Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon noticed how the Ohio State Buckeyes started to jell once they returned from the Rose Bowl in January. A win can do wonders for a team. In an interview with wide receiver DeVier Posey, he tells Gordon how this team has become closer. "It's something about this year," Posey said. "The guys that I...
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon noticed how the Ohio State Buckeyes started to jell once they returned from the Rose Bowl in January.
A win can do wonders for a team.
In an interview with wide receiver DeVier Posey, he tells Gordon how this team has become closer.
"It's something about this year," Posey said. "The guys that I get to get dressed with in the locker room every day, those are some of my best friends - those are some of the guys that probably are going to be in my wedding someday.
"Any time you get to add that element into it, having a friend playing next to you, it just gives you that extra edge to want to fight for your teammates. So I really feel like that's the difference - how close we are, and our chemistry."
But most teams, writes Gordon, will say they work hard and have confidence and closeness. But there is a distinctly different feel about this group - an attitude, edge, maturity - something hard to define.
"Their work ethic is very good. They love to prepare," coach Jim Tressel said. "They really genuinely enjoy one another's company and push one another, are happy for one another when good things happen.
"I like where we are. Now, we'll find out how good we are."
Fighting Illini
Illinois lost its first game but now they're on a roll as the Buckeyes come rolling in on Saturday.
Toledo Blade reporter Matt Markey writes how No. 2 Ohio State is just 11-9 against Illinois since 1988.
"It seems like they've played us tough every time," Ohio State senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said as the Buckeyes looked toward opening Big Ten play against the Illini. "Us older guys, we remember what happened three years ago. We expect another tough battle with Illinois."
That particularly sore spot for the Buckeyes that Heyward referenced was the 2007 meeting with Illinois, in which the Illini stunned No.1 ranked and previously unbeaten Ohio State 28-21 in Ohio Stadium. That stopped a 29-game regular season winning streak by the Buckeyes, and their 21-game Big Ten winning streak.
"We've had some wild games (with Illinois)," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday. "Illinois is going to be good, and the facts prove that."
Going back to 1988, only Michigan has a better conference record against Ohio State (11-10-1) and more wins over the Buckeyes than the nine Illinois has in that period.
Walking wounded
It's so bad for Illinois that coach Ron Zook will have to make some tough choices on which players will face the Buckeyes on Saturday, writes Chicago Tribune reporter Shannon Ryan.
Zook plans to meet with athletic director Ron Guenther to discuss whether Hugh Thornton, a sophomore offensive lineman, can play after his arrest over the weekend after being involved in a fight in a bar.
"There's still too much gray out there (to make a decision)," Zook said Tuesday.
The better news for Illinois, writes Ryan, is that some injured players are making their way back, although defensive back Terry Hawthorne will not be one of them. Hawthorne has missed the first three games with a foot injury.