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http://mattsarz44017.tripod.com/2006/week1.html
That site is great about showing game times and tv channels, but it also shows an ESPN360 link. Apparently they stream it over the internet for free.....if your ISP has signed on with them. Mine hasn't, but maybe some of you guys who are out of range can watch on the web.
That site is great about showing game times and tv channels, but it also shows an ESPN360 link. Apparently they stream it over the internet for free.....if your ISP has signed on with them. Mine hasn't, but maybe some of you guys who are out of range can watch on the web.
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Grueling start awaits No. 1 Ohio State
Print this | E-mail this | Comments on this article: 5
Posted: August 29, 2006
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Over the past six weeks, the Ohio State Buckeyes have heard again and again about how good they're going to be. After all that talk, it's now time to prove it.
"No one knows if we're a good football team until we line up," coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday.
The No. 1-ranked Buckeyes take on Northern Illinois on Saturday, opening a September in which they play three ranked teams.
"We play a lot of great teams the first month," center Doug Datish said. "It does help us focus on the task at hand. You look at those names, it's not Sister Mary School of the Blind we're playing. Those are some of the toughest games we'll have all year."
While Tressel said he isn't certain of the caliber of his team, the sixth-year head coach said he had no doubt about the Buckeyes' first opponent.
"We said long ago that this is going to be a great opener because they give you all the different pressures that you could possibly have and they are a fighting, tough, nasty bunch," Tressel added. "We know they're good. They're going to come in here with nothing on their mind other than a victory."
That's the way it is throughout the early going for the Buckeyes. Of course, in Week Two they hit the road to take on No. 3 Texas in a highly anticipated rematch from a year ago. The Longhorns scored late to win 25-22 on their way to their first national title since 1969.
After that first road trip, the Buckeyes host Cincinnati and the team they tied for the Big Ten title last year, 19th-ranked Penn State, before hitting the road for a night game at No. 16 Iowa.
It all starts with Northern Illinois, picked to win the Mid-American Conference title. The Huskies are coming off a 7-5 season in which they lost two games by a point apiece (Northwestern, Akron in the MAC championship game) and another in overtime (Akron again, this time in the regular season).
While every Ohio State fan is already talking nonstop about the second go-round with the Longhorns, the Buckeyes say the only game on their mind is against Northern Illinois.
"I believe it with all my heart," quarterback Troy Smith said. "Every game is an increment or step you have to take. Northern Illinois is the first step. The games after will come but we have to deal with Northern Illinois first."
The chief concerns for Ohio State are intertwined. The Buckeyes have new starters at linebacker and in the secondary, while Northern Illinois has a tailback (Garrett Wolfe) who averaged 176 yards rushing a game last season.
"The biggest thing is not to get moved out of the way," defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said. "Their biggest scheme is trying to get Garrett Wolfe going straight ahead. Once he gets a head of steam, he's tough to stop."
The Buckeyes haven't been busy watching "Invincible" or "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." The video machines at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center have been humming with replays of the Huskies against Michigan in the 2005 season opener.
Wolfe (just 5-foot-7, 177 pounds) streaked for 148 yards on 17 carries, including a 76-yard run.
The Huskies also have quarterback Phil Horvath, who completed 71 percent of his passes last season. He had a respectable game against Michigan, hitting 17-of-25 passes for 200 yards with one interception in a 33-17 setback.
Already, some national publications have pinpointed the importance of two or three or four big games for the Buckeyes. Two offensive stars (Smith and receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr.) have their own Web sites touting them for the Heisman Trophy. Comparisons are being drawn between the current team and the one that won seven games by seven or fewer points in 2002 to go 14-0 and win the national championship.
It's heady stuff -- the kind of stuff that can distract a team from the task at hand.
"It's an honor to be named No. 1," said defensive tackle David Patterson, with Pitcock the only two starters back on defense. "But at the same time, at Ohio State there are always the expectations of making it to a national championship every year. If we just keep our focus and play one game at a time, that will be the best way to achieve our goals."
Grueling start awaits No. 1 Ohio State
Print this | E-mail this | Comments on this article: 5
Posted: August 29, 2006
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Over the past six weeks, the Ohio State Buckeyes have heard again and again about how good they're going to be. After all that talk, it's now time to prove it.
"No one knows if we're a good football team until we line up," coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday.
The No. 1-ranked Buckeyes take on Northern Illinois on Saturday, opening a September in which they play three ranked teams.
"We play a lot of great teams the first month," center Doug Datish said. "It does help us focus on the task at hand. You look at those names, it's not Sister Mary School of the Blind we're playing. Those are some of the toughest games we'll have all year."
While Tressel said he isn't certain of the caliber of his team, the sixth-year head coach said he had no doubt about the Buckeyes' first opponent.
"We said long ago that this is going to be a great opener because they give you all the different pressures that you could possibly have and they are a fighting, tough, nasty bunch," Tressel added. "We know they're good. They're going to come in here with nothing on their mind other than a victory."
That's the way it is throughout the early going for the Buckeyes. Of course, in Week Two they hit the road to take on No. 3 Texas in a highly anticipated rematch from a year ago. The Longhorns scored late to win 25-22 on their way to their first national title since 1969.
After that first road trip, the Buckeyes host Cincinnati and the team they tied for the Big Ten title last year, 19th-ranked Penn State, before hitting the road for a night game at No. 16 Iowa.
It all starts with Northern Illinois, picked to win the Mid-American Conference title. The Huskies are coming off a 7-5 season in which they lost two games by a point apiece (Northwestern, Akron in the MAC championship game) and another in overtime (Akron again, this time in the regular season).
While every Ohio State fan is already talking nonstop about the second go-round with the Longhorns, the Buckeyes say the only game on their mind is against Northern Illinois.
"I believe it with all my heart," quarterback Troy Smith said. "Every game is an increment or step you have to take. Northern Illinois is the first step. The games after will come but we have to deal with Northern Illinois first."
The chief concerns for Ohio State are intertwined. The Buckeyes have new starters at linebacker and in the secondary, while Northern Illinois has a tailback (Garrett Wolfe) who averaged 176 yards rushing a game last season.
"The biggest thing is not to get moved out of the way," defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said. "Their biggest scheme is trying to get Garrett Wolfe going straight ahead. Once he gets a head of steam, he's tough to stop."
The Buckeyes haven't been busy watching "Invincible" or "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." The video machines at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center have been humming with replays of the Huskies against Michigan in the 2005 season opener.
Wolfe (just 5-foot-7, 177 pounds) streaked for 148 yards on 17 carries, including a 76-yard run.
The Huskies also have quarterback Phil Horvath, who completed 71 percent of his passes last season. He had a respectable game against Michigan, hitting 17-of-25 passes for 200 yards with one interception in a 33-17 setback.
Already, some national publications have pinpointed the importance of two or three or four big games for the Buckeyes. Two offensive stars (Smith and receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr.) have their own Web sites touting them for the Heisman Trophy. Comparisons are being drawn between the current team and the one that won seven games by seven or fewer points in 2002 to go 14-0 and win the national championship.
It's heady stuff -- the kind of stuff that can distract a team from the task at hand.
"It's an honor to be named No. 1," said defensive tackle David Patterson, with Pitcock the only two starters back on defense. "But at the same time, at Ohio State there are always the expectations of making it to a national championship every year. If we just keep our focus and play one game at a time, that will be the best way to achieve our goals."
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fourteenandoh
My swing feels like an unfolding lawn chair.
If they try running Wolfe "straight ahead" like they say they like to do he will be running straight into the strongest part of our "D" One thing that hasn't been mentioned in awhile is the pure speed of our defense. I would think that being so fast would help make up for inexperience. If they get caught out of position most guys have the speed to get back to where they need to be without too much problem. However, against Texas that is a different story. I just don't see NIU being fast enough to capitalize on our D's mistakes. I am referring to their offense as a whole, not just Wolfe.
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holybuckeye33
Hall of Fame
Anyone seen the blackout map for gameplan? Not the abc coverage map...I'm looking for the blackout map, specifically directv.
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0
usatoday
The little running back who could emerges at Northern IllinoisPosted 8/29/2006 8:50 PM ETE-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this
EnlargeBy Scott Audette, AP
"He's extremely durable," Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak says. "He's a strong, physical, little guy. He's put together well. He's elusive enough that he doesn't take a lot of big time hits. He's just tough."
WOLFE WILLING TO ADJUST
The layman's scouting report on 177-pound Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe would be that he is a few sandwiches short of being a major NFL draft prospect.
But Wolfe and competitors in his conference believe he has a shot at the pro game.
"People say a 175-pound running back can only be so good, but I don't buy that," says Ohio University coach Frank Solich. "When Barry Sanders came out of high school and went to Oklahoma State, he was a very small running back. But he showed his greatness right away. Darren Sproles at Kansas State was not a big running back, but I would take him every day.
"There are guys out there, and Garrett Wolfe is one, who just have the right mental makeup to allow themselves to make it."
Wolfe has tried to gain weight, and has gotten as big as 181 at Northern Illinois. "But I just thought if I go up to 195, it might slow me down a little bit," he says. "I think I'm effective and powerful enough at this level without doing that."
But Wolfe might be looking to gain weight as soon as the college season is over. "In order to play NFL I might have to put on more pounds and have a position change," he says.
According to Wolfe, the word he is hearing is that he might have to consider being a kick returner, slot receiver or third-down back if he wants the best chance to play in the NFL. He's confident he can make it.
"Whatever the scouts and general manager say is best, I will do because they will be signing my checks," he says. "I know I'm athletic and intelligent enough to handle it. It's just a matter of showing everyone in the NFL that I can handle it."
By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
SURVEYING THE MAC
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When Garrett Wolfe saw he was listed as the No. 9 tailback on the Northern Illinois depth chart before his freshman season in 2002, he felt a sense of normalcy rather than discouragement.
At 5-7, 167 pounds, Wolfe was accustomed to having doubts stacked up in front of him like a row of blocking dummies.
"Even when I was No. 9, it wasn't an 'I hope' issue," Wolfe says. "It was, 'I will be successful.' Nobody ever hands you anything. You have to start at the bottom, no matter what you do in life. It's been an uphill battle my whole life to get any respect. It wasn't a big deal to me to be at the bottom."
Today, Wolfe is not only at the top of the Northern Illinois depth chart, he's also one of the U.S.'s most talked-about senior running backs. Now listed at 177 pounds, he enters Saturday's game at Ohio State as the nation's leading returning major-college rusher, at 175.6 yards per game.
"He is the most instinctive running back I've been around in my coaching career and I've been around some good ones," says Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak.
Wolfe does play against some smaller Mid-American Conference schools, but it's not easy to discount his numbers. He opened his junior season by rushing for 148 yards in a loss at Michigan and followed up by ringing up 248 yards and three touchdowns in a one-point loss at Northwestern.
"He isn't just running up and down the field against air," says Ohio University coach Frank Solich. "Northern Illinois has played excellent football teams in non-conference play and it really hasn't made any difference who he has been lined up against — he has gotten his yardage."
Starting not weighing on him
Wolfe weighed only 150 pounds when he played high school football for Chicago's Holy Cross, rushing for 4,311 yards and 56 touchdowns
"I used to lie and say I was 170 pounds," he says, laughing.
He was redshirted in 2002 at Northern Illinois (located about 65 miles west of Chicago in DeKalb), then missed his freshman season for what the school says was "institutional academic guidelines." When the 2004 season launched, he was No. 3 on the depth chart.
"A couple of years ago when he did start to get into the picture, I made the brilliant statement that we need to get Garrett the ball 10 or 12 times a game because he was so talented," Novak says, chuckling.
By the midpoint of his sophomore year, Wolfe was carrying about 30 times per game. He carried 43 times for a school-record 325 yards against Eastern Michigan.
Last season he averaged about 27 carries. After missing three games with a knee sprain, he came back and rushed for 724 yards and nine touchdowns in his final three games.
"He's extremely durable," Novak says. "He's a strong, physical, little guy. He's put together well. He's elusive enough that he doesn't take a lot of big time hits. He's just tough."
Nine times last season Wolfe's shoulder popped out and trainers popped it back into place so the running back could return to the game. To alleviate that problem, Wolfe had surgery after last season and has had no problems with it in the preseason.
Wolfe seems to have been more productive against the best teams on Northern Illinois' schedule. He set an NCAA I-A championship game record when he rushed for 270 yards against Akron last December.
Against Michigan he had a 76-yard touchdown romp. In the final yards, Wolfe had three Michigan players closing in, so he suddenly cut inside and made his pursuers miss the tackle.
"He's very smart and instinctual," Novak says. "He doesn't overrun his blockers."
Wolfe has been clocked at 4.46 for 40 yards, but it's his elusiveness that draws the most raves. He seems to leave defenders tackling air as he rockets up the field.
Last season, only one team — Tennessee Tech — could prevent him from uncorking at least one 20-yard rushing gain. (He had a 16-yarder against Tennessee Tech.)
"Even if you have all the gaps covered," says Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk, "he can turn a 10-yard run into a 50-yard run very quickly.'
Solich's Bobcats play at Northern Illinois in Week 2, and the Ohio coach hasn't yet ascertained any weakness in Wolfe.
"He does it with great toughness — he's physically and mentally tough," Solich says. "When you have those two things going for you, size doesn't mean that much. And then add to that he has the great quickness and running instincts and you can see why he is one of the best."
No question a team-first player
The MAC has become known as the cradle of quarterbacks in recent years, yet there seems little question that Wolfe is the league's most dangerous offensive player.
"He's everyone's choice," says Bowling Green center Kory Lichtensteiger. "He is so powerful for as small as he is. He is going to give defenses fits this season. And he doesn't even look like a running back. You look over at him, and you think he's a defensive back.
"It's pretty fun to watch him play. But honestly, I was hoping that he was a senior last year so he wouldn't be coming back."
This week "ESPN GameDay" was in DeKalb to talk to him in anticipation of the game against the Buckeyes. Most preseason honors lists have Wolfe featured prominently.
"The postseason (honors) are the most important," he says, "and if I don't get any postseason accolades and we win the MAC championship, I will be just as happy."
Novak appreciates that Wolfe puts his team first. No one seems to believe more in Northern Illinois' ability to compete against big-time schools than Wolfe.
"I take pride when people talk about me, because they aren't just speaking about me — they are really talking about Northern Illinois," Wolfe says.
"That says a lot about my teammates. It says a lot about administration. It says a lot about everything we have been able to do at Northern Illinois."
The little running back who could emerges at Northern IllinoisPosted 8/29/2006 8:50 PM ETE-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this
EnlargeBy Scott Audette, AP
But Wolfe and competitors in his conference believe he has a shot at the pro game.
"People say a 175-pound running back can only be so good, but I don't buy that," says Ohio University coach Frank Solich. "When Barry Sanders came out of high school and went to Oklahoma State, he was a very small running back. But he showed his greatness right away. Darren Sproles at Kansas State was not a big running back, but I would take him every day.
"There are guys out there, and Garrett Wolfe is one, who just have the right mental makeup to allow themselves to make it."
Wolfe has tried to gain weight, and has gotten as big as 181 at Northern Illinois. "But I just thought if I go up to 195, it might slow me down a little bit," he says. "I think I'm effective and powerful enough at this level without doing that."
But Wolfe might be looking to gain weight as soon as the college season is over. "In order to play NFL I might have to put on more pounds and have a position change," he says.
According to Wolfe, the word he is hearing is that he might have to consider being a kick returner, slot receiver or third-down back if he wants the best chance to play in the NFL. He's confident he can make it.
"Whatever the scouts and general manager say is best, I will do because they will be signing my checks," he says. "I know I'm athletic and intelligent enough to handle it. It's just a matter of showing everyone in the NFL that I can handle it."
By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
swapContent('firstHeader','applyHeader');By Kevin Allen, USA TODAYWhen Garrett Wolfe saw he was listed as the No. 9 tailback on the Northern Illinois depth chart before his freshman season in 2002, he felt a sense of normalcy rather than discouragement.
At 5-7, 167 pounds, Wolfe was accustomed to having doubts stacked up in front of him like a row of blocking dummies.
"Even when I was No. 9, it wasn't an 'I hope' issue," Wolfe says. "It was, 'I will be successful.' Nobody ever hands you anything. You have to start at the bottom, no matter what you do in life. It's been an uphill battle my whole life to get any respect. It wasn't a big deal to me to be at the bottom."
Today, Wolfe is not only at the top of the Northern Illinois depth chart, he's also one of the U.S.'s most talked-about senior running backs. Now listed at 177 pounds, he enters Saturday's game at Ohio State as the nation's leading returning major-college rusher, at 175.6 yards per game.
"He is the most instinctive running back I've been around in my coaching career and I've been around some good ones," says Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak.
Wolfe does play against some smaller Mid-American Conference schools, but it's not easy to discount his numbers. He opened his junior season by rushing for 148 yards in a loss at Michigan and followed up by ringing up 248 yards and three touchdowns in a one-point loss at Northwestern.
"He isn't just running up and down the field against air," says Ohio University coach Frank Solich. "Northern Illinois has played excellent football teams in non-conference play and it really hasn't made any difference who he has been lined up against — he has gotten his yardage."
Starting not weighing on him
Wolfe weighed only 150 pounds when he played high school football for Chicago's Holy Cross, rushing for 4,311 yards and 56 touchdowns
"I used to lie and say I was 170 pounds," he says, laughing.
He was redshirted in 2002 at Northern Illinois (located about 65 miles west of Chicago in DeKalb), then missed his freshman season for what the school says was "institutional academic guidelines." When the 2004 season launched, he was No. 3 on the depth chart.
"A couple of years ago when he did start to get into the picture, I made the brilliant statement that we need to get Garrett the ball 10 or 12 times a game because he was so talented," Novak says, chuckling.
By the midpoint of his sophomore year, Wolfe was carrying about 30 times per game. He carried 43 times for a school-record 325 yards against Eastern Michigan.
Last season he averaged about 27 carries. After missing three games with a knee sprain, he came back and rushed for 724 yards and nine touchdowns in his final three games.
"He's extremely durable," Novak says. "He's a strong, physical, little guy. He's put together well. He's elusive enough that he doesn't take a lot of big time hits. He's just tough."
Nine times last season Wolfe's shoulder popped out and trainers popped it back into place so the running back could return to the game. To alleviate that problem, Wolfe had surgery after last season and has had no problems with it in the preseason.
Wolfe seems to have been more productive against the best teams on Northern Illinois' schedule. He set an NCAA I-A championship game record when he rushed for 270 yards against Akron last December.
Against Michigan he had a 76-yard touchdown romp. In the final yards, Wolfe had three Michigan players closing in, so he suddenly cut inside and made his pursuers miss the tackle.
"He's very smart and instinctual," Novak says. "He doesn't overrun his blockers."
Wolfe has been clocked at 4.46 for 40 yards, but it's his elusiveness that draws the most raves. He seems to leave defenders tackling air as he rockets up the field.
Last season, only one team — Tennessee Tech — could prevent him from uncorking at least one 20-yard rushing gain. (He had a 16-yarder against Tennessee Tech.)
"Even if you have all the gaps covered," says Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk, "he can turn a 10-yard run into a 50-yard run very quickly.'
Solich's Bobcats play at Northern Illinois in Week 2, and the Ohio coach hasn't yet ascertained any weakness in Wolfe.
"He does it with great toughness — he's physically and mentally tough," Solich says. "When you have those two things going for you, size doesn't mean that much. And then add to that he has the great quickness and running instincts and you can see why he is one of the best."
No question a team-first player
The MAC has become known as the cradle of quarterbacks in recent years, yet there seems little question that Wolfe is the league's most dangerous offensive player.
"He's everyone's choice," says Bowling Green center Kory Lichtensteiger. "He is so powerful for as small as he is. He is going to give defenses fits this season. And he doesn't even look like a running back. You look over at him, and you think he's a defensive back.
"It's pretty fun to watch him play. But honestly, I was hoping that he was a senior last year so he wouldn't be coming back."
This week "ESPN GameDay" was in DeKalb to talk to him in anticipation of the game against the Buckeyes. Most preseason honors lists have Wolfe featured prominently.
"The postseason (honors) are the most important," he says, "and if I don't get any postseason accolades and we win the MAC championship, I will be just as happy."
Novak appreciates that Wolfe puts his team first. No one seems to believe more in Northern Illinois' ability to compete against big-time schools than Wolfe.
"I take pride when people talk about me, because they aren't just speaking about me — they are really talking about Northern Illinois," Wolfe says.
"That says a lot about my teammates. It says a lot about administration. It says a lot about everything we have been able to do at Northern Illinois."
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wolfe
Does Wolfe remind anyone of Darren Sprouls of Wash st. ???
He couldnt do squat against us.
Does Wolfe remind anyone of Darren Sprouls of Wash st. ???
He couldnt do squat against us.
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SprolesDoes Wolfe remind anyone of Darren Sprouls of Wash st. ???
He couldnt do squat against us.
Kansas St.
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Does Wolfe remind anyone of Darren Sprouls of Wash st. ???
He couldnt do squat against us.
Sheesh.
That's Darren Sproles of Kansas State. Put the pipe down for a change...
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