Football: No. 3/3 Ohio State Welcomes Ohio University Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Ohio State plays its second in-state opponent in as many weeks when it welcomes the Bobcats for a noon kickoff Saturday on ESPN
No. 3/3 Ohio State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)vs. Ohio University (0-1, 0-0 Mid-American)
Game Facts
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 – Noon EDT
Ohio Stadium (102,329), Columbus, Ohio
The Broadcasts
Television – ESPN will televise the game. Pam Ward will call the play-by-play and be joined in the booth by Ray Bentley.
The game is also available on http://www.espn360.com/.
Radio – WBNS (AM 1460 The Fan) is the flagship station for the 73-station Ohio State radio network. The Jim Tressel pregame show airs 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Paul Keels will call the play-by-play with former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines.
First and 10
A win over Ohio would be the Buckeyes’ 800th all-time victory
Ohio State is 1-0 and 0-0 in the Big Ten
Ohio University is 0-1 and 0-0 in the Mid-American Conference
This is the sixth meeting between the schools in football and the first since 1999
Coach Jim Tressel is 74-16 after seven years at Ohio State; 209-73-2 after 22 years overall
Ohio State was picked as the Big Ten preseason favorite
Coach Frank Solich is 19-19 in four seasons at Ohio and 77-38 overall as a head coach
Ohio State is the three-time defending Big Ten champion
Crowds of more than 100,000 have seen the last 42 games at Ohio Stadium
Football alums Jeff Uhlenhake and Bobby Hoying will be inducted into OSU’s Sports Hall of Fame this weekend
Closing In On 800 Wins
With one more victory, Ohio State will become the fifth major college football program to reach 800 all-time wins. The Buckeyes have an all-time record of 799-304-53 in their 119 seasons. The top 10 schools in terms of total program victories:
| 869 | Michigan |
| 824 | Notre Dame |
| 821 | Texas |
| 818 | Nebraska |
| 799 | Ohio State |
| 791 | Penn State |
| 788 | Alabama |
| 777 | Oklahoma |
| 771 | Tennessee |
| 754 | Southern Cal |
The Series
This will be the sixth meeting between the Buckeyes and the Bobcats on the football field. The two schools last met in 1999, a 40-16 victory for the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State is 175-48-15 in its history against opponents from the state of Ohio; that list includes Akron, Bowling Green, Case, Cincinnati, Denison, Heidelberg, Kent State, Kenyon, Marietta, Miami, Mount Union, Muskingum, Oberlin, Ohio Medical, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan, Otterbein, Toledo, Western Reserve, Wilmington, Wittenberg, Wooster and Youngstown State.
The Buckeyes have played at least one team from Ohio each season since 1997. Ohio State has not lost to an Ohio opponent since 1921, falling to Oberlin 7-6; the Buckeyes tied Wooster 7-7 in 1924 in Columbus.
Series Results:
1899: Ohio State 41, Ohio 0;
1900: Ohio State 20, Ohio 0;
1901: Ohio State 17, Ohio 0;
1902: Ohio State 17, Ohio 0;
1999: Ohio State 40, Ohio 16
The Silver Bullets
In the 43-0 win over Youngstown State, Ohio State’s defense recorded the third shutout of the Jim Tressel era; others were in 2003 vs. Northwestern and 2006 vs. Minnesota. It was the first shutout by the Buckeyes in a season opener since OSU beat Miami (Fla.) 10-0 in 1977. The defense has held the opposition to single-digit scoring 31 times during the Tressel era.
Against Youngstown State, Ohio State’s defense allowed only 74 yards of offense. The Penguins registered -11 rushing yards on 21 attempts, the first time the Buckeye defense held an opponent to negative rushing yards since Cincinnati had -4 yards on 22 attempts Sept. 16, 2006.
Ohio State forced four Youngstown State punts and a YSU fumble on its five defensive possessions of the first half. Three of the five YSU drives resulted in three-and-outs. Overall, Ohio State forced YSU to punt on nine of its 12 possessions.
Target Practice
Eleven different Buckeyes caught at least one pass in the 43-0 win over Youngstown State. The leader in yardage was Brian Hartline, who totaled 59 yards on just two receptions, the long being 47 yards. Hartline has at least one reception in the last 19 games.
The leader in number of catches was freshman DeVier Posey, with four receptions for 47 yards, including a 25-yard score. Brian Robiskie, Ray Small and Chris “Beanie” Wells had three catches each. Robiskie, who had a 31-yard touchdown reception from Todd Boeckman against YSU, has caught at least one pass in his last 26 games.
Opening Day Numbers
The Buckeyes have an all-time opening day record of 103-12-4 and have won their last 30 home openers. OSU’s last opening day loss at home was to Penn State in 1978. The Buckeyes’ last opening day loss away from Columbus was to Miami in the 1999 Kickoff Classic.
All-time, the Buckeyes are 107-8-4 in home openers since 1890.
Bucks Win 77 Percent of Ohio Stadium Games
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 380-105-20 (.772) in Ohio Stadium since that facility opened in 1922.
Ohio State has hosted 42 consecutive crowds of 100,000 or larger at Ohio Stadium; six of last year’s crowds ranked among the top 25 all-time. Ohio State’s all-time record in Columbus is 523-152-35 in 710 games.
Before the 2007 season, the old grass field in place at Ohio Stadium since 1990 was removed for a new synthetic surface called FieldTurf. The old field was rolled up and donated to the Columbus Parks and Recreation Service.
Preseason Big Ten Awards
The Buckeyes were picked as the 2008 preseason favorite among media covering the Big Ten. Linebacker James Laurinaitis was a repeat selection as preseason defensive player of the year, while tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells was tabbed as the preseason standout on offense.
Ohio State W/L Records
| Seasons: | 119th |
| All-Time Record: | 799-304-53 |
| Big Ten: | 443-188-28 |
| Ohio Stadium: | 380-105-20 |
| Bowl Games: | 18-21 |
| September Games: | 142-21-5 |
| September Home Games: | 117-10-4 |
| Against Ohio Opponents: | 175-48-15 |
The Captains
Seniors Todd Boeckman, Malcolm Jenkins, James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie were elected as 2008 captains of the Ohio State football team.
“I’m extremely thankful and honored by the confidence shown by my teammates in my leadership,” said Boeckman, a senior quarterback from St. Henry High School in St. Henry, Ohio. “It’s a great feeling to have that type of role in this football program. You’re part of something much bigger than yourself.”
“When you think back on all the past captains at Ohio State, you realize what a great honor and opportunity this is,” said Jenkins, a senior cornerback from Piscataway (N.J.) High School. “This team is a very special collection of remarkable people; that’s why I came back for another year to be around these guys.”
“It’s unbelievable to have the chance to represent the type of player and people we have on this team as their captain for another year,” said Laurinaitis, a senior linebacker from Wayzata High School in Hamel, Minn., who also served as a team captain in 2007. “With the number of outstanding leaders we have on our team, I will work to lead everyone in every way I can, on and off the field.”
Previous two-year captains: Richard T. Ellis (1891-92), Archie Griffin (1974-75), Glen Cobb (1981-82), Thomas Johnson (1984-85), Joe Cooper (2000-01), Steve Bellisari (2000-01)
“First and foremost, it humbles you. To have the respect of your teammates in such a way is definitely an honor,” said Robiskie, a senior who attended Chagrin Falls High School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “The tradition of guys who have led this team in the past shows you what an honor it is.”
Coaching Staff Assignments
Here’s a breakdown of the Ohio State coaching staff assignments for the 2008 season.
On the field :
Paul Haynes: Safeties
Darrell Hazell: Wide Receivers, Assistant Head Coach
Jim Heacock: Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Front
John Peterson: Tight Ends, Recruiting Coordinator
Dick Tressel: Running Backs
In the booth:
Jim Bollman: Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line
Joe Daniels: Quarterbacks, Passing Game
Luke Fickell: Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers
Taver Johnson: Cornerbacks
Good For Four
Ryan Pretorius’ four-for-four showing on field goals against Youngstown State marked the eighth time a Buckeye had four field goals in a game, and the first time since Josh Huston converted five attempts vs. Texas in 2005.
Pretorius connected on field goals of 28, 31, 26 and 50 yards, the last just two yards shy of his career best (52 vs. Cincinnati, 2006).
Junior Aaron Pettrey made a career-long 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, the fourth-longest field goal made by a Buckeye in Ohio Stadium history.
For Starters
When the Ohio State-Ohio game kicks off, the Buckeyes will have a total of 34 players with at least one game of starting experience. Tops among those are: James Laurinaitis (27); Malcolm Jenkins (27); Marcus Freeman (25); Alex Boone (24); Steve Rehring (24); Rory Nicol (23) and Donald Washington (22).
First-time starters against Youngstown State: OT Bryant Browning, DB Jermale Hines, LB Ross Homan, FB Brandon Smith.
First Impressions
Eleven freshmen (four redshirt/seven true freshmen) saw their first collegiate action in the opener against Youngstown State.
True freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor connected with another true freshman, Lamaar Thomas, on a 9-yard pass in the first quarter, the first college completion for both. Pryor finished with 35 yards passing and 52 yards rushing in his debut, scoring on an 18-yard fourth-quarter run.
Redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman passed for 22 yards in his initial effort; his first collegiate completion went to true freshman DeVier Posey for four yards. Posey was the leading Buckeye receiver with four catches against YSU. Posey scored a touchdown on his first college catch, a 25-yard strike from Todd Boeckman.
Dan “Boom” Herron, a redshirt freshman, rushed for 17 yards on five carries in his first game. Other freshmen who saw action against Youngstown State: Mike Adams, Mike Brewster, Nate Oliver, Etienne Sabino, J.B. Shugarts and Solomon Thomas.
Tressel’s Contract Revised
Coach Jim Tressel has agreed to contract revisions that will make him the highest-paid football coach in the Big Ten Conference, OSU director of athletics Gene Smith announced Aug. 29
Under the amended contract, Tressel’s compensation increase will be phased in during the current year and will be $3.5 million next year, more than $1 million annually than the previous agreement. He will receive annual increases of 3-4 percent over the remainder of the term. Tressel is under contract at Ohio State until January 31, 2013.
“Because of our overwhelming regard for Coach Tressel’s contributions to Ohio State and our football program, we made a commitment toward keeping him No. 1 in the Big Ten and among the top ranks of coaches nationally, and this revision achieves that goal,” said Smith. “Based upon known compensation figures, this agreement will place him in the Top 10 nationally among collegiate coaches.”
“It is incredible the commitment that Dr. Gee and Gene Smith have made to us,” said Tressel. “There is no place in the world we would rather be, and we will work very hard to serve Ohio State. The goal that Ellen and I have is to make sure these blessings make a difference to others.”
Honor Roll
A league-best 24 Ohio State football players were named to the Big Ten’s 2007 all-academic team, marking the sixth year in a row the Buckeyes led the conference. Additionally, 45 Ohio State football players qualified for the annual OSU Scholar-Athlete Dinner in May, which requires a grade-point average of 3.00 or better for the past academic year.
The Graduates
Ohio State has seven seniors on its roster who have already earned bachelor’s degrees from OSU. Those are: Todd Boeckman, Marcus Freeman, Ryan Lukens, Ben Person, Steve Rehring, Jon Skinner and A.J. Trapasso.
According to a survey by Boston College, Ohio State ranks among the Top 10 nationally in the number of players with degrees on the 2008 roster:
13 – Miami (Fla).
10 – Boston College, Virginia Tech
8 – Auburn, Clemson, Maryland
7 – Arizona State, Memphis, Ohio State, Penn State
NFF Honorees
A number of past and present Buckeyes have been recently recognized by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. In July, quarterback Rex Kern (1968-70) took part in the College Football Hall of Fame enshrinement festival in South Bend, Ind.
In December, former head coach John Cooper (1988-2000) will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of its newest class, along with former OSU assistant coach Lou Holtz (1968). At that same gala at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, Ohio State director of athletics Gene Smith will receive the John L. Toner Award for superior athletics administration, and Ohio senator John Glenn will receive the Foundation’s highest honor, its Gold Medal.
Cooper will also be recognized in an on-campus salute at the Ohio State-Penn State game October 25.
Not Since 1922-24
Ohio State ranks second among all NCAA Div. I programs with 83 consecutive seasons since last posting back-to-back losing records.
The Buckeyes have not been under .500 for two or more consecutive seasons since 1922-24, which trails only Tennessee; the Vols have not had back-to-back losing seasons since 1909-11, a span of 96 consecutive seasons.
| School | Years | Last |
| Tennessee | 96 | 1909-11 |
| Ohio State | 83 | 1922-24 |
| Southern Miss | 73 | 1933-34 |
| Arizona State | 60 | 1946-47 |
| Alabama | 50 | 1854-57 |
Where They Go Next
Ohio State visits Southern California next Saturday in an 8 p.m. Eastern game at the Los Angeles Coliseum that will be televised in primetime by ABC. Ohio University hosts Central Michigan in Athens that day.
Varsity O Hall Of Fame
The Ohio State Varsity “O” Association will induct 12 members into its Hall of Fame in ceremonies Friday and Saturday surrounding the Ohio State-Ohio football game. Those being inducted include:
Bob Todd, Baseball Coach 1988-present
Four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year Bob Todd is Ohio State’s winningest baseball coach. In his 21 seasons, starting in 1988, Todd’s Buckeyes have won 831 games and won 14 Big Ten championships (six regular season championships and eight tournament titles). Todd has led the program to 12 NCAA regional appearances, two regional championships and to Super Regionals in 1999 and 2003. Todd has never had a losing season and he has coached Ohio State to at least 30 wins every year, including a school-record 52 wins in 1991. In January 2009, he will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Drew Durbin, Gymnastics 1994-97
Drew Durbin was a six-time All-American gymnast and three-time national champion on pommel horse. A four-year letterwinner, Durbin was named All-Big Ten each of his four seasons and Big Ten Gymnast of the Year in 1994, his freshman season. In 1996, Durbin was a member of the Buckeyes’ national championship squad, setting the program record on pommel horse, recording a 9.975 at the NCAA East Regional. The next season, 1997, Durbin and his teammates set the OSU team record on pommel horse with a score of 39.000. Durbin won five Big Ten individual championships, two each on pommel horse and parallel bars and one in the all-around.
Bobby Hoying, Football 1993-95
A three-year starter, quarterback Bobby Hoying led Ohio State to a 30-7-1 mark and set standards for season passing efficiency (163.4), season 200-yard passing games (11), season total offense (3,290), and career TD passes (57) and completions (498). In 1993, Hoying, a native of St. Henry, Ohio, led the Buckeyes to a share of the Big Ten title and a No. 11 ranking. As a senior in 1995, he was elected team captain and earned first team all-Big Ten honors. A four-time academic all-Big Ten selection, Hoying won the Draddy Award, given to the top senior student-athlete in college football. Hoying played in the NFL for five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders.
John Edwards, Baseball 1958
John Edwards, a standout catcher for the baseball team in 1958, made only three errors behind the plate that season, compiling a fielding percentage of .973. Edwards also led the team in hits with 24. He went on to have a successful 14-year career in the major leagues, where he was a three-time All-Star (1963-65) and two-time Gold Glove winner (1963-64) at catcher. Edwards competed in two World Series, 1961 with the Cincinnati Reds and 1968 with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 1969 season with the Houston Astros was Edwards’ best as he garnered votes for the National League MVP award.
Jeff Uhlenhake, Football 1985-88
A four-year letterwinner, Jeff Uhlenhake was a first-team All-American and team MVP in 1988, his senior season with the Buckeyes. He was also elected team captain as a senior. In 1986, Uhlenhake was first-team All-Big Ten and helped lead Ohio State to a share of the Big Ten championship. Uhlenhake played in two bowl games, including the Buckeyes’ upset of Texas A&M in the 1987 Cotton Bowl. Uhlenhake went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL.
Fred Keller, Lacrosse 1956-58; Soccer 1955-57
Fred Keller, a two-sport star at Ohio State, earned six letters, three each in soccer (1955-57) and lacrosse (1956-58). In both 1957 and ’58, Keller received All-America accolades and was named to the All-Midwest Lacrosse Association squad. In 1958, Keller had 14 goals to lead the team and was second with 17 points while serving as a co-captain. During 1957, he was second on the team in goals (16) and third with 20 points. He was a second-team All-MLA selection in 1956. Kelley helped lead soccer to its first back-to-back winning seasons in the third and fourth years of the program (1955-56).
Carolina Moraes, Synchronized Swimming 1999-2002
Carolina Moraes won 11 national championships as a Buckeye. A four-year letterwinner, Moraes, along with her sister, Isabela, was a member of the duet and trio routines that won the national title four consecutive years, along with the coveted team routine title in 2000. Moraes was the solo champion in 2001 and ’02 and a member of three national championship squads during her career (2000-02). In her senior season, Moraes was a Big Ten Medal of Honor finalist. Moraes was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient and four-time OSU Scholar Athlete and Honorary Academic All-American. At the 2000 and ’04 Olympic Games, Moraes and Isabela competed in the duet routine for Brazil, their home country.
Isabela Moraes, Synchronized Swimming 1999-2002
Isabela Moraes finished her career at Ohio State as an 11-time national champion. Isabela contributed to the national champion squads that captured three consecutive team routine crowns from 2000-02. From 1999-2002, Moraes, along with her sister, Carolina, was a member of the national champion duet and trio routines. Moraes was a part of Ohio State’s three-consecutive national championships from 2000-02. She was a finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor her senior season. A four-year letterwinner, Moraes was Academic All-Big Ten on three occasions and a four-time OSU Scholar Athlete and Honorary Academic All-American. In 2000 and 2004, Moraes and her sister, Carolina, represented Brazil in the Olympic Games in the duet routine.
Amy Langhals, Women’s Golf 1994-1997
Amy Langhals was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and capped off her career as the 1997 Big Ten Player of the Year, the Big Ten individual champion and an Honorable Mention All-American. As a senior, she was the Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year after leading the Buckeyes to Big Ten and NCAA East Regional championships and an eighth-place finish at the NCAA championships. A four-year letterwinner, Langhals was a two-time captain and began her career as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. After graduating from Ohio State Langhals played professionally, including two years on the LPGA Tour. She returned to Ohio State as an assistant coach in 2005.
Krista Keir, Women’s Track and Field 2000-2003
Krista Keir was a three-time NCAA women’s track and field qualifier and the 2002 Big Ten discus champion. In 2002, Keir finished third at the Big Ten Championships in the shot put and garnered a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships in discus. Keir qualified for both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships in 2003 in the shot put. During her career at Ohio State, Keir set the Ohio State and Big Ten indoor shot put records and the Ohio State discus record. In 2001, Keir represented the United States at the World University Games competing in discus. She graduated from Ohio State magna cum laude in 2003 with a degree in education.
Megan Mirick, Women’s Lacrosse 1999-2002
Megan Mirick, a four-year letterwinner, was the American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year and the program’s first first-team All-American as a senior in 2002. Mirick concluded her career as Ohio State’s all-time leader in goals (143) and points (182). She also had the most goals (53) and third-most points (59) in a single season in 2002. During her time at Ohio State, she was a three-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete, three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and an Academic All-American Lacrosse Conference honoree. She was also a finalist for the Ohio State University Lacrosse Player of the Century award. Mirick joined the Ohio State coaching staff following her playing career.
Maxi Meissner, Rowing 2000-2003
Maxi Meissner was a key part of Ohio State’s first Big Ten rowing championship team in 2002. The two-time captain was twice a first team All-American and first team All-Big Ten rower. In 2001 and ’03, Meissner was selected to the first team All-Central Region team. Those same years, she was named MVP of the rowing team. Meissner was a four-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete and three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient. In 2003, she was named the most outstanding student from the Midwestern Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine.
