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LB Austin Spitler (official thread)

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MEET A BUCKEYE
LB AUSTIN SPITLER
Saturday, September 19, 2009
By BY TIM MAY

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Terry Gilliam
Associated Press

Last month, when Austin Spitler had to sit out several days of Ohio State's preseason camp because of a strained calf muscle, whispers circulated about its cause. If anything, it was because the senior linebacker works too hard, it was said. In the weight room, on the field -- he's relentless, and with a golden opportunity finally to start, he just upped the tempo. So how did he gain that outwork-the-other-guy ethic? The captain reveals that and more:

QWho do you credit for instilling in you the idea that hard work pays?

AIt came from my parents and especially my grandpa (Kenny Spitler). The best way to put it is they never let me do anything the easy way. They always wanted me to work for what I got.

QGive an example?
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AI was always an outdoors person, and my grandpa taught me how to build things. I never really got into video games and all that. I really just enjoyed the outdoors and working with my grandpa, and we always had a project.

QThough he passed away when you were 13, can you still hear him urging you on?

AOf course. He's always back there yelling at me. Something like, 'Why did you do this wrong? You know you can do this better.' He was always on my case. He was a hard-nosed guy, and that's how he wanted me to be.

QDid he ever praise you?

ASure he did. But my grandmother, she's really the one who was praising me all the time. She was always telling me how great I was and spoiling me.

QYou are a big fan of country music. Have you ever dreamed of being up on stage with thousands cheering your latest, greatest hit?

AOf course. As an athlete you want to be the musician, you want to be the rock star, just as they say a musician wants to be the athlete. But the atmosphere for both, it's crazy, all those people watching you, putting you in that limelight. It's special.
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The Columbus Dispatch : MEET A BUCKEYE
 
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Big Ten spotlight: Ohio State's Austin Spitler
September 25, 2009
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

No James Laurinaitis? No Malcolm Jenkins? No problem for Ohio State's defense, which is showing that it reloads better than any single unit in the Big Ten year in and year out. The Buckeyes bullied USC's heralded offensive line during their Sept. 12 meeting and held the Trojans' offense in check most of the way. Ohio State followed up with a shutout of Toledo, which had scored 85 points in its first two games. Ohio State has risen to 24th nationally in points allowed (15 points per game) and 31st in total defense (288.3 yards per game).

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Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI
Austin Spitler's part of an Ohio State defense that has risen to 31st nationally.

The unit faces a tough test Saturday against Illinois, which has its full complement of weapons back and comes off a bye week. Senior linebacker Austin Spitler checked in to discuss the Buckeyes' progress and the challenges ahead.

Everyone talked about who you guys lost from last year's team. For yourself and other guys who were around and who are now in major roles game after game, are you feeling more comfortable?

Austin Spitler: We knew after last year we were going to lose a lot of big-name guys. Our defensive motto -- the seniors came up with it -- is, "No blame, no names, no worries." We knew coming into it those guys were gone and people had to step up. Guys have really taken off with that.

Is the motto relating to how sometimes star players leave and people want to assign blame if there's a drop-off?

AS: Without a doubt. The seniors sat down with the coaches and decided that fit our thoughts.
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Big Ten spotlight: Ohio State's Austin Spitler - Big Ten - ESPN
 
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Spit had a nice game...
Because of Wisconsin's power attack, we saw more of the Buckeyes' base (4-3) defense than we have all season. Advantage: Buckeyes. Big Ten rushing leader John Clay, a 248-pound brute, was held to 59 yards on 20 carries. Co-captain Austin Spitler, usually the odd man out when the Buckeyes go to the nickel, took advantage of more playing time, with two tackles for loss.
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Ohio State: Report Card | newarkadvocate.com | The Newark Advocate
 
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Thank you, Austin, for the fine play on the 6-yard TFL on the second play of OT against Iowa.

That's a helluva memory to have from your last game in the 'Shoe.
 
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