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2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

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2006 Ohio State Buckeyes
Conference: Big Ten
Ranking (Coaches Poll/AP): #1/1
2006 Record: 2-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Jim Tressel
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bollman
Offensive Scheme: Multiple
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Heacock
Base Defense: 4-3
Home Stadium: Ohio Stadium (c. 101,568, grass)

The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team will represent the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's head football coach is Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes will play their home games in Ohio Stadium.

Previous seasons

Coming off a National Championship in the Fiesta Bowl in January 2003, Ohio State has had successful seasons in 2003, 2004, and 2005, finishing in the top ten in 2003 and 2005 and winning bowl games each year, in the Fiesta, Alamo Bowl, and back to the Fiesta Bowl in 2006, defeating Notre Dame 34-20. The Buckeyes earned a share of the Big 10 title in 2005.

Following the season, starters A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner, Bobby Carpenter, Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold (all first round), Ashton Youboty, Anthony Schlegel, Nate Salley, and Rob Sims, were drafted into the NFL.

Preseason

Head Coach Jim Tressel was signed to a contract extension through the 2012 season.[1]

In August, Ohio State was named the #1 team by the coaches' poll.[2] Terry Bowden, a sports broadcaster and former coach, named Ohio State #1 in his preseason Sweet 16 rankings and stated Troy Smith and Ted Ginn, Jr. were Heisman Trophy hopefuls.[3] Ohio State thus garnered pre-season number one from USA Today, the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN The Magazine.

On August 9, 2006, the OSU Athletic Department announced the season-long suspension of junior tight end Marcel Frost by Coach Tressel for unspecified violations of team rules.[4] The suspension resulted in the elevation of sophomore Rory Nicol to the top of the depth chart as the only tight end with significant game experience. Nicol played as a true freshman but missed most of 2005 with a broken right foot. Sophomore Brandon Smith, a former linebacker moved to tight end as a freshman in 2005, moves to second on the depth chart. Frost subsequently announced that he will transfer to Jackson State, rejoining fellow ex-Buckeye Erik Haw.

Team captains were announced August 25, 2006. Defensive captains named were seniors Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson. Offensive captains are seniors Troy Smith and Doug Datish.

On August 30, Jim Tressel announced the awarding of scholarships to four former walk-ons--senior WR Derek Harden, senior FB Ryan Franzinger, RS junior FB/wedgebuster Trever Robinson, and RS sophomore center Tyler "Tank" Whaley. [5]

These scholarships were freed due to the departures of Sirjo Welch, Brandon Underwood (both due to grades), Chad Hoobler (transferred to Ashland), Devon Jordan (injuries) and the aforementioned Marcel Frost. Mike Roberts (transferred to Indiana State) and Sian Cotton (grades) also left the program earlier in the year.

On August 31, 2006, senior linebacker Mike D'Andrea underwent knee surgery and was declared out for the season.

Pre-season awards

Schedule

Ohio State has a difficult schedule this year, highlighted on September 9, 2006 with the second half of a home-and-home series against defending National Champion Texas. Also, away games at Iowa and Michigan State will prove challenging. Finally, the Buckeyes close their season at home against archrival Michigan, a matchup called "The greatest rivalry in sports."[7]

As in 2005, Ohio State does not play Big 10 teams Wisconsin and Purdue this year.

Date Time Result Rank# (Rank#)Opponent Stadium · City Coverage
September 2, 2006* 3:30 p.m. W 35-12 #1 Northern Illinois Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH ABC
September 9, 2006* 8 p.m. W 24-7 #1 @ #2 Texas Texas Memorial Stadium · Austin, TX ABC
September 16, 2006* 12 p.m. Cincinnati Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH ESPN Plus
September 23, 2006 TBA Penn State Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH TBA
September 30, 2006 8 p.m. @ Iowa Kinnick Stadium · Iowa City, IA ABC or ESPN
October 7, 2006* TBA Bowling Green Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH TBA
October 14, 2006 TBA @ Michigan State Spartan Stadium · East Lansing, MI TBA
October 21, 2006 TBA Indiana Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH TBA
October 28, 2006† 3:30 p.m. Minnesota Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2
November 4, 2006 TBA @ Illinois Memorial Stadium · Champaign, IL TBA
November 11, 2006 TBA @ Northwestern Ryan Field · Evanston, IL TBA
November 18, 2006 3:30 p.m. Michigan Ohio Stadium · Columbus, OH ABC
*Non-Conference Game †Homecoming #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) and subject to change.

Game notes and previews

Northern Illinois University

1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 0 3 3 6 12
Buckeyes 21 7 0 7 35

Ohio State's offense scored the first four times it had the ball, rolling up 28 points in the first 15:05 of the game. After moving out to a big lead, the Buckeyes rotated many players in and out of the game on both offense and defense en route to an easy 35-12 opening game victory.

Garrett Wolfe, as predicted, was the dominant force for the Huskies, amassing 285 of the Huskies' 343 total yards, including 171 yards rushing, while touching the ball on half of Northern Illinois' offensive plays. Except for Wolfe, the Huskies were totally ineffective on offense, converting only one out of thirteen third downs. The Buckeye defense, which featured five first-time starters, sacked Huskie quarterbacks Phil Horvath and Dan Nicholson four times and intercepted Horvath once.

On offense, captain Troy Smith effectively directed the offense, completing 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. His completions were well-distributed, with Ted Ginn catching four for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 58-yard score; and Anthony Gonzales making four receptions for 53 yards and a score. Running back Antonio Pittman carried the ball 19 times for 111 yards and a touchdown, while true freshman Chris Wells in his first game as a Buckeye carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards and a touchdown. The Buckeyes' 488 yards of total offense were marred by two fumbles lost inside the Huskie ten-yard line and a pair of missed field goal attempts by Buckeye kickers.

Smith was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

University of Texas

1 2 3 4 Total
Buckeyes 7 7 3 7 24
Longhorns 0 7 0 0 7

Ohio State employed a strong vertical passing game in the first half and a relentless ball control offense in the second half, coupled with a defense that improved in both effectiveness and stamina as the game progressed to dominate 2nd rated Texas 24-7 in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin. Quarterback Troy Smith, well protected by the Buckeye offensive line, threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, directing a five-minute drive in the fourth quarter that secured the win. Although the teams were nearly equal in yardage (348 Ohio State to 326 Texas) and first downs (20-17 in favor of Texas), Ohio State did not turn the ball over and converted a recovered fumble and a Colt McCoy interception, both forced by linebacker James Laurinaitis, into 10 points.

Standouts for Ohio State were Anthony Gonzales, who made eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, and Ted Ginn, who caught five for 97 yards including a 29-yard touchdown late in the first half that countered the lone score by the Longhorns. Anthony Pittman rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries and scored the final touchdown. Punter A. J. Trapasso was particularly effective; his six punts averaged 50.8 yards a kick and won Ohio State the battle for field position.

Cincinnati

1 2 3 4 Total
Bearcats 0
Buckeyes 0

The Bearcats opened 2006 at home against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and used 400 yards of offense and three pass interceptions to cruise to a 31-0 blowout. Eastern Kentucky threatened only twice, and both were snuffed out with red zone interceptions. UC was plagued by 9 penalties totalling 105 yards.

Penn State

1 2 3 4 Total
Nittany Lions 0
Buckeyes 0

The Nittany Lions defeated MAC opponent Akron 34-16 at home on the opening weekend. New starting quarterback Anthony Morelli completed 16 of 32 passes for 206 yards and 3 scores on a rainy field. Penn State managed only 76 yards rushing, with Tony Hunt held to 36 yards on 14 carries (19 on one play).

Iowa University

1 2 3 4 Total
Buckeyes 0
Hawkeyes 0

Iowa, in what quarterback Drew Tate described as "showing the character of the team", demolished Division I-AA Montana at Kinnick Stadium in its first game of the 2006 season. Tate was 15 of 28 passing for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Albert Young ran for 93 yards and a score on 19 carries. Iowa led only 17-7 midway through the 3rd quarter before pulling away from the Grizzlies.

Bowling Green State University

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0
Buckeyes 0

Bowling Green was the only Buckeye opponent of 2006 to lose in the opening week, falling at home to the Wisconsin Badgers 35-14. Despite a time of possession of 32:37 and a stand-out performance by red-shirt freshman quarterback Freddie Barnes, subbing for suspended QB Anthony Turner, the Falcons fell behind on a blocked punt returned for a Wisconsin touchdown and never seriously contended. Barnes, however, rushed for 158 yards and both scores, and was 12 of 19 passing. The Falcons gave up 197 yards rushing to their Big Ten opponents (who are not on the Buckeyes' schedule in 2006).

Michigan State University

1 2 3 4 Total
Buckeyes 0
Spartans 0

The Spartans defeated the Idaho Vandals 27-17 at Spartan Stadium to open 2006 in a contest that was decided only after a long, ball-possession drive by MSU late in the 4th Quarter. Senior quarterback Drew Stanton completed 16 of his 25 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown to Kerry Reed, who had four ctaches for 63 yards. Running back Javon Ringer rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries and scored once.

Indiana University

1 2 3 4 Total
Hoosiers 0
Buckeyes 0

At home for its opener, the Hoosiers easily defeated Western Michigan University 39-20. Quarterback Blake Powers passed for 187 yards and a touchdown, completing 16 of 28 passes, and had one interception.

University of Minnesota

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 0
Buckeyes 0

Minnesota opened on the road at Kent State of the Mid-American Conference, and crushed the Golden Flashes 44-0 with a powerful rushing attack that picked up where 2005 left off, despite the loss of Laurence Maroney to the NFL. The Golden Gophers piled up 322 yards on the ground and 468 of total offense, led by Alex Daniels with 155 yards and three TD's, and Amir Pinnix with 114 yards and a score. Quarterback Brian Cupito was 8 of 13 passing for 146 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota capitalized on six Kent State turnovers.

University of Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
Buckeyes 0
Illini 0

The Illini defeated I-AA Eastern Illinois University in its 2006 opener, 44-17. Eastern Illinois was hampered by the absence of its head coach and loss of its All-conference linebacker Clint Sellars on the game's opening kickoff, and Illinois exploited its over-matched opponent with 520 yards of total offense, 345 on the ground for six scores. Running backs Pierre Thomas, E.B. halsey, and Rashard Mendenhall highlighted the Illini attack.

Northwestern University

1 2 3 4 Total
Buckeyes 0
Wildcats 0

Northwestern opened the 2006 college football season on Thursday, August 31, travelling to the Miami Redhawks. The game honored the late Randy Walker, who coached both teams, and was 0-0 at the half. Northwestern won the game 21-3 largely on the performance of quarterback Mike Kafka, who rushed for 89 yards and passed for 106, and a defense that stifled the Redhawks throughout. Wildcat running back Tyrell Sutton rushed for only 63 yards on 13 carries.

University of Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total
Wolverines 0
Buckeyes 0

Michigan opened at home against the Vanderbilt Commodores, prevailing 27-7. Quarterback Chad Henne passed for 135 yards and two touchdowns, completing just 10 of 22 passes. Receivers Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham caught seven of the completions for 132 yards and a score. Running back Mike Hart rushed for 146 yards on 31 carries, while Michigan's defense held Vanderbilt to 171 total yards.


People

Depth Chart - Texas

(Revised September 5, 2006) Template:2006 Ohio State Buckeyes depth chart

Roster

Template:2006 Ohio State Buckeyes roster

Coaching Staff


References

  1. ^ "Smith announces new contract for Tressel" (HTML). CSTV.com. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  2. ^ "2006 Coaches' Poll" (HTML). USATODAY.COM. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  3. ^ Bowden, Terry (2006-08-10). "Terry's preseason Sweet 16 rankings". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2006-08-09. {{cite news}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  4. ^ "Frost suspended for one year". Ohio State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  5. ^ "Four Buckeyes Receive Scholarships". Ohio State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  6. ^ a b c d "Big Ten Places 30 Football Student-Athletes on Several National Award Watch Lists" (HTML). CSTV.com. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
  7. ^ "ESPN.com's 10 Greatest Rivalries" (HTML). ESPN.COM. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
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