STEPPING BACK TO STEP FORWARD
10/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2016
Dan Herbener
Ohio State Athletics Communications
Preview of the October 29th edition of the Ohio State Football Official Gameday Magazine. Gameday Magazines are available for purchase for $10 in and around Ohio Stadium.
Anybody who’s been around football or just watches it knows that injuries are a big part of the game. They can be the reason why a team gives up a touchdown, loses a game or even struggles during a season. However, to Mike Weber, a knee injury early in his freshman season was exactly what the running back needed to succeed as a Buckeye.
“I knew it was going to be tough coming in behind Ezekiel Elliott,” Weber said. “I knew I might be able to get some carries here and there in games, but, fortunately for me, I got hurt and got to sit back and learn all of last season.”
Not a bad guy for the 212-pound Detroit native to learn from. Elliott rushed for 3,961 yards in his Buckeye career, good for second all-time in Ohio State history. Weber got to watch 1,821 of those yards up close, but he spent little time awestricken and more time learning from the eventual first-round draft pick.
“At first I didn’t really appreciate what the injury did for me,” Weber said about his torn meniscus. “But it really helped me build the mental part of my game. I got to sit back and study defenses and our playbook and I don’t think I would be where I am now without the injury.”
The man who coach Urban Meyer lovingly refers to as a “thumper” has gotten his shot with the Buckeyes and has taken advantage of the opportunity. Through six games this season, Weber sits second among the Big Ten rushing leaders, averaging 102 yards per game. His season has already featured three 100-plus yard performances, including an astounding 123-yard performance on the road against Oklahoma.
As Weber’s performances continue to grow, so does the respect he garners from his teammates, which he attributes to a better attitude and greater maturity.
“Last year I was young and childish. I wasn’t really doing the little things,” Weber explained. “But I am taking care of business now both on the field and really in the classroom. I am more of a quiet guy but I feel like I am leading the younger guys now a little bit too.”
Weber certainly has answered the bell for the Buckeyes in 2016. While he has a plethora of mentors to pick through with the great running backs that have passed through Ohio State, hometown hero Barry Sanders has been the man he’s tuned to for help.
“I met him a couple times growing up, at a golf tournament and then later when I was a bit older,” Weber said. “He’s just been a guy I can contact whenever I need something or someone to go to about the game. He’s a really good resource because he’s done it as well as anybody.”
Any lesson Weber has taken in has clearly paid off. And while he did chose to switch from Sanders’ number, 20, to his father’s number, 25, Weber is starting to show why the coaching staff was so happy when he committed two years ago. As for what Weber’s plans are the rest of the season?
“I just want to win. I will do whatever it takes, man. If it means I’m the water boy I will do everything I can for this team to win,” Weber concluded.
