Dispatch
3/26
OSU FOOTBALL
Final chapter is in works
Smith would love big finish, but is wary of pitfalls
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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The comparison is flattering to Troy Smith. For a moment, he allows himself to bask in it.
Two quarterbacks who wear jersey No. 10 lead their powerhouse teams into a season filled with promise. Both have a dazzling combination of running and passing abilities.
One, Vince Young of Texas, won a national title last season. Can Smith of Ohio State do the same this year?
"Of course, Vince’s story is sort of like a dream come true," Smith said. "He battled early in his career and finished out on top, that’s the highest of the high."
The stars all aligned for Young.
Propelled by an early-season win at OSU, the Heisman Trophy finalist threw for 3,036 yards and rushed for 1,050 yards, the last few of those providing the winning touchdown over Southern California in the national-championship game.
Smith, a fifth-year senior, hopes his troubles are behind him so he can have a similar career capper.
In 2003, he was involved in a late-night altercation and found guilty of disorderly conduct. Entering 2004, he lost a preseason competition with Justin Zwick and grumbled publicly about it.
After a dazzling finish to the 2004 regular season, the NCAA handed Smith a two-game suspension for taking money from a booster. That set him back entering last season and contributed to the Buckeyes’ 3-2 start that dashed their national title hopes.
But he and the Buckeyes finished 2005 on a high note. Now, finally, the skies appear clear. Spring practice begins Thursday, kicking off the 2006 season.
It is Smith’s first and only chance to be "the man" from start to finish.
"I think the scenario is different, there’s no question," coach Jim Tressel said. "He’s learned a lot of things while he’s been here. He got to watch Craig (Krenzel) for a while, he got to fight through emerging as a starter for a while, he had to handle adversity in between the last two seasons.
"And now he gets to really go out and get after it with all those lessons that he’s learned and all that wisdom, and I think he is excited."
He is. OSU returns nine starters from an offense that ranked in the top third in the nation in yards (422) and points (33) per game last year.
Tony Pittman and Chris Wells should form a potent rushing attack, and Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez are two top receiving targets.
Smith finished fourth in the nation in passing efficiency last season, throwing for 2,282 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 611 yards and 11 TDs.
And most important, he is 13-2 as a starter, including 2-0 against Michigan.
"He knows he’s the guy, and we’re just looking forward to helping him out this year," offensive lineman Doug Datish said.
But there’s a built-in wariness about Smith. Maybe he knows himself too well. He thrives on overcoming adversity, but so much of that adversity has been self-inflicted.
Even though everything looks rosy right now, it’s almost as if he’s waiting to see what else could happen before he predicts great things for himself.
"I treat (this off-season) the same way," Smith said. "The more you get comfortable and you get complacent within your role on the team, I think the more you can slip. I treat it the same way with the same kind of hunger."
This same wariness explains why after briefly getting dreamy-eyed when thinking about Young’s exploits, Smith snapped back to reality. He will author his own book, for better or worse.
"I wear the No. 10 for Ohio State, so I’m totally different," he said. "This is my story, this is my legacy that I have to leave."
[email protected]
Sunday, March 26, 2006
3/26
OSU FOOTBALL
Final chapter is in works
Smith would love big finish, but is wary of pitfalls
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"> <!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"></table> </td></tr> </tbody> </table>
The comparison is flattering to Troy Smith. For a moment, he allows himself to bask in it.
Two quarterbacks who wear jersey No. 10 lead their powerhouse teams into a season filled with promise. Both have a dazzling combination of running and passing abilities.
One, Vince Young of Texas, won a national title last season. Can Smith of Ohio State do the same this year?
"Of course, Vince’s story is sort of like a dream come true," Smith said. "He battled early in his career and finished out on top, that’s the highest of the high."
The stars all aligned for Young.
Propelled by an early-season win at OSU, the Heisman Trophy finalist threw for 3,036 yards and rushed for 1,050 yards, the last few of those providing the winning touchdown over Southern California in the national-championship game.
Smith, a fifth-year senior, hopes his troubles are behind him so he can have a similar career capper.
In 2003, he was involved in a late-night altercation and found guilty of disorderly conduct. Entering 2004, he lost a preseason competition with Justin Zwick and grumbled publicly about it.
After a dazzling finish to the 2004 regular season, the NCAA handed Smith a two-game suspension for taking money from a booster. That set him back entering last season and contributed to the Buckeyes’ 3-2 start that dashed their national title hopes.
But he and the Buckeyes finished 2005 on a high note. Now, finally, the skies appear clear. Spring practice begins Thursday, kicking off the 2006 season.
It is Smith’s first and only chance to be "the man" from start to finish.
"I think the scenario is different, there’s no question," coach Jim Tressel said. "He’s learned a lot of things while he’s been here. He got to watch Craig (Krenzel) for a while, he got to fight through emerging as a starter for a while, he had to handle adversity in between the last two seasons.
"And now he gets to really go out and get after it with all those lessons that he’s learned and all that wisdom, and I think he is excited."
He is. OSU returns nine starters from an offense that ranked in the top third in the nation in yards (422) and points (33) per game last year.
Tony Pittman and Chris Wells should form a potent rushing attack, and Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez are two top receiving targets.
Smith finished fourth in the nation in passing efficiency last season, throwing for 2,282 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 611 yards and 11 TDs.
And most important, he is 13-2 as a starter, including 2-0 against Michigan.
"He knows he’s the guy, and we’re just looking forward to helping him out this year," offensive lineman Doug Datish said.
But there’s a built-in wariness about Smith. Maybe he knows himself too well. He thrives on overcoming adversity, but so much of that adversity has been self-inflicted.
Even though everything looks rosy right now, it’s almost as if he’s waiting to see what else could happen before he predicts great things for himself.
"I treat (this off-season) the same way," Smith said. "The more you get comfortable and you get complacent within your role on the team, I think the more you can slip. I treat it the same way with the same kind of hunger."
This same wariness explains why after briefly getting dreamy-eyed when thinking about Young’s exploits, Smith snapped back to reality. He will author his own book, for better or worse.
"I wear the No. 10 for Ohio State, so I’m totally different," he said. "This is my story, this is my legacy that I have to leave."
[email protected]
Sunday, March 26, 2006
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