Sports feeds
E-mail sports alerts
DDN sports mobile
Sports TwitterWorking on their night moves
Buckeyes adjusting to their increasing prime-time exposure.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Ohio State junior tailback Maurice Wells considers himself a college football fan, which is why he likes playing in night games.
Although he has to deal with some nervous anticipation all day, Wells and the rest of the Buckeyes have few conflicts keeping them from seeing their peers in action.
Extras
"It gets us amped up and ready to go play our game," Wells said. "I definitely like to watch other games."
The Buckeyes will have more free afternoons than ever this season to do just that. They'll play three night games for the first time in their history, all in the next five weeks.
Positives, negatives
After facing Minnesota at 8 p.m. tonight on ESPN2, they'll play in prime time next week at Purdue on ABC and Oct. 27 at Penn State (probably on ABC or ESPN).
To prepare for nocturnal affairs, the Buckeyes typically begin their day with a 10:30 a.m. breakfast, followed by some brief meetings. After putting the finishing touches on their game plan with a quick walk-through at the stadium, they gather again for a pregame meal at the team hotel four hours before kickoff.
Coach Jim Tressel has found that crafting an itinerary for road night games takes some effort.
"You've got to design a schedule where you don't wear the kids out with meetings and walk-throughs," he said. "But on the other hand, you don't want them sitting around and getting a lethargic feel.
"The good thing about those evening games is the kids get good exposure, and the whole country, in many cases, has a chance to view their games. You have to look at the positive parts of it. But you also have to understand the challenges leading up to the game and the challenges after the game when you're arriving home at 4 a.m. (on Sunday)."
Staying calm
The Buckeyes had lost four straight regular-season night games before a couple of breakthrough performances on the road last season. They beat Texas in a much-anticipated No. 1 vs. 2 matchup and three weeks later knocked off 13th-ranked Iowa.
Sophomore safety Anderson Russell, who started both games, said he managed to stay calm against the Longhorns despite the hype, but he didn't fare quite as well while facing the Hawkeyes in rocking Kinnick Stadium.
"I actually was kind of nervous coming into Iowa," he said. "I guess it was being young and hearing all the stuff about their fans, how they're real close to the field. But you can't worry about that stuff. That's something I've learned."
The Buckeyes probably won't have to worry about a raucous atmosphere against the Gophers, who play in the cavernous Metrodome. They've drawn an average of just 47,373 fans this season, about 17,000 short of capacity. And there's no doubt that many OSU fans will make the road trip.
Wells remembers playing before a relatively docile crowd in the dome two years ago when Buckeyes prevailed 45-31.
"It wasn't packed out, and there wasn't a lot of people there," he said. "It wasn't like Penn State (in 2005). They did the 'white-out,' and fans got into it, and the students were going crazy. It was a different atmosphere at Penn State.
"But I'm sure Minnesota fans will be into it, too. They're trying to have a successful season."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or
dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Today's game
Who: No. 8 Ohio State (4-0) at Minnesota (1-3)
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Metrodome
TV/Radio: ESPN2, WING-AM 1410
Series: OSU leads 39-7
Serious defense: The Buckeyes held their first four opponents to a combined 29 points, marking the lowest total points allowed through four games since 1973. That season, Ohio State began play by beating Minnesota 56-7, TCU 37-3, Washington State 27-3 and Wisconsin 24-0.
Next week: The Buckeyes face what looks like their first stern Big Ten test at Purdue, 8 p.m. Oct. 6.
| 10/6 | Northwestern | W, 38-20 | |
| 11/3 | at Minnesota | W, 31-28 | |
| 2002 | |||
| 10/5 | at Northwestern | W, 27-16 | |
| 2003 | |||
| 8/30 | Washington | W, 28-9 | |
| 10/11 | at Wisconsin | L, 17-10 | |
| 2004 | |||
| 10/2 | at Northwestern | L, 33-27, OT | |
| 2005 | |||
| 9/10 | Texas | L, 25-22 | |
| 10/8 | at Penn State | L, 17-10 | |
| 2006 | |||
| 9/9 | at Texas | W, 24-7 | |
| 9/30 | at Iowa | W, 38-17 | |
