Loss brings unofficial OSU visit for Byrne 
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
One team’s loss is another’s gain.
When Cleveland St. Ignatius lost a Division I, Region 1 final in triple overtime to Mentor on Saturday, Ohio State might have reaped the benefits. The Cardinals eschewed an extra point in favor of a two-point conversion and knocked out the defending state champion Wildcats in a 57-56 thriller.
Watch List offensive tackle Jimmy Byrne took the defeat hard, but now will be able to make an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Saturday to see The Game against Michigan.
When Cleveland St. Ignatius lost a Division I, Region 1 final in triple overtime to Mentor on Saturday, Ohio State might have reaped the benefits. The Cardinals eschewed an extra point in favor of a two-point conversion and knocked out the defending state champion Wildcats in a 57-56 thriller.
Watch List offensive tackle Jimmy Byrne took the defeat hard, but now will be able to make an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Saturday to see The Game against Michigan.
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Coach: Dorian Johnson commits to Pitt
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
7:18
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Paul Chryst landed his biggest commitment since becoming the coach at Pittsburgh.
Belle Vernon (Pa.) Area's Dorian Johnson, an ESPN 150 prospect and the No. 2 offensive tackle nationally, committed to Pitt while on his official visit this weekend, his coach, Aaron Krepps, told ESPN.com in a text message.
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Buckeyes improve to 3-0, beat Washington
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
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By BuckeyeNation staff | ESPN.com
Deshaun Thomas led all scorers with 31 points as No. 4 Ohio State defeated Washington 77-66.
Nile Sykes takes in Wisconsin on visit
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
It was a busy week for 2014 prospect Nile Sykes (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park-River Forest), who made two visits to Midwest programs.
The more recent of the two trips came Saturday to Wisconsin, which he was seeing for a second time.
“It was good. The whole game was exciting,” Sykes said.
The more recent of the two trips came Saturday to Wisconsin, which he was seeing for a second time.
“It was good. The whole game was exciting,” Sykes said.
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2014 QB Drew Barker talks SEC, Big Ten
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
2:53
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Some big-time college programs are in the hunt for Drew Barker.
The junior quarterback from Hebron (Ky.) Conner was recently contacted by Georgia, visited Notre Dame this weekend and will visit Ohio State on Nov. 24. The Fighting Irish did a good job of establishing themselves this weekend while Barker was in South Bend.
"The most unique thing that I haven't felt anywhere else was that you could actually feel the tradition," Barker said of the visit. "It was pretty awesome."
The junior quarterback from Hebron (Ky.) Conner was recently contacted by Georgia, visited Notre Dame this weekend and will visit Ohio State on Nov. 24. The Fighting Irish did a good job of establishing themselves this weekend while Barker was in South Bend.
"The most unique thing that I haven't felt anywhere else was that you could actually feel the tradition," Barker said of the visit. "It was pretty awesome."
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No. 27 junior Bates-Diop to Ohio State
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
1:59
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By
Reggie Rankin | ESPN.com
Combo forward Keita Bates-Diop (Bloomington, Ill./University High) has committed to Ohio State over offers from Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State. Bates-Diop is rated the No. 27 prospect in the ESPN 60 and becomes Thad Matta’s first pledge in the 2014 class.
Bates-Diop saw his recruiting skyrocket after a great spring and all throughout the July evaluation period. He also enjoyed a tremendous outing this fall at the Under Armour Grind Session. Bates-Diop took a number of unofficial visits in recent months, so he had some great comparisons before coming to a final decision with the Buckeyes.
This is important for Ohio State because Matta has continued to have a strong presence in the fertile recruiting ground of Illinois. Former Buckeye and current 76er Evan Turner and current players Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Sam Thompson are also natives of Illinois.
Bates-Diop saw his recruiting skyrocket after a great spring and all throughout the July evaluation period. He also enjoyed a tremendous outing this fall at the Under Armour Grind Session. Bates-Diop took a number of unofficial visits in recent months, so he had some great comparisons before coming to a final decision with the Buckeyes.
This is important for Ohio State because Matta has continued to have a strong presence in the fertile recruiting ground of Illinois. Former Buckeye and current 76er Evan Turner and current players Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Sam Thompson are also natives of Illinois.
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Bates-Diop to bring versatility to Buckeyes
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
1:23
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State went into enemy territory and nabbed a power forward who add a lot flexibility to the Buckeyes' roster in two years.
What Keita Bates-Diop (Bloomington, Ill./University) will bring to the Buckeyes shows up beyond the stat sheets as he can spread the floor and cause mismatches virtually everywhere.
The 6-foot-7 high school junior, who committed to Ohio State on Sunday, is ranked No. 27 in the ESPN 60. With touch around the rim, he uses his height in the low post to rise above defenders and is a marksman as a passer.
What Keita Bates-Diop (Bloomington, Ill./University) will bring to the Buckeyes shows up beyond the stat sheets as he can spread the floor and cause mismatches virtually everywhere.
The 6-foot-7 high school junior, who committed to Ohio State on Sunday, is ranked No. 27 in the ESPN 60. With touch around the rim, he uses his height in the low post to rise above defenders and is a marksman as a passer.
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Brandon Fritts exploding onto scene
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
12:00
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State assistant Tom Herman might be giving Mentor (Ohio) football coach Steve Trivisonno a call this week to ask for a little more game film.
The Buckeyes coach in charge of recruiting the Cardinals has interest in Brandon Fritts, but what the junior wide receiver has done the last two weeks in knocking out the last two Division I state champions has to have just about every coach foaming at the mouth.
“He’s been exploding,” Mentor quarterback and North Carolina commit Mitch Trubisky said. “Brandon just runs great routes. He’s a great player. I know when he gets open, it’s my job to get him the ball.”
The Buckeyes coach in charge of recruiting the Cardinals has interest in Brandon Fritts, but what the junior wide receiver has done the last two weeks in knocking out the last two Division I state champions has to have just about every coach foaming at the mouth.
“He’s been exploding,” Mentor quarterback and North Carolina commit Mitch Trubisky said. “Brandon just runs great routes. He’s a great player. I know when he gets open, it’s my job to get him the ball.”
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Final Verdict: Miller's Heisman hopes
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
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By BuckeyeNation staff | ESPN.com
Mark May and Lou Holtz debate if Braxton Miller has emerged as a frontrunner for the Heisman trophy.
Across The Field: It's Michigan week
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
10:00
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By
Scott Kendrick | ESPN.com
The Buckeyes are 11-0, and we all know what this week is. (Warning to OSU freshmen: jumping into Mirror Lake is not advised unless you're up to date on your shots.) Welcome to Across The Field, a regular feature on BuckeyeNation where we point you to noteworthy Buckeyes coverage here and elsewhere. Think something should be included? Send it to espnkendrick@gmail.com.
Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14 (OT)
- Ryan Shazier and the Ohio State defense came through in a big way on an off day for Braxton Miller and the offense, writes Adam Rittenberg.
- Shazier is at the top of the heap, writes Doug Lesmerises. (Plain Dealer)
- Ohio State is 11-0 and pretty good, but the Buckeyes showed they're not as good as the teams ahead of them in the polls. (Sporting News)
- In a physical game, you don't bet against John Simon, writes Bill Livingston. (Plain Dealer)
- Montee Ball got the record, but Carlos Hyde got the glory. (Wisconsin State Journal)
BuckeyeNation Week in Review
- Bradley Roby, who made another big pass breakup that saved a touchdown at Wisconsin, isn't quite ready to talk about his NFL future, writes Austin Ward.
- Center Cory Linsley has been consistent, a great trait in a snapper in a spread offense.
- The son of a former Ohio State fullback will walk on this fall.
- Ward took a look at what the defensive line could look like in 2013.
- Both Mel Kiper and Brock Huard believe the Buckeyes are primed for 2013.
- Brad Bournival picked his top six recruits remaining on Ohio State's board, and a group of six more.
- Two Georgia juniors received Ohio State offers. RB Miles Autry and WR Demarre Kitt both have Ohio State in their top three.
- Three Buckeyes recruiting targets on the 2014 Watch List were guests of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. So was 2013 LB Skai Moore.
- 2014 QB DeShone Kizer got an offer from Michigan State.
- Junior OT Demetrius Knox of Texas will make his decision just after Thanksgiving, and the Buckeyes are a finalist.
- All is still quiet on the Mike Mitchell front.
- What are the odds that Urban Meyer can get Gareon Conley to flip his commitment to Ohio State? He says he's going to take visits, defying Michigan.
- Maryland and Rutgers are in talks to join the Big Ten. Thoughts?
Football
- Is this Ohio State's special uniform for the Michigan game? (Land Grant Holy Land).
- While hating Michigan is part of the Ohio State culture, Zach Boren has to maintain some respect, writes Bill Livingston. (Plain Dealer)
- Does moving to defense help Zach Boren's possible pro career? (Eleven Warriors)
- Getting leaner was important to Ohio State's offensive line success. (SI.com)
- Lesmerises received records of Ohio State's latest secondary violations, and all were very minor. The school made two very important hires on the compliance front. (Plain Dealer)
- Urban Meyer gets an A so far, but probably won't be on the awards lists, writes Rob Oller. (Dispatch, $)
Basketball
- The Buckeyes won their first two games, beating Albany at home and Rhode Island at a neutral site.
- Two ESPN 100 recruits signed with the Buckeyes in the early period.
- Thad Matta is pleased with the recruiting class so far. (Plain Dealer)
- The Buckeyes are suffering a bit on the boards without Sullinger. (Dispatch)
The Gang's All Here
- Ohio State's No. 5 wrestling team beat No. 12 Virginia Tech. (OSU)
- The women's soccer team had a great season that ended in a heartbreaker in the NCAA tournament. (OSU)
- The school has a new apparel deal (for teams and items Nike is not involved with). (Lantern)
- A few items were stolen from Ohio Stadium last week.
3 Up, 3 Down: Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
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By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A few things Ohio State will feel good about and some issues it will need to correct after moving one game closer to a perfect season with a 21-14 win in overtime at Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon:
THREE UP
1. Survive and advance: Perfection never comes easily, and it typically requires a game or two where some magic is needed to keep that record from getting a blemish. The offense struggled the defense had some troubles at times against the rush, and after Wisconsin came up with its own clutch play in regulation, it wasn't a stretch to think the streak was finally going to end for the Buckeyes. But as Ohio State has done every time it's been pushed, it dug deep and did what it had to do to escape once again. The flair for the dramatic doesn't produce a lot of style points, but it's led to nothing but victories so far.
THREE UP
1. Survive and advance: Perfection never comes easily, and it typically requires a game or two where some magic is needed to keep that record from getting a blemish. The offense struggled the defense had some troubles at times against the rush, and after Wisconsin came up with its own clutch play in regulation, it wasn't a stretch to think the streak was finally going to end for the Buckeyes. But as Ohio State has done every time it's been pushed, it dug deep and did what it had to do to escape once again. The flair for the dramatic doesn't produce a lot of style points, but it's led to nothing but victories so far.
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Jamarco Jones talks Illini; previews OSU
November, 18, 2012
11/18/12
2:39
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
If Tim Beckman is going to turn Illinois around, it will take the state’s top prospects staying in state and playing for the Illini. The first-year Illini coach is not shy about letting top 2014 Illinois prospects know that either.
When Watch List offensive tackle Jamarco Jones from Chicago De La Salle walked in Beckman’s office Saturday, he saw his picture on the wall.
“They had a picture with some prospects on a poster. It was cool to see. I was pretty excited,” Jones said. “It shows how important we are as recruits and what they think we can do or the program.”
When Watch List offensive tackle Jamarco Jones from Chicago De La Salle walked in Beckman’s office Saturday, he saw his picture on the wall.
“They had a picture with some prospects on a poster. It was cool to see. I was pretty excited,” Jones said. “It shows how important we are as recruits and what they think we can do or the program.”
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Drew Barker says Irish tradition unmatched
November, 17, 2012
11/17/12
10:25
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Drew Barker (Hebron, Ky./Conner) has seven offers and dozens of teams interested, so he’s heard the same pitch from coaches and seen several programs up close. A lot of them preach and show off tradition, but Barker said Notre Dame was on another level.
“Schools talks about tradition and that doesn’t mean much,” the Watch List quarterback said, “but when at Notre Dame I can actually feel it. That was really cool and very unique and no other school I’d been to had that effect on me.”
It was Barker’s first time at Notre Dame, which just began recruiting the junior signal-caller. He was not expecting an offer on the visit, just an opportunity to see the campus and atmosphere for himself. He talked with recruiting coordinator Tony Alford, and he let Barker know an offer could come sometime down the line.
“Schools talks about tradition and that doesn’t mean much,” the Watch List quarterback said, “but when at Notre Dame I can actually feel it. That was really cool and very unique and no other school I’d been to had that effect on me.”
It was Barker’s first time at Notre Dame, which just began recruiting the junior signal-caller. He was not expecting an offer on the visit, just an opportunity to see the campus and atmosphere for himself. He talked with recruiting coordinator Tony Alford, and he let Barker know an offer could come sometime down the line.
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Buckeyes remain perfect thanks to defense
November, 17, 2012
11/17/12
9:37
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By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin running back Montee Ball's highlight tape of touchdowns might as well be a full-length feature. He entered Saturday with 77, one shy of the FBS all-time record.
Unfortunately for Ball, Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier watched most of the movie in the week leading up to Saturday's game.
"He scores plenty of touchdowns," Shazier said. "I watched film on him, and I saw when he gets around the [1- or 2-yard line], he likes to jump. So once he jumped, I jumped, and I punched the ball out."
Shazier's forced fumble against Ball late in the fourth quarter -- just the second lost fumble in Ball's record-setting career -- ended up not meaning much. Wisconsin scored on its next possession to tie the game before Ohio State went on to win 21-14 in overtime.
But Shazier's play epitomized Ohio State's victory, one fueled by defense with a sprinkle of special teams, thanks to Corey "Philly" Brown.
Braxton Miller won't be on "SportsCenter" tonight, but Shazier should be. So should defensive end John Simon, who tied a career high with four sacks. So should cornerback Bradley Roby, who had to cover two players after a teammate blew an assignment and batted down a sure-fire touchdown catch by Derek Watt.
The silver bullets stood tall at Camp Randall Stadium, helping Ohio State secure a Leaders Division title, maintain a perfect 11-0 record and set up a chance for perfection in The Game next week against Michigan.
"Our offense kind of struggled a little bit, but at the same time, it's a team sport, so the defense, we needed to go out and do our thing," said Roby, who wore a Leaders Division championship T-shirt. "Defense wins championships. We thrive on that."
Instant analysis: Ohio St. 21, Wisconsin 14
November, 17, 2012
11/17/12
7:28
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By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
MADISON, Wis. -- Braxton Miller has carried Ohio State most of the season. The defense did the honors Saturday in holding off Wisconsin 21-14 in overtime to preserve a perfect record.
It was over when: Ohio State safety Christian Bryant broke up a fourth-down pass to Jacob Pedersen in overtime. The Buckeyes had taken the lead on a 2-yard Carlos Hyde touchdown run moments earlier.
Game ball goes to: Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier and Ohio State DE John Simon. Shazier continued to sizzle during Big Ten play with 12 tackles, including three for loss and a forced fumble that appeared to seal the win. Simon (four sacks) also had his best game of the season as Ohio State repeatedly turned away the Badgers.
Stat of the game: Wisconsin outgained Ohio State 360-236 but kept stalling in Buckeyes territory. The Badgers had seven drives in regulation either start in or reach Ohio State territory but ended up with only 14 points. Their only drive in overtime ended after four plays.
What it means: Ohio State wins the Leaders Division title -- the only championship it could win with the postseason ban -- and maintains its quest for perfection heading into the Michigan game. Wisconsin drops its second consecutive home game for the first time since the 2008 season after having a 21-game win streak snapped Oct. 27 against Michigan State.
Second guessing: Wisconsin went conservative several times on third down in Ohio State territory, once at the end of the second half and again at the end of the third quarter. Curt Phillips had some success passing the ball, but offensive coordinator Matt Canada stuck with the run despite long-yardage situations, and the Badgers couldn't get into the end zone.
Unsung hero: After saying this week that he hated Wisconsin as much as Michigan, Ohio State WR Corey "Philly" Brown backed it up. Brown provided one of two Ohio State touchdowns in regulation with a 68-yard punt return and had four receptions for 48 yards in the win.
ABOUT BUCKEYE NATION
Austin Ward
Austin Ward joined ESPN.com in 2012 after five years as a college football writer at the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. The award-winning journalist lives with his wife in Columbus, Ohio. Email him at ajward.espn@gmail.com.
Brad Bournival
Brad Bournival, a lifetime Northeast Ohio resident, joined ESPN in 2012 and is the recruiting writer for BuckeyeNation. He has covered sports at the professional, college and high school level for 16 years. Recently, Bournival was a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer, The Medina Gazette and SportsInk.com. Email him at bradbournival.espn@gmail.com.