DaytonDailyNews.com

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Ohio State defensive players were already jacked up about their encounter with Javon Ringer, but they became even more juiced after a few snippets of a Ringer interview were relayed to them before hitting the field.

On ESPN's "College GameDay" show, the Dayton native reportedly talked about wanting to beat the Buckeyes by four or five touchdowns and showing folks back in Ohio how the Spartans have blossomed.

While those comments may seem innocent enough, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit questioned Ringer's judgment on the air, wondering why the player would say anything that might incite the Buckeyes.

And OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock certainly made sure his unit knew what the nation's leading rusher was thinking, giving a coach's spin on the interview in a final pregame huddle.

"It's always good to get some bulletin-board news that can really motivate a team," defensive lineman Rob Rose said. "I think it was just sinking in to everybody like, wow, we've got to step up and take this challenge."

Cornerback Donald Washington also was offended.

"When someone says what they're going to do to our defense ... we took that to heart and it gave us a little more motivation," Washington said. "That means (he thinks) they're going to score more than four touchdowns on our defense, and we take pride in not letting that happen."

The Buckeyes held Ringer to 67 rushing yards on 16 attempts — both season lows — and they repeatedly blew up screen plays and swing passes, allowing only another 16 yards on six receptions in their 45-7 victory.

The 5-foot-9, 202-pound senior went into the game first in the nation in touchdowns with 14, but he'll end his career without having notched a TD, a 100-yard game or a victory against his home-state Buckeyes.

"It's very frustrating," Ringer said. "I didn't want to go my whole college career without beating a specific opponent — Ohio State being one of them — but I'll learn from it. I won't dwell on this. Congrats to Ohio State, but I won't be carrying this with me much.

"Yeah, it does hurt — I don't want to belittle it — but next week we've got Michigan. That speaks for itself."

Ringer was named a midseason All-American by CBSSports.com, collegefootballnews.com and sportsillustrated.com. And Michigan State also launched a Web site this week touting him as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

While that campaign has temporarily stalled, some Buckeyes expressed relief over not having to grapple with the Chaminade-Julienne High School grad again.

"He's a talented football player, and he's a hard worker," linebacker Marcus Freeman said. "What he lacks in size, he makes up for in heart.

"We had a good game plan. We were in the right place at the right time. But Javon is a great player."

Eugene and Darlene Ringer, the player's parents, didn't get the showing from their son they had hoped to see against the Buckeyes, but they don't measure Javon by how he does in football.

"I'm proud of the way he carries himself and conducts himself," said Eugene Ringer, who pastors Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in Dayton. "I'd be proud of him even if he didn't play football."

Eugene believe his son is resilient enough to put the disappointment behind him.

"He'll be all right," Eugene Ringer said. "He doesn't like to lose. None of us like to lose. But he'll come back next week.

"I've taught Javon he can come back from anything. That's been proven out."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@coxohio.com

Ringer's game-by-game rushing totals