Game-day coverage
OSU notebook: Gholston quickly makes up for lost time
By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
Saturday, September 2, 2006 10:17 PM
Jay Richardson grabbed Vernon Gholston's big right hand, pulled him close in the crowded Ohio State post-game interview room and said, "Look who's a star now."
Gholston smiled. The Ohio State sophomore defensive end wasn't ready to see his name up in lights just yet, but he didn't mind a little praise from his fellow book end on the defensive front after yesterday's season-opening win over Northern Illinois.
"I always had confidence in myself that I would be a good player," Gholston said. "I basically just wanted to come out here and do my job."
Gholston was credited with 1 1/2 sacks, in what amounted to his coming-out party after having to sit out last year after suffering a broken finger in preseason. It was his sack of NIU's Phil Horvath on the Huskies' opening possession that set the tone for the early defensive effort.
"I have been waiting for this the past three years," Gholston said. "Definitely when you get a chance to be a starter -- even though we have a bunch of guys who can come in and be starters on this defense -- it is a great opportunity for me."
Richardson said the defense, with nine new starters and many more rolling into the lineup, needed such an outing. Even though he's senior, he's a first-time regular starter, too.
"With a young team, confidence is always a big thing, and trying to get these guys to be confident in themselves and believe in themselves that they're good," Richardson said. "We've got a lot of talented young guys, as anyone can see. We really had to instill in them you can go out there and play like that."
"Now they know they can play. Now we've got to take that momentum into (this) week at Texas, which is the big one."
NO TIME TO THINK
With the Buckeyes going with a four-receiver set on the first play from scrimmage, and with senior Roy Hall out with an ankle sprain, redshirt freshman Brian Hartline found himself on the field. The next thing he knew, he had a pass from Troy Smith -- a 32 yarder -- in his hands as he ran up a seam.
"I didn't really have time to think about it, which was probably a good thing," Hartline said. "But what a way to start."
The Buckeyes went on to score a touchdown on the driver with a five-yard pass from Smith to Ted Ginn Jr.
"I think that's the kind of start we all wanted," Hartline said.
GINN: A B-PLUS DAY
Ginn had four catches for 123 yards and two TDs, including a 58-yarder; he returned two punts for 44 yards; and he returned two kickoffs for 25 yards. Asked how he'd grade himself, he didn't hesitate.
"About a B-plus, because it's not always great," he said. "I missed a couple of assignments on my blocking. There's a lot of things you've got to put into the game."
On the other hand, he thought Smith -- Ohio State's other promoted Heisman Trophy candidate -- did his job as prescribed, hitting 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three TDs, including one to Anthony Gonzalez.
"Troy is an A, and A players always make A plays, no matter what goes on," Ginn said. "Troy put up big numbers today and we came out and just had fun."
Never more so than on that 58-yard rainbow, reminiscent of Ginn's wide-open TD catch in the Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame in January.
Asked whether, considering his reputation, he's ever surprised to be so open, he said "Sometimes, because I'm looking for the double team, I'm looking for cover three (with there defensive backs laying back). Sometimes it's amazing."
On that particular play, the safety opted to double-team Gonzalez, who cut a post route.
WINNERS EAT FISH?
OSU offensive coordinator Jim Bollman usually liked to top off a big win with a nice steak dinner. But after his heart bypass surgery in May, his wife is in charge of the post-game menu, and he knew there would be no steak.
"I don't know what dining experience she has in store now," Bollman said. But when asked whether he preferred chicken or fish, he said, "I hope it's fish."
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