In a Scarlet and Gray World – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 5, 2007
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Perhaps it is just a coincidence the seats in University of Phoenix Stadium are scarlet and gray. Actually, though, it doesn’t matter.
“I was here Monday night for the Fiesta Bowl,” Joel Penton, senior defensive tackle, said. “And when this place is packed, you can’t see that they’re scarlet and gray anyway.”
Nevertheless, it was a welcoming sight for Ohio State’s players and coaches as the Buckeyes filed into the giant new stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Friday morning for the 2007 BCS National Championship Game media day.
More than 1,400 media credentials have been issued for the game Monday night between No. 1 Ohio State, which is seeking its eighth national championship, and No. 2 Florida, which is seeking its second.
After the 30-minute bus trip from Ohio State’s base camp at the Fairmont Princess Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, most of those 1,400 media representatives were on hand to spend an hour talking with the Buckeyes. All coaches and the 106 players who made the bowl trip were made available.
For most of the team, Friday marked their first look at University of Phoenix Stadium, which is home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, the annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and, this year, the BCS title game. To all involved, media day is a signal.
“To see this means the game is close,” Penton said. “The excitement just keeps building. This has been our goal since the beginning of the season to make it here.”
At the hour-long media event, the questions for Penton and his teammates often stray from the game itself.
“I was asked about my wife, Quinn Pitcock’s hair and even In-N-Out Burger,” Penton said. “It was quite a variety.”
And Tressel is just fine with the scarlet and gray seats being covered up Monday night.
“We’re looking forward to seeing this place lit up,” Tressel said.
