Zwick planning to stay at OSU
Unhappy quarterback accepts backup role
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content -->TEMPE, ARIZ. - Backup quarterback Justin Zwick might have good reason to leave Ohio State after Monday's Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.
The former Massillon star said coach Jim Tressel didn't tell him personally that he'd picked Troy Smith as the starting quarterback for the Sept. 17 game against San Diego State. Instead, Zwick said he learned the news while watching television.
But Zwick, a 22-year-old redshirt junior with one season of eligibility remaining, insisted Friday he will not transfer. He could play in Division I-AA or lower without sitting out a season.
``It's something I've thought about,'' Zwick said. ``I've weighed my options and I think it's best to just be here and be ready to go in case my opportunity comes.
``Do you want to chance maybe going somewhere and not having a good team or going somewhere and getting hurt? Then I don't have the Ohio State backing behind me'' for the NFL Draft.
Playing practically on one leg because of a hamstring injury, Zwick led Ohio State to a 33-7 victory over Oklahoma State a year ago in the Alamo Bowl. Smith was suspended for taking $500 from a booster, which also forced him to sit out the 2005 season opener against Miami University. Zwick completed 17-of-23 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown with an interception against the RedHawks in a 27-6 triumph.
Zwick got the start the next week against No. 2 Texas in what proved to be his last significant action of the season. He went 9-for-10 for 47 yards, was the victim of tight end Ryan Hamby's dropped touchdown pass and fumbled with 2:19 left when many questioned why he was in the game.
Tressel played both Zwick and Smith, and neither developed any rhythm or consistency as No. 4 OSU fell 25-22. Smith completed 14-of-26 passes for 149 yards and an interception and ran for two touchdowns.
Speaking at Fiesta Bowl Media Day in Sun Devil Stadium, Zwick said he was baffled about how he lost the job.
``At first, yeah, I was wondering, `What did I do wrong?' '' he said. ``But in the end, it's not your decision to make and you've got to go with the flow. They get paid all that money to make those decisions. I don't want to argue with anybody about it. I'm going to be the backup they can rely on and keep a good attitude and keep working hard.''
Zwick was the most prized recruit in this senior class, phoning many to try to convince them to attend OSU with him. But considering how Zwick learned he was not Tressel's choice this season, that no longer seems to carry any weight.
``Going into that Monday, I thought it would be like the week before, but it wasn't,'' Zwick said of San Diego State week. ``(Quarterbacks coach Joe) Daniels had said something in meetings before practice that day and I didn't think that much of it. Then I saw it on TV and (it sunk in).''
Zwick denied a rumor that he marched into Tressel's office demanding he be released from his scholarship. But months later, he's still dogged by rumors about his transfer.
``Everybody likes to talk. Everybody hears rumors. That's something I've been living with for a long time,'' Zwick said.
Asked if he would be back for certain next year, he said: ``Yeah. I'll be here. I won't be answering the same questions any more. I'll be here supporting the team, doing what I can to make the team better.''
I can dream can't I? 
