DaytonDailyNews.com

Unlike last week, when he wheeled and walked away from reporters when grilled about wide receiver Ray Small's playing time, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel kept his cool Tuesday, Nov. 11, when asked a question about the in-the-doghouse player.

Asked if he minded addressing Small's availability or lack thereof for the game at Illinois on Saturday, Tressel said tersely, "Lack thereof."

Last week, Small's father, Ken Small, blasted Tressel for benching his son, who was the team's second-leading receiver and top punt returner. Ken Small said Ohio State players have been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and trying to pick up a prostitute. Those players were not benched, he said, yet his son was suspended, apparently for not going to classes and meetings and for several other minor wrongs.

Tressel said he had not slammed the door shut on Ray Small.

Tough adjustment

Former Ohio State offensive lineman T.J. Downing was arrested Sunday in suburban Grandview Heights and charged with felony drug abuse, trafficking and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.

"Those things hurt," Tressel said. "I haven't had a chance to talk with him. ... But any time you hear of something as disappointing, even if it's alleged, as that, it puts a knot in your stomach."

Tressel said it's a difficult transition going from college football star, to potential pro, to finding your way in the world like everyone else just a short time later. Downing had been cut by the Arizona Cardinals in 2007.

"I don't want to get on the pulpit, but there's a big difference between what you do and who you are," Tressel said. "Sometimes, I hate to say it, because all the aunts and uncles and everyone else telling us we're out of this world, we start thinking that what we do is what gives us our value. We've just got to keep working on helping ourselves understand that it's who we are that really is important."

— Rusty Miller, Associated Press