Ohio State Buckeyes to Face Illinois on Saturday

Getting ready for the Illinois game this Saturday in the Horseshoe, Head Coach Jim Tressel spoke with the media on Thursday about the excitement on campus, injuries, the running back position, and rotation on the offensive line.

By Steve Patterson

When speaking about the atmosphere this week on campus Coach Tressel stated “that there is more of an electric feel this week because the students are back on campus going to class and the Big Ten is opening play this week.” Indiana will play Michigan, Michigan State at Wisconsin, Minnesota plays at Northwestern, and Iowa is at Penn State.

Jim Cordle is better than expected after a foot scope this week while Jamaal Berry, Zach Domicone, and Aaron Gant are all out with injuries. Gant has been out the season so far and won’t be back as soon as the others Tressel reported.

Jordan Hall should see the field against Illinois with Bandon Saine and Dan ‘Boom’ Herron seeing the most time. There is a possibility that Terrelle Pryor could be the leading rusher for the team when the season is complete. But the tailbacks would like to see as much action as possible and allow Pryor to focus more on passing.

The offensive line is going to see 6 or 7 different players rotate in this weekend. And the left tackle is going to feature a mix of both Andrew Miller and Mike Adams with Miller more than likely getting the start Tressel said. The other tackles are JB Shugarts and Bryant Browning. JB Shugarts will get the start at right tackle with Browning seeing time at the position also. The three guards that will play are Justin Boren, Bryant Browning, and Andrew Moses.