A New Era For Ohio State Football – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2001
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A New Era For The Buckeyes
A new era in Ohio State football unfolds Saturday when the Buckeyes (0-0), under the direction of first-year head coach Jim Tressel, open the 2001 season by hosting the University of Akron Zips (1-0) in Ohio Stadium. The 48-year-old Tressel took over the Ohio State reins this past January, succeeding John Cooper. An Ohio State assistant for three seasons (1983-85), Tressel has spent the past 15 seasons at Youngstown State, where he guided the Penguins to an overall record of 135-57-2 (.701) and four Division I-AA National Championships.
In addition to a new head coach, the Buckeyes will be playing in a practically new venue. Ohio Stadium, the venerable home of Ohio State football since 1922, has undergone an extensive $187 million facelift that began following the 1998 season and just now has been completed. As a result of that project, the capacity of the giant horseshoe now stands at 101,568 making it the fourth largest on-campus facility in the country. Prior to Saturday’s game, which also is Alumni Band Day, there will be a brief rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
ESPN Plus Has The Call
ESPN Plus will televise the game throughout the state with Wayne Larrivee and Randy Wright calling the action from the press box and Jim Barbar providing the commentary from sidelines. The game can be seen in Columbus on WBNS-TV and around the state on WXIX (Cincinnati), WOIO/WUAB (Cleveland), WHIO (Dayton), WLQP (Lima), WTOV (Steubenville) and WTVG (Toledo).
WBNS Radio Again Has All The Action
WBNS Radio (1460 The Fan) is the flagship station for the 79-station Ohio State radio network. Paul Keels calls the play-by-play, former OSU All-America and All-Pro left tackle Jim Lachey is the color analyst and ex-Buckeye quarterback Jim Karsatos provides the insight from the sidelines. Network programming begins an hour before kickoff.
Record Crowd Will See Saturday’s Game
With approximately 6,000 additional seats available this year in refurbished Ohio Stadium, a single-game attendance record seems certain this week. The record of 98,568 was set last year against Michigan.
Last Year’s Records
Ohio State is coming off an 8-4 season that included a 5-3 slate in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes tied for fourth in the final conference standings (a game out of first) and played in the Outback Bowl, the school’s 32nd bowl appearance. Akron finished the 2000 campaign with a 6-5 record and tied with Marshall for first place in the Mid-American Conference’s East Division with a 5-1 ledger.
This is the Buckeyes’ 112th Gridiron Season
This is Ohio State’s 112th season of intercollegiate football. Ohio State first fielded a football team in 1890, finishing with a 3-1 record that year. From that beginning, the Buckeyes have gone on to post an all-time record of 725-287-53. That includes a Big Ten record of 395-152-24 since Ohio State began competing in the Big Ten in 1913.
It’s Been a While Since the Buckeyes and Zips Have Played
Saturday’s game will be the first football meeting between Ohio State and Akron since 1895. The two teams played five consecutive years between 1891 and 1895 but have not played since. Ohio State leads the series 4-1, the lone loss coming in 1894 (12-6 in Akron).
The Scores:
1891 (Ohio State, 6-0, in Akron)
1892 (Ohio State, 62-0, in Akron)
1893 (Ohio State, 32-18, in Columbus)
1894 (Akron, 12-6, in Akron)
1895 (Ohio State, 14-6, in Columbus)
The Tressel Name No Stranger to Ohio State or Ohio Fans
Jim Tressel is the 22nd head football coach in Ohio State history. Tressel was born in Mentor, Ohio, but grew up in Berea, Ohio, where his father, Lee Tressel, was the head coach at Baldwin Wallace College and a legendary figure in Ohio college football. The younger Tressel cut his teeth on the coaching profession and later played for his dad at B-W, winning all-conference honors as a senior. He graduated cum laude from Baldwin Wallace in 1975 with a degree in education and embarked upon his coaching career in 1975, somewhat ironically, as a graduate assistant at Akron. He remained at Akron through the 1978 season, serving in a full-time capacity his last three years, when he coached the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs. While at Akron, he also received his master’s degree. Tressel later coached at Miami (Ohio) and Syracuse before coming to Ohio State in 1983 as an assistant for Earle Bruce. While Tressel was with the Buckeyes, Ohio State played in the Fiesta, Rose and Citrus Bowls. He was the Buckeyes’ quarterback and receivers coach in 1983 and also coached the running backs in 1984 and ’85. Some of the more notable players he coached at Ohio State include Cris Carter, Mike Tomczak and Keith Byars. Tressel left Ohio State following the 1985 campaign to become head coach at Youngstown State. During his stay at YSU, he built the Penguins into one of the most successful I-AA programs in the country, leading the school to 10 playoff appearances in 15 years, including five trips to the championship game, four of which resulted in titles. He was a four-time National Coach of the Year, winning that honor in 1991, ’93, ’94 and ’97. Tressel, who grew up as an Ohio State fan (his hero was Rex Kern and he shagged balls for neighbor Lou Groza as a child), was named head coach of the Buckeyes on Jan. 18, 2001. In the time since, he has assembled his staff, put the finishing touches on an outstanding recruiting class, become actively involved in the community and, somehow, still found time to coach the Buckeyes.
A Glimpse at the 2001 Buckeyes
Tressel’s first Ohio State team has 13 holdover starters, 12 of those from last year and one, offensive tackle Tyson Walter who sat out 2000 with a back injury, from two years ago. Counting Walter, there are six returning starters on offense, six on defense and one special teams returnee.
| Quarterback Steve Bellisari |
On offense, senior quarterback Steve Bellisari returns for his third year as a starter. The 6-3, 220-pound left-hander has 22 consecutive starts under his belt and has amassed 4,470 yards in total offense the past two years.
“Steve has had a good camp,” Tressel said , following the completion of two-a-days this past Thursday. “We are not where we want to be yet in terms of quarterback play, but we are making progress and I think Steve has a much better understanding of what we expect of him. I’m rooting for Steve. In my mind, he has the ability to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten.”
| Fullback Jamar Martin |
Tailback Jonathan Wells and fullback Jamar Martin will joinBellisari in the backfield. Wells has been a top reserve the pasttwo years and Martin is in his third year as a starter.
“Jamar Martin is the most physical fullback in the country,” Tressel declared . “I am glad he is on our side.”
Walter, who started 37 consecutive games before sitting out last year, will start at left tackle. He and center LeCharles Bentley, both of whom are postseason honors candidates, are the lone two holdovers up front. They will be joined by first-time starters Alex Stepanovich (LG), Bryce Bishop (RG) and Shane Olivea (RT).
In the receiving department, tight end Darnell Sanders, who was the Buckeyes’ second leading receiver last year (23 catches), returns and should be one of the top tight ends in the Big Ten – maybe the nation. Split end Michael Jenkins and flanker Chris Vance are both first-time starters.
The holdovers on defense include All-America Mike Doss at strong safety and Lombardi Award candidate Mike Collins at defensive tackle.
Doss won consensus All-Big Ten honors last year as a sophomore and was named to a first-team berth on the 2000 Sporting News All-America team after leading Ohio State in tackles with 94.
All three starting linebackers (Joe Cooper, Matt Wilhelm and Courtland Bullard) also return, as does free safety Donnie Nickey. Additionally, sophomore end Will Smith is one of the Buckeyes’ up-and-coming young stars. Kenny Peterson will be the other defensive end and Tim Anderson will step in for Ryan Pickett at tackle.
At cornerback, Derek Ross, Bobby Britton and Cie Grant will share time as replacements for Nate Clements and David Mitchell.
“We have great leadership on defense and we have the potential to be a very quick and aggressive unit,” Tressel said.
In the kicking department, punter B.J. Sander returns, but is being pressed by Andy Groom. There is also a race in the placekicking department, where redshirt freshman Josh Huston and true frosh Mike Nugent are in a shoot-out.
Ohio State Cracks Both Preseason Polls
The Buckeyes were ranked 22st in the ESPN/USA Today preseason poll and 23rd in the Associated Press voting.
Tressel likes the Effort in Fall Camp
“We have made progress,” Tressel said. “Are we where we want to be? No. But we have accomplished a lot and I think the effort has been there. What we need to do now is go out and play a game and see where we are. Once we do that, we can get better. Until you play a game and have a chance to measure yourself, there are always questions.”
Being at Ohio State a Special Treat
“The past seven months have been a blast. What more could you ask for than to be the head football coach at Ohio State. Having said that, I realize too the tremendous responsibility we have here to make sure our young men are successful in everything they do, including in the classroom and in the community,” Tressel noted .
Buckeye Injury Report
Split end Drew Carter, who emerged from spring practice as a possible starter, has been bothered by an ankle sprain much of fall camp. His status for the season opener with Akron is uncertain. Backup quarterback Craig Krenzel has been slowed with a bruised knee and he too is questionable for Saturday.
Buckeye Captains
Seniors Steve Bellisari, Jamar Martin, Joe Cooper and Mike Collins are the 2001 Ohio State captains. Bellisari and Cooper also were captains last season and are the first repeat captains at OSU since Pepper Johnson in 1984 and ’85.
Four freshmen crack two deep
Four true freshmen are in this week’s two-deep. On offense, Chris Gamble (Sunrise, Fla.) is listed as the backup to Michael Jenkins at split end. On defense, Dustin Fox (Canton, Ohio) is listed as the backup strong safety and Simon Fraser (Upper Arlington, Ohio) is behind Kenny Peterson at end. Place-kicker Mike Nugent (Centerville, Ohio) is vying for a starting spot.
Akron coach Lee Owens has Ohio State ties
Lee Owens now is in his seventh season as the head coach at Akron. His record with the Zips is 26-41, including a win this past Thursday over Ohio. Prior to taking over at Akron, Owens spent three seasons (1992-94) as the Buckeyes offensive tackles and tight ends coach. The 1993 Ohio State team tied for the Big Ten title and posted a 10-1-1 record. Two of Owens assistants also have Ohio State ties. Former Buckeye nose guard Luke Fickell (1993-96) coaches the defensive line for the Zips and former OSU coach Brian Williams (the linebackers coach for the Buckeyes in 2000) is a member of the Akron defensive staff. Fickell started the 1997 Rose Bowl for the 11-1 Buckeyes and was a key figure in the 1996 defense that allowed just 131 points in 12 games.
Zips open season with thrilling win
The Zips opened their 2001 season Saturday with a thrilling 31-29 last-second victory over visiting Ohio. Down 29-28, Akron marched to the Bobcats’ 22-yard line to set up a 38-yard field goal by Zac Derr as time ran out. Redshirt freshman quarterback Charlie Frye, on in relief of injured starter Nick Sparks (1st quarter sprained ankle), completed 4-of-5 passes on the final drive. He was 13-of-16 on the night for 145 yards. While Frye was leading the aerial attack, tailbacks Brandon Payne rushed for 115 yards on 23 carries and his backup, Bob Hendry, added 103 on just eight carries. The Zips wound up with 507 yards in total offense. The Bobcats netted 443.
Tressel impressed by the Zips
“They know how to win and are very well schooled. I was very impressed with their quarterback play against Ohio. Charlie Frye showed a great deal of poise,” Jim Tressel said.
Walter nominated for NFFHF Scholarship
Offensive tackle Tyson Walter has been nominated for a 2001 National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Scholarship. Walter, from Bainbridge, Ohio, graduated from Ohio State in the winter of 2000 with a degree in finance and is currently completing work on degrees in economics, risk management and information services. In addition to being an honors student, he has started 37 consecutive games and will be in his fourth year as a starter for the Buckeyes. Over the years, Ohio State has had a Big Ten record 18 NFFHF scholarship winners.
Buckeyes Like to Open on a Successful Note
The Buckeyes have won their last 22 home openers dating back to 1979. Ohio State has an all-time opening day record of 95-12-4. The Buckeyes won their very first opener, downing Ohio Wesleyan, 20-14, on May 3, 1890. They defeated Fresno State, 43-10, on opening day last year before a then-record crowd of 96,583. Jim Tressel is 9-5-1 in opening games.
The Coaching Assignments (who’s up and who’s down)
On offense, quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels and tight ends coach Bill Conley will be in the press box during the game, assisted by offensive graduate assistant Jim Bridge. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and running backs coach Tim Spencer will be on the sidelines. On defense, linebackers coach Mark Snyder, defensive backs mentor Mel Tucker and grad assistant Brandon Blaney will be upstairs, while defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio, defensive line coach Jim Heacock and special teams coordinator Ken Conatser will be on the field.
| Safety Mike Doss |
Ohio State’s All-America Candidates
The Buckeyes, the most decorated team in the 1990s in terms ofmajor individual awards, always seem to have their share ofAll-America candidates and this year is no exception. On offense,center LeCharles Bentley is an All-America and Outland Trophycandidate. A veteran of 36 games and 19 consecutive starts, the6-2, 300-pound senior will be the hub of the Buckeyes’ offensivefront. Additionally, left tackle Tyson Walter was headed forstardom last year until being sidelined with an injury. Whenhealthy, Walter is a very good football player. On defense, tackleMike Collins and safety Mike Doss are on the preseason watch listfor the Lombardi and Thorpe awards, respectively. Both are comingoff exceptional years and are among the best in the country attheir positions. Although fullbacks rarely make All-America teamsin this day and age, Jamar Martin is an exceptional football playerand team leader. And linebackers Joe Cooper (a third-teamAll-America by the Associated Press last year) and Matt Wilhelm areboth capable of playing their way into contention for the ButkusAward.
Bellisari Moving up in the Records Book
Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari enters the 2001 season in eighth place on the Buckeyes’ all-time total offense list. Bellisari has 4,470 yards to date (on 762 attempts), with 2,498 of those yards coming last year. Bellisari averaged 208.2 yards per game last season, becoming just the fourth Ohio State player to top the 200-yard plateau. He has 11 200-yard games. The school record is 16, set by Bobby Hoying between 1992 and 1995. Bellisari also ranks seventh in career passing yardage at Ohio State with 3,959 yards.
Ohio State Career Total Offense Leaders 1. Art Schlichter 8,850 1,464 atts. 1978-81 2. Bobby Hoying 7,152 1,026 atts. 1992-95 3. Greg Frey 6,098 988 atts. 1987-90 4. Joe Germaine 6,094 852 atts. 1996-98 5. Mike Tomczak 6,015 858 atts. 1981-83 6. Archie Griffin 5,589 924 atts. 1972-75 7. Jim Karsatos 5,261 759 atts. 1983-86 8. Steve Bellisari 4,470 762 atts. 1998-00
Ohio State Career Passing Yards Leaders 1. Art Schlichter 7,547 497-951 1978-81 2. Bobby Hoying 7,232 498-858 1992-95 3. Joe Germaine 6,370 439-741 1996-98 4. Greg Frey 6,316 443-835 1987-90 5. Mike Tomczak 5,569 376-675 1981-84 6. Jim Karsatos 5,089 359-629 1984-86 7. Steve Bellisari 3,959 267-539 1998-00
Yea Ohio!
This year’s game with Akron marks the fifth consecutive year that Ohio State has played an in-state school. That won’t change in the foreseeable future. The Buckeyes have Ohio schools scheduled through the 2006 campaign.
Ohio State vs. the Mid-American Conference
The Buckeyes have a combined record of 15-1 vs. teams from the Mid-American Conference: Akron 4-1, Ball State 0-0, Bowling Green 2-0, Buffalo 0-0, Central Michigan 0-0, Eastern Michigan 0-0, Kent State 0-0, Miami 3-0, Marshall 0-0, Northern Illinois 0-0, Ohio 5-0, Toledo 1-0, Western Michigan 0-0.
Some Tressel Observations
On the quarterback position: “Steve is our starter, but if you look back at my history, I have always played two quarterbacks early in the season. I think you have to do that to get ready for later in the year. So we will play Scott (McMullen) too.”
On the offensive line: “We have made strides, but we still are not where we want to be in terms of depth. Bryce Bishop has really come on at guard. That has helped us.”
On the kicking game: “There is a little bit of a derby still going on in both the punting and kicking positions. But that’s OK.”
On the freshmen running backs: “Those three guys (Maurice Hall, JaJa Riley and Lydell Ross) might not be in the two deep, but they have really helped us and all three are going to be very good football players.”
On the defense: “Our challenge is to blend the new players in with the veterans and then get into the right scheme.”
On special teams: “Wherever I have been as a coach, special teams play has been the difference. I can tell you at Youngstown State we would not have won four national championships without good special teams play and the coaching of Ken Conatser with those units. We have put a lot of emphasis on special teams from the first day of spring practice.”
More Than 600 Band Members Expected for Alumni Band Day
As noted earlier, Saturday is Alumni Band Day. Approximately 600 band members will be on hand for their annual reunion. Saturday’s “skull session” in St. John Arena will get underway at 10:15 a.m. The band will perform a quadruple Script Ohio during its pre-game show.
Rededication Ceremony Will Take Place Before the Game
Pre-game activities Saturday include a flyover, a parachute drop with the game ball and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Buckeye Players to Wear Helmet Decal in Memory of Korey Stringer
The Ohio State football team will wear a “KS” decal on its helmets this year in memory of former Buckeye All-America offensive tackle Korey Stringer who died Aug. 1 of heat stroke.
San Diego State on the Horizon
The Buckeyes also are at home next week, hosting San Deigo State in the first ever meeting between the two schools. Kickoff is set for 12:10 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Media Information
This week’s player interviews will be after practice on Monday and Tuesday (approximately 5:30 p.m. both days) and at Coach Tressel’s Media Luncheon on Tuesday at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Caf. The latter starts at 11:30 a.m., with Coach Tressel addressing the media promptly at noon. A reminder, too, that ALL requests for player, assistant coach and head coach interviews must be directed to either Steve Snapp, Pat Chun or Dan Wallenberg in the Ohio State Athletics Communications Office (614/292-3103 or 292-6861). Also, television stations are asked not to interview players coming off the field following the completion of the game. The first opportunity to interview players after a game will be in the interview room after Tressel has spoken with the team.
Buckeye Players on the 2001 Season
Steve Bellisari(Sr., Boca Raton, Fla., Boca Raton)
On the upcoming season
“There are definitely high expectations. Even though we have some young guys, we can go out there and get some things done, some very positive things. We can win a lot of football games. Offensively, with our depth at the receiver position, you can probably expect a lot more rotation of receivers. A lot more guys will be in the mix, a lot of new faces. Even with the running backs, were going to have a lot of people at fullback and tailback. We’re going to mix it up. I think the more new faces we get out there, the more fresh legs, the better off we’ll be.”
Mike Doss (Jr., Canton, Ohio/McKinley)
On the upcoming season
“The only thing I expect right now is for the team to come out and fight every week and play hard. Right now we’re taking it day by day and getting ready for Akron.”
Kenny Peterson (Jr., Canton, Ohio/McKinley)
On what to expect from the defensive line
“We’re going to be a relentless group of guys that are flying to the ball and getting after it. We’re going to know our responsibilities and know what we’re supposed to do. The defensive line has some depth. We’ll do whatever we can to reach the quarterback.”
Mike Collins (Sr., Newark, Ohio/Fork Union)
On the upcoming season
“Everyone worked hard on all the fundamentals in camp. Expectations are high and there is no room for letdowns.”
Donnie Nickey (Jr., Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder)
On what to expect from the defense
“I think we’ll be real strong up the middle with the linebackers, Mike (Doss) and myself coming back. It’s going to be hard for offenses to run up the middle. I think we’ll fill the gaps well, make some team pass on us and blitz all out.”
Scott McMullen (So., Granville, Ohio/Granville)
On Head Coach Jim Tressel
“Coach Tressel has been great. Everything I have read and heard about him he has lived up to. He is really interested in his players. He gives me a lot of confidence.”
Chris Gamble (Fr., Sunrise, Fla./Dillard)
On Coach Tressel
“He keeps us going and going. Since I’ve been here we just practice and practice. That’s good for me. He’s a good motivator at practice. He keeps us on our toes.”
Joe Cooper (Sr., Columbus, Ohio/Independence)
On Coach Tressel
“He’s really focused on the team and what he wants to accomplish. He puts a lot of emphasis on togetherness and making sure we’re a team. He’s always saying little things in practice that make you think and prepare for the season. It really gets you motivated.”
Ohio Stadium Before and After
Total square footage of A concourse
Before: 399,978 square feet
After: 536,850 square feet
Stadium Circumference
Before: 2,562 feet
After: 2,892 feet
Length of Stadium
Before: 704 feet
After: 919 feet
Width of Stadium
Before: 596 feet, 6 inches
After: 679 feet
Square footage of ground the Stadium was built on
Before: 419,936 square feet
After: 624,001 square feet
Number of acres
Before: 9.8 acres
After: 14.5 acres
Acres of playing surface (sports turf)
Before: 1.4 acres
After: 1.6 acres
Height of scoreboard from grade level
Before: 106 feet, 10 inches
After: 147 feet
Height of scoreboard from field level
Before: 106 feet, 10 inches
After: 161 feet, 6 inches
Width of scoreboard
Before: 106 feet
After: 158 feet, 2 inches
Height of scoreboard
Before: 44 feet, 7 inches
After: 42 feet
Height of video screen
Before: 25 feet
After: 30 feet
Width of video screen
Before: 37 feet
After: 90 feet
Height of press box roof from grade level
Before: 118 feet, 10 inches
After: 168 feet, 10 inches
Height of press box roof from field level
Before: 118 feet, 10 inches
After: 183 feet, 4 inches
Total flagpole height
Before: 147 feet, 6 inches
After: 162 feet
Family restrooms
Before: 0
After: 24
Concessions (points of sale)
Before: 80
After: 194
Suites
Before: 0
After: 81
Club seats
Before: 0
After: 2,625
