COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio State Open Receiver Chris Olave took a turn in the finish area last December and has since been looking for ways to get back to the football area, but he’s not alone.
Olave’s poor communication with quarterback Justin Fields provoked an interception and he leaked an attempt to push the Buckeyes back to the end of the playoff semi-final against Clemson.
“I don’t think I’ve recovered yet, ” said Olave recently.
Expect the junior team to be Fields’ favorite goal, as the fifth Ohio State issue opens its delayed pandemic season Saturday behind a Nebraska team fighting for its relevance as third-year coach Scott Frost.
“He’s here, ” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day. “It’s upon us, at last.
Olave and Fields, a finalist for the 2019 Heisman Trophy, are the only big shots to back the Buckeyes. The offensive line is complete with THE NFL’s skill and the defense experienced includes American cornerman Shaun Wade.
“The biggest challenge in preparing Ohio State is simply the skill they have on the team,” Frost said. “We know it’s one of the most productive groups in the country. “
Frost named Adrián Martinez as the beginner quarterback this week, who had a perfect freshman season in 2018 but slowed down due to a knee injury last year, beat Luke McCaffrey, brother of NFL star Christian McCaffrey and son of former professional catcher. Ed McCaffrey.
Ohio Stadium, which has more than 100,000 buckeye games enthusiasts, will have only about 1,600 due to coronavirus restrictions. Family and friends of players and coaches will be distributed on the lower deck and more crowd noise will be transmitted. no porristas, no Brutus Buckeye.
Campus police have issued strict warnings about the prosecution.
“It’s going to be strange,” said Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith.
THE WAIT WAS TORTURE
Day said he watched other school groups play on television while the state of Ohio awaited “torture,” but used excerpts from some of the careless games as a training tool. With limited pre-season preparation for groups that started in September, many games were scored and spoiled by failed tackles and ball losses.
“Watching those games makes you emphasize those fundamental things as a coach,” Day said.
Robust sledding
The last time Nebraska won a genuine away game against a Top 10 opponent in 1997, at the time, the No. 2 Washington, Frost the Huskers quarterback in victory 27-14. 25 matches at war at home and away from home since 2016. However, the Huskers have won their last 4 opening games against a ranked opponent, beating no. 11 Florida State in 1986, No. 10 Texas A
RISE WARNING
Kade Warner arrived in Nebraska in 2017 as a walker known locally only for being the son of NFL and Super Bowl Hall of Fame champion Kurt Warner. He’s starting to forge his own identity, having won a scholarship this fall and picked the team. Captain last week. The junior from Scottsdale, Arizona, is also one of the most experienced catchers, although he starts the season with only 25 receptions in his career.
“My dad texts me all the time,” he says. “He sends me videos of concepts he sees in the NFL or routes he sees. So he’s constantly looking to teach me. “
“BLOCK O” FOR COOPER
Fifth-year defensive end Jonathon Cooper wears the No. 0 in honor of a former Buckeye who was one of four African-Americans to cross the NFL color barrier in 1946. James Willis was a defensive lineman for Ohio State from 1942 to 1944 went to play for the Cleveland Browns. His number 99 is retired to Ohio State, but the team awarded the 0 shirt, called “Block O”, to a player who deserves each season in his honor. Cooper has changed his number 18 and returns as captain after injuring his ankle in the preseason last year, missing the season’s maximum and finally putting on a medical red shirt. Its rehabilitation this year was interrupted due to the outbreak of the virus.
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Eric Olson, AP’s school football editor, contributed.
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