Spring Game On Tap Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 26, 2001
They chose up sides for the Scarlet and Gray Game this past Wednesday. All that remains now is the actual 1:30 p.m. showdown Saturday in Crew Stadium.
I can’t wait,” said Scarlet linebacker Matt Wilhelm. “I think all of us have been looking forward to this game. It is a chance to show the coaches what we can do and at the same time have a little fun.”
Prior to the draft, head coach Jim Tressel divided up the seniors and the coaching staff. Tressel also took quarterback Scott McMullen out of the lottery, thus assuring that returning starter Steve Bellisari and McMullen, who has made significant strides during spring ball, were on opposite sides of the ball.
“We will put the ball in the air a lot,” Tressel said. “I want to see how our quarterbacks respond under pressure and I want to see what our young receivers do in the same situation.”
Bellisari will call the signals for the Gray team and will play behind an offensive line that features Adrien Clarke at tackle (the first player taken in the draft), LeCharles Bentley at center and Alex Stepanovich and Bryce Bishop at the guard spots. The Gray backfield features returning starter Jamar Martin at fullback and sophomore-to-be Sammy Maldonado at tailback. Tight end Ben Hartsock and wide receivers Bam Childress and Drew Carter are expected to round out the offense. Rick McFadden is the backup quarterback.
The Gray defense includes returning starters Mike Collins at tackle and Donnie Nickey at safety. Tackle Tim Anderson, linebackers Cie Grant, Robert Reynolds and Freddie Pagac, ends Tim Cheatwood and Will Smith, corners Mo Lee and Curtis Crosby and Thomas Matthews will be the remaining starters.
McMullen’s Scarlet backfield includes tailback Jonathan Wells and fullback Nate Stead. Ricky Bryant and Chris Vance are the receivers, along with tight end Darnell Sanders, the Buckeyes leading returning pass catcher from a year ago. Tyson Walter (LT), Jim Massey (LG), Mike Jacobs (C), Shane Olivea (RG and the first player taken by the Scarlet) and Jason Caldwell (RT) comprise the starting unit. Craig Krenzel is the backup QB.
The Scarlet defense features Mike Doss at one safety, impressive walk-on Rob Stover at the other, Bobby Britton and Harlen Jacobs at the corners, Wilhelm, Joe Cooper and Courtland Bullard (last year’s starters) at linebacker, Kenny Peterson and Darrion Scott at the ends and David Thompson and Fred Sturrup at tackle.
In the kicking department, the Gray team has returning punter B.J. Sander and No. 1 field goal kicker Josh Huston.
Quarterbacks and receivers coach Joe Daniels will be the head coach of the Gray team, while defensive backfield mentor Mel Tucker will lead the Gray unit.
“I think we have learned a lot about our players and they have learned a lot about us,” said Tressel. “This will give us one more opportunity to evaluate.”
GAME NOTES — There will be an Ohio State merchandise sale at Crew Stadium prior to the game. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the sale, which will be in the southwest corner of the plaza, begins at 9 o’clock. There will also be an auction in French Field House following the game. Approximately 275 items collected from Ohio Stadium during the three-year renovation project, including lockers of former players and signage, will be put on the auction block. There is a $20 admission fee, which covers a meal and a souvenir auction paddle. Only a limited number of tickets remain for the game. The box office at Crew Stadium will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday if there are still tickets available at that time.
