Archives for July 2013

The Spartans started last season ranked 13th in the nation in both the AP and Coaches Poll, presumably based on the strength of their defense and expectations for running back Le’Veon Bell with the only question being the status of quarterback following Kirk Cousin’s departure. If in fact that was what the pollsters had in mind, they were spot on. The Spartans’ ranked fourth in the nation in total defense at season’s end and Bell finished the season with 1793 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, while the offense was 110th nation in scoring offense (despite ranking third in the nation in time of possession per game). William Gholston was the emotional leader of the Spartans’ defense last season, but he’s left for the NFL (drafted in the fourth round by Tampa Bay). This year, it’s up to last year’s leader in tackles, Max Bullough, to take the reigns of the defense and lead it through a favorable conference schedule that dodges Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin while facing the rival Wolverines at home.

Bullough was a first-team All Big Ten selection at linebacker last season and was sixth in the conference in tackles. Bullough is a middle linebacker who is ready to take over this defense and he has the bloodlines to do so as both his father (Shane) and uncle (Chuck) were Spartans middle linebackers and his grandfather (Hank) started it all by playing guard for the Spartans in the fifties. [Note: Max’s younger brother Riley could be a two-way player (RB/LB) for the Spartans this season and even younger brother Byron is a linebacker commitment for 2014]

Spartans fans should be excited about their defense again this season and should look for Bullough to exceed his tackles total (110) from last year playing behind a solid defensive line led by Shilique Calhoun and a mostly veteran secondary led by Darqueze Dennard. Expect a Bullough-led Spartans defense to once again do its part in giving MSU a chance in every game behind the leadership and toughness of Bullough this season.

He’s not the Big Ten linebacker with the most “upside”, but don’t be surprised if he’s a first-team All Big Ten selection again.

Previously on MotSaG’s Best of the B1G
#25 Andrew Norwell
#24 Chris Borland

Another day, another Award Watchlist released today:

Davey O’Brien Award (Best College Quarterback)
Braxton Miller, QB

The last Ohio State Buckeye to win the Davey O’Brien Award was 2006 Heisman Trophy Winner, Troy Smith.

Previous Watchlists:
Award Watchlist Watch: Outland, Nagurski, Maxwell, Bednarik, Rimington, and Mackey
Award Watchlist Watch: Butkus, Thorpe, and Lombardi
Award Watchlist Watch: Biletnikoff

I recently read an article or a comment on an article about how naive Buckeye fans are to hold disgraced figures of the Ohio State history in high regard. Now I’m sorry I don’t have a link to said article because my memory has failed me on which one it was. This article apparently stuck into my subconscious and came rushing out with a story idea this morning while pouring a cup of coffee.

Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Gordon Gee all have been iconic Buckeye figures and will always be to us. Most of us know the mistakes that each man made but we will give a brief review of each. Woody had a very volatile temper having punched reporters, shoved camera men, the tantrum in the 1971 Michigan game and last but not least his undoing the infamous punch to the throat of Charlie Bauman in the 1978 Gator Bowl. Jim Tressel had Tattoo gate and Gordan Gee with his slips of the tongue.

Each man had a fall from grace which is unfortunate with how revered they all were. People from around the nation look at them differently than us Buckeye fans. Saying each man was a disgrace and disappointment to college athletics. In some regards yes they were a disappointment to Ohio State fans and alumni for the fact they never had the chance to leave gracefully. On paper to people who did not know these gentleman it did look disgraceful.

The Ohio State University holds each of these men in high regard because each and every fan understands one thing. These gentleman are human beings and human beings make mistakes. Some larger than others just because of the scale of notoriety being a leader for one of the largest universities in the nation. We understand that while their mistakes were major it did not define the men they were. Hayes, Tressel, and Gee were dedicated to helping shape young people’s lives and they were successful in doing that. All three were also successful in donating and raising money to help build the university into what it is today. The Ohio State University is one of the top universities in the nation because these three men had a integral part in helping shape its future.

We fans and alumni respect and honor the positive things each man did in their own right. We remember the mistakes that were made but we also know that every human has made mistakes. Buckeye Nation isn’t like the rest of the nation in letting a persons mistakes define him. Buckeye Nation defines a person on the positive influence he or she makes.

Wisconsin’s Chris Borland has dealt with numerous injuries over his career but that has not stopped the 5”11 250 lbs linebacker from our own backyard in Kettering, Ohio from doing remarkable things in his career. He has been knocked by NFL scouts who say he is not tall enough or fast enough, but he continues to prove everyone wrong by constantly making plays and being dominant in the middle of the stingy badger defense. He has been arguably the best linebacker in the Big Ten for multiple years now when he has been healthy, however he seems to go unnoticed because his style is not the flashiest. Borland rarely plays out of position which is why he has always been the leader of their defense even since he was a freshman.

Here at MotSag we have Borland ranked at # 24 which I personally feel is very low, considering how he has excelled at everything his coaches have asked him to do in their scheme. To me there is no better-run stopper at linebacker in the Big Ten due to the fact he always fills the right hole and he is strong enough to disengage blocks from quite a few offensive lineman. He has a knack for punching the ball loose, in his career at Wisconsin he has forced a total of 13 fumbles, which is one shy of setting both a Big Ten and FBS record of 14 forced fumbles. Borland is on the Bednark watch list for the second straight season. He also finished with the honors of first team all Big Ten in 2012.

In 2009 Borland’s freshman year he let the Big Ten know he was going to be a star and he was here to stay. While playing in every game he racked up 54 tackles causing 5 fumbles while he recovered 3 of those. Borland also intercepted a pass.

In 2010 he suffered a severe shoulder injury only allowing him to play in the first two games of the season. He received a medical redshirt that year.

Borland’s redshirt sophomore year, which was 2011, he started all 14 games at middle linebacker. He totaled 143 tackles, caused 5 fumbles once again and hauled in 2 interceptions.

In 2012 his redshirt junior year he probably had his most consistent and memorable year. Borland had 104 tackles while starting all 12 games causing 3 fumbles and recovering all 3 of those as well.

Previously on MotSaG’s Best of the B1G
#25 Andrew Norwell

Just one Award Watchlist released today:

Biletnikoff Award (Outstanding College Football Receiver )
Corey Brown, WR
Devin Smith, WR

Previous Watchlists:
Award Watchlist Watch: Outland, Nagurski, Maxwell, Bednarik, Rimington, and Mackey
Award Watchlist Watch: Butkus, Thorpe, and Lombardi

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing a 2015 prospect from Memphis, Tennessee named Drew Richmond. He is already one of the most coveted players in the 2015 class. He played mostly Right Tackle last year but said that he did not have a preference for which tackle position he plays in college, he just wants to do whats best to help his team. Drew is already 6″6 and 300 lbs. He is in great shape and you can tell by his highlights that he holds his blocks all the way to the whistle, and this is one reason he is so sought after by the Buckeyes. It was a pleasure to interview this young man , you can tell he was raised right and is a very intelligent kid as you can tell based on his answer to the last question I asked.

247 lists him as the number 11 overall offensive tackle
He is not yet ranked by either Rivals or Scout, but that should soon change with his recent offers from nearly every College Football powerhouse.

Q: When you were offered by Ohio State how did it feel?

A: It was truly a blessing, sometimes it’s easy to believe the phrase “dreams do come true” is clichéd, but for me it is true. That day my dream became true.

Q: What was your favorite part of your visit to Ohio State?

A: Hanging out with some players and walking on the field and meeting with Coach Meyer.

Q: Did you get a chance to meet any of the current players, if so which ones?

A: Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier, Vonn Bell, Jalien Marshall, Deontre Wilson and a few more guys.

Q: Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?

A: Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee

Q: Do you have an idea on when you would like to make a commitment?

A: Right now, I truly have no idea

Q: Is it true you grew up a Buckeye fan? How did you become one?

A: It is true, I grew up a fan. I really became a true fan realizing coach Tressel’s demeanor and swag. It was special the way the guys locked arms and swayed back and forth as he led them onto the field with his arms crossed. That was a major reason also with their fashionable uniforms, unique traditions and players.

Q: Who is your primary recruiter, and how often do you speak?

A: Coach Hinton, we speak once a week or every two weeks.

Q: What do you feel is your greatest strength on the field?

A: My athleticism, I am able to do many things because of that.

Q: What do you feel you need to improve on the most?

A: I have to improve on being a better run blocker and technician in every aspect.

Q: What is your impression of Coach Meyer?

A: He cares about his players on and off the field and I think he fights to get the best out of each player.

Q: What is your personal goal for your junior season at Memphis University School?

A: Making some region and city teams or something like that. My overall goal is to win a state championship.

Q: What are some of your other hobbies besides football?

A: Shopping and hanging out with friends and being educated on historical events.

Here are some highlights of the dominant offensive lineman, check him out.

New Digs:

CollegeSpun.com put up a post about the new Buckeye’s Basketball facilities. Since May 2012 Ohio State has spent 13.7 million dollars on improving the Schottenstein Center that both the men and women basketball teams use. The improvements are to the locker rooms, practice gyms, and the weight rooms. This should show possible recruits how dedicated the university is to the basketball programs.

He Shoots He Scores: Buckeyes fan favorite Amedeo Della Valle Hits a game winning shot for his Italian team against Spain yesterday. His performance at FIBA’s U-20 European Championship could make Thad a fan for his upcoming sophomore season. Looks like maybe he has learned from the bench how to hit game winners great job Amedeo.

Show Us Your Swag: Ohio State is running a contest this month. Look Fly in July, send the Buckeyes your pic wearing your OSU gear and you could win prizes from the university. I know you all have so much to choose from since this we are the Best Damn Fans in the Land. I would enter but I’m not as Fly as Brutus.

Buckeye Smarts: Guess who leads the B1G in with Distinguished Scholars? I know you said The Ohio State University because you know they have 74 Distinguished Scholars. So nice to see many athletes that take their education seriously and work hard at both.

Buckeyes Representing: 10 athletes from the Ohio State program. Sophomore Men’s Basketball player Amedeo Della Valle playing for Italy on the Under 20 national team. Junior Diver Cheyenne Cousineau will be representing the United States at the FINA World Championships being held July 20th to July 28th in Barcelona, Spain. Women’s Soccer being represented by Senior Danica Wu and recent grad Tiffany Cameron on the Canadian National Team. Women’s Swimming will be represented by former Buckey Samantha Cheverton and incoming freshman Zulal Zeren at the FINA World CHampionships July 28th to Aug 4th. U.S. Men’s Junior National Volleyball Team will Be represented by coach Pete Hanson, junior Michael Henchy, redshirt freshman Driss Guessous, and junior Brennan Anderson as an alternate. Buckeye Nation wishes you all Good Luck.

Insider’s Story: I am going to be leaving you will an article from Buddy Martin. Martin had complete access to Urban Meyer and his staff, team, and meetings in the year between his 2 National Championships. This is a great post, informative and no hiding any truth i suggest you read it.

Well Buckeye Nation until next time…