. "We've had a great training camp. It's nice and hot here in Ohio, and I think our guys have gotten ready for the rolling season ahead.

"As all of us know who follow the game of football, Miami has done an outstanding job as they travel into many stadiums and play very, very well. They've won a lot of big games, and they have an excellent squad coming back. They rolled off I think five or six of their last seven or eight games (victories). I like their team speed, and I think it will be a great opportunity for us on Saturday."

Quarterback has been a major issue for Ohio State throughout the offseason, and in the opener, Justin Zwick will be drawing the start as Troy Smith will be serving a suspension for accepting money from a booster. Tressel was asked if the offense will change as a result of Zwick getting the start.

"I think the evolution of our offense over the course of last year, as we were breaking in new players and trying to figure out who we were and we can do best, I think it wasn't solely due to what the quarterback position was or was not capable of doing," Tressel said. "I think the same thing continued this spring and preseason. Our evolution, I think, has been a whole one, so I don't know if there's anything we would do differently with Justin or Troy or Todd Boeckman, because we all need to fit into the puzzle. It'll be a very, very similar attack."

Tressel was asked what Smith has done in the meantime to be ready to go for the Sept. 10 game against Texas.

"He was in preseason, like everyone else," Tressel said. "He probably got to participate maybe 75 percent of the time and had plenty of reps. This week, of course, he's been on the scout team, getting our team prepared for Miami (Ohio) and doing all that he can to help the team. He's really not far behind; he hasn't missed a whole bunch and he's done what all the other quarterbacks have done."

Tressel was asked about senior linebacker A.J. Hawk, who is one of just two players whose name is on six postseason award watch lists.

"A.J. Hawk is a special player," Tressel said. "He trains extremely hard; he's one of those guys you talk about all year round training. He's got to get a lift in on Friday before a game. He's just one of those guys who works so hard. He does a great job diagnosing plays. He's very physical. For as big as he is, he runs well. I think there's no doubt about it -- he's one of the great players in the country."

The Buckeyes will be part of a Big Ten conference that some feel is the strongest conference in America this year. Tressel commented on whether or not the strength of the conference hurts a team's national championship chances.

"I guess there's two ways to look at it -- the Big Ten is so balanced, and anyone can beat anyone, and we're aware of that," he said. "That's the downside. But on the other hand, the way I've always looked at it is this -- if you happen to be fortunate enough to win every Big Ten game and be ranked high enough to be in the national championship game, you are going to be ready. We felt that in 2002, the fact that we were able to survive eight Big Ten games and come up on the winning side and play against tough teams and good teams that there wasn't anyone in the country we couldn't play. Obviously, that turned out to be true."

Throughout the offseason, there was plenty of talk about off-the-field incidents and allegations of NCAA violations pointed towards the OSU program. Tressel talked about how the program has come through the barrage of allegations and negative press.

"I think it starts with the belief in what you do and what you believe in and who your people are," he said. "I have great belief in all of the people here at Ohio State, whether it be our athletic administration or our coaching staff or the kids that play in our athletic program. I know full well what our intentions are and what we're trying to accomplish. I think it starts with that, and you have to feel good about who you are and what you're trying to do and weather whatever comes your way. Sometimes people think otherwise, but I think you have to weather it."

To end the conference, Tressel was asked to talk about how the past year has been for him personally.

"I haven't had an easy year of coaching," Tressel said. "This will be my 31st year of college coaching, 20th as a head coach, and for a wide variety of reasons, every year is a challenge, whether it's a great record or a poor record or lots of injuries or no injuries or whatever it happens to be. Quite honestly, every year is a battle and a struggle at times, and I think that's part of the fun of it. You love the challenge of your struggles, and you just handle it the way you handle any other challenge in a year."

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scout.com (free)

8/31/05



<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Game Data: Miami (Ohio) at Ohio State

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Steve Helwagen Managing Editor
Date: Aug 30, 2005

We take a look at the pertinent information, TV coverage map, depth charts and a prediction of what could happen for Ohio State's season opener against Miami (Ohio) Saturday at Ohio Stadium (12:10 p.m., ABC).
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Game Data

* Date, Time: Sat., Sept. 3; 12:10 p.m. (Eastern)

* Location: Ohio Stadium

* TV: ABC; Announcers: Mike Tirico, Tim Brant, Sam Ryan.

ABC Coverage Map (Scroll Down)

* 2004 Records: Ohio State, 8-4 overall, 4-4 Big Ten; Miami (Ohio), 8-5 overall, 7-1 MAC East.

* Rankings: Ohio State, sixth in Associated Press poll, ninth in USA Today coaches poll; Miami (Ohio), unranked.

* Coaches: Ohio State, Jim Tressel (fifth year at OSU, 40-11; 20th year overall, 175-68-2; vs. Miami, first meeting); Miami (Ohio), Shane Montgomery (first year at Miami; vs. Ohio State, first meeting).

* Series History: Ohio State leads 3-0 (Ohio State won 80-0 in 1904, 3-0 in 1911 and 27-16 in 2000; all games played in Columbus.).

* Schedule: Sept. 3, at Ohio State; Sept. 10, Central Michigan; Sept. 17, at Kent State; Sept. 28, Cincinnati; Oct. 5, at Northern Illinois; Oct. 15, Akron; Oct. 22, at Eastern Michigan; Oct. 29, at Temple; Nov. 5, Buffalo; Nov. 15, Bowling Green; Nov. 21, at Ohio.

* Miami (Ohio) Key Players: QB Josh Betts (3,495 yards passing, 23 TDs, 14 INTs in 2004), RB Brandon Murray (48 carries, 248 yards, 4 TDs in 2004), WR Ryne Robinson (64 catches, 932 yards, 4 TDs in 2004), WR Martin Nance (90 catches, 1,498 yards, 11 TDs in 2003), DE Marcus Johnson (7-1/2 sacks in 2004), OLB Terna Nande (86 tackles, nine TFLs in 2004), OLB John Busing (93 tackles, 6-1/2 TFLs in 2004).

* Miami (Ohio) Fast Facts: Location: Oxford, Ohio; Enrollment, 16,300; Nickname, RedHawks; Colors, Red and White; Stadium, Yager Stadium (surface, FieldTurf; capacity, 24,286).

Depth Charts

Ohio State Offense



SE 4 Santonio Holmes, 5-11, 190, Jr.

8 Roy Hall, 6-3, 240, Jr.

LT 50 Doug Datish, 6-5, 295, Jr.

or 71 Steve Rehring, 6-8, 329, So.

LG 77 Rob Sims, 6-4, 310, Sr.

59 John Conroy, 6-3, 295, Sr.

C 55 Nick Mangold, 6-4, 290, Sr.

50 Doug Datish, 6-5, 295, Jr.

RG 72 T.J. Downing, 6-5, 305, Jr.

67 Kyle Mitchum, 6-6, 295, Fr.

RT 74 Kirk Barton, 6-7, 325, So.

73 Steve Winner, 6-6, 300, Sr.

TE 80 Ryan Hamby, 6-5, 255, Sr.

87 Brandon Smith, 6-3, 240, Fr.

FL 7 Ted Ginn Jr., 6-0, 175, So.

5 Albert Dukes, 6-1, 190, Fr.

QB 12 Justin Zwick, 6-4, 225, Jr.

17 Todd Boeckman, 6-5, 235, Fr.

TB 25 Antonio Pittman, 5-11, 195, So.

43 Brandon Schnittker, 6-2, 250, Sr.

FB 89 Stan White Jr., 6-3, 242, Jr.

49 Dionte Johnson, 6-0, 250, So.

SL 11 Anthony Gonzalez, 6-0, 195, So.

18 Devon Lyons, 6-4, 214, So.

K 23 Josh Huston, 6-1, 195, Sr.

85 Ryan Pretorius, 5-10, 190, Fr.

Ohio State Defense



DE 97 David Patterson, 6-3, 285, Jr.

99 Jay Richardson, 6-6, 276, Jr.

DT 94 Marcus Green, 6-3, 290, Sr.

93 Nader Abdallah, 6-5, 300, Fr.

DT 90 Quinn Pitcock, 6-3, 295, Jr.

98 Joel Penton, 6-5, 290, Jr.

DE 57 Mike Kudla, 6-3, 265, Sr.

78 Alex Barrow, 6-4, 255, Fr.

SLB 42 Bobby Carpenter, 6-3, 255, Sr.

17 Marcus Freeman, 6-2, 230, So.

MLB 51 Anthony Schlegel, 6-1, 251, Sr.

46 Chad Hoobler, 6-3, 240, So.

WLB 47 A.J. Hawk, 6-1, 240, Sr.

52 John Kerr, 6-1, 246, Jr.

CB 26 Ashton Youboty, 6-1, 188, Jr.

19 Brandon Underwood, 6-2, 170, Fr.

FS 21 Nate Salley, 6-3, 220, Sr.

32 Brandon Mitchell, 6-3, 205, Jr.

SS 9 Donte Whitner, 5-11, 205, Jr.

3 Jamario O’Neal, 6-1, 180, Fr.

CB 6 Tyler Everett, 5-11, 202, Sr.

2 Malcolm Jenkins, 6-1, 180, Fr.

NB 3 Jamario O’Neal, 6-1, 180, Fr.

34 Rob Harley, 6-2, 202, Sr.

P 15 A.J. Trapasso, 6-1, 220, Fr.

LS 68 Drew Norman, 6-0, 230, Jr.

Miami (Ohio) Offense



LT 75 Mark Kracium, 6-5, 295, Sr.

67 Allen Beneker, 6-5, 280, Jr.

LG 72 Steve Meister, 6-2, 290, So.

50 Matt McKeown, 6-4, 277, Fr.

C 62 Todd Londot, 6-7, 315, Sr.

53 Steve Kosky, 6-4, 278, Jr.

RG 79 Nate Bunce, 6-7, 322, Sr.

73 Pete Walters, 6-6, 320, So.

RT 76 Charlie Norden, 6-6, 313, So.

68 Dave DiFranco, 6-6, 323, Fr.

WR 15 Martin Nance, 6-5, 211, Sr.

81 Patrick O’Bryan, 6-1, 196, So.

QB 8 Josh Betts, 6-3, 223, Sr.

3 Mike Kokal, 6-3, 202, So.

WR 4 Josh Williams, 6-2, 220, Jr.

82 R.J. Corbin, 6-1, 203, Jr.

WR 2 Ryne Robinson, 5-10, 171, Jr.

27 Marcus Tate, 5-8, 150, Jr.

TE 89 Dan Tyler, 6-5, 248, Sr.

84 Tyler Vogel, 6-6, 253, Sr.

TB 24 Brandon Murphy, 5-8, 188, So.

43 Jimmy Calhoun, 6-0, 224, Fr.

K 35 Todd Soderquist, 6-2, 210, Sr.

Miami (Ohio) Defense



DE 93 Marcus Johnson, 6-3, 257, Sr.

94 Ben Huddle, 6-4, 265, Fr.

DT 65 John Glavin, 6-0, 278, Sr.

69 Otto Linwood, 6-1, 306, So.

DT 99 Mike Barz, 6-4, 262, Sr.

96 James Case, 6-2, 278, Fr.

DE 58 Craig Mester, 6-5, 243, So.

51 Joe Coniglio, 6-2, 233, Fr.

OLB 12 John Busing, 6-4, 227, Sr.

37 Dontae Wright, 6-3, 222, Jr.

MLB 38 Derek Rehage, 6-2, 234, Sr.

46 David Hutzelman, 6-1, 224, Sr.

OLB 32 Terna Nande, 6-1, 231, Sr.

30 Bryan Tyson, 6-1, 208, Sr.

CB 21 Ryan Redd, 5-10, 176, Sr.

5 Frank Wiwo, 6-3, 179, Jr.

SS 1 Joey Card, 6-0, 198, Jr.

6 Robbie Wilson, 6-0, 209, Fr.

FS 36 Steve Burke, 6-0, 191, Sr.

17 Sean Kavanagh, 6-1, 205, Fr.

CB 28 Darrell Hunter, 6-1, 206, Sr.

16 Bryan Roland, 5-10, 191, Fr.

P 4 Jacob Richardson, 6-1, 187, Fr. Breaking It Down

* When Ohio State Has The Ball: The talk through the off-season centered on two main topics: Ohio State will be running more of a spread-styled offense (with three and four wide receivers). And the offensive line should be a lot better, so if and when the Buckeyes feel the need to grind some meat between the tackles they should be able to do so.

Ohio State will put the 2005 edition of its offense in motion against Miami (Ohio), a team that returns nine starters – seven of them seniors – on the defensive side of the football. You get the sense that OSU will have to work for everything it gets against Miami. There may also be the temptation to “out-athlete� Miami by getting the ball (quickly) on the perimeter to the likes of Santonio Holmes, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez and mayve even the debuting Albert Dukes.

Of course, OSU is not operating at full strength. Troy Smith, the quarterback that engineered OSU’s 4-1 regular season finish last year, is ineligible. That means that it will be Justin Zwick under center. Keep in mind, Zwick missed nearly a week of preseason camp with an ankle sprain. Where Smith confounded defenses with his arm and his feet, Zwick may only be a threat throwing the football in this game if he is still hobbling.

That means the Buckeyes could be back to square one – establishing the run. You know they want to see how Antonio Pittman fares in his first game as the starter at tailback. This is a quality Miami defense, led by Marcus Johnson at end and Terna Nande at outside linebacker. They have speed and experience. They will not be easily fooled or beaten. OSU will need some big plays. I see the Buckeyes making a handful of those, though.

* When Miami (Ohio) Has The Ball: This should be a really neat match-up. Josh Betts threw for nearly 3,500 yards last year. Receivers Martin Nance and Ryne Robinson are each prime time players. Provided Betts has the time to throw, I imagine he will complete more than just a few passes and could approach 200 yards in the air.

This will be Jim Heacock’s debut as OSU’s defensive coordinator. Heacock is a veteran coach and he has seen just about everything. Moreover, he potentially has a great defense talent-wise to work with All-American caliber players like A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter at linebacker and Ashton Youboty at corner. The battles Youboty figures to have with Nance will be worth the price of admission.

Once again, we look at the line play. If OSU’s defensive line can mount a surge, stop the run and pressure Betts into some hurried throws and/or mistakes, the Buckeyes can win this one with ease. I imagine, though, that Miami will make just enough plays to keep this one interesting.

* How It Will Go: The RedHawks played at Iowa in 2003 (21-3 loss) and at Michigan last year (42-10 loss). They have at least played in front of large crowds and in meaningful games – like the last two MAC championship games – so they should not be in awe when they come down the ramp at Ohio Stadium.

I see a team that if it puts all the pieces together and takes care of the football can certainly extend Ohio State into the second half, maybe even the fourth quarter. Miami is that good and has that kind of experience.

But this is possibly a great Ohio State team. The Buckeyes are deep and talented on both sides of the ball. Other than the Smith suspension and maybe the injury to Mike D’Andrea, they aren’t missing anybody they are truly counting on. I do not see an Ohio State romp. However, I do see the Buckeyes making two or three big plays that Miami can not counter – perhaps on offense or in the kicking game – and OSU will gently ease away late. I’ve got it: Ohio State 31-14

* For The Record: Last year, I was 7-5 straight-up on Ohio State and 5-7 against-the-spread.

* Other Picks: On this week’s Bucknuts Radio Hour, Mr. Bucknuts picked OSU 31-13. Kirk Larrabee had it OSU 37-17, while Jerry Rudzinski said OSU 33-17.

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Ozone

8/31

RedHawk Trash Talk: The Buckeyes are giving the RedHawks plenty of respect coming into the game this weekend, but it turns out that a few of the RedHawks have been doing some talking prior to the game.

"We have a freshman from Middletown, Andre Amos, he said when he went back home they were just talking a lot of trash, a whole bunch of Miami football players," said Tyler Everett.

"They were already talking about what they were going to do in the game."
 
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Does Coach Tressel actually say, "Miami (Ohio)," because that's what the quote says in the report. Would be pretty funny if he said, "Miami parenthesis Ohio end parenthesis."

Oh yeah, the O-zone didn't tell the full story, because of those things the Miami players were saying to Amos were along the lines of "yeah, we're gonna go three-and-out a lot....and probably fumble and stuff...." Just said they were saying what they were "going to do."

All right, I'm done
 
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