Day 11 on the Gridiron – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 1999
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Training camp is coming to a close as the No. 9-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes took the field for their final scheduled double session. A cool morning practice was followed by a physical and intense scrimmage. The highlight of the day was head coach John Cooper’s announcement of Matt Keller and Ahmed Plummer as team captains to a thunderous ovation from the team. The Buckeyes will have a morning practice on Saturday and return to the field on Monday to begin normal game week preparation. %^$
%^$The Final Scrimmage
%^$The Buckeyes returned to Ohio Stadium for the final scrimmage of fall camp. The session was filled with intense hitting and many highlights. A majority of time was spent with first team going against the scout team.%^$
%^$Scrimmage Run of the Day
%^$Freshman tailback Jesse Kline plowed in for an 11-yard touchdown, breaking a trio of would be tacklers on his way to the endzone.%^$
%^$Scrimmage Block of the Day
%^$Senior tailback Michael Wiley flattened freshman defensive end David Thompson on a rollout pass play. %^$
%^$Other Scrimmage Highlights
%^$Junior kicker Dan Stultz began the scrimmage with numerous kickoffs into the endzone…Wiley ran a sweep for a 7-yard touchdown…sophomore quarterback Steve Bellisari scrambled for a nice 39-yard gain and completed a 22-yard bullet over the middle to junior receiver Vanness Provitt…Provitt later made an exceptional catch an run on a 22-yard pass play from sophomore quarterback Austin Moherman…Moherman connected with senior tight end Kevin Houser for a 35-yard gain down the middle of the field…Junior receiver Chad Cacchio tiptoed the sideline for an 18-yard gain from Bellisari…Junior linebacker Na’il Diggs was in midseason form with a pair of sacks…Ahmed Plummer waltzed into the endzone with a 9-yard interception return.%^$
%^$Kickoff Countdown
%^$Only nine days remain until the Kickoff Classic. The Ohio State ticket office has sold out of its allotment of Kickoff Classic tickets, going through over 21,000. Tickets in the third level of Giants Stadium, at a cost of $22, are still available by calling Ticketmaster at (201) 507-8900. %^$
%^$Florida Connection
%^$The season opener against Miami will pit some Buckeyes against opponents from their own home state. OSU carries seven student-athletes on their roster with hometowns in Florida. Steve Bellisari (Boca Raton/Boca Raton H.S.), Courtland Bullard (Miami/Southridge H.S.), Frank Conrad (Boca Raton/Boca Raton H.S.), Tam Hopkins (Winter Park/Lake Howell H.S.), Ryan Pickett (Zephyrhills/Zephrhills H.S.), Fred Sturrup (Plantation/Plantation H.S.) and Jerry Westbrooks (Boca Raton/Pope John Paul II).%^$
%^$Today’s Quotes
%^$Head Coach John Cooper
%^$”The best thing about today was that we elected captains. Matt Keller and Ahmed Plummer are two great guys and guys that I would vote for. They are already great leaders.”%^$
%^$”We have not made a decision on any of our open positions yet. We will look at the film and probably make a decision on Monday.”%^$
%^$Freshman Ricky Bryant
%^$”Everything’s going pretty well. I’m learning a lot from Reggie (Germany) and Ken-Yon (Rambo) and getting a lot of reps.”%^$
%^$”It’s a surprise to get so much time because I didn’t know I was going to get into it this soon. But camp’s been going good and I’ve been getting the rest that I need, so I’m excited and kind of surprised at the same time.”%^$
%^$Senior Matt Keller
%^$On Miami…
%^$”They’re athletic, but we’re athletic too. I’m sure they’re going to be in great condition, just like we are. But since it’s an opening game, it will probably come down to mistakes. You don’t know how you’re going to react since we haven’t played a game since January, so it’s going to be interesting to see how people react to the first game.”%^$
%^$Sophomore Nate Clements
%^$”I’m just working on my techniques, making the right reads and breaking on the ball. I have to work on the different coverages as well as my man technique.”%^$
%^$Senior Ahmed Plummer
%^$”Right now we’re just finishing up two-a-days, looking at film. We’re starting to do some things on the field regarding Miami, but pretty much that’s it. It’s all about going out and getting adjusted for what they’re going to do to us.”%^$
%^$
-GO BUCKS!-
