OSU QB BRAXTON MILLER NAMED BIG TEN'S TOP FRESHMAN WEDNESDAY

Braxton Miller
TBT/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller has been named the 2011 Thompson-Randel El Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the conference announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The true freshman Miller — who turned 19 on Wednesday — totaled 1,692 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes this season, including team-highs in rushing yards (695) and rushing touchdowns (7).

WHEN IT COMES TO URBAN MEYER, BRAXTON MILLER IS HELEN OF TROY

Braxton Miller
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — During Urban Meyer's press conference on Monday evening in Columbus to announce his hiring as the new head football coach at Ohio State, I was patiently awaiting the old guy from the eHarmony commercials to come popping his head out from behind the small curtain on the right side of the stage.

Seriously, Neil Clark Warren — said "old guy" and founder of the aforementioned online dating site — totally missed out on a golden opportunity Monday evening inside the Fawcett Center because when Meyer was asked about his new (match) quarterback Braxton Miller, the coach's face lit up like a man who had truly found his soul mate.

URBAN MEYER HAS MADE A GOOD CHOICE COMING BACK TO OHIO STATE

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

COLUMBUS — It's officially official.

All the rumors, speculation and optimism surrounding the situation had come full circle as Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer entered his introductory press conference at the Fawcett Center on Monday evening.

With the ink on his six-year, $24 million contract still drying, there was a certain ora that gathered in the room when Meyer strolled in to take the stage as the face of Buckeye Nation. Sporting a smooth Buckeye tie and speaking with conviction and confidence, Meyer assured the college football world that Ohio State is back.

URBAN MEYER ANNOUNCED AS NEW HEAD COACH OF THE BUCKEYES

Urban Meyer was introduced as the new head football coach at Ohio State on Monday. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

COLUMBUS — It's no longer speculation ... Urban Meyer is the new head football coach at The Ohio State University.

The former Florida head coach and ESPN college football analyst was introduced to the media on Monday evening in Columbus and the new Buckeyes' boss spoke about a number of topics during the press conference including coming back to his home state of Ohio, his days as a graduate assistant at OSU under Earle Bruce and why he decided to take a year away from coaching following last season.

"It's great to come back to my home state, where I was born, where I met my wife," Meyer said. "I began my college coaching career here at Ohio State in 1987 working for hall of fame coach Earle Bruce. My relationship with him is extremely close, second only to my father ...

MEYER TO BE ANNOUNCED AS NEW HEAD COACH AT 5:15 P.M. MONDAY

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will hold a press conference Monday at 5:15 p.m. announcing the hiring of new head football coach Urban Meyer, the university confirmed.

The Buckeye Times will be on hand to provide coverage.

MEYER WILL BE NAMED HEAD COACH MONDAY, TO MEET WITH TEAM TODAY

Urban Meyer
(AP)

COLUMBUS — Urban Meyer will be announced as the new head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, an individual with inside knowledge of the situation told The Buckeye Times Sunday.

The former University of Florida head coach will meet with the team sometime today, according to the individual, and will be officially named as the new Buckeyes' mentor on Monday.

OHIO STATE'S REIGN OVER MICHIGAN COMES TO A HALT IN A 40-34 LOSS

Braxton Miller
TBT/Josh Stueve

ANN ARBOR, MI — The monkey has been surgically removed off the backs of the Michigan Wolverines, courtesy of Denard Robinson.

In the 108th meeting between the Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes, Robinson was flawless as the junior sliced up the Buckeye defense for 5 total touchdowns and 337 total yards (167 passing, 170 rushing). Robinson’s precision through the air — going 14-for-17 — helped push Michigan (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) over the hump in its first victory over Ohio State (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) since 2003, 40-34. 


The loss gives the Buckeyes their first non-winning season since 1999.

REGARDLESS OF RECORDS, 'THE GAME' SHOULD BE A CLASSIC

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Woody Hayes — the late, legendary Ohio State head football coach — always used to refer to rival Michigan as "that school up north."

Michigan first-year head coach Brady Hoke, in his own Hayes-like fashion, refuses to utter the words "Ohio State," choosing instead to refer to the Buckeyes as simply, "Ohio."

Does Hoke mistakingly think he's playing Ohio University? Or is he trying to make a statement in his first meeting as head coach against the hated Buckeyes?

MEYER TO BE NAMED OSU HEAD COACH, MAYBE AS EARLY AS SUNDAY

Urban Meyer (AP)

(Updated) COLUMBUS — Urban Meyer will be named the new head football coach at Ohio State — possibly as early as this Sunday — according to an individual with inside knowledge of the situation.

The individual stated via text message that the former University of Florida head coach has agreed in principle to become the new Buckeyes' mentor, and that the university will wait until sometime after its regular season finale Saturday at No. 15 Michigan to announce the news.

MICHIGAN WEEK: WOLVERINES FOUND THEIR 'MICHIGAN MAN' ... IN OHIO

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke
(AP Photo)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Former Michigan head football coach Rich Rodriguez never fully understood what it was like to be a 'Michigan Man.'

That's probably because he wasn't one.

Rodriguez — a native of West Virginia with zero ties to the program — tried to change the culture in Ann Arbor during his three seasons as the Wolverines' mentor. And what did it get him? A 15-22 overall record, three losses to rival Ohio State by an average margin of 25 points per game and a pink slip.

MEYER DENIES RUMORS ABOUT OSU JOB, BUT ADMITS HE'S INTERESTED

Urban Meyer (AP)

COLUMBUS — There have been many reports in recent days that former University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer has accepted a deal for the same position at Ohio State, beginning sometime soon after the regular season finale Saturday at Michigan.

Meyer, in an interview with the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, denied that the reports were true but did insinuate that if the position were to come open in Columbus — and he was offered the job — it would be a decision he would have to ponder deeply.

ANDREW SWEAT QUESTIONABLE FOR MICHIGAN, DOCTORS TO MAKE CALL

Andrew Sweat, right, and Luke Fickell
(The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State senior linebacker Andrew Sweat has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against Michigan, Buckeyes head coach Luke Fickell announced Monday.

Sweat, who is the Buckeyes leader in tackles this season with 68, missed Ohio State's game against Penn State over the weekend due to a concussion suffered during their trip to Purdue a week prior.

BUCKEYES LB RYAN SHAZIER NAMED BIG TEN'S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Ryan Shazier
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

(Updated) COLUMBUS — Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier has been named the Big Ten Conference's freshman of the week, the league announced Monday morning.

He is the second Buckeyes player this season to garner the award — quarterback Braxton Miller won it after leading Ohio State past Wisconsin in late-October.

The true freshman Shazier, who was making his first career start Saturday in place of injured senior Andrew Sweat, recorded 15 tackles in the 20-14 loss to the Nittany Lions.

FUMBLES, UNTIMELY PENALTIES DO IN BUCKEYES SATURDAY AGAINST PSU

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller fends off a Penn State tackler Saturday in Columbus. (The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell)

COLUMBUS — Repeated shots to the foot was determined as the cause of death for Ohio State on Saturday evening in Columbus.

Penalties, untimely fumbles and even some bad snaps from center did in the Buckeyes (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten) Saturday evening, while the visiting Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) held on to keep their conference title hopes alive by picking up their first win of the post-Joe Paterno era, 20-14.

GAME PREVIEW: DRAMA ASIDE, THERE'S STILL A GAME TO PLAY

COLUMBUS — This Saturday's game in Columbus between Ohio State and Penn State certainly won't be lacking in story lines.

Unfortunately, most of them will have nothing to do with personnel match ups or X's and O's, but rather happenings that have taken place off the gridiron.

The Buckeyes' off-field issues have been well documented over the past 12 months. A plethora of player suspensions — due to violating the NCAA's rule on receiving improper benefits — and the firing of head coach Jim Tressel for withholding information of said violations, have left the Buckeyes staring at possibly their worst season in more than a decade.

TWITTER QUESTION: HOW SHOULD SUSPENDED SENIORS BE RECEIVED?

Here is The Buckeye Times' Twitter question of the day for Wednesday, Nov. 16 ...

"If you're at the Ohio State-Penn State game Saturday in Columbus, how are you going to receive those seniors who were suspended when their names are announced: Cheer, boo, no response?"

Here are some answers from the tweeters ...

@J2Apparel

J-Squared Apparel

@TheBuckeyeTimes Gotta cheer them. Theyre still BUCKEYES!

TUESDAY ROUNDUP: FICKELL HOPES FANS PAY POSEY, SENIORS RESPECT

DeVier Posey
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — DeVier Posey hasn't played a down for the Ohio State football team since the Buckeyes' Sugar Bowl victory over Arkansas last January in New Orleans.

Posey's 10-game suspension by the NCAA — for receiving improper benefits — has been well publicized, and his return this Saturday against Penn State will certainly be no different.

BUCKEYES NOT BEING BUILT TO COME BACK IS THE FAULT OF THE BUILDER

Luke Fickell
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — "This team isn't built to be a team that comes from behind ... "

Those were the words uttered by Ohio State head football coach Luke Fickell following the Buckeyes upset loss at Purdue on Saturday afternoon.

It's a quote that has stuck in my head ever since it came rolling off Fickell's tongue two days ago.

It's a quote that speaks the truth ... and one which should spell doom for the head coach at Ohio State.

BRAXTON MILLER'S HEROICS NOT ENOUGH FOR BUCKEYES AT PURDUE

Braxton Miller nearly leads OSU
to victory over Purdue. (AP Photo)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Braxton Miller did it again.

Unfortunately for Ohio State, it wouldn't be enough this time around.

With 55 seconds remaining in the game, and the Buckeyes facing a fourth down at the Purdue 13-yard line, Miller rolled right, hurdled a defender and lobbed a perfect spiral off his back foot to tailback Jordan Hall in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown — just an extra point away from a second miracle victory in the last three weeks.

GAME PREVIEW: ROSS-ADE HASN'T BEEN NICE TO BUCKEYES LATELY

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Ohio State's last trip to Ross-Ade Stadium in 2009 wasn't a kind one for the Buckeyes.

Purdue — 1-5 coming into the contest — held Ohio State to just 66 yards rushing and forced five turnovers en route to upsetting the heavily-favored Buckeyes, 26-18.

Although he was just a co-defensive coordinator at that time, current Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell can still remember a thing or two about the embarrassing loss to the Boilermakers.

"I remember we had five turnovers, dropped a punt inside the 20 yard line. They hit a screen there to make it 26-7 or 23-7," Fickell recalled. "Do you want me to go through the whole game? I can remember every bad play that happened."

NCAA COMPLETES INVESTIGATION: OSU HIT WITH FAILURE TO MONITOR

COLUMBUS — Below is a statement sent to The Buckeye Times on Thursday afternoon by the Ohio State media relations department regarding the ongoing NCAA investigation of the Buckeyes football team ...

NOT ONE TEAR SHOULD BE SHED FOR JOE PATERNO, ONLY FOR THE VICTIMS

Joe Paterno outside his home in State College (Pa.) Wednesday night. (AP/Joe Hermitt)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — While watching Penn State students rally around Joe Paterno Wednesday night in State College (Pa.), I couldn't help but wonder how the rape victims and their families must have been feeling at that very moment.

I certainly cannot speak for any of them, but the emotions going through my mind and body were ones of disgust and anger.

PENN STATE HEAD COACH PATERNO SHOULD BE FIRED ... AT THE LEAST

Joe Paterno (AP File Photo)

Legendary Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno should be fired immediately.

He should not be allowed to retire.

TUESDAY ROUNDUP: BUCKEYES UNDERSTAND THEIR IDENTITY

Carlos Hyde
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — As the Ohio State Buckeyes hit the road this week to battle the Purdue Boilermakers, head coach Luke Fickell seems confident that his team has found its identity.

"I think we understand (our identity)," Fickell said at his weekly Tuesday press conference. "I think our guys have realized the things that we put in front of them, that it's the effort, the turnovers, the toughness side of things."

That identity Fickell is likely speaking of is a fierce running attack. The Buckeyes are fourth in the Big 10 in rushing yards, averaging a little more than 200 yards per contest. But since Dan "Boom" Herron's return from suspension in a win over Illinois, Ohio State has found a cozy comfort zone by running, running and running the football.

BUCKEYES-BOILERMAKERS TO KICK OFF AT NOON ON BIG TEN NETWORK

COLUMBUS — Ohio State's football game at Purdue will be a noon kickoff, according to the university.

The game will be played at Ross-Ade Stadium in West LaFayette (IN) and will be televised on the Big  Ten Network.

MILLER, BUCKEYES RUN PAST UPSET-MINDED HOOSIERS 34-20 SATURDAY

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller runs in a touchdown Saturday during the Buckeyes 34-20 win over Indiana. (The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell)

COLUMBUS — For the first three quarters of Saturday's game against Ohio State, underdog Indiana went toe-to-toe in the ring with the heavily-favored Buckeyes.

But it seemed whenever the Hoosiers would have the Buckeyes against the ropes ready to inflict punishment, Braxton Miller would deliver a bout-changing haymaker.

GAME PREVIEW: HOT BUCKEYES HOPE TO KEEP FOCUS VS. LOWLY HOOSIERS

COLUMBUS — Going into the past four contests for the Ohio State football team, they have had to handle some pretty tough demands.

They had to face Michigan State's stout front four, Nebraska's dynamic running attack, Illinois' multi-dimensional offense and the all-around greatness of Wisconsin. They narrowly failed to accomplish the first two, but rallied to become victorious against the latter pair.

This week against lowly Indiana (1-8, 0-5 Big Ten), the Buckeyes will have yet another difficult and unique task to tackle — handling success.

BUCKEYES SEASON CAN BE VIEWED AS THE 'YEAR OF THE YOUNGSTERS

(From L-R) Devin Smith and Braxton Miller
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — As we dive deeper into the college football season, it's become evident that the 2011 Ohio State Buckeyes may be defined as the 'Year of the Youngsters.'

In recent years, college football programs have leaned harder on underclassmen thanks to the win-now attitudes of most programs. Ohio State is no different as the Buckeyes have expected big things from freshmen in the past — Maurice Clarett, Terrelle Pryor, Chris "Beanie" Wells and Mike Brewster come directly to mind. The impact and expectations of young players have become so important to programs across the country that recruiting classes are often judged as soon as fall camp breaks.

OSU TAILBACK JAAMAL BERRY SUSPENDED FROM TEAM WEDNESDAY

Jaamal Berry
The Buckeye Times/Darla Dunkle-Hudnell

COLUMBUS — Ohio State junior tailback Jaamal Berry has been suspended from the team, the university announced in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

The statement read, "Junior running back Jaamal Berry, from Miami, Fla., has been suspended from the Ohio State University football team for violating the athletic department's student-athlete standards of conduct. Berry will remain suspended until charges against him have been resolved.

AP: ILLINOIS REP. BOBBY RUSH COMPARES THE NCAA TO THE MAFIA

Rep. Bobby Rush
AP Photo

Written below is a story published on Wednesday by the Associated Press in Washington ...

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic congressman compared the NCAA to the Mafia over how it controls the lives of student athletes.

"I think they're just one of the most vicious, most ruthless organizations ever created by mankind," Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush said of the NCAA at a congressional forum on college sports Tuesday. "I think you would compare the NCAA to Al Capone and to the Mafia."

TUESDAY ROUNDUP: FICKELL HOPES BUCKEYES CAN HANDLE PRAISE

Luke Fickell
AP/Jay LaPrete

COLUMBUS — Three weeks ago, many were wondering if the Ohio State football team would even become eligible to play in a bowl game this season after struggling to a 3-3 start.

Now those same folks are talking about a possible Big Ten championship for the Buckeyes.

That's what happens when you win two-straight games, including a victory for the ages over heavily-favored Wisconsin on Saturday night. That's what happens when your offense — which has been putrid for most of the season — scores 30 points in the second half and sees its true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller launch a game-winning touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the contest.