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Final challenge could be boon for tackle
Boone looks forward to going against Orakpo
Sunday, January 4, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Christmas came early for Ohio State left tackle Alex Boone. On Dec. 7, the Buckeyes found out they were to play Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
"All I wanted for Christmas was Texas in the Fiesta Bowl," Boone said. "I got my wish. Now the key is to actually go out and play and have some fun."
His reasoning was twofold. He knew it would afford the Buckeyes one last chance to gain a major win on the big stage in his final college game. Plus, he knew Texas had defensive end Brian Orakpo, a pass-rushing blur who is the most celebrated defensive player this season.
The All-American Orakpo, 6 feet 4, 260 pounds, has lined up in the vicinity of the left tackle more often than not on his way to 10 1/2 sacks this season, winning the Nagurski, Lombardi and Hendricks awards. Talk about a college football final exam for the 6-8, 312-pound Boone.
"I'm getting a lot of phone calls from people saying, 'Hey, look, if you have a great game this weekend, it will kind of silence a lot of people,' " Boone said. " 'A lot of people think the world of Orakpo. They think that he's everything. So if you shut him down or if you force him to the other side, that's going to say a lot about you.' "
coltsfan16;1374310; said:Did anybody else catch the pregame part where Alex said that this was the first time in his career that he has ever watched tape of somebody he was playing against.
He said he was not worried at all because he played two years against Gholston, who was in his mind, the best player in the country.
That segment summed up Alex's career at OSU. He took forgranted that he would be able to get by and didn't put in the work needed to be successful. He had unlimited potential and [censored]ed it away because he was arrogant.
what a shame.
CentralMOBuck;1374364; said:That makes me sick to my stomach if what Boone said was true. He might just go down as one of my least favorite Buckeye's of all time. The rest of his team is out their working their buts off just as hard as he is and then going out and putting time in the film room as well.
Agreed. He had me extremely nervous early on as Orakpo was wearing him out. Alex manned up and did pretty well from the 2nd quarter on.osugrad21;1374402; said:Boone adjusted as the game went on...he was beaten early but really, what did Orakapo do in this game? He beat Browning for the last sack, correct?
Boone played pretty well tonight.
boone will be missed and is underrated as a current player by many fans, no?Boone adjusted as the game went on...he was beaten early but really, what did Orakapo do in this game? He beat Browning for the last sack, correct?
Boone played pretty well tonight.