One only has to watch the highlights of last week’s game against Wisconsin (7-3, 3-3 Big Ten) to find proof of the fact that Ohio State is not to be ignored. With P.J. Hill out with an ankle injury, the Wisconsin rushing offense ground to a shocking halt – managing only 12 yards on 37 carries. But, as always, coach Jim Tressel was mum on his team’s success.
“We played a great Big Ten team and played to the best of our ability,” Tressel said.
The reason being? The old ball coach is already looking toward this week’s game against the Fightin’ Illini (7-3, 4-2).
“They’ve got a great blend of personalities and talents and they play the game fast,” Tressel said.
Once again, Tressel had nothing but laudatory comments to bestow on his opponent. His “kill-them-with-kindness” approach has worked for him so far and he was never short of praise when speaking to the abilities of Illinois’ best defensive player, lineback J Leman.
“On defense, it seems that number 47 makes every tackle. You never knew, watching him last year, whether (Illinois) was ahead or behind in a game,” Tressel said. “It’s not to diminish any of their other kids, but that kid jumps out at you.”
But Ohio State has an offensive weapon to combat Leman.
In an interview last week, Jim Tressel’s brother, Dick, said Chris “Beanie” Wells exemplified talents and qualities similar to another running back who played in the state of Ohio: Jim Brown. Tressel agreed with his running backs coach and younger sibling.
“He has a similar stature and a similar style … and that made perfect sense to me,” Tressel said. “He has a long way to go to reach the excellence of the legendary Jim Brown. He really is, right now, playing, just like the kid from Illinois, as one of the best in the country.”
Tressel was referring to super sophomore Rashard Mendenhall – the leading rusher in the Big Ten and third-leading rusher in the nation. Mendenhall has 131.4 rushing yards per game this season, and Ohio State’s run defense will likely not be holding its opponent to 0.3 yards per rush as it did last week against the Badgers.
Tressel isn’t worried about Mendenhall, his team’s 28-game regular-season winning streak or the completion of another perfect season under his tenure.
“Once you roll your sleeves up … you don’t have a chance to look at the big picture.”
Hoosiers make history, eligibility
They finally did it. Well, not quite.
Indiana (6-4, 2-4) defeated Ball State last week, 38-20, to make it official: The Hoosiers are bowl eligible. With six wins, Indiana is now available to take on the suitors it should have at its door opens for bowl opportunities. But why would a bowl be interested in having a poor football program in one of its expensively hosted games? Let’s just say the Hoosiers lead the nation in compelling stories.
The first of which deals with the death of coach Terry Hoeppner. His mother is trying to cope with Hoeppner’s passing by staying involved with the team.
“She and most of the family were on the field after the game on Saturday, ” coach Bill Lynch said. “She will be with us against Northwestern and she will remain very involved. She means a lot to us.”
But the Hoosiers aren’t done yet. Trying to live by Hoeppner’s motto to “Play 13,” the Hoosiers intend on staying focused for all of its 12 scheduled games and one that could be yet to be scheduled.
“The (Ball State) win was a stepping stone in where we want to go,” Lynch said. “There is obviously a lot of football to be played.”
Reach Matthew Murray at [email protected].
