TTUN
Friday, November 23, 2012
New Countdown Until 2013
Getting ready to go to THE GAME with some friends this afternoon. As I will be without a laptop, and probably quite inebriated tomorrow afternoon, I figured I would get this done ahead of time to give fans of That Team Up North some idea as to how many days they will have to wait...
GO BUCKS!
GO BUCKS!
Ten Years Ago...
My first trip to THE GAME, and I am stoked to be going on Saturday to witness the ten year anniversary of this Ohio State team that defeated That Team Up North enroute to the 2002 national championship...
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving From The Mind Of Minnich
Happy Thanksgiving! I posted this video last year, but it truly gives both sides, I believe, ample reasons on why we are all so grateful for THE GAME...
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A Little History On THE GAME
Bucknuts.com has an article defining the importance of THE GAME historically for both programs. Highly recommend it.
Kind of stoked that the 2002 victory was ranked as the best game in the history of the rivalry, as I was there. Truly looking forward to being there again with friends this coming Saturday.
Go Bucks!
http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Article/The-Game-Colleges-Best-Rivalry-50180
Kind of stoked that the 2002 victory was ranked as the best game in the history of the rivalry, as I was there. Truly looking forward to being there again with friends this coming Saturday.
Go Bucks!
http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Article/The-Game-Colleges-Best-Rivalry-50180
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
"There Is No Tomorrow!"
Motivation is such a tricky thing. What works well for one individual can miss the boat completely on someone else.
Heading into The Game on Saturday, I wonder how Coach Meyer is motivating his team. After all, Ohio State has nothing to play for after the game versus That Team Up North concludes.
Yes, I know – Coach Meyer should not need to motivate any of the Buckeyes for The Game. Playing against That Team Up North, Ohio State's main rival, should be motivating in and of itself. These are the type of games why someone comes to Ohio State in the first place.
I am going to offer up a corny and cliché motivational slogan. I realize that this is one that any fan of the Rocky Balboa series will recognize immediately:
I use that phrase because every Ohio State fan knows that no matter the outcome on Saturday, this is it for the 2012 season. There will be no Big Ten Championship Game, despite clinching the Leaders Division with the overtime 21-14 victory at Wisconsin. There will be no bowl game appearance, despite the 11-0 regular season record and the current #4 ranking by The Associated Press, due to the NCAA-imposed bowl ban for this season.
For senior defensive lineman John Simon, this is his last game in an Ohio State uniform, after so many intense and inspiring performances. For senior fullback-turned-linebacker Zach Boren, this is his last opportunity to square off against the team he grew up rooting for as a child, only to be turned off by the arrogance of the previous Team Up North's coaching staff's approach, especially with his older brother, Justin, in 2008.
For senior tight end Jake Stoneburner, here is a final opportunity as a Buckeye at redemption, after an offseason of embarrassment. For senior defensive lineman Nathan Williams, here is an opportunity to show Ohio State fans one last time that all of the injuries and setbacks have all been worth the price. For senior offensive tackle Reid Fragel, one last opportunity to leave Ohio State fans wondering, "what could have been?" if the move to offensive line had happened earlier in his career.
One last time to run through the Tunnel Of Pride. One last time to battle That Team Up North in Ohio Stadium. One last time to link arms with teammates and coaches, singing "Carmen Ohio" to the student section at the end of the game.
Remember, "there is no tomorrow!"
Heading into The Game on Saturday, I wonder how Coach Meyer is motivating his team. After all, Ohio State has nothing to play for after the game versus That Team Up North concludes.
Yes, I know – Coach Meyer should not need to motivate any of the Buckeyes for The Game. Playing against That Team Up North, Ohio State's main rival, should be motivating in and of itself. These are the type of games why someone comes to Ohio State in the first place.
I am going to offer up a corny and cliché motivational slogan. I realize that this is one that any fan of the Rocky Balboa series will recognize immediately:
"There is no tomorrow!"I am not trying to suggest to anyone that Coach Meyer is playing the role of Apollo Creed with this phrase or scene. And I would never ever demean the ferocity, swagger, and violence of Clubber Lang in "Rocky III" by comparing Clubber Lang to That Team Up North. Heck, That Team Up North is not even close to Union Kane, who was pummeled by Tommy Gunn in "Rocky V".
I use that phrase because every Ohio State fan knows that no matter the outcome on Saturday, this is it for the 2012 season. There will be no Big Ten Championship Game, despite clinching the Leaders Division with the overtime 21-14 victory at Wisconsin. There will be no bowl game appearance, despite the 11-0 regular season record and the current #4 ranking by The Associated Press, due to the NCAA-imposed bowl ban for this season.
For senior defensive lineman John Simon, this is his last game in an Ohio State uniform, after so many intense and inspiring performances. For senior fullback-turned-linebacker Zach Boren, this is his last opportunity to square off against the team he grew up rooting for as a child, only to be turned off by the arrogance of the previous Team Up North's coaching staff's approach, especially with his older brother, Justin, in 2008.
For senior tight end Jake Stoneburner, here is a final opportunity as a Buckeye at redemption, after an offseason of embarrassment. For senior defensive lineman Nathan Williams, here is an opportunity to show Ohio State fans one last time that all of the injuries and setbacks have all been worth the price. For senior offensive tackle Reid Fragel, one last opportunity to leave Ohio State fans wondering, "what could have been?" if the move to offensive line had happened earlier in his career.
One last time to run through the Tunnel Of Pride. One last time to battle That Team Up North in Ohio Stadium. One last time to link arms with teammates and coaches, singing "Carmen Ohio" to the student section at the end of the game.
Remember, "there is no tomorrow!"
It Always Hurts When Ohioans Help "That Team Up North"
There is an old saying about the ones who hurt you the most are often those closest to you. Throughout the storied rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, it is certainly true about Ohio players who went up to "That Team Up North".
Any loss to "That Team Up North" is painful. One point, ten points, twenty points – the hurt caused by "That Team Up North" is always palpable.
When the pain has been inflicted by Ohio players on behalf of That Team Up North at home, in Ohio Stadium, against the Buckeyes?
Takes the hurt to another scale. Probably even off the charts.
In 1988, I remember when John Cooper was hired from Arizona State, replacing Earle Bruce as Ohio State's head coach. One of the key reasons cited at the time was John Cooper knew how to beat Michigan, as evidenced by Arizona State's victory over TTUN in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Arizona State won, 22-15.
Think about how much it hurt for Coach Cooper in 1988, in his first Ohio State/TTUN game in Ohio Stadium. Not only had Ohio State suffered through a losing season, but they trailed TTUN badly in the first half, 20-0, in Ohio Stadium. But the Buckeyes didn't say die quite yet. They rallied to take the lead over TTUN late in the game, 31-27.
Enter John Kolesar.
Yes, John Kolesar, who had played a key role in the 1985 game as a freshman wide receiver in defeating Ohio State up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The same John Kolesar from Westlake, Ohio, whom I ran against in high school track. Kolesar was a senior when I was a freshman. For what it is worth, when we ran in the 400 meters, the back of his track cleats looked pretty good from where I was at the time.
John Kolesar, who would have gone to Ohio State, if not for being a legacy of TTUN. After Ohio State took the lead late in the 1988 game, Kolesar returned the kickoff to the Ohio State 40. On the very next play, Kolesar caught the winning touchdown.
An Ohioan, who could have been a Buckeye, but chose to be a Wolverine, inflicting pain on Ohio State fans in Ohio Stadium.
Two years later, John Cooper felt pain again from TTUN in Ohio Stadium. This time it was from three people with ties to the Buckeye State.
Every Buckeye fan remembers the painful 16-13 loss to TTUN, as a result of Ohio State quarterback Greg Frey being stopped on an option play late in the game. What a dreadful play call.
How about the fact that Elvis Grbac, a Cleveland St. Joseph alum who wanted to be a Buckeye until Earle Bruce was fired, threw a touchdown pass to Desmond Howard, his high school teammate? Howard also could have been a Buckeye if not for Earle Bruce's firing.
Who led the way on the ground for TTUN? Akron Buchtel's Ricky Powers, who was offered a scholarship by Ohio State, but chose to go to TTUN. Ricky Powers could have been a Buckeye, along with Robert Smith, but chose to be a Wolverine.
Now think about the glorious record former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel had against TTUN. Eight wins, one loss (and one vacated win, unfortunately).
Think about how many Ohioans who played key roles against the Buckeyes during Coach Tressel's tenure...
***Insert cricket noises***
Coach Tressel made it a key point to lock down the top talent in Ohio. Yes, Mario Manningham turned down the Buckeyes to play for TTUN, and had a nice game in Ohio Stadium versus the Buckeyes in 2006. Prescott Burgess turned down the Buckeyes to play for TTUN, but I truly cannot recall Burgess making any big plays in The Game, especially not in Ohio Stadium. And all Ohio State fans can marvel at Justin Boren coming to his senses back in 2008 when he decided to become a Buckeye.
Will there be any Ohio-on-Ohio hate crime during THE GAME in 2012? Kyle Kalis opened the wound. We'll find out if any other turncoat Buckeyes can pour maize and blue salt in it.
Any loss to "That Team Up North" is painful. One point, ten points, twenty points – the hurt caused by "That Team Up North" is always palpable.
When the pain has been inflicted by Ohio players on behalf of That Team Up North at home, in Ohio Stadium, against the Buckeyes?
Takes the hurt to another scale. Probably even off the charts.
In 1988, I remember when John Cooper was hired from Arizona State, replacing Earle Bruce as Ohio State's head coach. One of the key reasons cited at the time was John Cooper knew how to beat Michigan, as evidenced by Arizona State's victory over TTUN in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Arizona State won, 22-15.
Think about how much it hurt for Coach Cooper in 1988, in his first Ohio State/TTUN game in Ohio Stadium. Not only had Ohio State suffered through a losing season, but they trailed TTUN badly in the first half, 20-0, in Ohio Stadium. But the Buckeyes didn't say die quite yet. They rallied to take the lead over TTUN late in the game, 31-27.
Enter John Kolesar.
Yes, John Kolesar, who had played a key role in the 1985 game as a freshman wide receiver in defeating Ohio State up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The same John Kolesar from Westlake, Ohio, whom I ran against in high school track. Kolesar was a senior when I was a freshman. For what it is worth, when we ran in the 400 meters, the back of his track cleats looked pretty good from where I was at the time.
John Kolesar, who would have gone to Ohio State, if not for being a legacy of TTUN. After Ohio State took the lead late in the 1988 game, Kolesar returned the kickoff to the Ohio State 40. On the very next play, Kolesar caught the winning touchdown.
An Ohioan, who could have been a Buckeye, but chose to be a Wolverine, inflicting pain on Ohio State fans in Ohio Stadium.
Two years later, John Cooper felt pain again from TTUN in Ohio Stadium. This time it was from three people with ties to the Buckeye State.
Every Buckeye fan remembers the painful 16-13 loss to TTUN, as a result of Ohio State quarterback Greg Frey being stopped on an option play late in the game. What a dreadful play call.
How about the fact that Elvis Grbac, a Cleveland St. Joseph alum who wanted to be a Buckeye until Earle Bruce was fired, threw a touchdown pass to Desmond Howard, his high school teammate? Howard also could have been a Buckeye if not for Earle Bruce's firing.
Who led the way on the ground for TTUN? Akron Buchtel's Ricky Powers, who was offered a scholarship by Ohio State, but chose to go to TTUN. Ricky Powers could have been a Buckeye, along with Robert Smith, but chose to be a Wolverine.
Now think about the glorious record former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel had against TTUN. Eight wins, one loss (and one vacated win, unfortunately).
Think about how many Ohioans who played key roles against the Buckeyes during Coach Tressel's tenure...
***Insert cricket noises***
Coach Tressel made it a key point to lock down the top talent in Ohio. Yes, Mario Manningham turned down the Buckeyes to play for TTUN, and had a nice game in Ohio Stadium versus the Buckeyes in 2006. Prescott Burgess turned down the Buckeyes to play for TTUN, but I truly cannot recall Burgess making any big plays in The Game, especially not in Ohio Stadium. And all Ohio State fans can marvel at Justin Boren coming to his senses back in 2008 when he decided to become a Buckeye.
Will there be any Ohio-on-Ohio hate crime during THE GAME in 2012? Kyle Kalis opened the wound. We'll find out if any other turncoat Buckeyes can pour maize and blue salt in it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)