No. 5 Ohio State Travels to No. 1 USC for Primetime Showdown – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Ohio State will play the No. 1 team in the country for the first time since the 2003 BCS National Championship game
First and 10
The win over Ohio was the Buckeyes’ 800th all-time victory
Ohio State is 2-0 and 0-0 in the Big Ten
Southern California is 1-0 and 0-0 in the Pac-10 Conference
This is the 22nd meeting between the schools in football and the first since 1990
Coach Jim Tressel is 75-16 in eight seasons at Ohio State; 210-73-2 in his 23rd season overall
Ohio State was picked as the Big Ten preseason favorite and is the three-time defending Big Ten champion
Coach Pete Carroll is 77-14 in eight seasons at USC
Ohio State is 63-48-7 all-time in road openers
Crowds of more than 100,000 have seen the last 43 games at Ohio Stadium
The Buckeyes have scored at least one touchdown in 141 consecutive games.
The Game
No. 5 Ohio State visits No. 1 Southern Cal for a 5:20 p.m. game on Saturday, September 13, 2008, in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000). The game will be televised in prime time by ABC.
800 Wins
Ohio State is the fifth major college football program to reach 800 all-time wins. The Buckeyes have an all-time record of 800-304-53 in their 119 seasons. The top 10 schools in terms of total program victories:
870 – Michigan
825 – Notre Dame
822 – Texas
819 – Nebraska
800 – Ohio State
792 – Penn State
789 – Alabama
778 – Oklahoma
771 – Tennessee
754 – Southern Cal
Series Record
Southern California leads the all-time series with the Buckeyes by an 11-9-1 count. The first meeting between the two schools was a 13-12 USC home victory in 1937. The latest meeting came in 1990, a 35-26 USC victory in Columbus. Ohio State’s last win was a 42-21 victory in the Rose Bowl following the 1973 season.
The winner has averaged 24.9 points per game during the series, with the losing team averaging 8.9, making the average margin of victory 16 points. Seven of the previous 21 meetings have been shutouts. Six games have been decided by a touchdown or less. The home team has won eight of the 14 regular season matchups.
Ohio State is 50-23-2 overall against the Pac-10; the Buckeyes have faced every conference school at least twice in football. In regular season games, Ohio State is 44-16-2 against the Pac-10.
The Buckeyes are 16-13-1 all-time in games played in the state of California. Ohio State’s first game there was a 28-0 loss to California in the Rose Bowl concluding the 1920 season. The first Ohio State win in California came in 1941, when Paul Brown’s first OSU club won 33-0 at Southern Cal.
The USC Series:
| 1937 | at USC 13, Ohio State 12 |
| 1938 | USC 14, at Ohio State 7 |
| 1941 | Ohio State 33, at USC 0 |
| 1942 | at Ohio State 28, USC 12 |
| 1946 | Ohio State 21, at USC 0 |
| 1947 | USC 32, at Ohio State 0 |
| 1948 | at Ohio State 20, USC 0 |
| 1949 | Ohio State 13, at USC 13 |
| 1954 | Ohio State 20, USC 7* |
| 1959 | at USC 17, Ohio State 0 |
| 1960 | at Ohio State 20, USC 0 |
| 1963 | at USC 32, Ohio State 3 |
| 1964 | at Ohio State 17, USC 0 |
| 1968 | Ohio State 27, USC 16* |
| 1972 | USC 42, Ohio State 17* |
| 1973 | Ohio State 42, USC 21* |
| 1974 | USC 18, Ohio State 17* |
| 1979 | USC 17, Ohio State 16* |
| 1984 | USC 20, Ohio State 17* |
| 1989 | at USC 42, Ohio State 3 |
| 1990 | USC 35, at Ohio State 26 |
*Rose Bowl
Versus No. 1
Ohio State has an all-time record of 4-8 when the Buckeyes have faced the nation’s top-ranked team.
| 1940 | at Cornell 21, Ohio State 7 |
| 1947 | at Michigan 21, Ohio State 0 |
| 1948 | Michigan 13, at Ohio State 3 |
| 1951 | Michigan State 24, at Ohio State 20 |
| 1952 | at Ohio State 23, Wisconsin 14 |
| 1966 | Michigan State 11, at Ohio State 8 |
| 1968 | at Ohio State 13, Purdue 0 |
| 1972* | Southern Cal 42, Ohio State 13 |
| 1985 | at Ohio State 22, Iowa 13 |
| 1994 | at Penn State 63, Ohio State 14 |
| 1997 | at Michigan 20, Ohio State 14 |
| 2002* | Ohio State 31, Miami 24 |
*bowl games
Against Ranked Teams
Ohio State is 124-100-12 all-time when facing a ranked opponent, and 36-39-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 30-9 overall and 9-4 on the road against ranked teams.
Road Openers
Ohio State is 63-48-7 all-time in road openers. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 4-3 in the first game of the season away from home.
Tressel’s Road Openers
| 2001 | UCLA 13, Ohio State 6 |
| 2002 | Ohio State 23, Cincinnati 19 |
| 2003 | Wisconsin 17, Ohio State 10 |
| 2004 | Ohio State 22, North Carolina State 14 |
| 2005 | Penn State 17, Ohio State 10 |
| 2006 | Ohio State 24, Texas 7 |
| 2007 | Ohio State 33, Washington 14 |
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 those five YSU drives resulted in three-and-outs. Overall, Ohio State forced YSU to punt on nine of its 12 possessions.
In the win over Ohio University, the Buckeye defense allowed just one offensive touchdown.
Three And Out
The Buckeye defense recorded seven three-and-outs versus Youngstown State and five in the win over Ohio University, an average of six per game to start the 2008 season.
In 2007, the Buckeye defense held the opponent to three-and-out on 48.5% of all possessions (66-136). Turnovers ended 18 of those other opponent drives.
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 20 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 27 games.
Against Ohio University, six different Buckeyes were on the receiving end of Boeckman strikes; Ray Small had five receptions to lead the team.
Turnovers
The Buckeyes rank eighth in the nation this week in turnover margin, averaging +2 per game. Ohio State came up with five turnovers against Ohio, the biggest being a Shaun Lane recovery of a fumbled Ohio punt return attempt with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter, setting up the Buckeyes’ go-ahead score. Lawrence Wilson, Anderson Russell, Malcolm Jenkins and James Laurinaitis had interceptions for OSU against the Bobcats.
That marked the most turnovers forced by Ohio State since the 2006 Northwestern game, when OSU had two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
The Buckeyes had a fumble recovery against Youngstown State.
In Night Games
Ohio State is 25-11 away from home in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 31-12 in night games all-time. Last season, Ohio State played back-to-back night games for the first time in school history with Big Ten games under the lights at Minnesota and at Purdue, winning both contests. The Buckeyes also recorded a 37-17 night win at Penn State and lost to LSU in the BCS championship game.
Bucks Win 77 Percent of Ohio Stadium Games
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 381-105-20 (.773) in Ohio Stadium since that facility opened in 1922.
Ohio State has hosted 43 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 524-152-35 in 711 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: 800-304-53
Big Ten: 443-188-28
Ohio Stadium: 381-105-20
Bowl Games: 18-21
September Games: 143-21-5
September Road Games: 25-11-1
Against The Pac-10: 50-23-2
In Night Games: 31-12
In California: 16-13-1
In The Pacific Time Zone: 19-14-1
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.”
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.”
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 Coordinator
Luke Fickell: Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers
Taver Johnson: Cornerbacks
Good For Three
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). He currently leads the NCAA with an average of three made field goals per game.
Junior Aaron Pettrey made a career-long 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against Youngstown State, the fourth-longest field goal made by a Buckeye in Ohio Stadium history.
Pretorius was 27 and 38 yards and wide on a 53-yard attempt against Ohio University.
For Starters
When the Ohio State-USC game kicks off, the Buckeyes will have a total of 35 players with at least one game of starting experience. Tops among those are: James Laurinaitis (28); Malcolm Jenkins (28); Marcus Freeman (26); Alex Boone (25); Steve Rehring (25); Rory Nicol (24) and Donald Washington (22).
First-time starters in 2008: OT Bryant Browning, DB Jermale Hines, LB Ross Homan, FB Brandon Smith, and TB Maurice Wells.
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.
Scoreless Quarters
Ohio State has held its opponent scoreless in six of eight quarters of action (75.0%) during the 2008 campaign. The Buckeye defensive unit has given up only one touchdown thus far, and 20 first downs through two games.
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 St.
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 FBS 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 hosts Troy next Saturday in a noon game at Ohio Stadium that will be televised by the Big Ten Network; the Buckeyes will salute members of the 1968 and 1973 national championship teams that afternoon. Southern Cal plays Thursday, September 25, at Oregon State.
