OHIO STATE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW the Associated Press

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2 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel New era beginning at Ohio State

By Jim Naveau hired at Ohio State in 2012: [email protected] “The first thing I remember about him is his walk when he walked into COLUMBUS – A national champion- the room (at Bowling Green). As soon ship, three Big Ten titles, a 7-0 record as he walked into the room, he defi- against Michigan and 86 wins in 95 nitely had a presence about him. He games make Urban Meyer a tough act commanded the room immediately,” he to follow for Ryan Day. said. So does the look. Meyer arrived at Ohio State with a Meyer has always had a look about presence as a known quantity and with him that says he is intense, passionate two national championships, including and definitely in charge. But rather a 41-14 thumping of OSU in the 2006 than being off-putting, it is also a look title game, in his pocket. that draws people to him. Ohio State fans had a lot evidence he Levi Morman | The Lima News Dennis Wendel, who was on Meyer’s had the “it” factor as a coach. Ohio State football coach Ryan Day and quarterback Justin Fields (1) observe some of the action of first Bowling Green team, described Ohio State’s spring game at Ohio Stadium in April. it this way not long after Meyer was See Beginning | 3 Equine SavingsMILLER Program LAWN & MILLER LAWN &

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Beginning

From page 2

Much less is known about Day, who came to Ohio State in 2017 as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018 and was the acting head coach for three games last season when Meyer was suspended. Probably the biggest thing most people know about him is that he is a creative offensive play designer and play-caller who is a protege of Chip Kelly. But he has never been a head coach at any level before now. Don Speck | The Lima News So, there are many Ohio State football coach Ryan Day studies his offensive plays list during OSU’s opener against questions as people try Oregon State last season. Day was the Buckeyes’ acting coach for the first three games of the 2018 to predict if he will con- season. tinue the incredible success Meyer had at Ohio State. 2018 OHIO STATE STATISTICS One of the recurring questions is will he be as Levi Morman | The Lima News tough as Meyer? Can he PASS RECEPTIONS SACKS Ryan Day has no illusions about the expectations for anyone who Parris Campbell`90 Chase Young`10.5 make the hard call? Does becomes Ohio State’s football coach. Just win them all and beat K.J. Hill`70 Dre’Mont Jones`8.5 he have the look, which Michigan. Johnnie Dixon`42 Nick Bosa`4 is another way of saying PASSING YARDS Terry McLaurin`35 Tuf Borland`3 will he command the Austin Mack`26 Pete Werner`3 same respect as Meyer? are on a day-to-day basis. coach. Coach Day is Dwayne Haskins`4,831 Tate Martell`269 Binjimen Victor`21 Malik Harrison`2.5 The question of if he “When it comes time going to ask for the same Jonathan Cooper`2.5 TACKLES will be tough enough you have to pull that thing, but it’s more in a RUSHING YARDS Jordan Fuller`81 INTERCEPTIONS was put to Day at the club out of the bag, you laid-back way. Instead of J.K. Dobbins`1,053 Malik Harrison`81 Big Ten football media are going to need it. If yelling and screaming at Mike Weber`954 Shaun Wade`3 Tuf Borland`67 Kendall Sheffield`2 days in July when he was you have been told to do you for something, he’s Tate Martell`128 Pete Werner`58 asked if he could be “the something and you just just going to demand it Dwayne Haskins`108 Brendon White`46 FIELD GOALS Master Teague`106 bad guy.” don’t do it, then we have in an asking way.” Dre’Mont Jones`43 Blake Haubeil`10/13 Damon Arnette`40 Sean Nuernberger`3/5 Day said, “That is a problem. But I want Safety Jordan Fuller RECEIVING YARDS just part of coaching. I these guys to play free says Day’s nice-guy Parris Campbell`1,063 TACKLES FOR LOSS PUNTS think there are a lot of without anything in the image is genuine but that K.J. Hill`885 Chase Young`15.5 Drue Chrisman`43.2 coaches over the years, back of their mind.” he also can be tough. Terry McLaurin`701 Dre’Mont Jones`13 Johnnie Dixon`669 Tuf Borland`9 that I grew up with, that Wide receiver K.J. “No coach got to this Malik Harrison 8.5 was kind of the way they Hill said, “I think Coach level if they were just Binjimen Victor`354 Austin Mack`331 Pete Werner`7.5 were every day. I don’t Meyer is more of an think that is the way you old-school, demanding See Beginning | 13 4 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel Fields the key to Buckeyes’ win total at Harrison High School in Ken- Georgia transfer was 5-star recruit nesaw, Georgia. The only chance to see Fields for COLUMBUS – As Justin waived the requirement that any extended period of time since Fields goes, so goes Ohio transfers sit out a season for he arrived in Columbus was OSU’s State this season. him. spring game, where he was 4 of 13 If you want to predict how Fields’ arrival led to the passing and rushed for 38 yards many games the Buckeyes departure of Tate Martell, under conditions that were quite will win this fall, there is last year’s No. 2 quarterback a bit different from actual game no information more valu- at Ohio State, who trans- conditions. able than knowing how Jim ferred to Miami, and its No. It is difficult to see Ohio State the highly rated and much- Naveau 3 quarterback, Matthew doing anything other than giving hyped quarterback will per- Contributing Baldwin, who left for TCU. the overwhelming percentage of form after transferring from columnist That means OSU’s top the snaps at quarterback this sea- Georgia and being granted three quarterbacks are Fields, son to Fields. immediate eligibility. Gunnar Hoak and Chris Chugu- That’s not really a question. But Dwayne Haskins left a huge hole nov. Hoak was expected to spend there are questions that remain to fill when he declared for the a second year as Kentucky’s No. about him. NFL draft after setting Ohio State 2 quarterback this season before Will he produce the kind of sea- records for passing yards (4,831) transferring to Ohio State. And son that is expected? Will he be and touchdown passes (50) last Chugunov, who came to Ohio State more like Haskins or more of a J.T. season. He was drafted No. 15 in last year, had two career starts at Barrett-type quarterback? Or will the 2019 NFL draft by Washington. West Virginia, both in 2017 when he be something in between? Fields is a former five-star recruit the starter was injured. Will he make plays with his feet who was ranked the No. 1 quarter- Fields completed 27 of 39 passes as well as his arm, or will Ohio back recruit nationally in the 2018 and threw for four touchdowns State be reluctant to have him run recruiting class by some analysts without an interception last season the ball because losing him to an and No. 2 behind Clemson’s Trevor at Georgia. He also rushed for 266 injury might drastically change the Lawrence by others. yards and four touchdowns. direction the season takes? He enrolled at Georgia in Janu- He is expected to be more of a And maybe the biggest question ary 2018 and played in the Bull- dual threat than Haskins, though of all is just what does Ohio State dogs’ spring game, but after one probably not the exceptional passer have in Fields. His experience in year as Jake Fromm’s backup, he his predecessor was. At least not college football is very limited. began to explore the possibility of right away. Between Georgia and Ohio State, transferring. In high school, Fields passed for he has thrown more passes in Levi Morman | The Lima News On Jan. 4, he transferred to Ohio 4,187 yards and rushed for 2,096 spring games than he has in real Justin Fields throws a pass during Ohio State’s spring game while State, and on Feb. 8 the NCAA yards in two years as a starter games. being pressured by defensive lineman Tommy Togiai. Link’sLet is aUs proud Be Your supporterTAILGATE of PARTY HEADQUARTERS! COUNTRY MEATS JuniorCustom Fair Processing & Retail OH-70142175 7252 LeesvilleCustom Rd. Processing• Crestline, OH 44827 Free HaulingMon-Fri: of Your 8am-5pm Livestock from • the Sat: 7am-2pm & Retail 419-683-2195 Crawford County Fair if You Process it Here Mon. - Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 7-2 7252 Leesville Rd., Crestline, OH 44827 419-683-2195 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel OSU Football PReview 2019 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 5 Ohio State defense seeks redemption

By Jim Naveau [email protected]

COLUMBUS – They played hard but often not very well. They took some big hits, some of them on the field and some of them off the field from their critics. Ohio State’s defense was the weak link on a football team that finished 13-1 last season and was ranked No. 3 in the country but still heard that it was a dis- appointment. Now, with nine returning starters, four new defensive coaches and a new scheme, OSU’s defensive players say things will be different this year. “Last year wasn’t fun, and it wasn’t the year we wanted at all. So this year is for redemption and to prove everybody wrong,” safety Jordan Fuller said. “It was really frustrating. We heard that we’re better than this, and we have to tighten everything up. But things kept happening. It was bad vibes all around. It wasn’t fun. You wanted to play well. Every week you prepared, but it wasn’t panning out for whatever reason. It was a whole bunch of reasons,” he said. Ohio State ranked No. 51 nationally in scoring defense, No. 72 in total yards allowed, No. 86 in passing yards allowed and was the most penalized FBS team in the country. Don Speck | The Lima News Probably the most glaring deficiency was the regu- Ohio State linebacker Tuf Borland (32) leads the charge in stopping Minnesota’s Seth Green during last season’s game against larity with which the Buckeyes’ defenders gave up big Minnesota at Ohio Stadium. plays. It started in the season opener, when Oregon land’s Anthony McFarland had runs of 81 yards, 75 ending groin injury the third week of the season. State’s Artavis Pierce had touchdown runs of 80 yards and 52 yards, and Northwestern’s John Moten Several of the other defensive linemen, such as Chase yards and 78 yards, and it never got fixed. had a 77-yard run in the Big Ten championship game. Young and Robert Landers, played hurt for much of To list just a few of the other big plays, TCU’s Dar- Add it all up, and Ohio State allowed 38 plays of 30 the season. ius Anderson had a 93-yard run, Penn State’s Trace yards or more last season. McSorley threw a 93-yard touchdown pass, Mary- The problems started with Nick Bosa’s season- See Defense | 6 OH-70142583 THE RIGHT LOAN.

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Photos by Don Speck | The Lima News Ohio State defensive lineman Chase Young (2) prepares to wrap up Indiana running back Stevie Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller (4) prepares to stop Washington running back Myles Gaskin in the first Scott during the Buckeyes’ game against the Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium last season. quarter of the Rose Bowl game.

While they are driven to do bet- not really pay attention to the numbers, That’s why we have this chip on our Defense ter, OSU’s defensive players say they per se, or say, ‘Oh, we gave up this. Oh, shoulder. I’m positive you will see a dif- learned something last year but won’t we gave up that.’ Just learn from our ferent defense than you saw last year,” From page 5 dwell on what went wrong. mistakes and how we can prevent them he said. “Last season was last season, and as from happening again this season. Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah said That put more pressure on the much as we would like to change things “We don’t look back and say, ‘Oh, OSU’s defensive backs have “an atti- linebackers and defensive backs. And and make things look a little better, you messed up here. You messed up tude of redemption.” whether it was poor coaching, lack of it happened,” defensive end Jonathan there.’ We just say that wasn’t the Damon Arnette, the other starting talent or bad on-field decisions, they Cooper said. “The best thing we can standard of the Ohio State defense. struggled and struggled and struggled. do is just learn from those mistakes, We have to do better. We know that. See Defense | 7

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Defense

From page 6 cornerback, said, “I feel this year is like the reset button for real, especially for me since it’s my last year. It’s all or nothing for real. The question is are we going to play to the talent level and not let distractions come between what we know we can do on the field.” If the Buckeyes don’t deliver that improvement, they’ll hear more things like the message Arnette got from a fan last season. “I got a Twitter message Photos by Don Speck | The Lima News one time that said I need to go Ohio State defensive lineman Robert Landers sacks Michigan quarterback Shea back to high school and pick Patterson during a 62-39 win over the Wolverines at Ohio Stadium last season. a different sport. I was like, ‘Damn,’ Arnette said. is looking for is improvement coaching staff when he took Ohio State safety Brendon White rushes Purdue punter Joe Schopper during the But another time Arnette from the defense but says it over for Urban Meyer. Legend- Buckeyes’ loss to the Boilermakers last season. had to admit at least one of doesn’t have to be perfect. ary line coach Larry Johnson OSU’s problems on defense “Is it going to be perfect? is the only one of last year’s replaced Greg Schiano and Those new coaches have was so obvious that a fan could No, it isn’t going to be per- defensive coaches who is back Alex Grinch. brought a different approach identify it. fect,” he said. “We’re going this year. Al Washington, another for- to Ohio State’s defense and the “They were saying, ‘Why to solve the problems as they Longtime Michigan assis- mer Michigan assistant, will be players have embraced it. aren’t the corners looking back come. How quickly we can tant Greg Mattison and San the linebackers coach, replac- “It’s just a whole new scheme for the ball?’ In my head I’m solve those problems will indi- Francisco 49ers defensive ing Bill Davis, and Matt Barnes of how our defense is. I like it thinking, ‘Why the hell aren’t cate what kind of defense we’ll backs coach Jeff Hafley will be will be the assistant defensive because it is simpler. It’s just we looking back for the ball?’” be.” OSU’s defensive co-coordina- backs coach, replacing Taver having us play hard and play he said. Day did not hesitate to tors, and Hafley will also coach Johnson, whose title last year fast. See ball, get ball,” Cooper What OSU coach Ryan Day make changes on the defensive the defensive backs. They was cornerbacks coach. said. GO BUCKEYES! 20 S. Main • Marengo, OH Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 7am-7pm Hinkle’s ’s Wed. 7am-4pm; Fri. 7am-5pm Marengo Sat. 7am-2pm Hinkle’s Hardware Marengo Hardware OH-70143487 419-253-0221 FULL SERVICE HARDWARE STORE•LATE SEASON CANNING NEEDS STILL AVAILABLE LIVESTOCK FEED • COME VISIT US FOR ALL YOUR FALL DECORATING NEEDS! 8 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel Dobbins wants to have huge season By Jim Naveau [email protected]

COLUMBUS – After a brilliant freshman season in 2017, some people thought J.K. Dobbins might make records fall last season. Instead, his production fell. But the Ohio State running back says he intends to make up for it this season and is driven by the disap- pointment he felt in his perfor- mance last season. “To me, it was a failure,” Dob- bins said about his 2018 season on the day Ohio State opened preseason practice. To most people, rushing for more than 1,000 yards for a second straight season would not be a failure. Dobbins was the Buckeyes’ lead- ing rusher with 1,053 yards, but he pushes back against any sug- gestion last season was a good one for him. His opinion is all about expectations. As a freshman Dobbins rushed for 1,403 yards, had six games of 100 yards or more and averaged 7.2 yards a carry. Last season his rushing total Don Speck | The Lima News Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins (2) finds some running room against Michigan State last season behind the blocks of Isaiah Prince (59) and Demetrius See dobbins | 9 Knox (78).

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and 50 touchdowns. every chance I get I’m going ing a back-up running back as last season. Dobbins Dobbins got the chance to to try to blow the doors wide one of the goals in preseason After that, it’s two true fresh- be the No. 1 running back as a open.’ practice. men – Marcus Crowley, ranked From page 8 freshman when Weber suffered “That’s not how the game “J.K. can’t handle all that the No. 26 running back in the a preseason hamstring injury, works. You’ve got to stay with by himself, he’s going to need county in the 2019 recruiting dipped by nearly 400 yards, which limited him to seven the design of the play. So there help,” Day said. “We have a lot class, and Steele Chambers. his 100-yard games were cut in carries in OSU’s first three was some frustration in there. of guys battling for it but we Day said there are several half and he averaged only 4.6 games. There are a bunch of things do not have a legitimate back- things any of those four need yards a carry. Dobbins rushed for 181 that play into that, the mental up running back right now.” to do to become Dobbins’ After his big freshman sea- yards in the 2017 opener aspect of it, and I could have One option would be speedy, back-up. son, betting site Bovada listed against Indiana and remained done a better job of helping though a little on the small “First off, they’ve got to take him as one of the top two the first option in the ground him navigate those waters,” side fourth-year junior Dema- care of the ball. “That’s No. 1. contenders for the Heisman game most of the season. Alford said. rio McCall. Another would Ball security is critical for us. Trophy in January 2018 and But last year Weber was “Our whole thing this offsea- be redshirt freshman Master We have to secure the ball. We another site followed suit in healthy again and rushed for son and really toward the end Teague, a former four-star have to block. They have to do April. 954 yards before passing up of last season was get back to recruit who carried the ball 17 good job in protection, picking But when everything was his final year of eligibility this what you were. We need to get times for 106 yards up blitzes,” he said. sorted out, he was only season to go to the NFL. back to this, and we’re going second-team All-Big Ten, as “There were benefits to shar- to get back to this.” selected by the coaches, and ing carries but knowing I’ll get Dobbins said, “It looked way Ohio State football schedule 2019 honorable mention All-Big more carries than in my first better freshman year, and it Ten, as selected by the media. two years is kind of a good felt better. Last year did not Aug. 31 Florida Atlantic noon “I rushed for a thousand feeling because I’ll be able to feel as good, and I think I can yards, but I feel like I can rush get into a rhythm and stuff like do much better. I didn’t make Sept. 7 Cincinnati noon for way more yards this year. that. I think that helps a lot,” defenses fear me as I should. I Sept. 14 at Indiana-x noon Last year was a failure to me. Dobbins said. want to have that responsibil- You’ll see more pop, more During spring practice he ity of the team leaning on me Sept. 21 Miami (Ohio) TBA explosion, more everything had a slightly different view in a time of need.” Sept. 28 at Nebraska-x TBA this year,” Dobbins said. of sharing carries. He said it Ohio State is expected to “I feel like everything is com- didn’t bother him, but added, need Dobbins in a way it didn’t Oct. 5 Michigan State-x 7:30 p.m. ing together at the right time. “You approach the game differ- last season. At quarterback, Oct. 18 at Northwestern-x 8:30 p.m. I feel like I’m the best running ently. It changed our games.” former five-star recruit Justin Oct. 26 Wisconsin-x TBA back in the nation, and I want Running backs coach Tony Fields, a transfer from Georgia to prove that.” Alford said from his vantage who is expected to start, will Nov. 9 Maryland-x TBA Dobbins should get more point he saw Dobbins trying be in his first season in the Nov. 16 at Rutgers-x TBA chances to back up that claim too hard to make big plays last Buckeyes program. And, like than he had last season, when season. Fields, none of the expected Nov. 23 Penn State-x TBA he and Mike Weber shared “He was always trying to backup quartebacks have Nov. 30 at Michigan-x noon the running back position and make this huge play because played in a game at OSU. quarterback Dwayne Haskins, we were rotating backs. His Also, the backup running Dec. 7 Big Ten Championship 8 p.m now with the Washington Red- thing was, ‘If I’m only going to backs are short on experience. x- Big Ten games skins, threw for 4,831 yards get so many reps (repetitions), Coach Ryan Day listed find-

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BIG TEN EAST DIVISION Indiana Last year: 5-7, 2-7 Big Ten, sixth in the East Returning starters: 17 (7 offense, 8 defense, punter, kicker) Players to watch: QB Peyton Ramsey, RB Stevie Scott, WR Nick Westbrook, WR Donavan Hale, OT Coy Cronk, LB Reak- won Jones The big questions: Can Indiana make its first bowl trip since 2016? If it does, can it win a bowl game for the first time since 1991? Will quarterback Peyton Ramsey, who threw 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions last season, keep the starting job? How much of an effect will new offensive and defensive coor- dinators have on the Hoosiers, who ranked 10th in the Big Ten in points scored and points allowed in 2018? Coach’s quote: “We don’t plan to run a two-quarterback system. Obviously it’s happened in the past and it’s been successful other places, but the plan is to pick one and let him be the man.” — Tom Allen

Maryland Last year: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten, fifth in the East Returning starters: 8 (3 offense, 4 defense, kicker) Players to watch: QB Josh AP Photo Jackson, RB Anthony McFar- Maryland running back Anthony McFarland (5) runs the ball against Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett (92) during the Buckeyes’ 52-51 win over the land, DB Antoine Brooks Jr., Terrapins last season. LB Keandre Jones The big questions: Will yards and 20 touchdowns in ranked No. 20 nationally in defense, which gave up 33 or backer Keandre Jones, who Josh Jackson, a Virginia Tech 2017, bring some balance to rushing and No. 121 in passing more points in six games last transfer who threw for 2,991 Maryland’s offense, which last season? Can the Terrapins’ season, get better? Will line- See east | 14 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel OSU Football PReview 2019 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 11 Big Ten West Division preview

BIG TEN WEST DIVISION Illinois Last year: 4-8, 2-7 Big Ten, seventh in the West Returning starters: 17 (6 offense, 10 defense, punter) Players to watch: QB Brandon Peters, QB Isaiah Williams, RB Reggie Corbin, WR Ricky Smalling, DE Bobby Roundtree, CB Nate Hobbs The big questions: Will former Michigan quarterback Brandon Peters live up to his Top 100 recruiting ranking coming out of high school for the Illini after transferring? Will he have targets to throw to in an offense where the top receiver Ricky Smalling caught only 33 passes in 2018? How many wins will it take for Lovie Smith to keep his job? Coach’s quote: “We were one of the worst defenses in college football. Right after the Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) runs with season, we went to work to correct that.” — the ball after making a catch a game at Nebraska last Lovie Smith season.

Iowa tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, Last year: 9-4, 5-4 Big Ten, tied for second who combined to catch 140 passes, 18 of in the West them for touchdowns, last season? Can three- Returning starters: 10 (5 offense, 4 year starting quarterback Nate Stanley break defense, punter) Chuck Long’s Iowa career record for touch- Players to watch: QB Nate Stanley, RB down passes? Can Iowa improve its running Mekhi Sargent, WR Brandon Smith, DE A.J. game, which was not up to the Hawkeyes’ Epenesa, LB Dijmon Colbert, CB Michael usual standards last season? Ojemudia Coach’s quote: “We’ll find out.” – Kirk The big questions: Who will replace the AP Photos Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley (4) throws a pass against Mississippi State during the catches of wide receiver Nate Easley and See West | 15 Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa, Fla. BE A WINNER, BANK WITH US GO Galion Building & Loan Bank 920 BUCYRUS ROAD GALION, OH 44833 | 135 SOUTH MARKET STREET GALION, OH 44833 BUCKS 419-462-4114 • 419-468-3113

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Preseason Coaches Poll 1 Clemson (59) 1,619 2 Alabama (6) 1,566 3 Georgia 1,447 4 Oklahoma 1,415 5 Ohio State 1,368 6 LSU 1,218 7 Michigan 1,155 8 Florida 1,103 9 Notre Dame 1,100 10 Texas 1,038 11 Texas A&M 893 12 Washington 834 13 Oregon 787 14 Penn State 699 15 Utah 642 16 Auburn 606 17 Wisconsin 436 17 UCF 436 19 Iowa 343 20 Michigan State 313 Photos by Don Speck | The Lima News 21 Washington State 274 Ohio State defensive lineman Davon Hamilton celebrates the 22 Syracuse 227 Buckeyes’ Rose Bowl victory over Washington. 23 Stanford 200 24 Iowa State 169 25 Northwestern 161

Others receiving votes: Ohio State wide receiver Binjimen Victor heads up field after making a second-quarter reception Nebraska (152) 0-0; Boise in the Rose Bowl against Washington on Jan.1. State (118) 0-0; Mississippi State (111) 0-0; Miami (FL) (94) 0-0; Army West Point (91) 0-0; Kentucky (79) 0-0; Virginia Tech (64) 0-0; TCU (63) 0-0; USC (47) 0-0; Fresno State (32) 0-0; Utah State (32) 0-0; Virginia (30) 0-0; Cincinnati (25) 0-0; Memphis (24) 0-0; West Virginia (24) 0-0; Oklahoma State (20) 0-0; South Carolina (15) 0-0; NC State (12) 0-0; Duke (10) 0-0; Boston College (5) 0-0; Appalachian State (4) 0-0; Baylor (4) 0-0; Florida State (4) 0-0; Houston (3) 0-0; North Texas (3) 0-0; Arizona State (2) 0-0; Temple (2) 0-0; UCLA (2) 0-0; Minnesota (1) 0-0; Ole Miss (1) 0-0; Tennessee (1) 0-0; Troy (1) 0-0

(First place votes in paretheses. Point totals in K.J. Hill ranked second to Parris Campbell in catches last voting follow team names). Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah makes the stop on Purdue running back D.J. Knox at season for Ohio State with 70. He surprised some people by Ross-Ade Stadium last season. Okudah, a junior, is looking for his first career interception. returning to OSU instead of trying to go to the NFL. Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel OSU Football PReview 2019 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 13

Beginning

From page 3 nice all the time. Obviously he has that streak, and he can motivate somebody to get the job done. I don’t know exactly how he’ll do it, but I know if he’s talking to me I’m going to listen,” he said. Wide receiver Austin Mack says Day has already shown he is tough enough when players were late for a meeting or workouts or didn’t pay attention to their weight. “We’ve had issues this summer, and he has handled them really well. He comes on as a nice guy because he wants to show it is tough love. He expects a certain standard, and if you don’t reach that standard he’s going to make sure you know about it,” Mack said. One person who has no doubts Day is ready for the challenge of following Meyer is Kelly, his offensive coordina- Don Speck | The Lima News tor in college who later hired him as With a national championship, 86 wins in the last 95 games, a perfect record against Michigan and an assistant coach for the Philadelphia only one loss at home to a Big Ten team, Urban Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. Meyer, shown with the Big Ten championship When Day took over as interim trophy last season, is going to be a tough act to coach last season, Kelly texted him follow, “You were built for this.” Day, who turned 40 years old earlier this year, grew up in Manchester, New quarterbacks coach in 2017. OSU is Hampshire, where he was the quarter- only the second job where Day has back of a state champion football team stayed more than two years. at Central High School. Day left no doubt he knows what He went on to start at quarterback at is expected of him on the day he was the University of New Hampshire for introduced as Meyer’s successor. 419-946-7876 three years. He is fourth in career pass- “It didn’t take long for me to figure ing yards at New Hampshire and still out what the expectations were in Ohio holds the record for passes attempted State football. No. 1, win the rivalry 19 E. High St. • Mt. Gilead, OH in a game (65). game. And No. 2, win every game after He started his coaching career as that,” he said. tight ends coach at New Hampshire in Ironically, considering all the con- 2002. He was a graduate assistant at cern that Day won’t be like Meyer, on www.splaws.com Boston College for two years before that same day, Meyer’s advice to OSU’s Meyer hired him as a graduate assis- new coach was that he should be him- tant at Florida in 2005. self. Since then, he has worked at Temple “First, he’s got to be himself. That twice, Boston College twice for the was great advice to me as a young Philadelphia Eagles and the San Fran- coach from Lou Holtz and Earle Bruce. Go Buckeyes! cisco 49ers before becoming Ohio You can’t try to be someone else,” State’s co-offensive coordinator and Meyer said. OH-70143485 14 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel

from a shoulder injury that made him East ineffective last season? Do the Spartans have the toughest road schedule in the From page 10 Big Ten with games at Ohio State, Mich- igan, Wisconsin and Northwestern? transferred from Ohio State, become an Coach’s quote: “I expect great things impact player? from him and I expect him to return to Coach’s quote: “As they like to say, the his sophomore status and am very excit- third time’s a charm. I’m hoping that’s ed to watch him play.” – Mark Dantonio the case here for me at Maryland.” — on quarterback Brian Lewerke Mike Locksley, who was a Maryland assistant twice earlier in his career Ohio State Last year: 13-1, 8-1 Big Ten champion Michigan Returning starters: 14 (4 offense, 9 Last year: 10-3, 8-1 Big Ten, tie for defense, kicker, punter) first in the East Players to watch: QB Justin Fields, RB Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 5 J.K. Dobbins, WR K.J. Hill, WR Chris defense, kicker, punter) Olave, DE Chase Young, DE Jonathan Players to watch: QB Shea Patterson, Cooper, DB Jordan Fuller WR Donovan Peoples-Jones; WR Nico The big questions: Will first-year AP Photos Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie (35) tackles Michigan running back Karan Higdon (22) during Collins, OL Jon Runyan Jr., CB Lavert coach Ryan Day continue the incredible a game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., last season. Hill success Urban Meyer had in seven sea- The big questions: Jim Harbaugh sons at Ohio State? Will Georgia trans- was hired amid much fanfare in 2015 to fer Justin Fields fill the hole left when make Michigan football elite again, so is Dwayne Haskins (4,831 yards passing this the year it wins a championship and and 50 touchdowns) went to the NFL? beats Ohio State for the first time in the Will the much-criticized linebackers and Harbaugh era? Will the hiring of former defensive backs improve? Alabama co-offensive coordinator Josh Coach’s quote: “The thing up front is Gattis unleash quarterback Shea Patter- going to be interesting.”— Ryan Day on son and a good group of receivers in a the competition for playing time on the no-huddle spread offense? Can someone offensive line where there will be four emerge as a No. 1 running back? new starters. Coach’s quote: “I think that is where I would pick us.” — Jim Harbaugh about Penn State predictions Michigan will win the Big Last year: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten, third in Ten championship. the East Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, 6 Michigan State defense, kicker, punter) Last year: 7-6, 5-4 Big Ten, fourth in Players to watch: QB Sean Clifford, the East RB Ricky Slade, WR K.J. Hamler, TE Returning starters: 20 (10 offense, 8 Pat Freiermuth, DE Yetur Gross-Matos, defense, kicker, punter) DB Garrett Taylor Players to watch: QB Brian Lewerke, The big questions: Is Cincinnati St. Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) tries to escape from the grasp of Michigan defensive WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White, Xavier graduate Sean Clifford, known lineman Kwity Paye, bottom, in a game last season. RB Connor Heyward, DL Raequan more for his big arm than for his mobil- Williams, DL Kenny Willekes, LB Joe ity, a good fit in James Franklin’s offense Bachie, CB Josiah Scott in which all but one of his starting QBs are young, we are talented.” — James Players to watch: QB Artur Sitkowski, The big questions: Can Michigan has run at least 75 times in a season? Franklin RB Raheem Blackshear, RB Isaiah State’s defense get enough help from the Can Penn State compete for a Big Ten Pacheco, WR Bo Melton, CB Damon offense to be a Big Ten contender? The championship with as many as eight Rutgers Hayes 2018 Spartans ranked tenth nationally first-year starters on offense? Last year: 1-11, 1-9 Big Ten, seventh The big questions: How many wins in total defense but their 18.7 points Coach’s quote: “We probably have in the East does coach Chris Ash need to keep his a game on offense was No. 125. Can more question marks this year than Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 5 quarterback Brian Lewerke bounce back we’ve had over the last couple years. We defense, kicker, punter) See east | 16 Galion Inquirer • Morrow County Sentinel OSU Football PReview 2019 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 15

first seven games last season Martinez, WR J.D. Spielman, West as a true freshman before a RB Dedrick Mills, DE Khalil season-ending injury. Morgan Davis, LB Mohamed Berry, From page 11 started the last six games DT Carlos Davis and the Gophers were 4-2 in The big questions: Is Ferentz, when asked if Iowa is those games. Could Minnesota Nebraska’s optimism about a Big Ten championship level be helped by a schedule that this season after winning four team. includes South Dakota State, of its last six games in 2018 Georgia Southern, Rutgers justified, or is the Huskers’ fan Minnesota and Maryland and lets it avoid base getting ahead of itself? Is Last year: 7-6, 3-6 Big Ten, Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska a legitimate contend- tied for fifth in the West Michigan State? er for the West Division title? Returning starters: 14 (8 Coach’s quote: “What we’re Can quarterback Adrian Marti- offense, 5 defense, punter) going to be able to do is focus nez, who threw for 2,617 yards Players to watch: QB Zack on being better today than we and rushed for 629 yards, be Annexstad, QB Tanner Mor- were yesterday. It sounds like even better this season? Will gan, RB Rodney Smith, RB Mo a broken record and it sounds No. 1 running back Maurice Ibrahim, WR Tyler Johnson, boring, but sometimes boring Washington resolve his legal WR Rashod Bateman, DE is OK.” – P.J. Fleck problems and get back on the Carter Coughlin, LB Kamal field? Martin, DB Antoine Winfield Nebraska Coach’s quote: “We’re going Jr. Last year: 4-8, 3-6 Big Ten, to go where the players are. The big questions: Who will tied for fifth in the West I don’t care where they are. win the quarterback battle Returning starters: 14 (7 If they’re in Jamaica or in between Zack Annexstad and offense, 5 defense, kicker, Kazakhstan, we’re going.” Don Speck | The Lima News Tanner Morgan? Annexstad punter) Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is sacked by Ohio State’s Dre’Mont was Minnesota’s starter for the Players to watch: QB Adrian See West | 16 Jones during the Buckeyes’ 36-31 win at Ohio Stadium last season. 13 major brands • 30-day price guarantee All makes and models OH-70142843

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success at quarterback fair or emerge as the No. 1 running Players to watch: QB Jack East West unfair? Will Isaiah Bowser, back with last year’s top two Coan, RB Jonathan Taylor, WR who rushed for 866 yards rushers gone? Is linebacker A.J. Taylor, WR Kendric Pryor, From page 14 From page 15 in Northwestern’s last eight Markus Bailey 100 percent DE Isaiahh Loudermilk, LB games in 2018, approach 1,500 healthy after offseason hip sur- Zack Baun job after going 7-29 in his – Scott Frost on Nebraska’s yards this season? gery? Is Rondale Moore (114 The big questions: Can first three seasons? Can recruiting Coach’s quote: “It’s one catches, 12 touchdowns, 1,258 Wisconsin bounce back from a quarterback Artur Sitkows- thing to be consistently a bowl yards last season) the most disappointing 8-5 season, the ki, who was rushed into Northwestern team and consistently success- dangerous wide receiver in the first time since 2013 it didn’t action as a true freshman Last year: 9-5, 8-1 Big Ten, ful on the field. It’s another Big Ten? win 10 or more games? Is Jack last season, regain some first in the West thing to consistently compete Coach’s quote: “He’s exceed- Coan, who started the last four confidence after throwing Returning starters: 13 (5 for championships. And we’re ed our expectations and our games last season, the answer four touchdown passes and offense, 7 defense) not there yet.” – Pat Fitzgerald expectations were high from at quarterback? With a first- 18 interceptions in 2018? Players to watch: QB Hunter the get-go. He’s somebody who year quarterback will 2,000- Where will the Scarlet Johnson, RB Isaiah Bowser, Purdue when the lights come on it yard rusher Jonathan Taylor Knights find playmakers in WR Bennett Skowronek, DE Last year: 6-7, 5-4 Big Ten, doesn’t faze him a bit. He’s a have an even heavier workload an offense that scored only Joe Gaziano, LB Paddy Fisher tied for second in the West special talent.” — Jeff Brohm after averaging 303 carries per 19 touchdowns all season The big questions: Was Returning starters: 14 (4 on wide receiver Rondale season the last two years? last year? Northwestern’s trip to the Big offense, 10 defense) Moore Coach’s quote: “He does not Coach’s quote: “It all Ten championship game a sig- Players to watch: QB Elijah feel like he has arrived. He’s starts with the offensive line nal the Wildcats are going to Sindelar, WR Rondale Moore, Wisconsin one of the best workers on this and the quarterback. Every- be contenders regularly, or was TE Brycen Hopkins, DT Last year: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten, team.” — Paul Chryst on Jona- thing that we are going to it a fluke? Are the expectations Lorenzo Neal, LB Markus Bai- tied for second in the West than Taylor, who rushed for do is driven by those two that Clemson transfer Hunter ley, CB Kenneth Major Returning starters: 11 (4 2,194 yards last year and 1,977 positions.” – Chris Ash Johnson will be an immediate The big questions: Who will offense, 6 defense, punter) yards as a freshman

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