Dec. 20, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has suspended quarterback Troy Smith for the MasterCard Alamo Bowl for violating team and NCAA rules and standards.
“All of our players, including Troy, know they have a number of responsibilities to fulfill in order to have the privilege of playing at Ohio State,” said Tressel. “Troy has not fulfilled those responsibilities and therefore will not be able to play in the Alamo Bowl.”
The Buckeyes play Oklahoma State on Dec. 29 in the Alamodome.
Ohio State’s Director of Athletics Andy Geiger said the university has petitioned the NCAA for Smith’s reinstatement for the 2005 season.
Smith, who started the last five games of the regular season and directed the Buckeyes to a 4-1 record in that span, will not travel with the team to San Antonio on Dec. 22.
“I am aware of what is expected, both on and off the field, at Ohio State and I have fallen short of those expectations,” said Smith. “I accept this penalty, wish my teammates the very best in the bowl game, and look forward to the beginning of Winter Quarter.”
Smith played in eight of the Buckeyes’ 11 games this year and completed 68 of 122 passes for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. He also rushed for 339 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 82 carries.
The 6-1 junior broke into the starting lineup in week seven as a replacement for injured starter Justin Zwick. In the last five games, Smith completed 58 of 107 passes for 791 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 325 yards and two scores. He amassed 386 yards in total offense (241 passing and 145 rushing) in a 37-21 win over Michigan in the season finale, turning in the third highest single-game performance in Ohio State history.
