Tag Archives: Ohio State

2018 OSU Captains Announced

(Official OSU Press Release)

Seven Named 2018 Ohio State Football Captains

Group includes three receivers, Isaiah Prince and defenders Nick Bosa, Jordan Fuller and Tuf Borland

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State football team has voted on and selected seven players to serve as its captains for the 2018 season. This year’s group includes a pair of returning captains from 2017 – WRs Terry McLaurin and Parris Campbell – along with a third fifth-year senior WR in Johnnie Dixon, OT Isaiah Prince, DE Nick Bosa, SAF Jordan Fuller and LB Tuf Borland.

The players voted on captains Friday. Campbell led the way with the most votes with Dixon just one vote behind. Fuller led all defensive vote getters.

Campbell, a fifth-year senior, has played in 34 games during his career with 24 starts. A dynamic pass catcher and returner, he started 12 games in 2017 and led the team with 18 plays of 20-or-more yards, including long receiving touchdowns of 74 yards vs. Indiana, 69 yards vs. UNLV and 57 yards in the Big Ten title game win over Wisconsin. He enters the 2018 campaign second on the team in career receptions with 53 and second in receiving yards with 705. On special teams, Campbell averaged 36.6 yards per kick return. He was a third-team All-Big Ten performer at wide receiver and second-team as a return specialist.

McLaurin has played in 40 career games and is a returning 14-game starter from the 2017 squad. He enters his fifth year in the program with 40 receptions for 550 yards and a 13.8-yards per reception average. His eight touchdown receptions were tied for the team lead last year, including an 84-yard catch-and-run TD against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. McLaurin graduated last December with a degree in communication.

Dixon, a fifth-year senior, has battled injury and adversity throughout his career but had his best statistical year in 2017, tying for the team lead with eight touchdown receptions while averaging 23.4 yards per catch. Named a “champion” nine times by the coaching staff, Dixon had multi-TD performances against Rutgers (three receptions, career-high 115 yards, two TD), Penn State (three receptions, 56 yards, two TD) and Iowa (four receptions, 81 yards, two TD). Already viewed by his teammates as a leader on and off the field, Dixon was one of 56 Ohio State student-athletes across 17 sports to take part in the Fourth Annual Wolstein Leadership Academy Retreat this May

Prince was a third-team All-Big Ten performer last year and is a veteran of 40 career games with 27 consecutive starts. He’s been Ohio State’s starting right tackle in 2016 and 2017 and the Buckeyes have led the Big Ten in rushing in each of those seasons. A sport industry major, Prince interned last summer with Ohio State’s social media and fan experience department.

Bosa is universally regarded as one of the best defensive players in the country, coming off first team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association. He led the Buckeyes last year in tackles for loss (16.0), sacks (8.0) and was the Big Ten Conference Smith-Brown defensive lineman of the year. Bosa was named a game “champion” by the Ohio State coaches for his efforts in all 12 wins last year, the only defensive player to achieve the feat.

Fuller is the unquestioned leader in the back end of Ohio State’s defense, a returning 13-game starter from 2017 who had 70 tackles (57 solo) to earn third team All-Big Ten honors. He had what was essentially the game-deciding interception against Michigan and was a game “champion” by the coaching staff seven times. A business marketing major, his work in the classroom has been equally impressive – last season, Fuller became the program’s fifth CoSIDA Academic All-American in the last four years.

Borland, a third-year sophomore, saw his first extensive playing time in last season’s third game against Army and went on to start nine of the final 11 games of the season at middle linebacker. He finished with 58 tackles – fourth most on the team – and was twice voted by the coaches as the team’s defensive player of the game. His spring was cut short due injury but all signs point to him returning for action in 2018. An exercise science major, Borland earned Academic All-Big Ten and OSU Scholar-Athlete honors.

QB Chugunov Joins Team

Former West Virginia quarterback Chris Chugunov has joined the Ohio State football team as a graduate transfer. He will work on a master’s degree in hospitality management after earning his bachelor’s degree from WVU in finance. He will have two years of eligibility.

Chugunov, who is 6-1, 203 pounds and will wear jersey No. 4, is from Skillman, N.J., and Montgomery High School. He was a January 2015 enrollee at WVU and spent three seasons with the Mountaineers. He played in eight games, including starting twice last season in place of an injured Will Grier, and completed 45 of 95 passes for 551 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.

Pronunciation: CHUG uh nov

KEN’S TOP TEN COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS

KEN’S TOP TEN COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS

(as of 11-21-17)

 

10 Notre Dame             (9-2)

9   USC                           (10-2)

8   Ohio State               (9-2)

7   Georgia                    (10-1)

6   Auburn                     (9-2)

5   Wisconsin               (11-0)

4   Miami                      (10-0)

3  Oklahoma                (10-1)

2   Clemson                  (10-1)

1   Alabama                 (11-0)

 

 

OSU’S URBAN MEYER NAMES J.T. BARRETT HIS STARTER AT QB FOR RUTGERS GAME

Hear my Q and A with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on why he selected J.T. Barrett over Cardale Jones to start this Saturday at Rutgers.

Listen here –

 

Urban Meyer

PODCAST – “INSTANT ANALYSIS” – OHIO STATE 75 VCU 72

Here’s my breakdown of OSU’s NCAA Tournament win over VCU in overtime.

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D'Angel Russell NCAA Win Over VCU 3-19-15

Ohio State freshman sensation D’Angelo Russell is trying to cool himself off as he was red hot with 28 points in the Buckeyes win over VCU.

 

 

 

JIM TRESSEL TALKS BEFORE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ABOUT BEING A HALL OF FAMER NOW

Before the Ohio State Buckeyes demolished the Oregon Ducks to win the 2014 National Championship, for Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel talked to a number of us in the media about being selected as part of the 2015 class for the College Football Hall Of Fame as well as how he feels when he watches OSU games now and more.

Jim Tressel before Nati Championship Game 1-12-15

MY 1 on 1 INTERVIEW WITH OHIO STATE’S DEVIN SMITH

Listen here to my 1 on 1 interview with Massillon HS graduate and Ohio State senior wide receiver and second all-time leader in touchdown receptions with 30, Devin Smith –

Devin Smith Big Ten Title Game

OHIO STATE/SUGAR BOWL NOTES AND NUMBERS

With their 42-35 win over Alabama, Ohio State now has the longest winning streak in the country, having won 12 games in a row this season and are (13-1) overall.

The Buckeyes have now officially beaten an SEC team in a Bowl game with the 42-35 win over Alabama.

Urban Meyer is now (2-2) in head-to-head match ups with Nick Saban, (8-2) lifetime in bowl games and is (37-3) in his first three years at Ohio State.

Urban Meyer Sugar Bowl

The 230 yards rushing by Ezekeil Elliott is a new Sugar Bowl record and it was the first time this season that the Crimson Tide gave up 100 yards rushing to a player. Elliott was named the game’s Offensive MVP.

In his last 3 games Elliott has rushed for 571 yards on 57 carries, averaging 10 yards per carry and scored 6 touchdowns.

Ezekeil Elliott and Cardale Jones Sugar Bowl

Third string QB Cardale Jones has started two games now in his career at Ohio State and has posted wins over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game and over #1 ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final.

Devin Smith caught his 30th career touchdown pass, a 47 yarder from Jones in the 3rd quarter.

As a team Ohio State rushed for 281 total yards against the nation’s #1 ranked rushing defense, as Alabama was giving up just 88 yards per game rushing this season. The Buckeyes totaled 537 yards in the win.

OSU Linebacker Darron Lee took home Defensive MVP honors with 7 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.

Darron Lee MVP Sugar Bowl

The Bucks picked off Bama quarterback Blake Simms 3 times, 1 each for Steve Miller, Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell.

Ohio State has now defeated 4 ranked teams this year: #1 Alabama, #8 Michigan State, #13 Wisconsin and #25 Minnesota. They will now play #2 Oregon for the National Championship on January 12th in Arlington, Texas at “Jerry’s World”.

In their last 4 games, the most important games of the season, the Buckeyes have scored 42, 42, 59 and 42 points. The Oregon Ducks in their last 4 games have scored 44, 47, 51 and 59 points.

The guys in the desert have installed Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Oregon as an early 7 point favorite in the National Championship Game.

FYI- The Buckeyes are (5-0) under Urban Meyer when they enter a game as “The Underdog”.

 

 

DID OHIO STATE DO ENOUGH TO MAKE THE NCAA PLAYOFF?

Urban Meyer Big Ten Trophy

Last 5 weeks:

OSU beat 3 ranked teams – 2 on road/1 at neutral site. TCU beat 2

ranked teams – 1 on road. Baylor beat 2 ranked teams – 1 on road.

 

Current winning streaks:

OSU has an 11 game winning streak. TCU has a 7 game winning streak. Baylor has a

5 game winning streak.

 

Last games:

Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship over #13 (10-3) Wisconsin 59-0.

TCU beat unranked (2-10) Iowa State 55-3.

Baylor beat #9 (9-3) Kansas State 38-27.

 

OSU is an outright conference champion. TCU and Baylor are co-conference champions.

 

OSU’s  best win is at #8 Michigan St. (10-2). TCU’s best win was at home vs #4

Oklahoma (8-4). Baylor’s best win was at home vs #9 TCU (11-1).

 

OSU’s loss was at home to (6-6) Virginia Tech. TCU’s loss was to (11-1) Baylor. Baylor’sloss was to (7-5) West Virginia.

 

OSU’s record vs ranked teams is (3-0). TCU’s record vs ranked teams is (4-1). Baylor’s record vs ranked teams is (3-0).

 

OSU’s opponents combined record winning percentage is (.555). TCU’s opponents combined record winning percentage is (.503). Baylor’s opponents combined winning percentage is (.475).

 

 

 

KENNY’S KEYS TO BEATING WISCONSIN IN THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

1) GROUND GORDONYou aren’t going to be able to completely shut down or stop Heisman Trophy candidate Melvin Gordon, but you must be able to slow him down and then bring him to the ground so he doesn’t rip off any big runs against you. He’s rushed for 0ver 100 yards in 11 of 12 games this season and he’s run for over 200 or more yards in 5 games this year, including his 408 yard – 5 TD performance against Nebraska. He has racked up 2,260 yards – 26 touchdowns and has an 8 yards per carry average. He also has 3 TD receptions. He is the focal point of the Badgers offense. Contain him and force Joel Stave to beat you with his arm and your chances to win increase dramatically. This is by far the most important part of the Buckeyes game plan on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Melvin Gordon 2

2)  JONES DISTRIBUTING COMPANY – In his first collegiate start, sophomore third string quarterback Cardale Jones needs to realize he doesn’t have to try and do it all himself. He has plenty of playmakers around him and his main job will be to get them the ball in any way possible. Whether it’s a hand off, shovel pass, option pitch, a deep ball down field, get the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Jalin Marshall, Devin Smith, Evan Spencer, Mike Thomas, Jeff Heuerman and other the pigskin and let them do what they’ve been doing all season. If Jones tries to do too much that’s when turnovers happen and that’s the most important thing he cannot do, “TURN THE BALL OVER”! He needs to “VALUE THE FOOTBALL”, “PROTECT THE PIGSKIN” at all costs. He needs to know it’s OK to punt the football and then try and score the next time they get the ball. If he doesn’t turn it over, like I mentioned earlier, the Buckeyes chances of winning this game against Wisconsin increase dramatically.

Cardale Jones Backfield Photo

3) URBAN ADJUSTMENTS – Urban Meyer, with a quarterback making his first career start, plus at least 13 freshman or sophomores starting and a bunch of other “utes” playing key roles, mistakes are going to happen. Meyer needs to recognize them quickly and make the proper adjustments if the game plan isn’t working. This is do or die time for the Buckeyes. Last year Meyer was outcoached in both the Big Ten title game and in the Orange Bowl, he can’t let that happen again, especially with so many young players in prominent roles.  Don’t wait until half time to make changes or adjustments. If in-game moves need to be made, make them immediately. (i.e. – don’t be afraid to put true freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillian in for Curtis Grant and let him play most of the game. McMillian is the better player. Don’t be loyal to fault just because the Grant is a senior.)

Urban Meyer

4) BE SPECIAL – There are three parts to a football team and the one that gets overlooked the most is special teams. This game could be won on special teams. So make sure you win the battle with this unit. Field the ball cleanly on kicks. Stay in your lanes on punt and kick coverages and make the fundamental tackles instead of going for the highlight hits. Know your blocking assignments and communicate on all punts, field goals and extra points. Flip field position on punts with good hang time, ball placement and coverage. The momentum of so many games can change because of a big special teams play. 

 

INSTANT ANALYSIS – OHIO STATE 42 MICHIGAN 28

My thoughts on yet another Buckeyes victory over “That Team Up North”!

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JT Barrett Thumbs Up Injury photo