Saturday, at the team's special teams scrimmage, it all came together for the Buckeyes kickers, easing some preseason uncertainties.
Redshirt sophomore Ben Buchanan had a good day punting at OSU's special teams scrimmage on Saturday, and was pleased that the rest of the kickers also put on a good show.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There's something to be said for being not just a major college punter, but Jim Tressel's punter.
It's one thing to be on the menu, another to be the house specialty. So when the Buckeyes came out of spring practice after some rough showings from their special teams -- kickers and punters alike -- redshirt sophomore Ben Buchanan didn't like how it felt.
In April, Buchanan was both kicking and punting, continuing the dual path he'd followed since high school. At the start of this preseason, with veteran Devin Barclay and freshman Drew Basil in the kicking mix, Tressel told Buchanan to focus on punting.
Saturday, at the team's special teams scrimmage, it all came together, for everyone involved.
"It's night and day," Buchanan said afterward. "We all knew that wasn't acceptable, how we performed in the spring."
The only negative for the Buckeyes was starting defensive end Nathan Williams going down with a left leg injury during the portion of practice that preceded the special teams scrimmage. He had his leg elevated much of practice and by the end of the day, his leg was wrapped from thigh to ankle. No update was available on his condition.
Buchanan averaged about 46 yards on his punts, kicked several over 50 yards, showed confidence punting from the back of the end zone and even tackled freshman Corey Brown at the end of a 45-yard return. Basil and Barclay were close to perfect, combining to make 21 of 24 field goals, Basil hitting a 45-yarder high off the right upright, while Barclay was short from 58 yards and missed from 37 to close the scrimmage.
Coming into camp, Tressel said Barclay was the short field goal kicker, 42 yards and in, while Basil would handle the longer field goals and the kickoffs. Saturday, both seemed to show they could handle all the facets.
"I don't know anything else we can ask for," Basil said, praising every aspect of the special teams performance. "It was definitely my best day of camp so far."
Basil said the longest field goal he's ever made in practice, at any level, is 631/2 yards, and he showed off his leg. But Barclay seemed just as comfortable from long distance.
On the list of true freshmen who can help this team this season, Basil has to be near the top, saying he's even more confident than in high school, despite the bigger stage, because he knows the snap and hold can be relied upon.
Defensive backs coach Taver Johnson, who handles parts of the special teams, said how much it helped Basil to be one of the few freshmen involved in spring ball, but that this was even another step.
"I think he grew up today," Johnson said.
Buchanan, in his third year in the program, may have grown into his role.
"That's why I came to a school like this, because he does value special teams," Buchanan said of Tressel, mentioning the signs in the meeting room that say the punt is the most important play in football. "When you see that it, encourages you to do your best to live up to the great punters and kickers we've had here already."
After Saturday, the Buckeyes should feel better about those jobs being in capable hands again.
Return game: Receiver DeVier Posey appeared to remain the No. 1 punt returner, though the Buckeyes were putting two returners back together more often than in recent years. Others back for punts included running back Jordan Hall, who seems to have a natural shiftiness in the return game, receiver Chris Fields, freshman cornerback Bradley Roby and freshman receiver Corey Brown, who ripped off a 45-yard return.
Fielding kickoffs were running backs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron, Hall, Brown, Fields, running back Jaamal Berry, receiver Taurian Washington and freshman cornerback Christian Bryant, who showed a nice upfield burst.
From the sidelines: Beyond Williams, several other regulars sat out Saturday. Starting right tackle J.B. Shugarts was on the sidelines, as Andrew Miller worked at left tackle with the first team and Mike Adams, fighting Miller for the left tackle job, was at right tackle with the first team. Starting cornerback Devon Torrence missed another practice with a hamstring injury. ... Quarterback Terrelle Pryor completed two well-thrown deep balls, one for nearly 60 yards, before the scrimmage. ... Fullback Zach Boren ran more than 40 yards on a fake punt, breaking the play open with a devastating stiff arm. ... The Daily Camera in Colorado reported that Ohio State and Colorado are discussing playing in 2011, with the Buffaloes making a one-time visit for as much as $2 million. An Ohio State spokesperson said she could not confirm the report.