Ginn hopes to build on fast start
Posted: Thursday September 1, 2005 4:49PM
Updated: Thursday September 1, 2005 4:49PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- As fast as Ted Ginn Jr. is, he'll have a hard time staying ahead of the expectations he's created for his second season of college football.
After a scintillating start to his Ohio State career -- four punt return touchdowns and maybe five times that many highlight-reel plays -- the receiver's uncanny speed has made him one of the most watched players in the nation.
He might even be a faster version of USC's show-stopping playmaker Reggie Bush. "Yeah, I think I'm a pretty fast kid," Ginn said when presented that possibility.
Everything about Ginn is fast. He's fast on the field. He became a star quickly. He's facing adult responsibilities early. And he's already feeling the pressure of being a star.
"My life outside of football has changed a little bit," he said as he prepared for No. 6 Ohio State's season-opener on Saturday against Miami of Ohio. "Oh, it's changed a lot. Because it's a mark on you now. Everybody knows who you are. You can't go out and do the things that you did before."
Ginn was a track star and defensive back at Cleveland's Glenville High School, playing football for his father, the head coach. He announced his intention to come to Ohio State during a break in a nationally televised prep all-star game.
When he got to Ohio State, however, the transition was slow.
"This time a year ago he was just a guy who was trying to get lined up right," quarterback Justin Zwick said with a chuckle.
Looking to spark a sputtering offense last season, Ohio State turned to Ginn. It became immediately clear why the move was made.
His 65-yard punt return for a TD against Wisconsin in the fifth game was one of the few bright spots in a Buckeyes' loss. Then he raced to a 67-yard punt return score against Penn State three weeks later.
The next week against Michigan State, he caught four passes for 77 yards, sped to a 17-yard TD on a reverse and pinballed through defenders for a 60-yard punt return TD. His three touchdowns helped the Buckeyes rally from a late deficit -- the deciding score was his 58-yard reception.
Two weeks later, in the annual showdown with Michigan, Ohio State was holding onto a 20-14 lead midway through the third quarter when Ginn gathered a punt at his own 18, broke a tackle, and shifted into overdrive. The 82-yard sprint to the end zone broke the game open and broke the school and Big Ten records for punt return TDs in a season.
"Once you see a touchdown, there's no need to make a move. You just use your speed," Ginn said after that game.
In Ohio State's rout of Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl, the Shot-Ginn offense was unveiled with Ginn at quarterback, sprinting out on running plays.
Center Nick Mangold said it's hard not to be a spectator when Ginn gets the ball.
"After about a second he's by you by about 15 yards," Mangold said. "Your block doesn't matter after that. So you get to watch a little bit. It is fun watching him dance around and making moves on people."
Lost in camp a year ago, Ginn is now a team leader.
"Now he's helping other receivers on what they're supposed to be doing," Zwick said. "He's definitely been polished."
He's had to handle a lot recently. Ted Ginn Sr. was hospitalized in August after a growth was removed from his colon. He returned home last week and watched from the press box as his team won its season-opener 32-0. He says doctors told him he was cancer-free and, after some recovery time, free to go back to the sidelines with his Tarblooders.
"One thing he told me was, 'If I go down you try and be a man and step up,"' the younger Ginn said. "I think I did that this year. Coming in here, stepping up, going through the adversity and everything and just playing hard."
Ginn Sr. also told his son to keep it simple.
"My father always told me that once you get the ball to 'use your shoes,"' Ginn said. "That's what I do."
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he intends to get the ball to Ginn more this season. A year ago, Ginn scored eight touchdowns in 59 touches.
Ginn will likely return some kickoffs, continue to return punts, and be a more prominent part of the offense.
"Early last season Ted Ginn was a novice playing a new position," Tressel said. "You could see the increase in understanding. Once you understand what's being asked of you (then) all of a sudden your physical abilities take over. And he's got extraordinary physical abilities."
So, can anyone catch Ginn in the open field?
"No," Ginn said. "You've got to have that attitude that no one can catch you."
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