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New coach, same goal: National Title 2 Thursday, August 29, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Record-Herald 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 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

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are on a day-to-day basis. reach that standard he’s Beginning “When it comes time going to make sure you you have to pull that know about it,” Mack From page 2 club out of the bag, you said. are going to need it. If One person who has no Much less is known you have been told to do doubts Day is ready for about Day, who came to something and you just the challenge of following Ohio State in 2017 as don’t do it, then we have Meyer is Kelly, his offen- co-offensive coordinator a problem. But I want sive coordinator in col- and coach, these guys to play free lege who later hired him was promoted to offen- without anything in the as an assistant coach for sive coordinator in 2018 back of their mind.” the Philadelphia Eagles and was the acting head Wide receiver K.J. and San Francisco 49ers. coach for three games Hill said, “I think Coach When Day took over as last season when Meyer Meyer is more of an interim coach last season, was suspended. old-school, demanding Kelly texted him “You Probably the biggest coach. Coach Day is were built for this.” thing most people know going to ask for the same Day, who turned 40 about him is that he is thing, but it’s more in a years old earlier this year, a creative offensive play laid-back way. Instead of grew up in Manchester, designer and play-caller yelling and screaming at New Hampshire, where who is a protege of Chip you for something, he’s he was the quarterback of Kelly. just going to demand it a state champion football But he has never been in an asking way.” team at Central High a head coach at any level Safety Jordan Fuller School. before now. says Day’s nice-guy He went on to start Don Speck | The Lima News So, there are many image is genuine but that at quarterback at the Ohio State football coach Ryan Day studies his offensive plays list during OSU’s opener against questions as people try he also can be tough. University of New Hamp- Oregon State last season. Day was the Buckeyes’ acting coach for the first three games of the 2018 to predict if he will con- “No coach got to this shire for three years. He season. tinue the incredible suc- level if they were just is fourth in career passing cess Meyer had at Ohio nice all the time. Obvi- yards at New Hampshire State. ously he has that streak, and still holds the record 2018 OHIO STATE STATISTICS One of the recurring and he can motivate for passes attempted in a questions is will he be as somebody to get the job game (65). tough as Meyer? Can he done. I don’t know exact- He started his coach- PASS RECEPTIONS SACKS make the hard call? Does ly how he’ll do it, but I ing career as tight ends Parris Campbell`90 `10.5 he have the look, which know if he’s talking to coach at New Hampshire K.J. Hill`70 Dre’Mont Jones`8.5 Johnnie Dixon`42 Nick Bosa`4 is another way of saying me I’m going to listen,” in 2002. He was a gradu- PASSING YARDS Terry McLaurin`35 Tuf Borland`3 will he command the he said. ate assistant at Boston Austin Mack`26 Pete Werner`3 same respect as Meyer? `4,831 Wide receiver Aus- College for two years `269 Binjimen Victor`21 Malik Harrison`2.5 The question of if he tin Mack says Day has before Meyer hired him Jonathan Cooper`2.5 TACKLES will be tough enough already shown he is as a graduate assistant at RUSHING YARDS Jordan Fuller`81 INTERCEPTIONS was put to Day at the tough enough when play- Florida in 2005. J.K. Dobbins`1,053 Malik Harrison`81 Big Ten football media Mike Weber`954 Shaun Wade`3 ers were late for a meet- Since then, he has Tuf Borland`67 Kendall Sheffield`2 days in July when he was ing or workouts or didn’t worked at Temple twice, Tate Martell`128 Pete Werner`58 asked if he could be “the pay attention to their Boston College twice for Dwayne Haskins`108 Brendon White`46 FIELD GOALS Master Teague`106 bad guy.” weight. the Philadelphia Eagles Dre’Mont Jones`43 Blake Haubeil`10/13 Damon Arnette`40 Sean Nuernberger`3/5 Day said, “That is “We’ve had issues and the San Francisco RECEIVING YARDS just part of coaching. I this summer, and he has 49ers before becoming Parris Campbell`1,063 TACKLES FOR LOSS PUNTS think there are a lot of handled them really well. Ohio State’s co-offensive K.J. Hill`885 Chase Young`15.5 Drue Chrisman`43.2 coaches over the years, He comes on as a nice coordinator and quar- Terry McLaurin`701 Dre’Mont Jones`13 Johnnie Dixon`669 Tuf Borland`9 that I grew up with, that guy because he wants terbacks coach in 2017. Malik Harrison 8.5 was kind of the way they to show it is tough love. OSU is only the second Binjimen Victor`354 Austin Mack`331 Pete Werner`7.5 were every day. I don’t He expects a certain think that is the way you standard, and if you don’t See Beginning | 10 4 Thursday, August 29, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Record-Herald 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 ’s backup, he his predecessor was. At least not 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.

6 LSU 1,218 16 Auburn 606 25 Northwestern 161 (64) 0-0; TCU (63) (15) 0-0; NC State (12) (2) 0-0; Minnesota (1) Preseason 7 Michigan 1,155 17 Wisconsin 436 0-0; USC (47) 0-0; 0-0; Duke (10) 0-0; 0-0; Ole Miss (1) 0-0; Coaches 8 Florida 1,103 17 UCF 436 Others receiving votes: Fresno State (32) Boston College (5) Tennessee (1) 0-0; 9 Notre Dame 1,100 19 Iowa 343 Nebraska (152) 0-0; 0-0; Utah State (32) 0-0; Appalachian State Troy (1) 0-0 Poll 10 Texas 1,038 20 Michigan State 313 Boise State (118) 0-0; 0-0; Virginia (30) 0-0; (4) 0-0; Baylor (4) 1 Clemson (59) 1,619 11 Texas A&M 893 21 Washington State Mississippi State (111) Cincinnati (25) 0-0; 0-0; Florida State (4) (First place votes in 2 Alabama (6) 1,566 12 Washington 834 274 0-0; Miami (FL) (94) Memphis (24) 0-0; 0-0; Houston (3) 0-0; paretheses. Point 3 Georgia 1,447 13 Oregon 787 22 Syracuse 227 0-0; Army West Point West Virginia (24) 0-0; North Texas (3) 0-0; totals in voting follow 4 Oklahoma 1,415 14 Penn State 699 23 Stanford 200 (91) 0-0; Kentucky Oklahoma State (20) Arizona State (2) 0-0; team names). 5 Ohio State 1,368 15 Utah 642 24 Iowa State 169 (79) 0-0; Virginia Tech 0-0; South Carolina Temple (2) 0-0; UCLA Record-Herald OSU Football PReview 2019 Thursday, August 29, 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 disappoint- ment. 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 want- ed 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 rea- son. 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 pass- ing yards allowed and was the most penalized FBS team in the country. Probably the most glaring deficiency was the regu- Don Speck | The Lima News larity with which the Buckeyes’ defenders gave up big Ohio State linebacker Tuf Borland (32) leads the charge in stopping Minnesota’s Seth Green during last season’s game against plays. Minnesota at Ohio Stadium. It started in the season opener, when Oregon State’s had touchdown runs of 80 yards and 78 yards, and Northwestern’s John Moten had a 77-yard the other defensive linemen, such as Chase Young and yards, and it never got fixed. run in the Big Ten championship game. Robert Landers, played hurt for much of the season. To list just a few of the other big plays, TCU’s Darius Add it all up, and Ohio State allowed 38 plays of 30 That put more pressure on the linebackers and defen- Anderson had a 93-yard run, Penn State’s Trace McSor- yards or more last season. sive backs. And whether it was poor coaching, lack ley threw a 93-yard touchdown pass, Maryland’s Antho- The problems started with Nick Bosa’s season-end- ny McFarland had runs of 81 yards, 75 yards and 52 ing groin injury the third week of the season. Several of See Defense | 8

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OH-70144865 6 Thursday, August 29, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Record-Herald 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 pre- season practice. To most people, rushing for more than 1,000 yards for a sec- ond 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 expec- tations. 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 dipped by nearly 400 yards, his 100-yard games were cut in half 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 | 7 Knox (78).

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be the No. 1 running back as wide open.’ one of the goals in preseason After that, it’s two true Dobbins a freshman when Weber suf- “That’s not how the game practice. freshmen – Marcus Crowley, fered a preseason hamstring works. You’ve got to stay with “J.K. can’t handle all that ranked the No. 26 running From page 6 injury, which limited him to the design of the play. So by himself, he’s going to need back in the county in the 2019 seven carries in OSU’s first there was some frustration help,” Day said. “We have a lot recruiting class, and Steele and he averaged only 4.6 yards three games. in there. There are a bunch of guys battling for it but we Chambers. a carry. Dobbins rushed for 181 of things that play into that, do not have a legitimate back- Day said there are several After his big freshman sea- yards in the 2017 opener the mental aspect of it, and I up running back right now.” things any of those four need son, betting site Bovada listed against Indiana and remained could have done a better job One option would be to do to become Dobbins’ him as one of the top two the first option in the ground of helping him navigate those speedy, though a little on the back-up. contenders for the Heisman game most of the season. waters,” Alford said. small side fourth-year junior “First off, they’ve got to take Trophy in January 2018 and But last year Weber was “Our whole thing this off- Demario McCall. Another care of the ball. “That’s No. 1. another site followed suit in healthy again and rushed for season and really toward the would be redshirt freshman Ball security is critical for us. April. 954 yards before passing up end of last season was get Master Teague, a former four- We have to secure the ball. We But when everything was his final year of eligibility this back to what you were. We star recruit who carried the have to block. They have to do sorted out, he was only season to go to the NFL. need to get back to this, and ball 17 times for 106 yards good job in protection, picking second-team All-Big Ten, as “There were benefits to we’re going to get back to last season. up blitzes,” he said. selected by the coaches, and sharing carries but knowing this.” honorable mention All-Big I’ll get more carries than in Dobbins said, “It looked way Ten, as selected by the media. my first two years is kind of better freshman year, and it Ohio State football schedule 2019 “I rushed for a thousand a good feeling because I’ll be felt better. Last year did not yards, but I feel like I can rush able to get into a rhythm and feel as good, and I think I can Aug. 31 Florida Atlantic noon for way more yards this year. stuff like that. I think that do much better. I didn’t make Last year was a failure to me. helps a lot,” Dobbins said. defenses fear me as I should. I Sept. 7 Cincinnati noon You’ll see more pop, more During spring practice he want to have that responsibil- Sept. 14 at Indiana-x noon explosion, more everything had a slightly different view ity of the team leaning on me this year,” Dobbins said. of sharing carries. He said it in a time of need.” Sept. 21 Miami (Ohio) TBA “I feel like everything is didn’t bother him, but added, Ohio State is expected to Sept. 28 at Nebraska-x TBA coming together at the right “You approach the game differ- need Dobbins in a way it time. I feel like I’m the best ently. It changed our games.” didn’t last season. At quarter- Oct. 5 Michigan State-x 7:30 p.m. running back in the nation, Running backs coach Tony back, former five-star recruit Oct. 18 at Northwestern-x 8:30 p.m. and I want to prove that.” Alford said from his vantage Justin Fields, a transfer from Oct. 26 Wisconsin-x TBA Dobbins should get more point he saw Dobbins trying Georgia who is expected to chances to back up that claim too hard to make big plays last start, will be in his first season Nov. 9 Maryland-x TBA than he had last season, when season. in the Buckeyes program. And, Nov. 16 at Rutgers-x TBA he and Mike Weber shared “He was always trying to like Fields, none of the expect- the running back position and make this huge play because ed backup quartebacks have Nov. 23 Penn State-x TBA quarterback Dwayne Haskins, we were rotating backs. His played in a game at OSU. Nov. 30 at Michigan-x noon now with the Washington Red- thing was, ‘If I’m only going Also, the backup running skins, threw for 4,831 yards to get so many reps (repeti- backs are short on experience. Dec. 7 Big Ten Championship 8 p.m and 50 touchdowns. tions), every chance I get I’m Coach Ryan Day listed find- x- Big Ten games Dobbins got the chance to going to try to blow the doors ing a back-up running back as

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OH-70144850 8 Thursday, August 29, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Record-Herald

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.

would like to change things and make things look a lit- shoulder. I’m positive you will see a different defense Defense tle better, it happened,” defensive end Jonathan Cooper than you saw last year,” he said. said. “The best thing we can do is just learn from those Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah said OSU’s defensive From page 5 mistakes, not really pay attention to the numbers, per backs have “an attitude of redemption.” se, or say, ‘Oh, we gave up this. Oh, we gave up that.’ Damon Arnette, the other starting cornerback, said, of talent or bad on-field decisions, they struggled and Just learn from our mistakes and how we can prevent “I feel this year is like the reset button for real, espe- struggled and struggled. them from happening again this season. cially for me since it’s my last year. It’s all or nothing for While they are driven to do better, OSU’s defensive “We don’t look back and say, ‘Oh, you messed up real. The question is are we going to play to the talent players say they learned something last year but won’t here. You messed up there.’ We just say that wasn’t the level and not let distractions come between what we dwell on what went wrong. standard of the Ohio State defense. We have to do bet- “Last season was last season, and as much as we ter. We know that. That’s why we have this chip on our See Defense | 10

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OH-70144858 Record-Herald OSU Football PReview 2019 Thursday, August 29, 2019 9 Big Ten East Division preview

BIG TEN EAST DIVISION Maryland tie for first in the East Returning starters: 20 (10 Ohio State Indiana Last year: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten, Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 8 defense, kicker, Last year: 13-1, 8-1 Big Ten Last year: 5-7, 2-7 Big Ten, fifth in the East offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter) champion sixth in the East Returning starters: 8 (3 punter) Players to watch: QB Brian Returning starters: 14 (4 Returning starters: 17 (7 offense, 4 defense, kicker) Players to watch: QB Shea Lewerke, WR Darrell Stewart, offense, 9 defense, kicker, offense, 8 defense, punter, Players to watch: QB Josh Patterson, WR Donovan WR Cody White, RB Connor punter) kicker) Jackson, RB Anthony McFar- Peoples-Jones; WR Nico Col- Heyward, DL Raequan Wil- Players to watch: QB Justin Players to watch: QB Peyton land, DB Antoine Brooks Jr., lins, OL Jon Runyan Jr., CB liams, DL Kenny Willekes, LB Fields, RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Ramsey, RB Stevie Scott, WR LB Keandre Jones Lavert Hill Joe Bachie, CB Josiah Scott K.J. Hill, WR Chris Olave, DE Nick Westbrook, WR Donavan The big questions: Will The big questions: Jim The big questions: Can Chase Young, DE Jonathan Hale, OT Coy Cronk, LB Reak- Josh Jackson, a Virginia Tech Harbaugh was hired amid Michigan State’s defense get Cooper, DB Jordan Fuller won Jones transfer who threw for 2,991 much fanfare in 2015 to make enough help from the offense The big questions: Will first- The big questions: Can yards and 20 touchdowns in Michigan football elite again, to be a Big Ten contender? year coach Ryan Day continue Indiana make its first bowl trip 2017, bring some balance to so is this the year it wins a The 2018 Spartans ranked the incredible success Urban since 2016? If it does, can it Maryland’s offense, which championship and beats Ohio tenth nationally in total Meyer had in seven seasons at win a bowl game for the first ranked No. 20 nationally in State for the first time in the defense but their 18.7 points Ohio State? Will Georgia trans- time since 1991? Will quar- rushing and No. 121 in passing Harbaugh era? Will the hiring a game on offense was No. fer Justin Fields fill the hole terback Peyton Ramsey, who last season? Can the Terrapins’ of former Alabama co-offen- 125. Can quarterback Brian left when Dwayne Haskins threw 19 touchdown passes defense, which gave up 33 sive coordinator Josh Gattis Lewerke bounce back from a (4,831 yards passing and 50 and 13 interceptions last or more points in six games unleash quarterback Shea shoulder injury that made him touchdowns) went to the season, keep the starting job? last season, get better? Will Patterson and a good group ineffective last season? Do NFL? Will the much-criticized How much of an effect will linebacker Keandre Jones, who of receivers in a no-huddle the Spartans have the tough- linebackers and defensive new offensive and defensive transferred from Ohio State, spread offense? Can someone est road schedule in the Big backs improve? coordinators have on the Hoo- become an impact player? emerge as a No. 1 running Ten with games at Ohio State, Coach’s quote: “The thing siers, who ranked 10th in the Coach’s quote: “As they back? Michigan, Wisconsin and up front is going to be interest- Big Ten in points scored and like to say, the third time’s a Coach’s quote: “I think that Northwestern? ing.”— Ryan Day on the com- points allowed in 2018? charm. I’m hoping that’s the is where I would pick us.” Coach’s quote: “I expect petition for playing time on Coach’s quote: “We don’t case here for me at Maryland.” — about pre- great the offensive line where there plan to run a two-quarterback — Mike Locksley, who was a dictions Michigan will win the things from him and I expect will be four new starters. system. Obviously it’s hap- Maryland assistant twice ear- Big Ten championship. him to return to his sopho- pened in the past and it’s been lier in his career more status and am very Penn State successful other places, but the Michigan State excited to watch him play.” Last year: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten, plan is to pick one and let him Michigan Last year: 7-6, 5-4 Big Ten, – Mark Dantonio on quarter- be the man.” — Tom Allen Last year: 10-3, 8-1 Big Ten, fourth in the East back Brian Lewerke See East | 10

GO BUCKS! JAMES GARLAND DRAINING AND EXCAVATING - JIM GARLAND 704 Miami Trace Road SW • Wash. C.H. Ohio 43160 Mobile: 740-572-1707 • Email: [email protected] OH-70144807 10 Thursday, August 29, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Record-Herald

fect? No, it isn’t going replaced Greg Schiano East Defense to be perfect,” he said. and Alex Grinch. “We’re going to solve Al Washington, From page 9 From page 8 the problems as they another former Michi- come. How quickly we gan assistant, will be third in the East know we can do on the can solve those prob- the linebackers coach, Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, field.” lems will indicate what replacing Bill Davis, 6 defense, kicker, punter) If the Buckeyes don’t kind of defense we’ll and Matt Barnes Players to watch: QB Sean Clif- deliver that improve- be.” will be the assistant ford, RB Ricky Slade, WR K.J. Ham- ment, they’ll hear more Day did not hesitate defensive backs coach, ler, TE Pat Freiermuth, DE Yetur things like the message to make changes on replacing Taver John- Gross-Matos, DB Garrett Taylor Arnette got from a fan the defensive coach- son, whose title last The big questions: Is Cincinnati last season. ing staff when he took year was cornerbacks St. Xavier graduate Sean Clifford, “I got a Twitter mes- over for Urban Meyer. coach. known more for his big arm than sage one time that said Legendary line coach Those new coaches for his mobility, a good fit in James I need to go back to Larry Johnson is the have brought a differ- Franklin’s offense in which all but high school and pick a only one of last year’s ent approach to Ohio one of his starting QBs has run different sport. I was Don Speck | The Lima News defensive coaches who State’s defense and the at least 75 times in a season? Can like, ‘Damn,’ Arnette Ohio State safety Brendon White rushes Purdue punter Joe is back this year. players have embraced Schopper during the Buckeyes’ loss to the Boilermakers Penn State compete for a Big Ten said. last season. Longtime Michigan it. championship with as many as eight But another time assistant Greg Matti- “It’s just a whole first-year starters on offense? Arnette had to admit son and San Francisco new scheme of how Coach’s quote: “We probably have at least one of OSU’s looking back for the Ryan Day is looking for 49ers defensive backs our defense is. I like it more question marks this year than problems on defense ball?’ In my head I’m is improvement from coach Jeff Hafley will because it is simpler. we’ve had over the last couple years. was so obvious that a thinking, ‘Why the hell the defense but says be OSU’s defensive co- It’s just having us play We are young, we are talented.” fan could identify it. aren’t we looking back it doesn’t have to be coordinators, and Haf- hard and play fast. See — James Franklin “They were saying, for the ball?’” he said. perfect. ley will also coach the ball, get ball,” Cooper ‘Why aren’t the corners What OSU coach “Is it going to be per- defensive backs. They said. Rutgers Last year: 1-11, 1-9 Big Ten, sev- enth in the East Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter) Beginning Players to watch: QB Artur Sit- kowski, RB Raheem Blackshear, RB From page 3 Isaiah Pacheco, WR Bo Melton, CB Damon Hayes job where Day has stayed more than The big questions: How many two years. wins does coach Chris Ash need to Day left no doubt he knows what keep his job after going 7-29 in his is expected of him on the day he was first three seasons? Can quarterback introduced as Meyer’s successor. Artur Sitkowski, who was rushed “It didn’t take long for me to figure into action as a true freshman last out what the expectations were in Ohio season, regain some confidence after State football. No. 1, win the rivalry throwing four touchdown passes and game. And No. 2, win every game after 18 interceptions in 2018? Where will that,” he said. the Scarlet Knights find playmakers Ironically, considering all the concern in an offense that scored only 19 that Day won’t be like Meyer, on that touchdowns all season last year? same day, Meyer’s advice to OSU’s new Coach’s quote: “It all starts with coach was that he should be himself. the offensive line and “First, he’s got to be himself. That the quarterback. Everything was great advice to me as a young Don Speck | The Lima News that we are going to do is With a national championship, 86 wins in the last 95 games, a perfect record against Michigan and coach from Lou Holtz and Earle Bruce. driven by those two positions.” only one loss at home to a Big Ten team, Urban Meyer, shown with the Big Ten championship trophy You can’t try to be someone else,” — Chris Ash last season, is going to be a tough act to follow, Meyer said. Record-Herald OSU Football PReview 2019 Thursday, August 29, 2019 11 Big Ten West Division preview

BIG TEN WEST DIVISION Sargent, WR Brandon terback battle between six games in 2018 justi- unfair? Will Isaiah Bows- get-go. He’s somebody Illinois Smith, DE A.J. Epenesa, Zack Annexstad and fied, or is the Huskers’ er, who rushed for 866 who when the lights Last year: 4-8, 2-7 Big LB Dijmon Colbert, CB Tanner Morgan? Annex- fan base getting ahead yards in Northwestern’s come on it doesn’t faze Ten, seventh in the West Michael Ojemudia stad was Minnesota’s of itself? Is Nebraska a last eight games in 2018, him a bit. He’s a special Returning starters: 17 The big questions: starter for the first legitimate contender for approach 1,500 yards talent.” — Jeff Brohm (6 offense, 10 defense, Who will replace the seven games last sea- the West Division title? this season? on wide receiver Ron- punter) catches of wide receiver son as a true freshman Can quarterback Adrian Coach’s quote: “It’s dale Moore Players to watch: QB Nate Easley and tight before a season-ending Martinez, who threw for one thing to be consis- Brandon Peters, QB ends T.J. Hockenson and injury. Morgan started 2,617 yards and rushed tently a bowl team Wisconsin Isaiah Williams, RB Reg- Noah Fant, who com- the last six games and for 629 yards, be even and consistently suc- Last year: 8-5, 5-4 Big gie Corbin, WR Ricky bined to catch 140 pass- the Gophers were 4-2 better this season? Will cessful on the field. Ten, tied for second in Smalling, DE Bobby es, 18 of them for touch- in those games. Could No. 1 running back Mau- It’s another thing to the West Roundtree, CB Nate downs, last season? Minnesota be helped by rice Washington resolve consistently compete Returning starters: 11 Hobbs Can three-year starting a schedule that includes his legal problems and for championships. And (4 offense, 6 defense, The big questions: quarterback Nate Stan- South Dakota State, get back on the field? we’re not there yet.” punter) Will former Michigan ley break ’s Georgia Southern, Rut- Coach’s quote: “We’re – Pat Fitzgerald Players to watch: QB quarterback Brandon Iowa career record for gers and Maryland and going to go where the Jack Coan, RB Jonathan Peters live up to his Top touchdown passes? Can lets it avoid Ohio State, players are. I don’t Purdue Taylor, WR A.J. Taylor, 100 recruiting rank- Iowa improve its run- Michigan and Michigan care where they are. If Last year: 6-7, 5-4 Big WR Kendric Pryor, DE ing coming out of high ning game, which was State? they’re in Jamaica or Ten, tied for second in Isaiahh Loudermilk, LB school for the Illini after not up to the Hawkeyes’ Coach’s quote: “What in Kazakhstan, we’re the West Zack Baun transferring? Will he usual standards last we’re going to be able to going.” – Scott Frost on Returning starters: 14 The big questions: have targets to throw season? do is focus on being bet- Nebraska’s recruiting (4 offense, 10 defense) Can Wisconsin bounce to in an offense where Coach’s quote: ter today than we were Players to watch: QB back from a disappoint- the top receiver Ricky “We’ll find out.” – Kirk yesterday. It sounds like Northwestern Elijah Sindelar, WR Ron- ing 8-5 season, the first Smalling caught only Ferentz, when asked if a broken record and Last year: 9-5, 8-1 Big dale Moore, TE Brycen time since 2013 it didn’t 33 passes in 2018? How Iowa is a Big Ten cham- it sounds boring, but Ten, first in the West Hopkins, DT Lorenzo win 10 or more games? many wins will it take pionship level team. sometimes boring is Returning starters: 13 Neal, LB Markus Bailey, Is Jack Coan, who start- for Lovie Smith to keep OK.” – P.J. Fleck (5 offense, 7 defense) CB Kenneth Major ed the last four games his job? Minnesota Players to watch: QB The big questions: last season, the answer Coach’s quote: “We Last year: 7-6, 3-6 Big Nebraska Hunter Johnson, RB Who will emerge as the at quarterback? With a were one of the worst Ten, tied for fifth in the Last year: 4-8, 3-6 Big Isaiah Bowser, WR Ben- No. 1 running back with first-year quarterback defenses in college West Ten, tied for fifth in the nett Skowronek, DE last year’s top two rush- will 2,000-yard rusher football. Right after the Returning starters: 14 West Joe Gaziano, LB Paddy ers gone? Is linebacker Jonathan Taylor have an season, we went to work (8 offense, 5 defense, Returning starters: Fisher Markus Bailey 100 even heavier workload to correct that.” punter) 14 (7 offense, 5 defense, The big questions: percent healthy after after averaging 303 car- — Lovie Smith Players to watch: QB kicker, punter) Was Northwestern’s trip offseason hip surgery? ries per season the last Zack Annexstad, QB Players to watch: QB to the Big Ten champi- Is Rondale Moore (114 two years? Iowa Tanner Morgan, RB Adrian Martinez, WR onship game a signal catches, 12 touchdowns, Coach’s quote: “He Last year: 9-4, 5-4 Big Rodney Smith, RB Mo J.D. Spielman, RB Ded- the Wildcats are going 1,258 yards last season) does not feel like he has Ten, tied for second in Ibrahim, WR Tyler John- rick Mills, DE Khalil to be contenders regu- the most dangerous arrived. He’s one of the the West son, WR Rashod Bate- Davis, LB Mohamed larly, or was it a fluke? wide receiver in the best workers on this Returning starters: 10 man, DE Carter Cough- Berry, DT Carlos Davis Are the expectations Big Ten? team.” — Paul Chryst (5 offense, 4 defense, lin, LB Kamal Martin, The big questions: Is that Clemson transfer Coach’s quote: “He’s on Jonathan Taylor, who punter) DB Antoine Winfield Jr. Nebraska’s optimism Hunter Johnson will be exceeded our expecta- rushed for 2,194 yards Players to watch: QB The big questions: about this season after an immediate success tions and our expecta- last year and 1,977 yards Nate Stanley, RB Mekhi Who will win the quar- winning four of its last at quarterback fair or tions were high from the as a freshman 12 Thursday, August 29, 2019 OSU Football PReview 2019 Record-Herald

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