Player a hit in new role
Buckeyes pleased with hard blocking, tackling of end Hartline of GlenOak
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
COLUMBUS - By necessity, Brian Hartline has completed a transition in his role on Ohio State's football team.
The redshirt freshman receiver said he played quarterback from the time he was 8 or 9 years old and rarely was touched. Things got more physical at GlenOak High School, when he switched to receiver after four games in his junior year.
``But when I came to college, at no point would I ever think I would be running down on special teams trying to smack somebody,'' Hartline said. ``It's definitely a different mind-set, but I adapted pretty quick.''
Hartline was named Ohio State's top special teams player for last Saturday's game at Michigan State, even though junior flanker Ted Ginn Jr. returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown. Hartline threw a key block on Ginn's score and made three tackles on the kickoff team as the top-ranked Buckeyes rolled 38-7.
Three weeks ago at Iowa, Hartline took out two Hawkeyes with one block on a 30-yard TD catch and run by slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez. Hartline was lauded by his teammates, especially considering his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame, and nearly received the Buckeyes' Jack Tatum hit of the week. Coach Jim Tressel elected not to give the award, which only Ginn and linebacker Larry Grant have earned this season going into Saturday's home game against Indiana.
``There was just a little seed in my gut where I'd like to get it,'' Hartline said of the Tatum. ``Now I'm kind of hungry for it. I'm looking for that hit.''
Hartline's six tackles in seven games are the most by an OSU offensive player. While Hartline thinks he has changed, GlenOak football coach Jack Rose doesn't agree.
``When he was here, he could do anything you asked him to do,'' Rose said. ``He was a total team player. He'd block... and he was good at it. He'll sacrifice.
``I'm not surprised by that at all. I am surprised they don't throw to him more in the middle of the field. He's fast, he can make something happen there.''
Hartline's playing time on offense has been limited by the emergence of sophomore split end Brian Robiskie, who is third on the team in receptions with 16 catches for 203 yards and three TDs. Hartline has managed five receptions for 96 yards, including a 32-yarder over the middle in the opener.
Tressel has convinced Hartline he could make a major contribution this season on special teams. Hartline was added to more units after freshman free safety Anderson Russell suffered a season-ending knee injury at Iowa.
``I take it as a way to help the team in a big way,'' Hartline said. Asked where his enthusiasm comes from, he said, ``Maybe it's the hunger to play. Maybe it's the hunger to help. Maybe it's just waking up. Maybe I grew up. I put some more weight on, I'm a little more confident.
``I try to bring a lot of velocity and speed and go after it the whole game. I don't overthink things.''
After breaking his leg his senior season at GlenOak, Hartline was disappointed he had to redshirt last year. Now, he said, ``it was the best thing for me.''
The maturity he has gained also might help him handle the competition with Robiskie.
``There's definitely a battle, but it's not a hostile battle,'' Hartline said. He said that he and Robiskie ``always talk'' about ``pairing up and having some fun in the future. I've put myself in position to keep getting better for the future, whether it's next week or next year. My time hopefully will come and hopefully it's well deserved.''
Laurinaitis advances
OSU sophomore James Laurinaitis is among 10 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker. He is tied for 14th in the nation with four interceptions and tied for third in the Big Ten with 59 total tackles. Paul Posluszny of Penn State, the 2005 honoree, was also included and could be the second two-time winner, joining Oklahoma's Brian Bosworth (1985-86).
Three finalists will be announced Nov. 9 and the winner Dec. 9.
Heisman boost?
The university plans to send out postcards the second week of November reinforcing OSU's tie with the Heisman Trophy and its six previous winners (including Archie Griffin, a two-time winner). The card does not include a picture or any mention of quarterback Troy Smith, considered the front-runner. The mailing could be cancelled if deemed unnecessary.
Smith's competition waned Saturday when Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson suffered a broken collarbone that may keep him out until the bowl season and Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois rushed for just 25 yards against Western Michigan.
``He had such a positive day, it was a terrible situation,'' Smith said of Peterson, who told reporters Wednesday he would be back sooner. ``He's one of my good friends in college football and I hate to see his season end on that kind of note. Garrett Wolfe will bounce back.''
