Ohio State and Jim Tressel honor the US Naval Academy.

Being a graduate and an Ohio State fan, the University has provided a lot of reasons to be proud but Coach Tressel and the Administration added one today—The welcome given to the Naval Academy.

By Bill Smith

Local radio stations had covered the idea of giving the men from Navy a standing ovation not only for their play on the field but most of all for those they represent—the best and bravest men and women that have volunteered to protect all of us so that we can enjoy a football game in safety on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

But OSU did the fans one better. For the first time in the 120 year history of the game at Ohio State, the two teams came on the field together as one.

There are a lot of things to be concerned about. The way that Navy ran on the Buckeyes D was disturbing. The fact that OSU could not run up the middle effectively was a major problem. The trouble the O line had in protecting the QB against the Navy pass rush is serious given the fact that USC will be here next week. Given the unusual style of Navy, it is hard to tell how much of the trouble was system rather than execution. But overall none of that matters much.

Ohio State and our fans gave a welcome to the Naval Academy. That is a memory that I will cherish for a long time.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.