COLUMBUS — This is not just another game for Kris Luchsinger. Or, for that matter, a lot of his Ohio teammates.
The Bobcats’ defensive end, a native of Columbus, had to fight his emotions while casually discussing his team’s trip to play No. 3 Ohio State today.
“Growing up I’ve always been surrounded by Ohio State fans. My dad has always been a big Ohio State fan and he always wanted me to play in that stadium,” Luchsinger said.
There was a catch in his voice. He apologized.
“Sorry, just thinking about it trembles me up,” he said.
Emotions take over when you’re coming home, so Luchsinger can be forgiven for being overwhelmed. Football has a strong grasp on kids in Ohio, and to some a visit to Ohio Stadium is almost like revisiting their roots, to other autumn Saturdays when they were fans instead of players.
“It’s a great atmosphere, it’s what college sports are all about. It’s going to be good,” Luchsinger said.
Luchsinger is far from being alone. Sixty-one players on the Bobcats roster are from Ohio and are steeped in the traditions of Ohio State. It makes any showdown between Ohio State and another in-state school special.
Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, another Ohio native, knows that as well as anyone.
“If I was from Ohio and I was coming into Ohio Stadium to play in this game, I would play better than I’ve ever played in my life,” Tressel said.
The Buckeyes (1-0) are favored by five touchdowns. And let’s not forget that no in-state opponent has beaten them since 1921 when they lost to Oberlin. But there are factors that might tip the scales at least a little bit in Ohio’s direction.
First, Ohio State is without its No. 1 offensive weapon, tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells. He hurt his foot in last week’s 43-0 win over Youngstown State and didn’t practice this week.
Second, the Buckeyes may well have their heads somewhere warm, with palm trees and starlets and a 90210 ZIP code. A week from today, they play at No. 1-ranked Southern California in one of the season’s marquee games.
Linebacker Marcus Freeman acknowledges that the Ohio game could be a trap. But the Buckeyes are focused on the Bobcats, he said.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that and a lot of people say, ‘This is a chance where you guys can get beat,’” he said. “But nobody’s even talking about USC.”
Ohio coach Frank Solich knows something about powerhouse teams and underdogs playing with emotion. He was an undersized running back at Nebraska, then went on to become an assistant coach to the legendary Tom Osborne and then followed him as head coach for six years.
As Solich — a Cleveland native — looks in his players’ eyes, he knows that this game means a little extra.
“There is excitement. Players look toward those types of games,” he said. “They want to match up and see where they’re at against some of the very best players in the country. If you’re an athlete, you want to have those challenges at times in your career — playing a team with as good a tradition as there is out there, and definitely one of the best, if not the best, football teams in the country.”
The Bobcats, who lost their opener at Wyoming 21-20, know that almost no one thinks they have a chance. They have found hope in what another little school did to a megapower just a year ago.
“We’re going to believe, but we’re also going to know and be confident that if we play our best game we can win this,” Luchsinger said.
“Appalachian State can beat Michigan. … Ohio can beat Ohio State.”

No. 3 OSU (1-0) vs. Ohio U. (0-1)

WHEN: Today, noon
WHERE: Ohio Stadium, Columbus.
TV/RADIO: ESPN;
WEOL-930 AM, WKNR-850 AM.
RECORDS: This is the second game of the season for both teams. The Buckeyes trounced Youngstown State 43-0, while the Bobcats dropped a 21-20 heartbreaker at Wyoming.
COACHES: Jim Tressel is 74-16 in his eighth season at Ohio State and 209-73-2 in his 23rd year as a head coach. Frank Solich is 19-19 in his fourth year at Ohio and 77-38 in his 10-year career.
SERIES: This will be the sixth meeting between the two teams and the first since 1999, when the Buckeyes won 40-16 in Columbus.
THE SKINNY: The Buckeyes will try to win the 800th game in school history, but they’ll be without the services of preseason All-Big Ten running back Chris “Beanie” Wells. Wells suffered a foot injury early in the third quarter of last week’s season opener. Eleven players caught at least one pass in the win against Youngstown State, with Brian Robiske and DeVier Posey on the end of TD tosses. Ohio State’s defense recorded the third shutout of the Jim Tressel era and the first in a season opener since 1977.
A 13-play, 84-yard drive in the fourth quarter gave Wyoming its come-from-behind win over the Bobcats. Ohio’s Theo Scott completed 26 of 34 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown and an interception. Westlake native and St. Ignatius graduate Mike Eynon had an interception for Ohio’s defense.

BUCKEYE PERISCOPE

Buckeyes buzz

During halftime of today’s game with Ohio, Ohio State will honor its new athletic hall of fame inductees.
Those honorees include a couple of football players, quarterback Bobby Hoying (1993-95) and offensive lineman Jeff Uhlenhake (1985-88).
In addition to being honored with several major academic awards during his time at Ohio State, Hoying also guided the Buckeyes to a 30-7-1 record and a share of a Big Ten title.
Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel didn’t coach Hoying, but he sure remembers him.
“I remember being down here studying with Ohio State when Bobby was playing. I remember Fred Pagac saying, ‘That guy’s going to play on Sundays.’ He was maybe a sophomore,” Tressel said Thursday. “He’s just a quality person. He’s everything you would want. He’s up on the wall here for academic reasons. He’s up on the wall for football reasons.”
Uhlenhake, a two-time All-American, spent 10 years in the NFL and is now in his second season as director of Ohio State’s strength and conditioning program.
“Those are two really good guys,” Tressel said. “The hall of fame weekend is a reminder about the greatness that’s been here. You can’t ever forget those that came before you and excelled.”

Bobcats notes

Coach Frank Solich is 19-19 at Ohio.
• The Bobcats are winless in 13 games against nationally ranked teams.
• The game will be played before the largest audience ever for an Ohio University game, the expected 105,000-plus easily exceeding the previous mark of 93,222 when the Bobcats came to Ohio Stadium in 1999.

Captain for a day

Ohio State’s honorary captain for the game is Dave Foley, an All-American offensive lineman and Ohio State’s only three-time Academic All-American (1966-68).

Also at the half

Michael Redd, a Columbus native and ex-Ohio State basketball player, will also be honored at halftime. Redd, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, was a member of the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball.
— The Associated Press
 

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