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OHIO STATE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Buckeyes inNational reach title

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Lima News Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 3E Jones waits to punch ticket to NFL

By Jim Naveau [email protected]

COLUMBUS – His dad came from a sport where athletes go 15 rounds. Dre’Mont Jones came back to Ohio State hoping to play 15 games. Jones, a fourth-year defensive , weighed the pros and cons of declaring for the NFL draft in January but decided he needed another year of college. That was a big decision for Jones, who some analysts pre- dicted could have been picked as high as the first two rounds. And it was big for Ohio State. Getting Jones back could be a key part of the puzzle if Ohio State is going to get to the Col- lege Football Playoff and still be playing in a fifteenth game, which would be the national championship game. Even with ends , , and tackles Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill all moving on after last season, Jones’ decision meant the Buckeyes would still have one of the best defensive lines in the country this season, led by players like , , Robert Landers and Jones. When Jones announced he was staying at Ohio State, he said raising his draft stock was a big factor in his decision. “That’s a big factor for me stay- ing, just to enhance myself and enhance my stock,” he said. was effusive in his praise of Jones after spring Don Speck l The Lima News practice for focusing on Ohio Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones(86) stops Indiana’s Mike Majette (24) in his tracks during the season opener in 2017. Jones State, not the NFL. is expected to play a more prominent role on the Buckeyes’ defensive line this season. “The guy who probably had the or ‘Why am I doing this?’ issues year of deter- had to do that for a starting job.” best spring of anybody on our — zero. mined to maintain his intensity. The 6-3, 286-pound Jones team is Dre’Mont Jones,” Meyer “If he continues his develop- “A lot of players come back and played only two years of high said. “He was outstanding. For a ment, he can be one of the best in they feel like they have a certain school football at Cleveland St. guy to come back when a lot of America at what he does,” Meyer agenda, like ‘I could have left Ignatius. Even though as a child people thought he should leave, said. for the NFL so you have to play he used to put on an oversized a lot of times we have to deal Jones said he went into what me.’ But that wasn’t my mindset. with, whether it be effort issues will almost certainly be his final I came in and worked late like I See JONES | 4E 4E Sunday, August 26, 2018 OSU BUCKEYES Lima News

Nick Bosa (97), who along with Dre’Mont Jones will give Ohio State a strong inside- outside combination on the defensive line, combines with Sam Hubbard to stop Photos by Don Speck l The Lima News Iowa’s Akrum Wadley last year in a game in Dre’Mont Jones (86) at bottom, (35) and Jerome Baker (17) stop Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (23) in the Big Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Ten championship game last December in Indianapolis.

to football. While he changed “I like my face too much. I but they were doing something Jones from basketball to football, Jones fell in love with another contact with the four defensive end look, never considered following his sport,” Jones said about his deci- which was fine. But I feel like I From page 3E father, Sanderline Williams, into sion not to get into the ring. need to be out there. It’s time for his sport. Jones was a two-downs player me to get more exposure for my T-shirt and stuff other T-shirts Williams was a professional last year when he was subbed talents. underneath it like shoulder pads boxer who had a 24-15-1 record for on third-down pass rush situ- “I’ve kind of flown under the and run around inside his house, in 40 professional fights and ations. This year, he expects to radar here and I’ve made my way basketball was his first love. seven of the losses came against stay on the field and use his pass to being a draft choice or a top “I had hoop dreams. Every foot- world champions – Lindell rushing skills. draft pick. Being under the radar ball player has hoop dreams. But Holmes, Iran Barkley, Frank Tate, “Who doesn’t want to be on has been pretty cool,” he said. I realized I’m 6-4 and 250 and I , Reggie Johnson, the field. This is my hunger, this If Jones has the kind of season can’t be a point guard,” he said. and Gerald McClel- is what I want to do,” he said. “I he expects, he won’t be under the Eventually he found his way lan. could have been in there last year radar anymore. The beer is cold and the pizza is hot! Come watch the Buckeyes with us!

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OH-70066723T Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 5E Are you an optimist or pessimist about OSU?

shone brightly so far. If they Bosa season. recruiting classes have ranked OSU’s glass half light up stadiums this fall, Ohio With Sam Hubbard, Tyquan No. 2 nationally three times, State’s offense will put up big Lewis and Jalyn Holmes gone, No. 3 another time and have numbers. he will get more playing been outside the top five only full or half empty? 3. J.K. Dobbins and time and do even more once. There have always been Mike Weber will have damage. talented replacements waiting Five things that could make huge seasons. Five things that could in the wings, but some year an optimistic outlook about Both of them have make a pessimistic out- there might not be. Ohio State’s football season had 1,000-yard rushing look about Ohio State’s 3. What if was come true: seasons at OSU. It’s not football season come the right choice at ? 1. will far fetched to think they true: Not saying that he was, but become everything he’s expect- could combine for around James 1. OSU could pay a until it plays out, you can’t say ed to be and more. 2,500 yards this season. Naveau price for all the coach- for sure. If things go as hoped, 4. Redshirt, schmed- Sports ing turmoil. 4. Ohio State has to play at Hoskins’ right arm is going to shirt. reporter Urban Meyer was put on Penn State. take Ohio State’s passing game Ohio State already out- administrative leave and The Buckeyes are 6-6 there places it hasn’t been since 2014 recruits the rest of the investigated. Receivers since 1994. It might be the when was going Big Ten. Now a new NCAA coach Zach Smith was fired. most dangerous road trip in the deep or maybe since Troy rule allows a player to appear Popular assistant coach Kerry Big Ten. Smith in 2006. in up to four games and still be Coombs left to take a job with 5. is due, probably 2. The receivers will finally redshirted. That will help the the . overdue. earn their stars. Buckeyes use more of their tal- 2. Recruiting rankings aren’t Some year Michigan is going OSU’s top six receivers were ented recruits sooner. guarantees. to break Ohio State hearts 4-star recruits but have not 5. Nick Bosa will have a Joey Urban Meyer’s Ohio State again like it did in the 1990s.

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OH-70071612T 6E Sunday, August 26, 2018 OSU BUCKEYES Lima News Haskins could bring deep ball back to OSU

By Jim Naveau [email protected]

COLUMBUS – As the old saying goes, the most popular player on a foot- ball team is the back-up quarterback. But Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins took that one step further on a fall afternoon in Ann Arbor last Novem- ber. He actually gave OSU fans reasons to believe in him and like him beyond the usual enchantment with the back-up QB. Michigan was leading 20-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter when Haskins came into the game after OSU starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was forced to the sideline by a knee injury. The redshirt freshman completed 6 of 7 passes for 94 yards and led three scoring drives that pro- duced 17 unanswered points in a 31-20 Ohio Dwayne Haskins (7) carries the ball with Michigan’s (3) in pursuit during Ohio State’s 31-20 win over the Wolverines last season. State win after he replaced Barrett. It was the second pass wanted to do and had the create some nostalgia for the pass to Mack against Tyree Kinnel, who hit he threw that day that arm strength to do it. the often underappreciated Michigan and says people Mack as he was attempt- marked him as a special After beating out Joe contributions of Barrett are not putting too much ing to make the catch said quarterback on that day Burrow for the starting will be determined on the emphasis on that one play. at the Big Ten media days and perhaps into the job during spring prac- field. “I think in that moment that Haskins “stepped up future. tice, Haskins will be Ohio OSU right there that got every- like he’d been playing all Ohio State’s offensive State’s starting quarter- called thing clicking for him. In year.” line had just false started back this season. Haskins “an elite passer” the huddle before he made As Barrett’s back-up on back-to-back plays and Barrett, the starter for at the Big Ten media days that play you could tell a last season, Haskins com- the Buckeyes were facing the last four years except last month. little bit of nervousness pleted 40 of 57 passes for a third and 13 situation for a few games, left with “He’s blessed with some had overcome him. You 565 yards and four touch- at their own 47-yard line records for total offense, talents a lot of quarter- could tell he needed some downs. The seven passes when Haskins dropped passes and backs don’t possess. You play to give him that edge he threw against Michigan back and found Austin many more at OSU. But it have great of confidence and you was the third-highest total Mack for a 27-yard com- was like Buckeyes fans had and then you have quar- could tell that play did it,” of the season for him after pletion. grown tired of him. There terbacks who are just dif- Campbell said. the 23 he threw in a blow- If the ball had been is a sense of excitement ferent who have elite skill. “I don’t think people are out of Nevada-Las Vegas thrown a second earlier or because of the anticipation He’s not a guy who second making too much of it (the and the eight he threw later, or maybe an inch or that Haskins will be much guesses himself. He has pass to Mack). To perform against Illinois. two to the left or right it better at throwing the extreme confidence,” as he did on that stage “His skill set is very dif- might have been knocked deep ball than Barrett. Campbell said. against our rivals, that is ferent than J.T. Barrett’s,” down by the defender. But Whether Haskins will He saw that confidence huge.” Haskins knew what he light up scoreboards or grow immediately after Michigan defensive back See HASKINS | 7E Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 7E

Ohio State wide receiver Austin Mack (11) fights for extra yards against Army Cole Christiansen (54) during a game last season at Ohio Stadium. Haskins

From page 6E Urban Meyer said. “His release, his size and his accuracy are his strengths.” Meyer said the bar is set high for Haskins as far as expecta- tions in his first year as a starter. “The expectation is to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten, which is very hard to do because we (Big Ten teams) have some excellent quarterbacks,” he said. While Haskins probably won’t carry the ball as often as Bar- rett, quarterback runs are not going to disappear from OSU’s offense. “We’re still going to be a spread offense,” Meyer said. Haskins carried the ball 24 times for 86 yards last season. He also showed he could run in the Michigan game when his 21-yard gain set up the go-ahead touchdown. Haskins, from The Bullis School in Potomac, Md., originally committed to before Ohio State flipped him and his high school teammate, linebacker , two weeks before national signing day in 2016. He committed to Maryland in May of 2015 and the Terrapins viewed him as possibly being able to start immediately as a freshman. After was fired as Maryland’s coach dur- ing the 2015 season, Haskins began to reconsider his decision, as did Jones, one of his best friends. Haskins threw for 2,217 yards and 20 as a senior in high school and had 1,936 yards passing and 22 TD throws as a junior. He had career totals of 5,308 passing yards and 54 Photos by Don Speck l The Lima News touchdowns. Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins sends a throw toward the end zone during a 54-21 He was a 4-star recruit who was ranked the No. 7 pro style blowout of Nevada-Las Vegas last season. Haskins threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns in quarterback nationally by 247sports.com. a back-up role in that game. 8E Sunday, August 26, 2018 OSU BUCKEYES Lima News Playoff talk always starts with Alabama

By Jim Naveau [email protected]

It would be foolish to start the list of possible College Football Playoff participants anywhere else but with Alabama. Alabama is the only team to have played in all four years of the College Football Playoff. It is the defending national champion and its coach is going for his seventh national title this season. The Crimson Tide has a bit of a quarterback controversy between , 27-2 as a starter, and , who took over in the second half of the national championship game and played a key role in Alabama’s win. But if having too much talent at maybe the most important position on the field is your biggest problem, you don’t have many problems. Clemson might be the second most likely College Football Playoff contender. Most people think get- AP Photo ting through the Atlantic Coast Clemson head coach , center, congratulates his players during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference Conference is easier than going championship NCAA college football game against Miami. The Tigers are pursuing their fourth straight Atlantic Coast Conference through the SEC or Big Ten. And championship. the Tigers are loaded on defense, led by a defensive line with four tender. Ohio State, Wisconsin, non-league game, it just has to be Georgia, who was last year’s possible first-round NFL draft Penn State, Michigan or Michigan better than the East on one day in national runner-up, lost its top two choices. State all could put together a the Big Ten championship game, running backs, Nick Chubb and Quarterback Kelly Bryant and playoff worthy record if they avoid not all season. Sony Michel, but it has quarter- running backs Travis Etienne and disasters like OSU’s game at Iowa The Badgers have one of the best back Jake Fromme and some deep Tavien Feasler all rushed for more last year and get a few breaks. offensive lines in the country and threat receivers back this year. than 600 yards when Clemson OSU, Michigan, Michigan State running back Jonathan Taylor, who Some other teams to watch as went 12-2 last season. and Penn State are all in the Big ran for 1,977 yards and had 10 possible playoff contenders: Wash- An undefeated or one-loss Big Ten East Division. If Wisconsin games where he gained 100 yards ington, Auburn, Oklahoma and Ten team should be a playoff con- doesn’t stumble in the West or in a or more as a freshman last fall. Miami. O-H.....I-O!! Go Bucks!

3780 South Dixie Hwy., Lima, Ohio 419-991-5778 MON-FRI 9-7 • SAT 9-6 • SUN 12-4 www.limafl oorcovering.com Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 9E Prince puts his critics on mute

By Jim Naveau OSU’s football program, [email protected] he probably doesn’t see it or hear about it. COLUMBUS – Just “I don’t read any of it. I when might don’t know what anybody think he has gotten out, says. I don’t think about they drag him back into it, I don’t look at it. I the past. But he says he don’t search for myself,” doesn’t mind. Prince said. “As I’ve got- Prince is a three-year ten older I’ve realized starter on Ohio State’s the opinions of the fans offensive line, most shouldn’t bother me. The recently at right tackle, only opinions that matter but possibly at left tackle to me are my peers and when it’s all sorted out my coaches. this season. “You can’t care too But in his first year as a much about mistakes. If starter in 2016, he strug- you make a mistake, you gled mightily and often just have to keep on play- did that in the spotlight ing,” he said. of big games or important Ohio State has to moments. replace two key members Those struggles are of its offensive line this behind him now. But fans season – center Billy and the media have long Price, the memories, so he is still Bengals’ first-round draft reminded of them. Prob- choice, and left tackle ably close to 1/3 of his , a fifth- one hour with the media round pick of the Seattle at the Big Ten media days in July was spent discuss- Seahawks. ing what went wrong and OSU hasn’t settled on how he dealt with it. an offensive line plan yet, Prince says he’s over but one of the ideas being the criticism now and looked at would move even portrays it as some- Prince from right tackle thing he used to his to left tackle. advantage. The adjustment to that “I don’t think I’d be hav- move of a few feet to the ing the success I’m having other side of the line is today if I hadn’t had those bigger than most people downfalls back then,” he might think, he said. said. “Those downfalls “It’s completely dif- set me up for my success ferent. It’s like writing today and showed me with your right hand who I am as a person.” your whole life and then He hasn’t completely switching to your left erased the memory of the Don Speck l The Lima News hand,” Prince said. “Your Ohio State offensive lineman Isaiah Prince walks off the field with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer after OSU’s muscle memory is com- reactions to those mis- 31-20 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., last season. steps, though. pletely different. It’s back- “In the Penn State and low point for me – all the dle it,” he said. Prince Sucks.’ I was like, ward from the way you Michigan games I gave up criticism and everybody “They (his critics) ‘Geesh.’” think about it, the defense two sacks at two crucial talking bad about me. I actually had a fake fan Now if criticism comes looks different from the times. That was really a didn’t know how to han- page about me, ‘Isaiah his way from outside other side of the field.” 10E Sunday, August 26, 2018 OSU BUCKEYES Lima News Big Ten East Division preview

BIG TEN EAST DIVISION defense) combination of strong-armed quarterback Players to watch: QB Shea Patterson, RB and a group of veteran wide receivers bring Karan Higdon, WR Tarik Black, WR Dono- the deep ball back to Ohio State’s offense? By Jim Naveau van Peoples-Jones; DE Rashan Gary, DE Will J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber both rush [email protected] Chase Winovich, LB Devin Bush for more than 1,000 yards? Could inexperi- The big questions: Will trans- ence at linebacker, defensive back and on the fer Shea Patterson be a difference maker offensive line create problems? Indiana at quarterback, a position where Michigan Coach’s quote: “The common denomina- Last year: 5-7, 2-7 Big Ten, tied for sixth has struggled in the era? Can tor of every great player I’ve coached is com- in East Michigan improve on its 1-5 record against petitive spirit.”— Urban Meyer Returning starters: 9 (6 offense, 3 its rivals Ohio State and Michigan State? defense) Could Michigan have the best front seven on Penn State Players to watch: QB Peyton Ramsey, QB defense in the Big Ten? Last year: 11-2, 7-2 Big Ten, tied for sec- Brandon Dawkins, RB Morgan Ellison, WR Coach’s quote: “He’s really getting the ond in East. Nick Westbrook, WR Luke Timian, DB Jona- grasp of the offense, that’s the biggest thing.” Returning starters: 10 (8 offense, 2 than Crawford — Jim Harbaugh on his starting quarterback defense) The big questions: Will Peyton Ramsey, Shea Patterson Players to watch: QB Trace McSorley, who started several games last year, or gradu- RB Miles Sanders, WR Juwan Johnson, WR ate transfer Brandon Dawkins be the starting Michigan State DeAndre Thompkins, DE Shareef Miller quarterback? Will wide receiver Nick West- Last year: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten, tied for sec- The big questions: Can the Nittany Lions brook, who suffered a season-ending injury ond in East challenge for a Big Ten title and a spot in the on the opening kickoff against Ohio State in Returning starters: 19 (10 offense, 9 College Football Playoff without running back the season opener last season, be the player defense) and with only two returning he was when he caught 54 passes in 2016? Players to watch: QB Brian Lewerke, starters on defense? Does quarterback Trace Can the Hoosiers replace eight starters on RB L.J. Scott, WR Felton Davis, DE Kenny McSorley have a third consecutive huge sea- defense from last year’s team? Willekes, LB son in him? Will the schedule help the Nittany Coach’s quote: “We went out and signed The big questions: No one plays the role Lions, with Ohio State, Michigan State and one of the top recruiting class in the history of the underappreciated underdog better Wisconsin all having to go to State College? of our program. Many of those men joined us than MSU coach Mark Dantonio. Can he do Coach’s quote: “For the first time we have in the mid-year.” — Tom Allen it again this year with 19 starters back from a team that won 10 games? Of course he an offensive line that we think has a chance to Maryland can. Should the Spartans be encouraged or be a strength in our program. I’m so excited Last year: 4-8, 2-7, tied for sixth in East worried that three of last year’s wins came about that group.” — James Franklin Returning starters: 11 (7 offense, 4 defense) by four points or fewer? Is running back Players to watch: QB Kasim Hill, QB Tyrell L.J. Scott ready to move from good to great, Rutgers Pigrome, RB Ty Johnson, RB Lorenzo Harri- which would make Michigan State a threat to Last year: 4-8, 3-6 Big Ten, fifth in East son, WR Taivon Jacobs, DE Jesse Aniebonam win the Big Ten? Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 The big questions: Can the Terrapins keep Coach’s quote: “I think Brian Lewerke has defense) their quarterbacks healthy after losing their a great future ahead of him. I think that he’s a Players to watch: QB Giovanni Rescigno, top two QBs, Kasim Hill and Tyrell Pigrome, rising star.” – Mark Dantonio RB Jonathan Hillman, TE Jerome Washing- to injuries in the first four games last season? ton, LB Trevor Morris, CB Isaiah Wharton Can they put some pressure on opposing Ohio State The big questions: How did Rutgers win quarterbacks after having only 16 sacks in 12 Last year: 12-1, 8-1 Big Ten, won East and four games last season with an offense that games last season? Will having five returning Big Ten ranked No. 121 nationally in scoring and No. starters on the offensive line mean Maryland Returning starters: 12 (7 offense, 5 129 in total offense? Can the defense, which can be more competitive against the top pro- defense) made some major steps forward last season, grams in the Big Ten? Players to watch: QB Dwayne Haskins, get even better this season? Has any other Coach’s quote: “I think we’re going to be RB J.K. Dobbins, RB Mike Weber, WR Par- school except Rutgers had nine offensive playing meaningful games in November. That’s ris Campbell, DE Nick Bosa, DT Dre’Mont coordinators in the last nine seasons? our plan.” — D.J. Durkin Jones, CB Coach’s quote: “We’ve got to score points. The big questions: Can OSU get through It’s an area we haven’t been very good at. Michigan the rugged Big Ten East Division and return Defensively we’ve got to stop the run and Last year: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten, fourth in East to the Big Ten championship game and pos- we’ve got to create more takeaways.” – Chris Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 sibly the College Football Playoff? Will a Ash Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 11E

AP Photos Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is being mentioned as a candidate but the three-year starter could miss having Saquon Barkley in the backfield Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke, being chased here by Michigan’s Maurice with him this season. Hurst (73) in a game last season, helped the Spartans to a 10-win season in 2017.

Rutgers head coach , center, talks to his running backs as they stretch during Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary (3), expected to be a high first-round NFL draft training camp. The former Ohio State assistant coach is in his third season as Rutgers’ pick, rushes the quarterback in a game against Rutgers last season. head coach.

Don Speck l The Lima News Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh lobbies the officials for a holding call during the Michigan State running back L.J. Scott is stopped by Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley Outback against South Carolina on New Year’s Day. in the Buckeyes’ game against the Spartans last season in Ohio Stadium. 12E Sunday, August 26, 2018 OSU BUCKEYES Lima News

Don Speck l The Lima News Iowa quarterback , who threw five touchdown passes in a 55-24 win over Ohio State last season, looks for room to throw over OSU’s Chris Worley in last year’s game in Iowa City.

AP Photos Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, shown here in a game against Florida Atlantic, ran for nearly 2,000 yards as a freshman last season.

Illinois is 5-19 overall in ’s two seasons as its head coach and did not win a Big Ten game last season. But it would cost $12 million to buy out his contract, so his job is probably safe for now.

Nebraska offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes (76) talks to a coach during a Cornhuskers Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck is in the second year of trying to build the Gophers’ program practice earlier this month. Jaimes, who started nine games at right tackle last season, into something as lofty and soaring as his words. is moving to left tackle. Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 13E Big Ten West Division preview BIG TEN WEST DIVISION Thomas Barber, DB Antoine Winfield Jr. yards four years in a row? Who made out The big questions: Can Minnesota find this schedule with games against Michigan Illinois a quarterback to fix a passing game that had and Michigan State back to back and games Last year: 2-10, 0-9 Big Ten, seventh in more (11) than touchdown pass- against Wisconsin and Notre Dame back to West es last season? Can it find some playmakers back? Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 to go with running back Rodney Smith (977 Coach’s quote: “It’s one thing to be consis- defense) yards) and wide receiver Tyler Johnson (7 tently a bowl team and consistently successful Players to watch: RB Mike Epstein, TD catches) to jump start an offense that was on the field. It’s another thing to consistently WR Mike Dudek, WR Ricky Smalling, LB twelfth in the Big Ten in scoring? Will coach compete for championships. And we’re not Del’Shawn Phillips, DB Bennnett Williams P.J. Fleck’s rah-rah approach begin to wear there yet.” – The big questions: Will a year of experi- thin if the Gophers continue to struggle? ence help a team that started 10 non-redshirt Coach’s quote: “Last year we were not a Purdue freshmen last season, including four on the player-led football team. Bad teams, nobody Last year: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten, tied for third in offensive line? Who will play quarterback? leads. Average teams, coaches lead. Elite the West Cam Thomas, the only returning scholarship teams, players lead.” – P.J. Fleck Returning starters: 12 (8 offense, 4) quarterback, had five interceptions and no Players to watch: QB David Blough, QB touchdown passes last season. Can Dudek, Nebraska Elijah Sindelar, RB Markell Jones, WR Jack- who caught 76 passes as a freshman in 2014 Last year: 4-8, 3-6 Big Ten, fifth in the West son Anthrop, LB , DB Jacob become a go-to receiver again after two ACL Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 7 Thieneman surgeries? He says he is “150 percent” healthy. defense) The big questions: Were the Boilermak- Coach’s quote: “In an ideal world, we want- Players to watch: WR Stanley Morgan Jr., ers a one-year wonder last year or is the ed to have more wins right now. But I like WR J.D. Spielman, DL Nick Stoltenberg turnaround here to stay in coach Jeff Brohm’s where we are. Now that’s behind us.” – Lovie The big questions: Has Nebraska, which second year? Will Elijah Sindelar or David Smith hasn’t won a league title since 1999, finally Blough emerge as the No. 1 quarterback or found a coach in former Cornhuskers quarter- will they share time? How much will the Iowa back who can bring its program departure of four of the top five defensive line- Last year: 8-5, 4-5 Big Ten, tied for third in back to national prominence? Except for stand- men, two of the top three and the West out receivers Stanley Morgan Jr. (61 catches) best defensive back on last year’s team affect Returning starters: 11 (7 offense, 4 and J.D. Spielman (55 catches) almost every- this year’s defense? defense) thing is a question mark. Who will play quarter- Coach’s quote: “I know the expectations Players to watch: QB Nate Stanley, TE back and how to fix a defense that gave up 36 are higher this year. But our players are look- , WR Nick Easley, C Keegan Ren- points a game are two of the biggest questions. ing forward to it and they’ve worked hard.” der, DE A.J. Epenesa, DE Parker Hesse, CB Coach’s quote: “We’ve got to get Xs and Os —Jeff Brohm Matt Hankins installed. We’ve got to change the way guys The big questions: Can the combination of think. We’ve got to make sure we’re getting to Wisconsin quarterback Nate Stanley, who had 26 touch- work in the weight room, that we’re in better Last year: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten, first in West down passes and only 6 interceptions in his shape, that we recruit better.” – Scott Frost Returning starters: 13 (10 offense, 3 first year as a starter last fall, and his top two defense) receivers, Nick Easley (51 catches) and tight Northwestern Players to watch: QB Alex Hornibrook, end Noah Fant (11 TD catches) compensate Last year: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten, second in the RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Quintez Cephus, for the lack of a proven running back? Will a West WR A.J. Taylor, OL , LB T.J. dominant defensive line allow three first-year Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 Edwards starters at linebacker to grow into their roles? defense) The big questions: Could Wisconsin have Coach’s quote: “The obvious thing we’re Players to watch: QB , RB the best offensive line in the country? Can lacking is experience at running back. We like Jeremy Larkin, WR Flynn Nagel, WR Bennett quarterback Alex Hornibrook fix his intercep- our players there. They just haven’t played Skowronek, DE Joe Gaziano, CB Montre Hart- tion problem (34 touchdown passess and 22 very much.” – age interceptions the last two seasons)? Can Jona- The big questions: The health of quarter- than Taylor (1,977 yards last season as a fresh- Minnesota back Clayton Thorson (2,844 yards and 15 man) rush for more than 2,000 yards? Will Last year: 5-7, 2-7, sixth in the West touchdowns last season) is by far the biggest Quintez Cephus, who missed several games Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 question for Northwestern after he suffered because of an injury, give Wisconsin a deep defense) a torn ACL in the Music City Bowl. Will the threat at receiver? Players to watch: RB Rodney Smith, Wildcats’ running game drop off without Jus- Coach’s quote: “This year could be fun.” — WR Tyler Johnson, DE , LB tin Jackson, who rushed for more than 1,000 14E Sunday, August 26, 2018 OSU BUCKEYES Lima News

2017 OHIO STATE OHIO STATE SCHEDULE STATISTICS Sept. 1 Oregon State noon PASSING YARDS Sept. 8 Rutgers -x 3:30 p.m. J.T. Barrett 3,053 Dwayne Haskins 565 Sept. 15 TCU at Arlington, Tex. 8 p.m. Joe Burrow 61

RUSHING YARDS Sept. 22 Tulane TBA J.K. Dobbins 1,403 J.T. Barrett 798 Sept. 29 at Penn State-x TBA Mike Weber 626 Antonio Williams 290 Oct. 6 Indiana-x 3:30 or 4 p.m. Parris Campbell 132 Oct. 13 Minnesota-x TBA RECEIVING YARDS K.J. Hill 549 Oct. 20 at Purdue-x TBA Parris Campbell 584 Johnny Dixon 422 Nov. 3 Nebraska-x TBA Binjimen Victor 349 Austin Mack 343 Nov. 10 at Michigan State-x TBA Marcus Baugh 304 Nov. 17 at Maryland-x TBA PASS RECEPTIONS K.J. Hill 56 Nov. 24 Michigan-x noon Parris Campbell 40 Terry McLaurin 29 x-Big Ten games Marcus Baugh 28 Austin Mack 24 Binjimen Victor 23

TACKLES AP PRESEASON TOP 25 Jerome Baker 72 Jordan Fuller 70 The Top 25 teams in The pre- Others receiving votes: South Carolina 96, Florida Damon Webb 61 season college football poll, with first-place votes in 68, Utah 60, Oklahoma St. 51, FAU 38, Arizona 28, 58 parentheses, records, total points based on 25 points NC State 22, Texas A&M 21, 18, Chris Worley 56 for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th- Northwestern 13, Kansas St. 10, Iowa St. 8, Houston Damon Arnette 44 place vote, and 2017 final ranking: 6, Memphis 3, Troy 2, Iowa 2, Kentucky 1, Arkansas Sam Hubbard 42 St. 1, Fresno St. 1. TACKLES FOR LOSS Record Pts Pv Nick Bosa 16.0 1. Alabama (42) 13-1 1505 1 Sam Hubbard 13.5 2. Clemson (18) 12-2 1476 4 Tyquan Lewis 9.5 3. Georgia 13-2 1350 2 Jerome Baker 8.0 4. Wisconsin (1) 13-1 1271 7 Chase Young 6.0 5. Ohio St. 12-2 1256 5 6. Washington 10-3 1215 16 SACKS 7. Oklahoma 12-2 1173 3 Nick Bosa 8.5 8. Miami 10-3 1027 13 Sam Hubbard 7.0 9. Auburn 10-4 1013 10 Tyquan Lewis 7.0 10. Penn St. 11-2 1012 8 Chase Young 3.5 11. Michigan St. 10-3 877 15 Jerome Baker 3.5 12. Notre Dame 10-3 804 11 13. Stanford 9-5 778 20 INTERCEPTIONS 14. Michigan 8-5 773 NR Damon Webb 5 15. Southern Cal 11-3 543 12 Denzel Ward 2 16. TCU 11-3 533 9 Jordan Fuller 2 17. West Virginia 7-6 511 NR Damon Arnette 2 18. Mississippi St. 9-4 450 19 19. Florida St. 7-6 384 NR FIELD GOALS 20. Virginia Tech 9-4 351 24 Sean Nuernberger 17/21 21. UCF 13-0 312 6 22. Boise St. 11-3 292 22 PUNTS 23. Texas 7-6 216 NR Don Speck l The Lima News 44.2 24. Oregon 7-6 148 NR Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins (2) tries to get out of the grasp 25. LSU 9-4 106 18 of Maryland defensive back , Jr. (25) during a game against the Terrapins last season in Ohio Stadium. Lima News OSU BUCKEYES Sunday, August 26, 2018 15E

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