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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Link
Life's lessons prove invaluable for Troy Smith
By Stu Durando11/03/2006
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
FILE PHOTO: Quarterback Troy Smith #10 of Ohio State is chased out of the pocket by Keith Burrus #97of Indiana.
(Matthew Stockma/Getty Images)
The adversity Troy Smith faced early in his tenure at Ohio State was self-inflicted, the type of conduct that can derail a career before a player becomes a Heisman Trophy candidate.
But the Buckeyes' quarterback witnessed true hardship this past offseason, and in doing so learned a few things about life and football, helping complete what he calls a "180-degree turn.''
In his spare time, the fifth-year senior visited the homes of offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels, who were dealing with serious medical conditions. They talked, watched game film and prepared for a national championship bid that will continue Saturday when the No. 1 Buckeyes travel to Illinois for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
Daniels learned he had cancer after going to a hospital because of a heart ailment. Smith realized it was time to reciprocate for the support Daniels had shown.
"He's one of the few people that believed I could play quarterback in the Big Ten,'' he said. "He's one of the people who's given me added strength to keep moving because of what he's going through. He also gave me another reason to show up at his house and break down film. Without him last year, I probably wouldn't be in the situation I was. He helped me tremendously."
Meanwhile, Bollman had undergone heart bypass surgery, and although he lived significantly farther from campus than Daniels, Smith was at his doorstep.
"I wanted to show him I'm thinking football all the time just like he is,'' Smith said.
Football is now Smith's focal point. He has survived the pitfalls, including his well-publicized suspension for accepting money from a booster, to become the front-runner for the Heisman.
Shoving aside comparisons to Vince Young, who led Texas to the 2005 national title, he has altered his game this season to preserve his body. He runs the ball less and at the same time has become a lethal passer.
"The depth of his understanding of what you have to do to be a good quarterback was the turning point," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "When that occurred, I'm not exactly sure. He has a good grasp of what it takes. When you're young, you sometimes think it's a physical game. As you get older you find it's a mental game. That's what he grew to learn.''
After rushing for 611 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, Smith has just 169 yards on the ground and one TD. But he is throwing with increased accuracy, having completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,898 yards and 22 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
"One way I see myself changing is not taking as many blows downfield," Smith said. "That can definitely take a toll on your body through the season.''
Smith also has changed some life decisions.
That was probably a good idea after he was found guilty of disorderly conduct in 2003 in connection with an off-campus fight. He was critical of the coaching staff in 2004 during a quarterback battle with Justin Zwick. And he watched the 2004 Alamo Bowl on TV after being suspended for accepting $500 from a booster.
These days, he takes care of his body and avoids the potential trappings of the college life, changes he attributes to maturity.
"Coach says nothing good happens after 10 (p.m.), but you can go to a movie,'' Smith said. "It's not necessarily a club thing. College athletes have to get it out of their system before they realize what rest means.
"You realize your body is your temple, and you have to take care of it. When you understand, a lot more stay inside away from the clubs. My body is beat up and my arm is sore, so I go lay down.''
It might require a total collapse for Smith to lose the Heisman. He has led the Rocky Mountain News' Heisman poll for nine weeks and is the unanimous selection this week. The final December poll has correctly picked the winner 16 of the last 19 years.
Smith joked that he doesn't think about the Heisman unless he's playing the NCAA '07 football video game. Tressel said the topic is never raised.
"Early in the season we didn't have preconceived notions about who might emerge,'' Tressel said. "But as things unfolded, Troy seemed to be doing some of the things people look for. ... I wouldn't wish it on a better kid. He's just fabulous.''
Smith said he already has what everyone in college covets. He completed his degree in mass communications and has started work toward a degree in African-American studies.
And he seems prepared to handle whatever life throws his way.
"Every season brings adversity; it's the way you handle it,'' he said. "If you wake up with a positive outlook, you'll be able to get through.''
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CPD
OSU NOTEBOOK
Tressel letting Smith's action speak volumes
Friday, November 03, 2006 Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Jim Tressel's no stumper. No offense, Troy Smith.
"I don't think things happen with stumping," Ohio State's coach said this week. "I think things happen with doing, and if you do, things will happen. Now, maybe after our season's over and there's nothing left to do and the only thing left is stumping, maybe you stump, I don't know, but we've got stuff to do."
As the Heisman Trophy race heats up, Tressel won't be serving as his quarterback's campaign manager. With the New York presentation just over five weeks away, Smith remains the first name mentioned in the Heisman discussion. West Virginia running back Steve Slaton's big shot was on national television against Louisville on Thursday night, and Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn has rebounded from a rough game against Michigan to post big numbers during a five-game winning streak.
Smith's best attribute is his team's No. 1 ranking, and from the start of the season, Tressel has been thrilled with the recent trend of the Heisman serving almost as an MVP award.
"They've started to go to the teams who are doing the most as a team," Tressel said.
By that measure, Smith's hard to beat. But if you're wondering, he stacks up pretty well in raw numbers, too, against the best quarterbacks on the best teams. Quinn's thrown more, completing 193 of 303 passes for 2,233 yards, while Smith is 145-of-214 for 1,898 yards. But Smith has more touchdowns, fewer interceptions, and a higher completion percentage, yards per attempt and passing efficiency rating.
"We're two different quarterbacks, we're in two different systems," Quinn said after Notre Dame's win over Navy on Saturday. "I like to watch him. He's an unbelievable player.
"It's fun to watch those guys. They've got a great team and they go out and they play like a No. 1 team should. Game-in and game-out, they go out and they beat teams up. They've got a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism. They do a great job. They do exactly what they're supposed to do."
The only quarterback from a major team with better overall numbers than Smith is LSU's JaMarcus Russell, who gets barely a mention in the Heisman race. He has a higher passer rating, more yards and a better completion percentage than Smith for a team that's lost only to Auburn and Florida.
But Russell threw three of his four interceptions in that loss to the Gators.
Smith doesn't have a game like that hanging around his neck. And he still has that No. 1.
OSU NOTEBOOK
Tressel letting Smith's action speak volumes
Friday, November 03, 2006 Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Jim Tressel's no stumper. No offense, Troy Smith.
"I don't think things happen with stumping," Ohio State's coach said this week. "I think things happen with doing, and if you do, things will happen. Now, maybe after our season's over and there's nothing left to do and the only thing left is stumping, maybe you stump, I don't know, but we've got stuff to do."
As the Heisman Trophy race heats up, Tressel won't be serving as his quarterback's campaign manager. With the New York presentation just over five weeks away, Smith remains the first name mentioned in the Heisman discussion. West Virginia running back Steve Slaton's big shot was on national television against Louisville on Thursday night, and Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn has rebounded from a rough game against Michigan to post big numbers during a five-game winning streak.
Smith's best attribute is his team's No. 1 ranking, and from the start of the season, Tressel has been thrilled with the recent trend of the Heisman serving almost as an MVP award.
"They've started to go to the teams who are doing the most as a team," Tressel said.
By that measure, Smith's hard to beat. But if you're wondering, he stacks up pretty well in raw numbers, too, against the best quarterbacks on the best teams. Quinn's thrown more, completing 193 of 303 passes for 2,233 yards, while Smith is 145-of-214 for 1,898 yards. But Smith has more touchdowns, fewer interceptions, and a higher completion percentage, yards per attempt and passing efficiency rating.
"We're two different quarterbacks, we're in two different systems," Quinn said after Notre Dame's win over Navy on Saturday. "I like to watch him. He's an unbelievable player.
"It's fun to watch those guys. They've got a great team and they go out and they play like a No. 1 team should. Game-in and game-out, they go out and they beat teams up. They've got a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism. They do a great job. They do exactly what they're supposed to do."
The only quarterback from a major team with better overall numbers than Smith is LSU's JaMarcus Russell, who gets barely a mention in the Heisman race. He has a higher passer rating, more yards and a better completion percentage than Smith for a team that's lost only to Auburn and Florida.
But Russell threw three of his four interceptions in that loss to the Gators.
Smith doesn't have a game like that hanging around his neck. And he still has that No. 1.
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official.site
Smith One of Five Finalist for 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Nov. 2, 2006
BALTIMORE, MD. - Five senior quarterbacks have been selected as finalists for the 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.
The five finalists are: John Beck, BYU, Kevin Kolb, Houston, Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, Troy Smith, Ohio State and Drew Stanton, Michigan State. These five star quarterbacks were selected by a committee of football experts from across the United States.
The 2006 recipient will be announced December 1, 2006, with the award presentation to be made on December 8, 2006 at the Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility, in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.
This prestigious award bears the name of who many refer to as the finest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Established in 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has previously honored 19 outstanding young men.
USC quarterback Matt Leinart won the award last year. Other past recipients include Don McPherson (Syracuse, 1987), Rodney Peete (USC, 1988), Tony Rice (Notre Dame, 1989), Craig Erickson (Miami, Fla., 1990), Casey Weldon (Florida State, 1991), Gino Torretta (Miami, Fla., 1992), Charlie Ward (Florida State, 1993), Jay Barker (Alabama, 1994), Tommie Frazier (Nebraska, 1995), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1996), Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), Cade McNown (UCLA, 1998), Chris Redman (Louisville, 1999), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), David Carr (Fresno State, 2001) Carson Palmer (USC, 2002), Eli Manning (Ole Miss, 2003) and Jason White (University of Oklahoma, 2004).
In addition to honoring a player with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to deserving scholar athletes from local area high schools both in Maryland and Kentucky.
The Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group, a leading provider of innovative business and personal financial services, is our major corporate and presenting sponsor for the award and organization. Additional sponsors include Stanton Communications, a public relations firm specializing in public affairs, corporate counseling, business marketing and crisis communications for corporations and nonprofit organizations, the Tremont Grand, a distinctive reception and conference facility with five floors and over 45,000 square feet of meeting space, and Round 2 Communications, an award-winning brand development, marketing strategy and internet communications firm focused on one important goal - revenue growth for your business.
The namesake of the award has a storied history which has earned him the recognition of being the Greatest Quarterback to ever play in the NFL.
An 18-year veteran of the NFL, Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-1954), passing for 3007 yds and 27 TDs. Unitas, who wore #19 as a professional, had his # 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the lone number retired by the Cardinals.
Johnny Unitas began his 18 year pro career with the Baltimore Colts in 1958 and played there until joining the San Diego Chargers for his final season. His career passing figures are mind boggling. He completed 2,830 of 5,186 passes for 40,239 yds and 290 TDs during his 18 year NFL career. Among his many records is one that may stand forever, throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Unitas was recently selected as the top quarterback of all-time by the Pro Football Hall of Fame 36 member selection committee. In commemorating the NFL's 25th, 50th and 75th anniversaries, he was also honored as the GREATEST QUARTERBACK OF ALL TIME. A Pro Bowl participant 10 times and a THREE-TIME MOST VALUABLE PLAYER honoree, Johnny Unitas was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1979. In turn of the century listings, Johnny was featured among SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S top ten athletes, TIME's ten most influential athletes and in ESPN's series on the 50 Greatest Athletes of the Century.
Additional information on the Golden Arm Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from John Unitas, Jr.
Smith One of Five Finalist for 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Nov. 2, 2006
BALTIMORE, MD. - Five senior quarterbacks have been selected as finalists for the 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.
The five finalists are: John Beck, BYU, Kevin Kolb, Houston, Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, Troy Smith, Ohio State and Drew Stanton, Michigan State. These five star quarterbacks were selected by a committee of football experts from across the United States.
The 2006 recipient will be announced December 1, 2006, with the award presentation to be made on December 8, 2006 at the Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility, in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.
This prestigious award bears the name of who many refer to as the finest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Established in 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has previously honored 19 outstanding young men.
USC quarterback Matt Leinart won the award last year. Other past recipients include Don McPherson (Syracuse, 1987), Rodney Peete (USC, 1988), Tony Rice (Notre Dame, 1989), Craig Erickson (Miami, Fla., 1990), Casey Weldon (Florida State, 1991), Gino Torretta (Miami, Fla., 1992), Charlie Ward (Florida State, 1993), Jay Barker (Alabama, 1994), Tommie Frazier (Nebraska, 1995), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1996), Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), Cade McNown (UCLA, 1998), Chris Redman (Louisville, 1999), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), David Carr (Fresno State, 2001) Carson Palmer (USC, 2002), Eli Manning (Ole Miss, 2003) and Jason White (University of Oklahoma, 2004).
In addition to honoring a player with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to deserving scholar athletes from local area high schools both in Maryland and Kentucky.
The Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group, a leading provider of innovative business and personal financial services, is our major corporate and presenting sponsor for the award and organization. Additional sponsors include Stanton Communications, a public relations firm specializing in public affairs, corporate counseling, business marketing and crisis communications for corporations and nonprofit organizations, the Tremont Grand, a distinctive reception and conference facility with five floors and over 45,000 square feet of meeting space, and Round 2 Communications, an award-winning brand development, marketing strategy and internet communications firm focused on one important goal - revenue growth for your business.
The namesake of the award has a storied history which has earned him the recognition of being the Greatest Quarterback to ever play in the NFL.
An 18-year veteran of the NFL, Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-1954), passing for 3007 yds and 27 TDs. Unitas, who wore #19 as a professional, had his # 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the lone number retired by the Cardinals.
Johnny Unitas began his 18 year pro career with the Baltimore Colts in 1958 and played there until joining the San Diego Chargers for his final season. His career passing figures are mind boggling. He completed 2,830 of 5,186 passes for 40,239 yds and 290 TDs during his 18 year NFL career. Among his many records is one that may stand forever, throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Unitas was recently selected as the top quarterback of all-time by the Pro Football Hall of Fame 36 member selection committee. In commemorating the NFL's 25th, 50th and 75th anniversaries, he was also honored as the GREATEST QUARTERBACK OF ALL TIME. A Pro Bowl participant 10 times and a THREE-TIME MOST VALUABLE PLAYER honoree, Johnny Unitas was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1979. In turn of the century listings, Johnny was featured among SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S top ten athletes, TIME's ten most influential athletes and in ESPN's series on the 50 Greatest Athletes of the Century.
Additional information on the Golden Arm Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from John Unitas, Jr.
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Buckin Crazy
All-American
I have this feeling that Troy Smith will be the Panthers QBotF. That is a system he can easily suceed it, mainly because it resembles OSU's team.
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BuckeyeKilla
Senior
It appears that Troy's throwing hand might be injured which might explain all the running. They had to tape it up last week againt Minne and it was all taped up again yesterday.
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Troy By Down
Two straight games played in windy conditions...
Excuse me for a moment...
There, I feel much better.
But to be fair to Mother Nature (bitch), it wasn't all the wind's fault.
This game can really be broken down into two parts. The part before Beanie's fumble, and the part after it.
In the four possessions up to and including the possession ended by the fumble, Troy attempted 12 passes, 6 of them on first down. In the eight possessions following the fumble, Troy attempted 11 passes, 6 of them on third down. After the fumble, Ohio State only called 2 passes on first down and four passes on 2nd down. Half of each of those totals occurred in the one possession of the first half that followed the fumble. That means that of the 7 possession in the 2nd half, only one pass was called on first down (a screen for -3), two passes were called on 2nd down (a screen for -5 and an incompletion on an obvious passing situation), and 7 passes on 3rd down.
As for the sacks, all three occurred after the fumble. The first on one of the 2nd down plays in the first half, the other two on 3rd down plays in the 2nd half.
Drives before the fumble:
Troy passed for 34 yards on second down. 31 of those yards came before the fumble.
Play Action
It should be noted that BP's most respected analyst pointed out during the game that the play-action, especially on first down, was available all day long. Jim Tressel did not take advantage of this once. Not one single solitary time.
Many of you have bemoaned this fact; and feel free to continue. Just don't expect me to respond or care. If you haven't learned by now that there are big-picture issues at stake here and that Jim Tressel's ability to manage and plan for those issues is beyond compare; I have neither the ability nor the inclination to change your mind. All I can say is watch this man become one of the most respected coaches in the history of college football while you continue to plead with him to listen to your "common sense" advice.
...................................................................................................
Through the Illinois game, the following is Troy's passing by down for the season:
Down....Comp....Att.....Yds....TD....int....RATING
1st......59.....88......828.....6.....1.....166.31
2nd......57.....81......674.....7.....1.....166.32
3rd......41.....67......491.....9.....1.....164.10
4th.......1......1.......11.....0.....0.....192.40
overall.158....237.....2004....22.....3.....165.80
After two disappointing weeks, Troy is still ahead of his efficiency for last year. If the weather is even reasonable in Evanston, I would expect him to play very well and improve these numbers. I sure hope so.
Two straight games played in windy conditions...
Excuse me for a moment...
But to be fair to Mother Nature (bitch), it wasn't all the wind's fault.
This game can really be broken down into two parts. The part before Beanie's fumble, and the part after it.
In the four possessions up to and including the possession ended by the fumble, Troy attempted 12 passes, 6 of them on first down. In the eight possessions following the fumble, Troy attempted 11 passes, 6 of them on third down. After the fumble, Ohio State only called 2 passes on first down and four passes on 2nd down. Half of each of those totals occurred in the one possession of the first half that followed the fumble. That means that of the 7 possession in the 2nd half, only one pass was called on first down (a screen for -3), two passes were called on 2nd down (a screen for -5 and an incompletion on an obvious passing situation), and 7 passes on 3rd down.
As for the sacks, all three occurred after the fumble. The first on one of the 2nd down plays in the first half, the other two on 3rd down plays in the 2nd half.
Drives before the fumble:
- 4/5 passing, 3 on first down, Touchdown
- 0/2 passing, 3 and out
- 2/2 passing, Touchdown
- 2/3 passing, 2 on first down, FUMBLE
- 2/3 passing, 1 on first down, 1 intentional grounding[first half]
- 2/3 passing, 2 on 3rd down, 1 on 2nd, 8 plays and a punt
- Run left, Run middle, sack, punt
- Run left, Run middle, sack, punt
- Screen for a loss, incomplete, incomplete, punt
- Seven running plays, Interception
- Run middle, Run left, incomplete, punt
- 3 runs to milk the clock, punt
Troy passed for 34 yards on second down. 31 of those yards came before the fumble.
Play Action
It should be noted that BP's most respected analyst pointed out during the game that the play-action, especially on first down, was available all day long. Jim Tressel did not take advantage of this once. Not one single solitary time.
Many of you have bemoaned this fact; and feel free to continue. Just don't expect me to respond or care. If you haven't learned by now that there are big-picture issues at stake here and that Jim Tressel's ability to manage and plan for those issues is beyond compare; I have neither the ability nor the inclination to change your mind. All I can say is watch this man become one of the most respected coaches in the history of college football while you continue to plead with him to listen to your "common sense" advice.
...................................................................................................
Through the Illinois game, the following is Troy's passing by down for the season:
Down....Comp....Att.....Yds....TD....int....RATING
1st......59.....88......828.....6.....1.....166.31
2nd......57.....81......674.....7.....1.....166.32
3rd......41.....67......491.....9.....1.....164.10
4th.......1......1.......11.....0.....0.....192.40
overall.158....237.....2004....22.....3.....165.80
After two disappointing weeks, Troy is still ahead of his efficiency for last year. If the weather is even reasonable in Evanston, I would expect him to play very well and improve these numbers. I sure hope so.
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OSU_Buckguy
Head Coach
nice analysis. however, i don't think that the fumble affected the gameplan. post hoc ergo propter hoc.
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OSU_Buckguy;656046; said:
...not suggesting the fumble changed the gameplan... the change came later...
A more dramatic comparison could have been made comparing the first half to the second. More dramatic still comparing the first six possessions (which would include the first of the 2nd half) to the last six possessions.
What I think happened is that the fumble gave Illinois life. A few possessions of life gave them belief. This, combined with playing Tresselball led to an inverted 2nd half.
But one thing that Tresselball prevents is the cascade of turnovers that you see many teams succumb to every once in awhile. The fumble might have started that cascade.
The cascade is a function of each team's psyche and the interaction between them. I don't pretend to understand it; but neither can I pretend that it doesn't exist.
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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
Scout $
Discusses a few things but I"ll get to what everyone cares about. His thumb is "okay" and he cannot pinpoint at what specific point it got hurt.
Discusses a few things but I"ll get to what everyone cares about. His thumb is "okay" and he cannot pinpoint at what specific point it got hurt.
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Dispatch
OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK
QB Smith playing through minor thumb injury
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith yesterday said he has been dealing with a sore thumb on his right (throwing) hand for several weeks.
"It happened a while ago," he said. "To tell you the truth, I can?t pinpoint one thing that made it start hurting. It was probably a growing thing and it just got worse and worse for a while.
"It?s sort of like a sore ankle, because it?s going to take that pressure and it?s going to take those hits. But you?ll never find me crying or whining about it or making any excuses; I have to continue to play ball."
If it has been hurting for a while, it?s hard to say it has affected Smith?s play. He threw four touchdown passes Oct. 21 against Indiana, for example.
But in the past two games, he has posted two of his lowest passing yardage totals: 183 against Minnesota and 108 last week at Illinois. In those games, he has thrown only one touchdown pass against one interception.
In the previous eight games, he averaged 214.4 passing yards with 21 TDs and two interceptions.
Infirmary , part II
Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said his broken small toe on his right foot is improving, and he doesn?t believe his play has been hindered.
"It?s coming along much better, there?s not that much pain," Ginn said. "It?s something I block out."
Staying or going ?
Every few weeks, top juniors such as Ginn, tailback Antonio Pittman or receiver Anthony Gonzalez get asked about the possibility of leaving early for the NFL next spring.
Pittman has flatly said he?s returning. Ginn has been more vague, and was again yesterday.
"Right now, I won?t say it?s a little too early to think about, but we?ll see how the rest of the year goes," Ginn said.
Gonzalez sounds likely to stay.
"There are things I want to do here, and one thing is to be a senior," Gonzalez said. "I want to go through the whole process of senior speeches or potentially being a captain. Things like that have always been really appealing to me."
Senator Tressel
Coach Jim Tressel has earned the nickname "Senator" because of his clean-cut image and political style of speaking.
But on election day, he denied having any interest in running for office after his coaching days were done.
"No," he said several times to repeated questions.
Defensive tackle David Patterson, though, took up the issue.
"My mom and my grandma always think coach Tressel should have his own church or something, because he always knows the right thing to say and he?s always the sharp dresser," Patterson said. "So I definitely think if he ran for governor on the next goround that he might have a shot. Maybe we could start a new party, the Buckeyes Football Party."
OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK
QB Smith playing through minor thumb injury
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith yesterday said he has been dealing with a sore thumb on his right (throwing) hand for several weeks.
"It happened a while ago," he said. "To tell you the truth, I can?t pinpoint one thing that made it start hurting. It was probably a growing thing and it just got worse and worse for a while.
"It?s sort of like a sore ankle, because it?s going to take that pressure and it?s going to take those hits. But you?ll never find me crying or whining about it or making any excuses; I have to continue to play ball."
If it has been hurting for a while, it?s hard to say it has affected Smith?s play. He threw four touchdown passes Oct. 21 against Indiana, for example.
But in the past two games, he has posted two of his lowest passing yardage totals: 183 against Minnesota and 108 last week at Illinois. In those games, he has thrown only one touchdown pass against one interception.
In the previous eight games, he averaged 214.4 passing yards with 21 TDs and two interceptions.
Infirmary , part II
Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said his broken small toe on his right foot is improving, and he doesn?t believe his play has been hindered.
"It?s coming along much better, there?s not that much pain," Ginn said. "It?s something I block out."
Staying or going ?
Every few weeks, top juniors such as Ginn, tailback Antonio Pittman or receiver Anthony Gonzalez get asked about the possibility of leaving early for the NFL next spring.
Pittman has flatly said he?s returning. Ginn has been more vague, and was again yesterday.
"Right now, I won?t say it?s a little too early to think about, but we?ll see how the rest of the year goes," Ginn said.
Gonzalez sounds likely to stay.
"There are things I want to do here, and one thing is to be a senior," Gonzalez said. "I want to go through the whole process of senior speeches or potentially being a captain. Things like that have always been really appealing to me."
Senator Tressel
Coach Jim Tressel has earned the nickname "Senator" because of his clean-cut image and political style of speaking.
But on election day, he denied having any interest in running for office after his coaching days were done.
"No," he said several times to repeated questions.
Defensive tackle David Patterson, though, took up the issue.
"My mom and my grandma always think coach Tressel should have his own church or something, because he always knows the right thing to say and he?s always the sharp dresser," Patterson said. "So I definitely think if he ran for governor on the next goround that he might have a shot. Maybe we could start a new party, the Buckeyes Football Party."
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