-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter Clarity
- Start date
JXC
17-4 since 2001
I can’t believe that we are now only two days away from The Game. This game has meant so much to me over my life. I still have A LOT of hurt from growing up in the 90s, and still feel it in my heart. Even though we are winning now, I will never forget how I felt when I was younger. I will always hate Michigan, but my hate for Michigan is not just one that was passed on from my father, but one that I experienced on my own.
<O:p</O:p
In 1993, I was 11 years old…my dad was somehow able to land two tickets to The Game in Ann Arbor. I had never been able to go to The Game before. I was so excited. I remember we were undefeated that year. I also remember that Michigan wasn’t that good that year…and we were supposed to kick their asses. It was going to be a great day. From the moment the game started, until I got back to Dayton, Ohio, I felt a new pain that I had never felt before. I hated those fuckers. They beat the crap out of us…and it hurt like hell. I lived with that hurt for a long time.
<O:p</O:p
In 1995 we stayed and watched the game at home. We had just beat them the year before, and we were undefeated and playing as good as anybody in the country. We had beaten Notre Dame on our way to a perfect season. It was perfect…until a man named Tim Biakabutuka ruined my life. Fuck him. Fuck Michigan. Again…the hurt is back, stronger than ever.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
But in 1996 I know we have a better team. And we play Michigan at home. We tied them in ’92, and beat them in ’94. We can beat them at home. We win all our games again. We rip through our schedule. Scoring 70 points twice, tearing apart Penn State and Notre Dame…we are ready. This will be my first Michigan game in the ‘Shoe. And then as the fall comes around, I started to get sick…really sick. I’ll spare details but I needed to be hospitalized…I should have been in the hospital, but nothing was keeping me from this game. I wanted to see it. I wanted to erase the pain. I wanted to see history. I wanted to give their players and their band the finger as they came onto our field. I cannot recall ever feeling so sick in my life. But that first half I was in heaven. We were beating those fuckers. They couldn’t even score. Then I watched the game “slip” away in the second half…and it was the most disgusting, miserable, thing I had ever been a part of. I sat there…unable to move, half because of being sick, and half of because how sick the game I had just watched had made me. I was beyond tears. That was quite possibly the worst day of my life. I can’t even begin to describe how I felt, but it hurt, and it still hurts. I left that game screaming, “Why can’t we beat Michigan!”
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
1998 was bitter sweet. I finally got to see the Buckeyes beat Michigan, and it was great. But we lost to MSU, and so it wasn’t for everything. It wasn’t our perfect season that had slipped away. It was great. I was so happy. But it wasn’t enough.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
2002. I’ve never been so nervous before a game in my life. I’d been here before, many times. I’d seen the story. And this year…we weren’t kicking teams butts like we had been in the 90s. We were barely winning, and now we had to go and play Michigan. But we had a new coach…and I was crazy enough to believe he could win…heck he did it last year. I was shaking for the whole week before this game. No sleep, barely eating. Not getting ANY work done at school. The day of the game…I just stared into space. I kept replaying old games in my head…I remember 1996, and how much it hurt, how horrible it was. We got to our seats…the same seats that we’d sat in 8 years ago. My dad on the left, me on the right, as always. Déjà vu. This was for 1996. This was for the pain I went through that year, and years to come. This was our time. That was the most amazing game of my life. The whole game was loud, and exciting. I waved my hand through the air practically feeling the energy that was flowing in The ‘Shoe. And as Will Allen caught Navarre’s pass…my dad and I uncontrollably started jumping and hugging and going absolutely ape shit. Tears were streaming down my face. We had beat those mother fuckers. We had beat them when EVERYTHING was on the line. Fuck you 1993. Fuck you 1995. FUCK YOU 1996. I had 2002. This was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. My dad and I saw the whole stadium charge the field. We looked at each other (My dad being almost 60)…and said, “LET’S GO!” I still have the piece of turf in my room. Whenever I look at it I get caught staring at it for minutes on end, thinking of that day. The day my world as a Buckeye fan became complete. The day that I got my revenge for all the fucking shit Michigan had put me through growing up.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
I want to go to this game Saturday. I want to fucking kick the shit out of those fuckers. I don’t want them to even think they have a chance from kickoff until the end of 60 minutes. I want all those weasels, students, players, fans, EVERYONE to know that Ohio State owns them…and that we have the best coach, the best team, the best band, the best fans, the best school in all America. I want to leave the game…and see a little kid with his dad, crying his fucking eyes out, saying, “Why can’t we beat Ohio State!” That kid deserves it. Their kids deserve to grow up feeling like I felt. I want this win as much as I wanted any win against Michigan. I want that whole state to know that we are the best team in the Big 10…and that they are going to have to keep looking up to us for a LONG, LONG TIME. They will never feel the pain I felt in the 90s…but I want to make it as close as possible. I hate them. I hate them all. I hope this is the most miserable game that those weasels have ever been a part of.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
In Tressel I Trust.
2 Days until
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
<O:p</O:p
In 1993, I was 11 years old…my dad was somehow able to land two tickets to The Game in Ann Arbor. I had never been able to go to The Game before. I was so excited. I remember we were undefeated that year. I also remember that Michigan wasn’t that good that year…and we were supposed to kick their asses. It was going to be a great day. From the moment the game started, until I got back to Dayton, Ohio, I felt a new pain that I had never felt before. I hated those fuckers. They beat the crap out of us…and it hurt like hell. I lived with that hurt for a long time.
<O:p</O:p
In 1995 we stayed and watched the game at home. We had just beat them the year before, and we were undefeated and playing as good as anybody in the country. We had beaten Notre Dame on our way to a perfect season. It was perfect…until a man named Tim Biakabutuka ruined my life. Fuck him. Fuck Michigan. Again…the hurt is back, stronger than ever.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
But in 1996 I know we have a better team. And we play Michigan at home. We tied them in ’92, and beat them in ’94. We can beat them at home. We win all our games again. We rip through our schedule. Scoring 70 points twice, tearing apart Penn State and Notre Dame…we are ready. This will be my first Michigan game in the ‘Shoe. And then as the fall comes around, I started to get sick…really sick. I’ll spare details but I needed to be hospitalized…I should have been in the hospital, but nothing was keeping me from this game. I wanted to see it. I wanted to erase the pain. I wanted to see history. I wanted to give their players and their band the finger as they came onto our field. I cannot recall ever feeling so sick in my life. But that first half I was in heaven. We were beating those fuckers. They couldn’t even score. Then I watched the game “slip” away in the second half…and it was the most disgusting, miserable, thing I had ever been a part of. I sat there…unable to move, half because of being sick, and half of because how sick the game I had just watched had made me. I was beyond tears. That was quite possibly the worst day of my life. I can’t even begin to describe how I felt, but it hurt, and it still hurts. I left that game screaming, “Why can’t we beat Michigan!”
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
1998 was bitter sweet. I finally got to see the Buckeyes beat Michigan, and it was great. But we lost to MSU, and so it wasn’t for everything. It wasn’t our perfect season that had slipped away. It was great. I was so happy. But it wasn’t enough.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
2002. I’ve never been so nervous before a game in my life. I’d been here before, many times. I’d seen the story. And this year…we weren’t kicking teams butts like we had been in the 90s. We were barely winning, and now we had to go and play Michigan. But we had a new coach…and I was crazy enough to believe he could win…heck he did it last year. I was shaking for the whole week before this game. No sleep, barely eating. Not getting ANY work done at school. The day of the game…I just stared into space. I kept replaying old games in my head…I remember 1996, and how much it hurt, how horrible it was. We got to our seats…the same seats that we’d sat in 8 years ago. My dad on the left, me on the right, as always. Déjà vu. This was for 1996. This was for the pain I went through that year, and years to come. This was our time. That was the most amazing game of my life. The whole game was loud, and exciting. I waved my hand through the air practically feeling the energy that was flowing in The ‘Shoe. And as Will Allen caught Navarre’s pass…my dad and I uncontrollably started jumping and hugging and going absolutely ape shit. Tears were streaming down my face. We had beat those mother fuckers. We had beat them when EVERYTHING was on the line. Fuck you 1993. Fuck you 1995. FUCK YOU 1996. I had 2002. This was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. My dad and I saw the whole stadium charge the field. We looked at each other (My dad being almost 60)…and said, “LET’S GO!” I still have the piece of turf in my room. Whenever I look at it I get caught staring at it for minutes on end, thinking of that day. The day my world as a Buckeye fan became complete. The day that I got my revenge for all the fucking shit Michigan had put me through growing up.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
I want to go to this game Saturday. I want to fucking kick the shit out of those fuckers. I don’t want them to even think they have a chance from kickoff until the end of 60 minutes. I want all those weasels, students, players, fans, EVERYONE to know that Ohio State owns them…and that we have the best coach, the best team, the best band, the best fans, the best school in all America. I want to leave the game…and see a little kid with his dad, crying his fucking eyes out, saying, “Why can’t we beat Ohio State!” That kid deserves it. Their kids deserve to grow up feeling like I felt. I want this win as much as I wanted any win against Michigan. I want that whole state to know that we are the best team in the Big 10…and that they are going to have to keep looking up to us for a LONG, LONG TIME. They will never feel the pain I felt in the 90s…but I want to make it as close as possible. I hate them. I hate them all. I hope this is the most miserable game that those weasels have ever been a part of.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
In Tressel I Trust.
2 Days until
Last edited:
Upvote
0
BUCKYLE
Washed
I can’t believe that we are now only two days away from The Game. This game has meant so much to me over my life. I still have A LOT of hurt from growing up in the 90s, and still feel it in my heart. Even though we are winning now, I will never forget how I felt when I was younger. I will always hate Michigan, but my hate for Michigan is not just one that was passed on from my father, but one that I experienced on my own.
<O:p</O:p
In 1993, I was 11 years old…my dad was somehow able to land two tickets to The Game in Ann Arbor. I had never been able to go to The Game before. I was so excited. I remember we were undefeated that year. I also remember that Michigan wasn’t that good that year…and we were supposed to kick their asses. It was going to be a great day. From the moment the game started, until I got back to Dayton, Ohio, I felt a new pain that I had never felt before. I hated those fuckers. They beat the crap out of us…and it hurt like hell. I lived with that hurt for a long time.
<O:p</O:p
In 1995 we stayed and watched the game at home. We had just beat them the year before, and we were undefeated and playing as good as anybody in the country. We had beaten Notre Dame on our way to a perfect season. It was perfect…until a man named Tim Biakabutuka ruined my life. Fuck him. Fuck Michigan. Again…the hurt is back, stronger than ever.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
But in 1996 I know we have a better team. And we play Michigan at home. We tied them in ’92, and beat them in ’94. We can beat them at home. We win all our games again. We rip through our schedule. Scoring 70 points twice, tearing apart Penn State and Notre Dame…we are ready. This will be my first Michigan game in the ‘Shoe. And then as the fall comes around, I started to get sick…really sick. I’ll spare details but I needed to be hospitalized…I should have been in the hospital, but nothing was keeping me from this game. I wanted to see it. I wanted to erase the pain. I wanted to see history. I wanted to give their players and their band the finger as they came onto our field. I cannot recall ever feeling so sick in my life. But that first half I was in heaven. We were beating those fuckers. They couldn’t even score. Then I watched the game “slip” away in the second half…and it was the most disgusting, miserable, thing I had ever been a part of. I sat there…unable to move, half because of being sick, and half of because how sick the game I had just watched had made me. I was beyond tears. That was quite possibly the worst day of my life. I can’t even begin to describe how I felt, but it hurt, and it still hurts. I left that game screaming, “Why can’t we beat Michigan!”
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
1998 was bitter sweet. I finally got to see the Buckeyes beat Michigan, and it was great. But we lost to MSU, and so it wasn’t for everything. It wasn’t our perfect season that had slipped away. It was great. I was so happy. But it wasn’t enough.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
2002. I’ve never been so nervous before a game in my life. I’d been here before, many times. I’d seen the story. And this year…we weren’t kicking teams butts like we had been in the 90s. We were barely winning, and now we had to go and play Michigan. But we had a new coach…and I was crazy enough to believe he could win…heck he did it last year. I was shaking for the whole week before this game. No sleep, barely eating. Not getting ANY work done at school. The day of the game…I just stared into space. I kept replaying old games in my head…I remember 1996, and how much it hurt, how horrible it was. We got to our seats…the same seats that we’d sat in 8 years ago. My dad on the left, me on the right, as always. Déjà vu. This was for 1996. This was for the pain I went through that year, and years to come. This was our time. That was the most amazing game of my life. The whole game was loud, and exciting. I waved my hand through the air practically feeling the energy that was flowing in The ‘Shoe. And as Will Allen caught Navarre’s pass…my dad and I uncontrollably started jumping and hugging and going absolutely ape shit. Tears were streaming down my face. We had beat those mother fuckers. We had beat them we EVERYTHING was on the line. Fuck you 1993. Fuck you 1995. FUCK YOU 1996. I had 2002. This was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. My dad and I saw the whole stadium charge the field. We looked at each other (My dad being almost 60)…and said, “LET’S GO!” I still have the piece of turf in my room. Whenever I look at it I get caught staring at it for minutes on end, thinking of that day. The day my world as a Buckeye fan became complete. The day that I got my revenge for all the fucking shit Michigan had put me through growing up.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
I want to go to this game Saturday. I want to fucking kick the shit out of those fuckers. I don’t want them to even think they have a chance from kickoff until the end of 60 minutes. I want all those weasels, students, players, fans, EVERYONE to know that Ohio State owns them…and that we have the best coach, the best team, the best band, the best fans, the best school in all America. I want to leave the game…and see a little kid with his dad, crying his fucking eyes out, saying, “Why can’t we beat Ohio State!” That kid deserves it. Their kids deserve to grow up feeling like I felt. I want this win as much as I wanted any win against Michigan. I want that whole state to know that we are the best team in the Big 10…and that they are going to have to keep looking up to us for a LONG, LONG TIME. They will never feel the pain I felt in the 90s…but I want to make it as close as possible. I hate them. I hate them all. I hope this is the most miserable game that those weasels have ever been a part of.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
In Tressel I Trust.
2 Days until
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
your posts about this game have struck so close to home for me. you describe EXACTLY how I felt throughout my childhood, and now. allthough I have never been to THE GAME in person. way to go.
Upvote
0
:osu: :osu: :osu: :osu: 
Shows how much film Mr. Hart has been studying...
Yeah, but remember, you have to be literate and numerate to understand a table of basic stats and, er, well, he is from Michigan...
Upvote
0
Perhaps it is because I have to listen to the game over the Internet, but my thoughts this week are focused on the early 1960s. I have a picture of Paul Warfield on the front of the Dispatch catching a pass to beat Michigan in snow. His feet are off the ground and he cradles the ball in both hands against his chest. Having listened on the radio, I remember wishing that I could have seen it live.
Ohio State football (and basketball) was an integral part of our family life. I can remember my mother and father sitting with us in the living room listening, hoping, praying for a Buckeye victory. I remember one year that we were on our way home from out-of-state and my Dad stopped the car along the side of the road because he had finally found reception and we could listen to the second half.
I have shared in other threads the role that Ohio State football played in my relations with my late father and I will not go there again in this thread. But I still feel the need to affirm to others, to others that understand, the importance of The Game in my life.
No matter how far I have travelled, my early memories of Ohio State football and of The Game have remained a part of my culture. I cannot explain it to my South African wife and she no longer attempts to understand. She just knows that "it is their culture" and she accepts it, wears scarlet and gray on the day, and shares in my reaction to the outcome.
I am willing to accept the criticism of others who tell me that people like me have an unbalanced view of life and attach an unnatural importance to the exploits of a group of college kids. If they are right, I don't care.
In response, one could make an argument that a sporting event capable of knitting a university to the community it serves, creating interest in and identification with higher education, and providing evidence of athletic achievement and human betterment in its purest form is a good thing. For those who believe that our ancestors still have some awareness of happenings in this world, then one can argue that we stand united with our parents and their parents in supporting this team. There are lots of arguments that can be made in support of how I feel about The Game.
But for me, it is enough to simply know that this is part of my culture and that I just want to see Ohio State win The Game. A BCS bowl, especially with Notre Dame, would be icing on the cake, but it's much less consequential. I just want us to beat TSUN, badly.
For me, this is the most important week of every year. Period.
Go Bucks, beat Michigan!
Ohio State football (and basketball) was an integral part of our family life. I can remember my mother and father sitting with us in the living room listening, hoping, praying for a Buckeye victory. I remember one year that we were on our way home from out-of-state and my Dad stopped the car along the side of the road because he had finally found reception and we could listen to the second half.
I have shared in other threads the role that Ohio State football played in my relations with my late father and I will not go there again in this thread. But I still feel the need to affirm to others, to others that understand, the importance of The Game in my life.
No matter how far I have travelled, my early memories of Ohio State football and of The Game have remained a part of my culture. I cannot explain it to my South African wife and she no longer attempts to understand. She just knows that "it is their culture" and she accepts it, wears scarlet and gray on the day, and shares in my reaction to the outcome.
I am willing to accept the criticism of others who tell me that people like me have an unbalanced view of life and attach an unnatural importance to the exploits of a group of college kids. If they are right, I don't care.
In response, one could make an argument that a sporting event capable of knitting a university to the community it serves, creating interest in and identification with higher education, and providing evidence of athletic achievement and human betterment in its purest form is a good thing. For those who believe that our ancestors still have some awareness of happenings in this world, then one can argue that we stand united with our parents and their parents in supporting this team. There are lots of arguments that can be made in support of how I feel about The Game.
But for me, it is enough to simply know that this is part of my culture and that I just want to see Ohio State win The Game. A BCS bowl, especially with Notre Dame, would be icing on the cake, but it's much less consequential. I just want us to beat TSUN, badly.
For me, this is the most important week of every year. Period.
Go Bucks, beat Michigan!
Upvote
0
lvbuckeye
Silver Surfer
the coverage map shows that every state except for CA, WA, OR, and AZ get The Game on ABC... those same states get The Game on ESPN... except for Nevada... NV gets Sat morning Kids programming on ABC and Va-VT on ESPN... the ENTIRE COUNTRY gets The Game on one channel or another except for Nevada which doesn't get The Game on ANY channel... this is a PRIME example of the inherant flaws in Disney's approach to College Football coverage...
as for Gameplan, i cannot be absolutely certain, but as of today, on my digital Guide, all SPPV channels show 'Off Air' on Sat morning...
this is utter and complete HORSESHIT... i have lived here for SIX years, and The Game has been aired each and every year... evidently, this year is different...
Upvote
0
They are claiming national coverage, why not try calling ESPiN offices and ask them about it. During games, there were some GamePlan problems and they sorted those out pretty quickly most of the time. It's not on GamePlan, so I will miss it too but maybe you still have hope LV?
Upvote
0
ABJ
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td rowspan="2" width="15">
</td><td class="v1">Posted on Thu, Nov. 17, 2005</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Elusive receiver possible X factor
Michigan freshman Manningham has tools to impact showdown
[SIZE=-1]By Marla Ridenour[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sportswriter[/SIZE]
<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - So far this season, the ones who got away have failed to drive a stake in the heart of Ohio State, but Mario Manningham wields the hammer that could deliver the killing blow.
The freshman receiver from Warren Harding already has turned Michigan's season around with a 10-yard touchdown catch with no time remaining to defeat previously unbeaten Penn State 27-25 on Oct. 15. Manningham recorded just three receptions for 49 yards that day, but two went for touchdowns.
That victory was the first of four in a row for the No. 17 Wolverines (7-3, 5-2), who host No. 9 Ohio State (8-2, 6-1) on Saturday. Michigan boasts bigger-name targets for quarterback Chad Henne in Steve Breaston and Jason Avant, but Manningham stands second on the team in catches (20), receiving yards (341) and is tied for second in overall touchdowns (five).
``His touchdown may be the biggest play of our season,'' Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said of the last-play heroics against the Nittany Lions. ``Mario is an outstanding football player. He displayed that in high school. He came from a great program. But I guess I am a little surprised at how much he's done as a true freshman.''
Ohio State and Michigan have hopes of sharing the Big Ten title with Penn State and earning a BCS bowl berth, which would go to the Wolverines in the event of a three-way tie.
For Michigan to prevail, Manningham probably will need to produce more against OSU than tailbacks Javon Ringer of Michigan State or Tyrell Sutton of Northwestern. Ringer (Dayton Chaminade-Julienne) gained 76 yards on 16 carries on Oct. 15. Sutton (Hoban) rushed for 93 yards on 14 attempts and caught one pass for a 5-yard touchdown last weekend.
``I won't be shocked if he impacts the outcome,'' Warren Harding coach Thom McDaniels said of Manningham.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, Manningham was named a Parade All-American at Warren Harding and was rated the sixth-best receiver prospect in the nation by two recruiting news outlets. McDaniels said Manningham's college choice came down to Ohio State or Michigan, which had Buckeyes fans howling.
``A lot of guys are fast, but they're linear runners,'' McDaniels said. ``Mario is faster when he's not running in a straight line. I've never coached anybody like him.
``But that isn't his best asset. It's his quickness and elusiveness. When he has the ball, he knows where the other 21 players are on the field. It's like a sense or a radar.''
McDaniels said Manningham is the perfect complement for Henne (2,033 yards, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions), Avant (70 catches, 900 yards, seven touchdowns), Breaston (18-230-2) and sophomore tailback Mike Hart (573 yards, four touchdowns). Hart has missed the past 11 quarters with hamstring and ankle injuries but is expected to play Saturday.
``Mario is the X factor,'' McDaniels said. ``When you talk about Michigan you talk about their other receivers, their tailback and quarterback. All the other guys give him an opportunity to make a difference. If you ranked their players, he might be the last guy. But that's wrong. You can't ignore him.''
OSU senior free safety Nate Salley said the Buckeyes won't make that mistake.
``To come in as a freshman and do the great things he's done, he's huge in their offense,'' Salley said. ``Even with Avant and Breaston, he's been the one you see making the very key plays. When he caught the ball in the back of the end zone, that definitely turned their season around and got their swagger back.''
McDaniels remembered a state semifinal game against Massillon in the Rubber Bowl in 2002 as an example of the impact Manningham can make.
When the teams met in the regular season, Manningham scored on a punt return, kickoff return and two receptions. In the playoffs, Massillon refused to kick to Manningham until once late in the fourth quarter.
``He returned the punt past the 50, that let us tie and we won in overtime,'' McDaniels said. ``He's had a history and a penchant for making big plays. I'm not at all shocked by what he's done. I know him better than Lloyd does.''
Since Carr became coach in 1995, Michigan has produced receivers such as Amani Toomer, Tai Streets, Marquise Walker, David Terrell and Braylon Edwards. Carr thinks that Manningham has what it takes to join that elite list.
``He's got speed, great hands, toughness,'' Carr said. ``He's very, very competitive. He has a great work ethic, a great attitude, is very coachable. All those things give him a chance to be a great one.''
</td></tr></tbody> </table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td rowspan="2" width="15">
</td><td class="v1">Posted on Thu, Nov. 17, 2005</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Elusive receiver possible X factor
Michigan freshman Manningham has tools to impact showdown
[SIZE=-1]By Marla Ridenour[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sportswriter[/SIZE]
<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - So far this season, the ones who got away have failed to drive a stake in the heart of Ohio State, but Mario Manningham wields the hammer that could deliver the killing blow.
The freshman receiver from Warren Harding already has turned Michigan's season around with a 10-yard touchdown catch with no time remaining to defeat previously unbeaten Penn State 27-25 on Oct. 15. Manningham recorded just three receptions for 49 yards that day, but two went for touchdowns.
That victory was the first of four in a row for the No. 17 Wolverines (7-3, 5-2), who host No. 9 Ohio State (8-2, 6-1) on Saturday. Michigan boasts bigger-name targets for quarterback Chad Henne in Steve Breaston and Jason Avant, but Manningham stands second on the team in catches (20), receiving yards (341) and is tied for second in overall touchdowns (five).
``His touchdown may be the biggest play of our season,'' Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said of the last-play heroics against the Nittany Lions. ``Mario is an outstanding football player. He displayed that in high school. He came from a great program. But I guess I am a little surprised at how much he's done as a true freshman.''
Ohio State and Michigan have hopes of sharing the Big Ten title with Penn State and earning a BCS bowl berth, which would go to the Wolverines in the event of a three-way tie.
For Michigan to prevail, Manningham probably will need to produce more against OSU than tailbacks Javon Ringer of Michigan State or Tyrell Sutton of Northwestern. Ringer (Dayton Chaminade-Julienne) gained 76 yards on 16 carries on Oct. 15. Sutton (Hoban) rushed for 93 yards on 14 attempts and caught one pass for a 5-yard touchdown last weekend.
``I won't be shocked if he impacts the outcome,'' Warren Harding coach Thom McDaniels said of Manningham.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, Manningham was named a Parade All-American at Warren Harding and was rated the sixth-best receiver prospect in the nation by two recruiting news outlets. McDaniels said Manningham's college choice came down to Ohio State or Michigan, which had Buckeyes fans howling.
``A lot of guys are fast, but they're linear runners,'' McDaniels said. ``Mario is faster when he's not running in a straight line. I've never coached anybody like him.
``But that isn't his best asset. It's his quickness and elusiveness. When he has the ball, he knows where the other 21 players are on the field. It's like a sense or a radar.''
McDaniels said Manningham is the perfect complement for Henne (2,033 yards, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions), Avant (70 catches, 900 yards, seven touchdowns), Breaston (18-230-2) and sophomore tailback Mike Hart (573 yards, four touchdowns). Hart has missed the past 11 quarters with hamstring and ankle injuries but is expected to play Saturday.
``Mario is the X factor,'' McDaniels said. ``When you talk about Michigan you talk about their other receivers, their tailback and quarterback. All the other guys give him an opportunity to make a difference. If you ranked their players, he might be the last guy. But that's wrong. You can't ignore him.''
OSU senior free safety Nate Salley said the Buckeyes won't make that mistake.
``To come in as a freshman and do the great things he's done, he's huge in their offense,'' Salley said. ``Even with Avant and Breaston, he's been the one you see making the very key plays. When he caught the ball in the back of the end zone, that definitely turned their season around and got their swagger back.''
McDaniels remembered a state semifinal game against Massillon in the Rubber Bowl in 2002 as an example of the impact Manningham can make.
When the teams met in the regular season, Manningham scored on a punt return, kickoff return and two receptions. In the playoffs, Massillon refused to kick to Manningham until once late in the fourth quarter.
``He returned the punt past the 50, that let us tie and we won in overtime,'' McDaniels said. ``He's had a history and a penchant for making big plays. I'm not at all shocked by what he's done. I know him better than Lloyd does.''
Since Carr became coach in 1995, Michigan has produced receivers such as Amani Toomer, Tai Streets, Marquise Walker, David Terrell and Braylon Edwards. Carr thinks that Manningham has what it takes to join that elite list.
``He's got speed, great hands, toughness,'' Carr said. ``He's very, very competitive. He has a great work ethic, a great attitude, is very coachable. All those things give him a chance to be a great one.''
</td></tr></tbody> </table>
Upvote
0
ABJ
11/17
Posted on Thu, Nov. 17, 2005 <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
The Game a time-honored tradition
[SIZE=-1]By Tom Reed[/SIZE]
<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - Three clocks hang inside the Ohio State football weight room.
The first tells the time. The second notes the minutes until kickoff in the upcoming game. The third reminds the Buckeyes of their legacy -- it's the clock that counts down to the next Ohio State-Michigan game.
It was put in the weight room by OSU coach Jim Tressel.
``Everyone decides on what importance they assign to something,'' Tressel said, ``The Ohio State-Michigan game, I think the decision was made long before we were ever here that that's a big game... If you're not interested in being a part of that pressure, you'd better not play in this game.''
Tressel embraces Michigan Week and all that goes into it. His predecessor, John Cooper, stiff-armed a century of gridiron tradition. He downplayed The Game, because he never completely understood its significance. Cooper was 2-10-1 against the Wolverines. Tressel, the Ohio-born son of a college football coach, is 3-1 heading into Saturday's showdown.
So much of Tressel's success and his ability to survive the off-field tumult of the past two seasons can be traced to his deft handling of the school's greatest rivalry. On the day he accepted his dream job in 2001, he told Buckeye fans: ``I can assure you that you'll be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan.''
The Man Behind the Sweater Vest is often difficult to read, but on the topic of Michigan, he is quite clear. During most news conferences, Tressel purposely mangles syntax and dangles participles the way Wayne Gretzky could with pucks on the end of his stick.
When he discusses The Game, however, Tressel is refreshingly on point.
``Coach (Earle) Bruce reminds us often... that your legacy is the Ohio State-Michigan game and that's our culture,'' Tressel said.
Each year, the coach asks Bruce, whom Tressel served under for three seasons at OSU, to address his players on the Sunday before the Michigan game. The Buckeyes love Bruce's passion and anti-Wolverines fervor.
One OSU official said that to his knowledge, Cooper never invited Bruce to speak.
Tressel is not a fiery orator like his mentor or the legendary Woody Hayes, who was known for his disdain of the ``Team Up North.'' He also isn't as animated as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher. But in some ways, Tressel and Cowher are similar in the approach to their most storied rivalry. Each loves the tradition and recognizes the privilege to be associated with it. Cowher is 18-5 against the Browns.
Tressel's positive vibes about The Game seem to permeate to his players.
``I don't know there's any secret formula they have back in the cauldron in the office,'' Buckeyes center Nick Mangold said. ``I think it's the fact that coach Tress has brought back a sense of how great the tradition is, how great of a game it is. His realization of how great it is has trickled down to us.''
Of course, there is more to beating Michigan and winning national championships than appealing to players' sense of history and heritage. Tressel is a terrific coach. Regardless of your feeling about his role in the Maurice Clarett saga, Tressel knows the game and how to prepare teams to play it.
He has won six national titles, including five at Youngstown State. His even-keel temperament often serves as a calming influence on players during a big game and over the course of a long season.
Tressel's teams historically play well late in the year. He is 75-23-1 overall in games played after Oct. 31 and 17-4 at Ohio State. At last check, the Michigan game is the regular-season finale.
``Well, there's a yearlong devotion to teaching what it takes to win, and especially what it takes to win, you know, against a very, very good opponent,'' Tressel said. ``So, you do hope it's a culmination of everything you've learned.''
Which is not to say Tressel discourages players from looking ahead to Michigan.
He is forever planting seeds, hoping that they sprout on the final Saturday before Thanksgiving.
He reminds seniors that there's a distinct difference in finishing 2-2 or 3-1 against the Wolverines. During summer practice, the Buckeyes engage in ``maize-and-blue periods,'' in which they do extra conditioning and dive on fumbles in anticipation of the Michigan game.
OSU (8-2) is out of the national-title hunt, but it can earn at least a share of the Big Ten championship and a possible BCS bowl berth with a victory Saturday. Tressel cherishes the fact so much usually rides on The Game.
At this point, he doesn't need to remind the Buckeyes what's at stake. The Michigan clock tells the story.
11/17
Posted on Thu, Nov. 17, 2005 <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
The Game a time-honored tradition
[SIZE=-1]By Tom Reed[/SIZE]
<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - Three clocks hang inside the Ohio State football weight room.
The first tells the time. The second notes the minutes until kickoff in the upcoming game. The third reminds the Buckeyes of their legacy -- it's the clock that counts down to the next Ohio State-Michigan game.
It was put in the weight room by OSU coach Jim Tressel.
``Everyone decides on what importance they assign to something,'' Tressel said, ``The Ohio State-Michigan game, I think the decision was made long before we were ever here that that's a big game... If you're not interested in being a part of that pressure, you'd better not play in this game.''
Tressel embraces Michigan Week and all that goes into it. His predecessor, John Cooper, stiff-armed a century of gridiron tradition. He downplayed The Game, because he never completely understood its significance. Cooper was 2-10-1 against the Wolverines. Tressel, the Ohio-born son of a college football coach, is 3-1 heading into Saturday's showdown.
So much of Tressel's success and his ability to survive the off-field tumult of the past two seasons can be traced to his deft handling of the school's greatest rivalry. On the day he accepted his dream job in 2001, he told Buckeye fans: ``I can assure you that you'll be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan.''
The Man Behind the Sweater Vest is often difficult to read, but on the topic of Michigan, he is quite clear. During most news conferences, Tressel purposely mangles syntax and dangles participles the way Wayne Gretzky could with pucks on the end of his stick.
When he discusses The Game, however, Tressel is refreshingly on point.
``Coach (Earle) Bruce reminds us often... that your legacy is the Ohio State-Michigan game and that's our culture,'' Tressel said.
Each year, the coach asks Bruce, whom Tressel served under for three seasons at OSU, to address his players on the Sunday before the Michigan game. The Buckeyes love Bruce's passion and anti-Wolverines fervor.
One OSU official said that to his knowledge, Cooper never invited Bruce to speak.
Tressel is not a fiery orator like his mentor or the legendary Woody Hayes, who was known for his disdain of the ``Team Up North.'' He also isn't as animated as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher. But in some ways, Tressel and Cowher are similar in the approach to their most storied rivalry. Each loves the tradition and recognizes the privilege to be associated with it. Cowher is 18-5 against the Browns.
Tressel's positive vibes about The Game seem to permeate to his players.
``I don't know there's any secret formula they have back in the cauldron in the office,'' Buckeyes center Nick Mangold said. ``I think it's the fact that coach Tress has brought back a sense of how great the tradition is, how great of a game it is. His realization of how great it is has trickled down to us.''
Of course, there is more to beating Michigan and winning national championships than appealing to players' sense of history and heritage. Tressel is a terrific coach. Regardless of your feeling about his role in the Maurice Clarett saga, Tressel knows the game and how to prepare teams to play it.
He has won six national titles, including five at Youngstown State. His even-keel temperament often serves as a calming influence on players during a big game and over the course of a long season.
Tressel's teams historically play well late in the year. He is 75-23-1 overall in games played after Oct. 31 and 17-4 at Ohio State. At last check, the Michigan game is the regular-season finale.
``Well, there's a yearlong devotion to teaching what it takes to win, and especially what it takes to win, you know, against a very, very good opponent,'' Tressel said. ``So, you do hope it's a culmination of everything you've learned.''
Which is not to say Tressel discourages players from looking ahead to Michigan.
He is forever planting seeds, hoping that they sprout on the final Saturday before Thanksgiving.
He reminds seniors that there's a distinct difference in finishing 2-2 or 3-1 against the Wolverines. During summer practice, the Buckeyes engage in ``maize-and-blue periods,'' in which they do extra conditioning and dive on fumbles in anticipation of the Michigan game.
OSU (8-2) is out of the national-title hunt, but it can earn at least a share of the Big Ten championship and a possible BCS bowl berth with a victory Saturday. Tressel cherishes the fact so much usually rides on The Game.
At this point, he doesn't need to remind the Buckeyes what's at stake. The Michigan clock tells the story.
Upvote
0
ABJ
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td rowspan="2" width="15">
</td><td class="v1">Posted on Thu, Nov. 17, 2005</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="250"><tbody><tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td class="adlabel" align="left">
</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> <script language="JavaScript"> if (typeof(krd_topix_property) != 'undefined') { document.write('<script language="JavaScript">var topixcats = new Array();<\/script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://ctx.topix.net/ctx/program.js?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realcities.com%2Fmld%2Frealcities%2F13189398.htm"><\/script><script language="JavaScript" src="/js/kr_topix_links.js"><\/script>'); } </script><script language="JavaScript">var topixcats = new Array();</script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://ctx.topix.net/ctx/program.js?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realcities.com%2Fmld%2Frealcities%2F13189398.htm"></script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.ohio.com/js/kr_topix_links.js"></script>
</td></tr> </tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
The other side
<!-- begin body-content --> Here are the players on the Michigan roster who are from Ohio.
*OLB Prescott Burgess, Jr.Warren Harding
OLB Shawn Crable, Jr.Massillon
*FS Willis Barringer, Sr. Toledo Scott
C Mark Bih, Sr.Washington Court House
CB Brandon Harrison, Fr.Chaminade-Julienne
TE Mike Massey, Soph.St. Ignatius
*DT Pat Massey, Sr.St. Ignatius
P Zoltan Mesko, Fr.Twinsburg
RB Mister Simpson, Fr.Cin. Colerain
OLB Pierre Woods, Sr.Glenville
* starters
</td></tr></tbody> </table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td rowspan="2" width="15">
</td><td class="v1">Posted on Thu, Nov. 17, 2005</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="250"><tbody><tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td class="adlabel" align="left">
</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td> <script language="JavaScript"> if (typeof(krd_topix_property) != 'undefined') { document.write('<script language="JavaScript">var topixcats = new Array();<\/script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://ctx.topix.net/ctx/program.js?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realcities.com%2Fmld%2Frealcities%2F13189398.htm"><\/script><script language="JavaScript" src="/js/kr_topix_links.js"><\/script>'); } </script><script language="JavaScript">var topixcats = new Array();</script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://ctx.topix.net/ctx/program.js?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realcities.com%2Fmld%2Frealcities%2F13189398.htm"></script><script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.ohio.com/js/kr_topix_links.js"></script>
</td></tr> </tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
The other side
<!-- begin body-content --> Here are the players on the Michigan roster who are from Ohio.
*OLB Prescott Burgess, Jr.Warren Harding
OLB Shawn Crable, Jr.Massillon
*FS Willis Barringer, Sr. Toledo Scott
C Mark Bih, Sr.Washington Court House
CB Brandon Harrison, Fr.Chaminade-Julienne
TE Mike Massey, Soph.St. Ignatius
*DT Pat Massey, Sr.St. Ignatius
P Zoltan Mesko, Fr.Twinsburg
RB Mister Simpson, Fr.Cin. Colerain
OLB Pierre Woods, Sr.Glenville
* starters
</td></tr></tbody> </table>
Upvote
0
DDN
11/17
Tressel defends predecessor Cooper, says he understood Michigan rivalry
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel agrees that growing up in Ohio has helped him embrace the rivalry with Michigan, but he wants to dispel the notion that his predecessor couldn't appreciate the passion for the series.
<!--endtext-->
<!-- inset --> <!--begintext--> The Tennessee-born John Cooper had a 2-10-1 record against the Wolverines, and he was viewed by fans as an outsider who never quite grasped the tradition surrounding the game.
"I'm not sure that it's fair to say John didn't understand that," said Tressel, who has a 3-1 mark in the series. "He's a Tennessee guy, and anyone reared in SEC country understands the importance of (rivalries).
"He played against some great Michigan teams and had some really tight ball games."
Five of Cooper's 10 defeats came by a touchdown or less. But he took unbeaten teams into the season-finale in 1993, '95 and '96 and lost each time.
Steeped in tradition
Michigan will be playing in a bowl for the 31st straight year — the longest streak in the nation — while Ohio State is bowl-bound for the 16th time in 17 years.
The Wolverines haven't had a losing season since 1967 and haven't had back-to-back losing campaigns since 1962-63.
Although the Buckeyes' last sub-.500 season was more recent — a 4-6-1 downer in 1988 — they haven't had consecutive losers since 1923-24.
What sets those schools apart from the also-rans of the Big Ten?
"Some programs have history, they have tradition," Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner said. "And that tradition is something you can build on from year to year — the expectations, the support you have, the fan base you have, all of those things.
"I've been saying all year, crowds help win games. Well, they sure do at those two places."
Buckeyes balanced
For the first time since 2002, the Buckeyes will go into the Michigan game with a legitimate threat at running back.
OSU is fourth in the Big Ten in rushing, three spots higher than the Wolverines, and sophomore Antonio Pittman has gained 1,110 yards.
"He's tough," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "He has great vision. He finds the hole, and he's surrounded by a lot of good people."
ABC shares broadcast
The OSU-Michigan rivalry will be televised for the 50th time, including 39 years in a row.
ABC-TV will show the game to 70 percent of the nation, while ESPN will air it in the other 30 percent.
The network has carried the game for 20 years and has chosen not to make it an exclusive national broadcast only one other time — in 1995.
11/17
Tressel defends predecessor Cooper, says he understood Michigan rivalry
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel agrees that growing up in Ohio has helped him embrace the rivalry with Michigan, but he wants to dispel the notion that his predecessor couldn't appreciate the passion for the series.
<!--endtext-->
<!-- inset --> <!--begintext--> The Tennessee-born John Cooper had a 2-10-1 record against the Wolverines, and he was viewed by fans as an outsider who never quite grasped the tradition surrounding the game.
"I'm not sure that it's fair to say John didn't understand that," said Tressel, who has a 3-1 mark in the series. "He's a Tennessee guy, and anyone reared in SEC country understands the importance of (rivalries).
"He played against some great Michigan teams and had some really tight ball games."
Five of Cooper's 10 defeats came by a touchdown or less. But he took unbeaten teams into the season-finale in 1993, '95 and '96 and lost each time.
Steeped in tradition
Michigan will be playing in a bowl for the 31st straight year — the longest streak in the nation — while Ohio State is bowl-bound for the 16th time in 17 years.
The Wolverines haven't had a losing season since 1967 and haven't had back-to-back losing campaigns since 1962-63.
Although the Buckeyes' last sub-.500 season was more recent — a 4-6-1 downer in 1988 — they haven't had consecutive losers since 1923-24.
What sets those schools apart from the also-rans of the Big Ten?
"Some programs have history, they have tradition," Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner said. "And that tradition is something you can build on from year to year — the expectations, the support you have, the fan base you have, all of those things.
"I've been saying all year, crowds help win games. Well, they sure do at those two places."
Buckeyes balanced
For the first time since 2002, the Buckeyes will go into the Michigan game with a legitimate threat at running back.
OSU is fourth in the Big Ten in rushing, three spots higher than the Wolverines, and sophomore Antonio Pittman has gained 1,110 yards.
"He's tough," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "He has great vision. He finds the hole, and he's surrounded by a lot of good people."
ABC shares broadcast
The OSU-Michigan rivalry will be televised for the 50th time, including 39 years in a row.
ABC-TV will show the game to 70 percent of the nation, while ESPN will air it in the other 30 percent.
The network has carried the game for 20 years and has chosen not to make it an exclusive national broadcast only one other time — in 1995.
Upvote
0