Clarett Not Expected To Play Against Cincinnati – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 20, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ohio: Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel said today that he does not expect freshman tailback Maurice Clarett to play Saturday at Cincinnati.
“At this time we are preparing to play the game without him,” said Tressel of the 6-0, 230-pound Clarett, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. “Maurice did do some rehab work today, but he did not practice or do anything that was football related. We will have to see what happens between now and Saturday, but I would have to say he is doubtful.”
Clarett has rushed for 471 yards and scored seven touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ first three games. He leads the Big Ten in rushing and scoring and is tied for third and fourth, respectively, nationally in those two categories.
In Ohio State’s 25-7 win over 10th ranked Washington State this past Saturday, Clarett ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. His yardage total is the sixth best effort in Ohio State history and only nine yards short of the school frosh record set by Archie Griffin in 1972. He gained 194 yards in the second half.
Tressel said sophomore Lydell Ross is expected to get the nod at tailback in place of Clarett.
“If we start just one tailback, Lydell would be the guy,” said Tressel, noting that sophomore Maurice Hall would also play, as could redshirt freshman JaJa Riley. “All three have had a good week of practice.”
Ross is the Buckeyes’ second leading ground gainer to date with 114 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. Hall has 111 yards and one TD on 19 attempts.
