Kent State Up Next for Eighth-Ranked Ohio State – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2002
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Buckeyes Return to Action Saturday
After a bye week, Ohio State returns to action Saturday, entertaining visiting Kent State at 12:10 p.m., EDT, in Ohio Stadium (cap. 101,568) in the first meeting between the two schools.
Tickets are available for the game and can be purchased at the Athletics Ticket Office in The Jerome Schottenstein Center, or by calling either 614/292-2624 or 1 800 GO BUCKS. They may also be ordered on-line at www.hangonsloopy.com.
ESPN Plus will televise the game to a regional market, including Columbus (WBNS-TV), Cincinnati, Cleveland and Philadelphia. Mike Gleason will call the play-by-play, Al Harris will provide the expert analysis and Jim Barbar will be on the sidelines.
WBNS Radio (1460 AM and 97.1 FM) is the flagship station for the 79-station Ohio State radio network and carries all Buckeye games. Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analyst) and Jim Karsatos (sidelines) describe the action. Programming begins one hour before kickoff. Ohio State enters the game with a 1-0 record. Coach Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes opened the season Aug. 24 with a convincing 45-21 win over visiting Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic. In that game, freshman tailback Maurice Clarett rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns and accounted for 205 all-purpose yards. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following the game.
Kent State also is 1-0 on the year. The Golden Flashes kicked off their season Aug. 29 with a convincing 34-7 home field win over New Hampshire. After a 1-4 start last year, Coach Dean Pees’ team has won six of its past seven games.
What to Look For Saturday
Both teams opened the season impressively. The Buckeyes unleashed a powerful three-pronged running attack and totaled 477 yards in total offense, with 317 of those yards coming on the ground. The OSU defense was more stifling than an August afternoon in Columbus and generally made life miserable for Texas Tech’s high-octane offense, which coughed and sputtered most of the day. OSU led 21-7 at the half and 38-7 after three quarters.
Kent State also made quick work of New Hampshire, jumping out to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and leading 31-7 after three periods. Quarterback Joshua Cribbs paced the attack, rushing for 191 yards and two touchdowns and passing for 64 yards. Tailback Eddie Beccles, like Cribbs a native of Maryland, rushed for 104 yards and one TD. Kent State rushed for 399 yards and had 477 yards in total offense. New Hampshire’s lone score was a 5-yard pass early in the second quarter. In its last eight games, Kent State has allowed 41 second-half points.
Buckeyes Crack the Top 10
Ohio State has moved up two notches in the Associated Press poll and is currently ranked eighth. The Buckeyes were 13th in the AP preseason voting. Ohio State is ninth in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, up two spots from a week ago. Kent State is not ranked.
Buckeye Captains
Strong safety Michael Doss and free safety Donnie Nickey, both seniors, have been selected by their teammates as captains for the 2002 campaign. Doss, a two-time All-American, is in his third year as a starter, while Nickey is in his fourth. Offensive captains are chosen on a game-by-game basis. Offensive guard Mike Stafford will serve in that role against Kent State. Quarterback Craig Krenzel was the offensive captain for Texas Tech.
Buckeyes Prominent on All-America Awards Watch Lists
Strong safety Michael Doss (seven tackles in the opener), defensive end Will Smith (six tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two sacks) and punter Andy Groom (averaged 48.0 yards on four kicks) are the Buckeyes’ early season All-America candidates.
Doss is on the Thorpe Award watch list, while Groom is on the Ray Guy watch list. Additionally, split end Michael Jenkins is listed on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Doss also was on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list that was released late last week.
Head Coach Jim Tressel
Ohio State is under the second-year direction of Jim Tressel. The 49-year-old mentor led the Buckeyes to a 7-5 record last year, including a 5-3 mark in the Big Ten and an appearance in the Outback Bowl Jan. 1. Now in his 17th year as a head coach, Tressel’s impressive resume includes an all-time record of 143-62-2. Prior to coming to Ohio State, Tressel spent 15 years at Youngstown State, where he guided the Penguins to four Division 1-AA national championships (1991, ’93, ’94 and ’97) and 10 appearances in the playoffs. He was a four-time pick as the national coach of the year, winning that honor in each of his championship seasons. Prior to taking over at YSU in 1986, Tressel spent three years as an assistant to Earle Bruce at Ohio State. In that role, he coached the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs and went to three bowl games, including the Rose Bowl. His list of star pupils during that time includes Mike Tomczak, Cris Carter and Keith Byars. Prior to Ohio State, Tressel also served apprenticeships at Akron, Miami (O.) and Syracuse. Tressel, the 22nd head coach in Ohio State annals, was named to his present position Jan. 18, 2001. Jim’s father, the late Lee Tressel, enjoyed a highly-successful coaching career at Baldwin Wallace College, where he won the 1978 Division 111 National Championship. His brother, Dick Tressel, is a former head football coach at Hamline University in Minnesota and currently serves as assistant director of football operations at Ohio State. As a family, the Tressels have won 422 games.
Series Info, Other Items of Interest
This will be the first meeting between the two Ohio schools. The Buckeyes have a 16-1 record against teams in the Mid-American Conference, the lone loss coming in 1894 at Akron (12-6). This is the sixth-consecutive year that Ohio State has played another Ohio team. The Buckeyes are 6-0 in that span, including a 24-14 win over Akron last year. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was 3-3 against Kent State while head coach at Youngstown State.
| DE Will Smith |
Buckeyes Down Red Raiders in Season Opener
Ohio State opened the 2002 campaign Aug. 24 with a convincing 45-21victory over Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic. It was the earliestseason debut for the Buckeyes. Additionally, the 45 points were themost points scored by an Ohio State team under the direction ofsecond-year head coach Jim Tressel (the high last year was 38against Northwestern).
Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett started the game and rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Clarett, who scored on runs of 59, 45 and 1 yards, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Clarett had plenty of help from sophomore sidekicks Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross. Hall finished with 74 yards on 13 carries and Ross had 40 yards and two touchdowns to show for his 16 carries.
As a team, the Buckeyes rolled up 317 yards on the ground and finished with 477 yards in total offense. OSU averaged 6.4 yards per carry, did not have a turnover and had just two offensive penalties.
Quarterback Craig Krenzel completed 11 of 14 passes for 118 yards before giving way to backup Scott McMullen, who scored OSU’s sixth rushing touchdown of the day.
“I thought Craig had command of the offense and made great decisions,” said head coach Jim Tressel.
The OSU defense, meanwhile, had command of Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury finished with 341 yards and three touchdown passes, but much of the yardage and two of the scoring tosses came in the fourth quarter, long after the outcome had been decided.
Led by defensive end Will Smith, the Buckeyes recorded seven sacks and generally harassed Kingsbury all afternoon. Smith had four tackles-for-loss and two of the sacks.
Linebacker Cie Grant was credited with five tackles, including two sacks of his own, and was selected by the OSU coaching staff as the Buckeyes’ defensive player of the game.
The Buckeyes also fared well in the kicking department. Ray Guy Award candidate Andy Groom averaged 48 yards per punt on four kicks and place-kicker Mike Nugent converted all six PATs and hit a career-best 45-yard field goal.
Ohio State had just five penalties on the day, converted 10-of-15 third-down attempts and had the ball for 36 minutes. The Buckeyes were four-of-four in the red zone, while Texas Tech was 0-for-2.
Tressel on the Opener
“I thought we played hard on both sides of the ball. But we trained hard, so I am not surprised. I think our players wanted to show where they were.
“We came out and got after it from the opening kickoff and maintained our focus fairly well. The thing that showed up in the films was that everyone was trying to do it the right way.
“Offensively, I am pleased with the way we were able to rush the ball. The line did a good job all the way around and I thought our running backs complemented one another.
“On defense, we broke on the ball and we tackled. We missed a few, but that is going to happen against an offense like theirs.
“Overall, it was a good effort and certainly gives us something to build on. Hopefully, we can get a lot better,” declared the Ohio State mentor.
A Very Special Day for This Buckeye
Senior Mike Stafford experienced the thrill of his Ohio State career against Texas Tech. Stafford, a fifth-year senior and former walk-on who was converted to scholarship at the beginning of the 2001 season, started at left guard against the Red Raiders. It was his first start since his senior year in high school. “I set little goals for myself when I came here,” he said. “At first, I just wanted to contribute everyday and help the team. So now, to be a starter, well, that is special.”
Stafford will serve as offensive captain against Kent State, so apparently there are more thrills to come for the 6-3, 280-pound lineman.
Ohio State All-Time
With the win over Texas Tech, Ohio State now has an all-time record of 733-292-53 in this, its 113th season of football. The Buckeyes’ first football team posted a 3-1 record in 1890. Ohio State also has an all-time Big Ten ledger of 400-155-24 since beginning league play in 1913.
Freshmen Get Their Feet Wet
Nine members of Ohio State’s highly-touted freshman class saw action in the win over Texas Tech. In addition to tailback Maurice Clarett, who was the only starter on either offense or defense, Tyler Everett, Mike D’Andrea, Nate Salley, Bobby Carpenter, A.J. Hawk, E.J. Underwood, Mike Kudla and Joel Penton all received their baptism under fire.
“We have a couple of others who will play, too,” said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. “This is a very impressive class, especially in terms of the way it picks things up.”
Clarett Wastes Little Time
True freshman Maurice Clarett didn’t have to wait very long to get rid of the jitters, if, indeed, he ever had them. In the Buckeyes’ season opener against Texas Tech, the 6-0, 230-pound Clarett got the call on the first play from scrimmage, bolting 5 yards over right end. He also got the call on plays 3, 4, 5 and 6 as OSU jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead.
Clarett, the first true freshman to start the first game of the season at tailback since the World War II era, went on to rush for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. He also had four receptions for 30 yards, giving him 205 all-purpose yards.
His 175 rushing yards ties him for the 30th best single-game performance in Ohio State history.
Other notable rushing performances by freshman running backs at Ohio State:
1943 Dean Sensenbaugher 33/171 yds. vs. Illinois 1972 Archie Griffin 27/239 yds. vs. N. Carolina 1972 Archie Griffin 27/192 yds. vs. Illinois 1986 Jaymes Bryant 19/145 yds. vs. Utah 1987 Carlos Snow 27/96 yds. vs. Iowa 1989 Dante Lee 24/157 yds. at Northwestern 1990 Robert Smith 23/171 yds. at Wisconsin 1992 Eddie George 9/97 yds. vs. Northwestern 2001 Lydell Ross 25/124 yds. at Indiana
Ohio State All-Star Candidates
Michael Doss, already a two-time All-American, has been listed as a preseason candidate for the Thorpe Award, which goes annually to the outstanding defensive back in college football. Doss, who was selected as the Big Ten’s preseason defensive player of the year, also should be in the running for national defensive player of the year honors.
Defensive ends Will Smith and Darrion Scott, along with defensive tackle Tim Anderson, also will be in the thick of things when it comes to postseason honors. All are juniors. Smith wreaked havoc last spring and again this fall in practice and could quickly emerge as the Buckeyes’ next great defensive lineman.
On the offensive side of the ball, big Shane Olivea (6-5, 310) has the potential to be something very special at right tackle.
In the kicking department, Andy Groom is one of the leading candidates for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter.
| Safety Mike Doss |
Doss Hopes to Join Elite Circle
Senior safety Michael Doss is already a two-time All-American.Should he garner All-America honors again this year, he wouldbecome just the seventh three-time All-American in Ohio Statehistory, joining Chic Harley (1916, ’17, ’19), Wes Fesler(1928-30), Lou Hinchman (1930-32), Merle Wendt (1934-36), ArchieGriffin (1973-75) and Tom Skladany (1974-76) in a very select groupof athletes.
Two Players to Return, But Two Still Out
Sophomore fullback Branden Joe and freshman defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock will be permitted to suit up for the Kent State game, but freshman tight end Redgie Arden and senior flanker Chris Vance will both be held out of the game this week. All four players missed the season opener against Texas Tech because of disciplinary sanctions imposed by head coach Jim Tressel.
Injury Report
Junior safety Will Allen suffered a separated shoulder against Texas Tech and is not expected to play in the Kent State game. Allen, the Buckeyes’ nickel back, started the Texas Tech game. Kicker Josh Huston is out following hip surgery. Huston, who handled the kickoff responsibilities last year, did not play against Texas Tech.
Fickell Newest OSU Staff Member
Former Ohio State defensive lineman Luke Fickell has joined Jim Tressel’s staff as special teams coach. Fickell replaces Ken Conatser, who left Ohio State at the end of last season for a position at Kansas. Fickell was a four-year starter at nose guard for the Buckeyes between 1993 and 1996. He has spent the past two years as defensive line coach at the University of Akron.
Charting the Assistant Coaches
Mark Dantonio (defensive coordinator), Mel Tucker (defensive secondary), Joe Daniels (quarterbacks and receivers) and Bill Conley (tight ends) are in the press box for the Buckeyes. Jim Bollman (offensive coordinator), Tim Spencer (running backs), Jim Heacock (defensive line), Mark Snyder (linebackers) and Luke Fickell (special teams) are on the sidelines.
Coaching Cronies
Kent State head coach Dean Pees and OSU defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio spent three years together as assistants at Michigan State. Pees was the defensive coordinator and Dantonio the defensive secondary coach. Additionally, Mel Tucker, currently OSU’s defensive backfield coach, was a graduate assistant under Pees in 1998 at MSU.
Scouting Kent State
With a 6-5 record, Kent State recorded its first winning season since 1987 when it finished with a 7-4 record in 2001. The coach of that team was Glen Mason, a 1972 graduate of Ohio State.
Now, current coach Dean Pees is trying to parlay 2001 success into a Mid-American Conference championship. The five-game improvement last year (from 1-10 in 2000) equaled the fifth-best turnaround in the nation. He has the team with its sights set on back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1976-77 seasons in a year that marks the 30-year anniversary of the school’s 1972 MAC championship.
Kent State has 21 seniors to help it reach its goals and half of the team’s 24 starting positions are manned by seniors. The Golden Flashes return a total of six starters on offense and eight starters on defense.
Last year, under first-year offensive coordinator Mike Drake, Kent State ranked 14th in the nation with 215.9 rushing yards per game. The Flashes nearly doubled their scoring output from the year before upping their scoring average from 11.6 in 2000 to 22.5 last year.
Much of that success was attributed to the emergence of quarterback Joshua Cribbs, who became the starter in the third game of the season. He became the first freshman in Division I-A history – and only the 12th ever – to run (1,019) and pass (1,516) for more than 1,000 yards each in a single season. He accounted for 15 touchdowns and twice had more than 100 yards rushing and passing in a game.
On defense, Kent State also was much improved in 2001, reducing its points allowed per game from 43.6 to 25.5. The Flashes move back to a 4-3 defensive alignment this season after utilizing a 3-4 a year ago to take advantage of a talented linebacker quartet that includes Anthony Henriques, who led the team with 101 tackles in 2001.
Last Game for the Flashes
Kent State opened its season with a 34-7 victory over New Hampshire Aug. 29. Sophomore quarterback Joshua Cribbs ran for a career-high 191 yards and two touchdowns, including one TD scamper of 71 yards. He also struck from 5 yards out. The Golden Flashes also were the recipients of 104 rushing yards from sophomore tailback Eddie Beccles. Kent State produced 399 rushing yards and threw for only 78 yards for 477 yards of total offense. The win was the first opening-day win for the Golden Flashes since they beat Youngstown State, then-coached by current Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, to start the 1995 campaign.
KSU Coach Dean Pees
Dean Pees, a 1972 graduate of Bowling Green, is in his fifth season as the head football coach at Kent State. He owns a 10-35 record. Last fall, he guided the Golden Flashes to a 6-5 record, the first winning season since 1987. He was the runner-up in voting for MAC Coach of the Year honors and was the second runner-up for Ohio Coach of the Year in all divisions. After coaching stints at Navy, Notre Dame, Toledo, Miami (Ohio) and Findlay, the latter three of which he served as the defensive coordinator, the native of Dunkirk, Ohio, went to Kent State after three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Michigan State. He served as an assistant coach under three former Kent State graduates: Gary Pinkel at Toledo (now at Missouri), Lou Holtz at Notre Dame (South Carolina) and Nick Saban at Michigan State (LSU).
Tressel on Kent State
“We face another explosive offense and a fine quarterback in Joshua Cribbs. They have a veteran team with 21 seniors, but Cribbs was chosen by his teammates as one of their captains. That says an awful lot about his ability and leadership. Defensively, they are very sound and were especially effective in the red zone last year. They have won six of their last seven games, so they know how to win. We played Kent when I was at Youngstown and it was very apparent to me that Dean Pees is a fine coach and a person capable of getting their program going in the right direction.”
Buckeyes Keep Pigskin Record Intact
The win over Texas Tech gives the Buckeyes a 2-0 record in the Pigskin Classic. The Buckeyes defeated Fresno State (34-10) in the 1994 Pigskin. That game was played in Anaheim.
Opening Day Streak Extended
The victory over Texas Tech extends Ohio State’s streak in home openers to 24-consecutive wins, dating back to a 19-0 loss in 1978 at the hands of then-independent Penn State. The Buckeyes have an all-time opening day record of 97-12-4.
Earle Bruce Honored
Former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Bruce, who coached the Buckeyes from 1979 to 1987 and posted a career record of 81-26-1, will be inducted in December in ceremonies in New York City. He will be recognized in an on-campus salute at the Michigan-Ohio State game Nov. 23.
Media Luncheons
The weekly media lunches this year will again be held on Tuesdays at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Caf, located at 1421 Olentangy River Rd. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will begin his portion of the interview session at 12:15 p.m. Selected Ohio State players will be available for interviews following Coach Tressel’s question-and-answer session.
Weekly Interview Schedule
Ohio State players will be available for interviews following the conclusion of practice and meetings on Tuesdays throughout the season. Tuesday practices are open to the media and photographers are permitted to shoot the first 20 minutes, or specific periods as designated by the coaching staff. Photographers covering an open practice should check with a member of the Athletics Communications staff to see which periods are open.
Special Events
Saturday is alumni Band Day. More than 600 current and former members of the Ohio State Marching Band (TBDBITL) will entertain the Ohio Stadium crowd with a shot that includes the quadruple Script Ohio.
Tressel Show Moves to Thursday
This year, the weekly Jim Tressel call-in show will air from noon-1 p.m. Thursdays on WBNS AM (1460) Radio. The show will be replayed on Thursday nights around the state. The show previously was heard on Tuesday evenings.
Washington State Up Next
The Buckeyes close out a three-game home stand Sept. 14 against Washington State. ABC will televise the game, beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The 2002 Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame class will be honored at halftime.
