ABJ
College Football / Ohio State report
Buckeyes look ahead to new season's prospects OSU to be hit hard by graduation. Fans await Wells' decision on whether to leave for NFL
By Rusty Miller
Associated Press
Published on Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
COLUMBUS: It was still a loss. Yet for some reason this one seemed easier to swallow for Ohio State's players and fans.
The Buckeyes walked glumly off the field, surrounded by Texas players dancing and laughing while celebrating a dramatic Fiesta Bowl victory on Monday night. But for Ohio State, the feeling was different this time ? even though the result was not ? as the Buckeyes closed their season with a bowl loss for the third consecutive year.
''We didn't achieve kind of what we had set out to but, looking back, we did some good things,'' wide receiver Brian Robiskie said.
Ohio State started the season with a stadium full of optimism. It had nine starters back on each side of the ball from a team that went 11-2 and began the season ranked No. 2 in the polls.
The Buckeyes, who have won at least a share of the past four Big Ten titles, face plenty of questions heading into next season.
Not only will Ohio State be hit hard by graduation, but fans also will be waiting to hear whether standout tailback Chris ''Beanie'' Wells gives up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft. Wells said he will announce his decision later this week.
Wells fought nagging injuries much of his career at Ohio State. After missing three full games, he returned to rush for 1,197 yards.
But he missed much of the second half of the Fiesta Bowl (finishing with 106 yards on 16 carries) due to symptoms of a concussion.
Cont..