Yesterday's News and Notes

June 19, 2005 4:30 PM

Football: Check out the-Ozone's photos from the North-South All Star game, now on Columns and Features.

June 19, 2005 1:15 AM

Football: In a game full of big names and big stars, a little guy stood out head-and-shoulders above the rest. Check out the-Ozone report on the North-South All-Star game now on Columns and Features.

June 17, 2005 4:50 PM

Football: The North - South All-Star game will take place on Saturday, and the teams have been in camp for a week in preparation. That's plenty of time for a player or players to stand out to the coaches and other players in camp. Check out our report on who is looking good in the North - South camp on Columns and Features.

June 16, 2005 11:15 PM

Men's Basketball: Jim Davidson's photos from the first night of the Worthington Summer League are now on Columns and Features.

June 16, 2005 10:45 PM

Men's Basketball: It was the first night for the Worthington Summer League tonight, and it was the first time back in action in a game setting for OSU transfer Ron Lewis, and Lewis definitely made his presence felt. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

June 16, 2005 6:00 PM

Football: Over 3,900 campers are expected to participate in the Ohio State football camp this summer, but over the last two days, just 255 have been on hand. That's because the first two days of camp are limited to kickers and long snappers. Check out our report on Columns and Features.

June 16, 2005 5:25 PM

Men's Basketball: The camp season is officially under way at Ohio State, and one of the first camps held was the position camp for boys by the men's basketball program. Check out our report on Columns and Features.

June 15, 2005 4:30 PM

OSU Athletics: Mike Nugent and Stacey Gordon have been named as Ohio State Athletes of the Year. The two will now represent Ohio State at the Big Ten for the Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year and the Suzy Favor Female Athlete of the Year annuals awards, respectively. The winners will be announced later this summer.

Mike Nugent Photo by Jim Davidson

Nugent is the all-time leading scorer for Ohio State Football with 356 points. He earned first team All-American honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers and Walter Camp teams. He won the 2004 Lou Groza Award, which is given annually to the nation's best kicker. Nugent was selected first team All-Big Ten and was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week three times. He is the owner of 22 school records, including career field goals (72), games with multiple field goals (20), most field goals in a bowl game (four), single-season field goals of more than 50 yards (five) and he tied the record for the longest field goal in Ohio Stadium (55 yards). Nugent was voted by his teammates as Ohio State's 2004 Most Valuable Player, which is the first time in the history of the program a kicker has had that honor. He also was named a co-captain.

Gordon was named the ASICS/Volleyball Magazine 2004 National Player of the Year and 2004 American Volleyball Coaches Association Co-National Player of the Year as well as the Big Ten Player of the Year. She is Ohio State's only four-time All American. Gordon set the NCAA season record for kill per game with 7.08 in 2004, as well as the Big Ten records for season and career kills.

June 14, 2005 11:55 PM

Football: The Bottom Line: That's what OSU Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Al Johnson calls the summer conditioning program at Ohio State. That program starts next week, and as in past years, Johnson has a few surprises planned for the Buckeyes. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

Butch Reynolds Photo by Jim Davidson June 14, 2005 11:30 PM Football: Do you ever feel the need, the need for speed? Ohio State Head Football Coach Jim Tressel does, so Tressel has hired former OSU track athlete and Olympic sprinter Butch Reynolds as a strength and conditioning coach for the OSU football program. Reynolds will try to help the Buckeyes get faster, but his job will encompass more than just speed work. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

Ohio State bound players in the North South All-Star Game. Photo by Jim Davidson June 13, 2005 5:30 PM Football: The Annual North-South game will be played this Friday, and there will be nine future Buckeyes in action when the teams take the field, including one that nobody knew about until today. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

June 13, 2005 11:40 AM

OSU Athletics: It's summer, and that means that it's the camping season in Columbus, but before you pack your pup tent and trail mix, think again, because we're not talking about a wilderness experience at camp Wapatangushi here. Nor are we talking Winnebagos, KOA sites, and miles of highway. We're talking camps, as in sports camps at Ohio State. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

June 11, 2005 1:00 AM

Football: The Victory Bell will ring in Ohio Stadium soon, despite the fact that there won't be any football played there until next fall. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

June 9, 2005 12:40 PM

OSU Sports: Finals Week, The Draft, a Lambeau Outing, a Final Final, On Tour, and a High Handicap; they're all covered in the-Ozone Note and Quotebook now on Columns and Features.

June 8, 2005 11:45 PM

Men's Hockey: The Ohio State Athletic Department today announced the 05-06 Men's Hockey schedule. Several dates of interest in the upcoming schedule include a series at 2005 Frozen Four participant Colorado College on Oct. 14-15, and a match against the Wisconsin Badger on the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field on Feb. 11 (watch the-Ozone for more info on the Wisconsin game).

Another interesting change is the adjustment to the CCHA Tournament. Gone is the much maligned "Super-6" format, in favor of a four-team final weekend. All 12 teams still take part in the tournament, but it is now stretches over three weekends instead of two. The top four teams will have a bye during week one, while seeds 5-8 will host seeds 9-12 in best-of-three series. The winners will meet the top four seeds in best-of-three series the following week, with the winners of those series meeting in Detroit for the CCHA Championship.

2005-2006 Men's Hockey Schedule

June 8, 2005 10:20 AM

Men's Basketball: Shooting guard and junior college transfer Sylvester Mayes, 6-8 forward Brandon Bell, and perimeter player Ron Lewis.

Those three will provide an influx of talent for the OSU basketball program next season, and if you're waiting on needles and pins to see them in action, you're in luck, because you don't have to wait until next basketball season.

Those three, along with most of the entire OSU roster, will be in action in the Worthington Summer League when action begins this summer on June 16. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

June 7, 2005 7:45 PM

Football: Ohio State track star Butch Reynolds, who in 1988 set the world record in the 400-meter dash and then went on to compete in three Olympic Games, is returning to his alma mater as a member of Jim Tressel's football staff.

Reynolds will be part of the Buckeyes' strength and conditioning staff and will specialize in speed training and nutrition. He fills the vacancy created by the departure of assistant strength and conditioning coach Mike Cochran who recently accepted the head position at Marshall .   

 "We feel very fortunate to have one of the finest athletes in the history of Ohio State back at his alma mater," said Tressel. "More and more in college football, speed is the element that separates the good teams from the great teams. We have good speed on this team. I believe Butch can help us become a team with great speed. His knowledge and expertise will benefit all of our players.

 "One of the things that impressed me most during his interview was his passion for Ohio State . He really wants to be here."         

Reynolds, who presently lives in his hometown of Akron where he works as a personal trainer, will start his new job June 13.          

"I am excited to be working with Coach Tressel and the Ohio State football team," said Reynolds.

"The chance to return to Columbus and again be part of the university was an easy choice for me.  

"My goal will be to enhance the speed, agility, mobility and endurance of each and every player through a combination of speed training, aerobics and nutrition. I can't wait to get started. Just the thought of running out of the tunnel the first time has me really excited."          

June 6, 2005 10:45 AM

The-Ozone Announcement:

Hubba, Hubba, Hubba!

If you missed out on starting your bobble head collection, or if you are missing a few players, the OSU team shop has a deal for you.

The Team Shop is offering this nine-piece bobble head collection at an incredibly low price of $84.95 for all of them. Originally a $240.00 value, this is an incredible deal.

The group includes eight 10-inch bobbles and one eight-inch. The 10-inch group includes Will Smith, Chris Gamble, Tim Anderson, Craig Krenzel, Will Allen, Alex Stepanovich, Ben Hartsock and Michael Jenkins. A replica of the 2002 national championship ring is in the pedestal for each player.

Also included in the group in an eight-inch Jim Tressel bobble. Jim is decked out in his game-day gray sweater-vest.

Check it out at the Team Shop.

June 6, 2005 12:30 AM PDT (Corvallis, Or.)

Baseball: Jim Davidson's photos from the NCAA tournament loss to St. John's are now on Columns and Features.

June 5, 2005 8:35 PM

Baseball: The Buckeyes ran into a buzz-saw in the person of St. John's right-handed pitcher Anthony Sullivan who ended OSU's season with a masterful six-hit pitching performance against the Buckeyes in the Corvallis regional of the NCAA tournament. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

Box Score

June 5, 2005 6:35 PM

Baseball: Ohio State was defeated by St. John's 7-1 in an elimination game in the Corvallis region of the NCAA tournament, bringing to an end the Buckeyes' season.

Two Buckeye errors led to three unearned runs, but it was the lack of hitting that undid the Buckeyes. Ohio State managed just six hits against St. John's starter Anthony Sullivan. Sullivan went all the way for the win.

Ohio State ends the season with a 40-20 record.

Complete game story and photos to follow.

June 5, 2005 1:00 AM PDT (Corvallis, Or.)

Baseball: Jim Davidson's photos from the NCAA tournament victory over Virginia are now on Columns and Features.

June 4, 2005 9:15 PM

Baseball: The Buckeyes got one of their best pitching performances of the year and two clutch hits from a pair of true freshmen to defeat Virginia 2-1 and remain alive in NCAA regional play. Read all about it on Columns and Features.

Box Score

June 4, 2005 6:15 PM

Baseball:

Buckeyes Win to Stay Alive in NCAA Regional!

Ohio State freshman catcher Eric Fryer delivered a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to drive in the winning run and power Ohio State to a 2-1 win over Virginia in an elimination game in the Corvallis regional.

Ohio State sophomore right-handed pitcher Dan DeLucia went all the way for the Buckeyes, allowing just four hits. DeLucia is now 6-5 on the season.

Virginia ends its season with a final record of 41-20. Ohio State now stands at 40-19.

The Buckeyes will play another elimination game tomorrow when they meet the loser of the Oregon State vs. St. John's game to be played later today in Corvallis.

Complete game story and game photos to follow.

June 4, 2005 12:00 AM PDT (Corvallis, Or.)

Baseball: Jim Davidson's photos from the first-round NCAA loss to Oregon State are now on Columns and Features.

June 4, 2005 1:15 AM

Baseball: The-Ozone recap of Ohio State's heartbreaking loss to Oregon State is now on Columns and Features.

Box Score

June 3, 2005 10:30 PM

Baseball: The Buckeyes lost a heart-breaker tonight in Corvallis, Oregon, on a ninth-inning walk-off home run by Oregon State third baseman Shea McFeely to give the No. 2 Beavers a hard-fought 4-3 win over Ohio State.

Leading 3-2, Ohio State left the bases loaded in the eighth. Oregon State then tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Ohio State went quietly in the ninth, then McFeely ended it on the first pitch of the game from OSU reliever Rory Meister. Meister has now allowed two home runs on his last two pitches, one in a ninth inning loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament and the one tonight to McFeely.

Mike Madsen went eight full innings for Ohio State, allowing three runs on eight hits. Madsen struck out five and walked three.

Ohio State will play Virginia tomorrow in an elimination game at 4:05 EDT. Oregon State advances to play St. John's in the winner's bracket in the second game.

Game story and game photos to follow.

June 2, 2005 12:40 PM

Baseball: Small-ball. No, it's not a reject baseball that didn't measure up, nor is it a small rendition of a formal dance affair.

Small-ball is a style of play that doesn't rely on power at the plate, but rather relies on speed, strategy, and execution, and all four of the teams participating in the Corvallis regional this weekend will be using small-ball as a big part of their offense. Check out the-Ozone report on small-ball now on Columns and Features.

June 1, 2005 10:20 AM

Baseball: It's baseball, and the numbers reveal all.

We took a look at the numbers for the teams in the Corvallis region of the NCAA tournament and the conclusion is inescapable, this will be the world headquarters for small-ball, the art of producing runs without the aid of a lot of home run power. Check out our look at the numbers in Corvallis on Columns and Features.

May 30, 2005 1:30 PM

Baseball: The Buckeyes are heading West!

The NCAA pairings have been announced and the Buckeyes are headed West to Corvallis, Oregon where they will play in a regional hosted by Oregon State. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

May 30, 2005 1:15 AM

Baseball: After suffering a heartbreaking, last-inning loss the night before, the Buckeyes left absolutely nothing to chance in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament, crushing Minnesota by a final score of 14-6. Check out the complete story on Columns and Features.

May 29, 2005 3:30 PM CDT (Champaign, Ill)

Baseball: The Buckeyes defeated the Minnesota Gophers by the score of 14-6 in the final game of the Big Ten Tournament to win the championship and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Senior outfielder Steve Caravati earned Big Ten Tournament MVP honors for his outstanding play, while several other Buckeyes earned a place on the all tournament team. Caravati also set several tournament batting records on his way to MVP recognition.

The Buckeyes will continue play next week at a yet-to-be-determined location in the NCAA Tournament.

The-Ozone's coverage will continue tonight with a recap of the game, full stats and comprehensive photo coverage, when the crew returns to Columbus from Champaign.

May 29, 2005 3:45 AM CDT (Champaign, Ill)

Baseball: The-Ozone recap of the OSU loss to Minnesota is now on Columns and Features.

May 28, 2005 11:15 PM CDT (Champaign, Ill.)

Baseball: The Buckeyes were one strike away from a Big Ten tournament title, and didn't quite get there.

The Buckeyes took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning with ace reliever Cory Meister on the mound. Meister retired the first two Gophers he faced in the ninth and had his team one out from the tournament championship, but issued a walk to center fielder Tony Leseman bring up second baseman Joe Maciej. With the count 3-2, Maciej hit the ball over the right field fence for a walk-off home run giving Minnesota the 4-3 win and forcing one more game in the tournament.

The two teams will meet tomorrow at 12:05 CDT to determine the Big Ten tournament champion and Big Ten automatic NCAA bid.

All of Minnesota's runs came on home runs in the game. Shortstop Matt Fornasiere and first baseman Andy Hunter each hit solo homers in the sixth inning off OSU starter Cory Luebke to cut a 3-0OSU lead to 3-2. Luebke went seven full innings. Meister retired the Gophers without damage in the eighth before giving up the game winner in the ninth.

Complete game story and photos to follow.

May 28, 2005 6:15 AM CDT (Champaign, Ill.)

Baseball: The-Ozone recap of OSU's huge win over Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament is now on Columns and Features.

Box Score

Updated Tournament Brackets

May 27, 2005 11:55 PM CDT (Champaign, Ill.)

Baseball:

Buckeyes Advance to Tournament Final!

The Buckeyes erupted for nine runs in the seventh inning to break open what had been a tight game and went on to defeat Minnesota by a final of 15-6.

With the win, OSU is the lone remaining undefeated team in the double-elimination Big Ten tournament and will finish no worse than second.

Minnesota and Purdue are the other remaining teams in the tourney and will meet tomorrow in the first game of the day at 3:35 CDT. The winner of that game earns the right to meet the Buckeyes in the tournament championship game scheduled for 7:05 PM CDT.

OSU can claim the tournament championship, and automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, with a win. For either Minnesota or Purdue to claim the tournament championship, they would have to beat OSU twice. If OSU loses tomorrow, a final game will be played on Sunday.

OSU senior left hander Trent Luyster pitched a complete game in picking up the win over the Gophers. Ohio State pounded out 18 hits in the game.

Complete game story, player comments, game photos, and updated tournament brackets to follow.

May 27, 2005 12:25 PM CDT (Champaign, Ill.)

Baseball: If it were a bible story, the Big Ten tournament would be reason for worry, because so far the tournament is definitely a case of the bad seed triumphing over the good seed.

The top two seeds, Illinois and Purdue, or a combined 0-2 and now fighting for their tournament lives. The bottom two seeds, Ohio State and Minnesota, are now a combined 4-0 and at least one of those teams will reach the tournament championship game. Check out the complete story on the bracket-busting going in the Big Ten baseball tournament now on Columns and Features.

May 27, 2005 1:30 AM CDT (Champaign, Ill.)

Baseball: The Buckeyes are hot, and proved in on Thursday by winning their second straight game in the Big Ten tournament to remain undefeated in that tournament. OSU has now won 15-of-its-last-17 against Big Ten competition and five-in-a-row against league rivals. The latest win came at the expense of No. 2 seed Purdue and has put the Buckeyes in great position in the tournament. Check out the complete Columns and Features.

Box Score

Tournament Brackets

May 26, 2005 7:55 PM CST -(Champaign, Ill.)

They Did It Again! Jedidiah Stephen celebrates with Steve Caravati in left field following Caravati's spectacular catch for the last out of the game. Photo by Jim Davidson The Buckeyes scored the winning run in the ninth inning to stay undefeated in the Big Ten tournament with a 6-5 win over No. 2 Seed Purdue. Senior center fielder Mike Rabin put the Buckeyes up 3-0 in the first inning with a three-run home run, his second homer of the season and just the fourth of his career. Fellow senior Steve Caravati collected four hits in five at bats, but it was Caravati's glove that saved the day for the Buckeyes. With a runner on third and two outs in the last of the ninth, Caravati made a spectacular diving catch in left field on a smash off the bat of Purdue shortstop Mitch Hilligoss. The catch prevented the tying run from scoring and ended the game. Designated hitter Wes Schirtzinger drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the ninth with two runners aboard. Senior right hander Mike Madsen the distance for the complete-game victory for OSU. Complete game story, box score, game photos and updated tournament brackets to follow.

May 26, 2005 12:45 AM

Football: Ohio State has instituted a new, more aggressive drug testing and enforcement for the entire athletic department. In light of some recent off-field problems with football players relating to drug and alcohol, OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel and selected players met with the media to discuss whether there is a drug and alcohol problem on the football team. Check out the-Ozone report on Columns and Features.

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