In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It is Men of the Scarlet and Gray’s semi-regular curated look at items that would interest the casual and hard-core Ohio State fan. These include news items, interesting blog posts and the occasional meme you’ve probably already seen. It’s all here and it’s all for you. Have a tip that should be included in the next ICYMI? Drop us a line at motsag@gmail.com or through our Contact Page.

It’s July 1st, which means there is only ONE FULL MONTH of no football. Can you take it anymore? So why not celebrate the proximity of the football season by starting off with a little basketball talk?

CRAFT AND ROSS: If you had told me that Aaron Craft declined a chance to be on the U.S. team that will play in the World University Games next month, I would replied with a, “Duh, it’s Aaron Craft.” But if the same was said about LaQuinton Ross, I may have given you a double take:

Craft was invited but declined, as did teammate LaQuinton Ross. Both are enrolled in summer classes, which might have been a factor in their decisions because certain classes they need to progress toward graduation are not offered as often now that Ohio State is on the semester system.

That’s probably unfair on my part toward LaQuinton, so I feel bad in retrospect. But I’ll make it up by saying I’m glad to see it’s not just Craft that is taking their schooling lightly. Ross will probably have a chance to go pro if he has a break-out season next year as a Junior. It’s refreshing to see him taking steps to continue his education.

ONE THOUSAND YARDS AND A CLOUD OF DUST: Tim May writes about Carlos Hyde’s quest to become the first 1,000 yard running back in an Urban Meyer offense:

As prolific as Meyer’s offenses have been at four schools in his 11 seasons as a head coach, none of his running backs ever has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season.

Sure, Braxton did it last year, but he’s a quarterback. You need, like, two of those to fill a halfback’s shoes.

Carlos Hyde recognizes that it’s not a birthright to be an Ohio State running back and deserve 1,000 yards. “I definitely feel that responsibility,” Hyde said. “Any running back at Ohio State should feel that responsibility.”

He also recognizes what it would mean to be the first to do it for Urban Meyer:

And for me to have a chance to be Coach Meyer’s first 1,000-yard rusher as a running back, that’s huge.

SPEAKING OF MEYER: He almost didn’t take the job at Bowling Green, because, well…

Then I had to make the hard phone call, that was to Coach Holtz. I said, ‘Coach, I got offered the job, but I’m not going to take it.’ He says, ‘What?’ I said, ‘I’m not going to take it.’ He says, ‘Why not?’ I said, ‘I don’t believe it’s a good job.’ He says, ‘Of course not. If it was a good job, you think they’d be calling you?’

BIG HANK TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: From video at the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

… we was supposed to be number one last year and you know they gone take that and run with it you know what i’m saying we gone win all our games and hopefully be in the national championship, where we supposed to have be in it last year

ALSO: First place sure feeeeeels nice. Take a breath between sentences, Brock. This is not good.