Football
Patterson Buckeyes Leading Chucker
By John Porentas

Troy Smith has nothing on David Patterson.

Smith is OSU's Wolverine Killer, and while he has done damage to the Wolverine cause with his feet, it is his arm that has been the real problem for Michigan. Smith chucked a pass to Anthony Gonzalez late in the game last season to turn the tide in the game. His passing numbers in two starts vs. the Wolverines are remarkable. In 2004 he completed 13-of-23 for 241 yards and a touchdown. In 2005, he went 27-for-37 for 300 yards and a score. Smith has chucked the football impressively, but he's an upstart when compared to Patterson when it comes to heaving.

Jay Richardson

"Dave probably won't tell you this, but he gets real nervous before games," began OSU defensive end Jay Richardson.

Patterson's nervousness manifests itself in the same way before every game.

"He has a history of throwing up, which early on it was kind of disgusting to me," laughed Richardson.

"David Patterson, he just gets so nervous before the games. I don’t know if it’s acid reflux or what it is, but he throws up before every game. Almost goes into convulsions," agreed defensive back Brandon Mitchell.

"We actually had a conversation about this last night about the dinner table here. If he played quarterback, we’d lose every game because he’s so nervous before the game. I don’t know what’s going on with him.

Brandon Mitchell

"His freshman year, when he went into the game he threw up on the ball," laughed Mitchell.

"I didn’t know what to expect. But now we’ve kind of gotten used to it so we know every week, Dave’s going to throw up."

Patterson's chucking has become a team tradition.

"If it doesn’t happen, we’re like hold on, Dave didn’t throw up. We must not be ready to play yet," said Mitchell.

"He’s loud with it, too. He’s gagging and everything. It’s bad. It’s really bad. But you get used to it. We’ve played together about 40 games now, so we’ve gotten used to it," Mitchell said.

"Every time he throws up now I like it because it kind of gets me pumped up a little bit. If Dave doesn't throw up before this game, Dave has a problem," added Richardson.

Patterson has no explanation for the behavior, but agrees his teammates have latched onto his problem as a team tradition.

"Since high school I get really nervous before games," Patterson said.

"At first it was weirding some guys out, but now they kind of like it for some reason. It kind of gets them pumped up. I’m not really sure what that’s about," said Patterson.

Patterson says the Buckeyes can count on him to perform this weekend.

David Patterson

"I will be pretty anxious for this game, the butterflies will come like they always do. It’s something I’ve learned to deal with. Sometimes I don’t think I’m ready to go unless I get nervous," said Patterson.

And when he gets nervous, he heads for the stall. With a big game like the one coming up on Saturday, you can count on him being there before kickoff.

"I’m sure it might be. I guess it’s just a mental thing," said Patterson.

"It’s not a purpose thing, I don’t plan to throw up. A lot of times I try to hold it down, but I just can’t. I’m pretty sure with a game like this, as it gets closer and closer to gametime my stomach will start turning and turning even more," said Patterson.

His teammates will be waiting, because until he does, they won't be quite sure they're ready to take the field. Patterson says that if that is his role, he's ready for the challenge, particularly for his linemate Richardson

"If it starts to come up, I’ll let it out for Jay," said Patterson.

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