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Saine working way back from injury

> What role do you think Brandon Saine will play for Ohio State this year?

Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Brandon Saine is expected to make a significant impact at Ohio State this season, but the sophomore running back from Piqua probably won't have a major role on offense in the opener against Youngstown State on Saturday.

Saine suffered a pulled hamstring in preseason camp and has been limited in practice. Although he's listed as the No. 1 kick returner on the team's depth chart this week, he wasn't listed among the Buckeyes' top three tailbacks.

"The trainers said today they felt he was like 95 to 100 percent," OSU coach Jim Tressel said at his weekly media luncheon in Columbus on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

"And sometimes with those injuries, right when they're starting to feel better, it's dangerous. Last week was that week, so we tried to keep him from overdoing it."

Saine was named the team's top offensive newcomer last year and has flashed some of his past form when he's been cleared to practice.

"He made a nice play in a live situation (last week), which shows the explosion that we all enjoy seeing him have, so I think Brandon will be fine," Tressel said. "He's missed practice time and practice is critical, but he's going to be able to ease his way back into it."

Redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman is listed as the No. 2 quarterback, ahead of ballyhooed freshman Terrelle Pryor, but both are expected to see action in the first game.

The Dayton area has eight players on OSU's two-deep depth chart, including six first-stringers.

Dayton Connection

Ohio State has six starters and two backups from the Dayton area, not counting injured running back Brandon Saine:

Starters

QB — Todd Boeckman, sr. St. Henry

G — Ben Person, sr. Xenia

DT — Todd Denlinger, jr. Troy

LB — Marcus Freeman, sr. Wayne

LB — Ross Homan, so. Coldwater

S — Kurt Coleman, jr. Northmont

Backups

TE — Jake Ballard, jr. Springboro

LB — Austin Spitler, jr. Bellbrook

BTN on 78

The Big Ten Network and Time Warner Cable have agreed on terms that clear the way for the channel to be carried on expanded basic cable. Some specifics:

Channel: The Big Ten Network will be on channel 78 in the Dayton area.

Launch: The BTN will be on the air in Dayton on Thursday.

Mark it down: Ohio State hosts Youngstown State at noon Saturday. The game will be televised by the BTN.

> What role do you think Brandon Saine will play for Ohio State this year?

Comments

By Buck Fan

August 27, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

10,000 comedians out of work…and we have null.

By null

August 27, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

I OWE… (Isn’t that the battle cry of Ohioans these days?!?!

By Jason Lee

August 27, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I think, even though he’s a little banged up right now, he’ll still have a large role for the Buckeyes this season. I remember watching the guy run track for Piqua in high school, and he was untouchable. Yeah, these college guys are faster, but he’s still ridiculous. He’s a great returner and a good running back as well.

O-H…!!!!