MITCH STACY
FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates an interception of a Murray State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. Gardner, an Associated Press All-American who hasn't given up a touchdown in his college career, still has to declare for the draft. But he generally projects higher than any of his teammates, so that decision seems clear. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati's Ford, Gardner departing early for NFL draft

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 04, 2022 01:48 PM EST
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati has lost two stars from its College Football Playoff

FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell prepares to take players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati climbs CFP mountain, but can it stay there?

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 23, 2021 11:34 AM EST
CINCINNATI (AP) — The University of Cincinnati has played football for more than a

Houston coach Dana Holgorsen watches from the sideline during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Memphis, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Fickell: No. 3 Cincinnati isn't looking past AAC title game

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 30, 2021 02:39 AM EST
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell won't get drawn into the debate

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan's defense braces for Buckeyes' high-flying attack

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 23, 2021 04:53 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State's dazzling offensive stars are about to run

Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara looks to throw a pass against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Game: High stakes as Michigan and Ohio State meet again

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 21, 2021 02:40 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — This year's version of The Game could hardly be bigger.

Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson, right, celebrates his touchdown against Michigan State with teammate Chris Olave during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Stroud tosses 6 TDs, No. 5 Ohio St blows out No. 7 Mich St

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 20, 2021 03:53 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — C.J. Stroud lit up No. 7 Michigan State early and gave

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson cuts up field against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 7 Michigan St looks to stop march of No. 4 Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — When Mel Tucker took the coaching job at Michigan State,

Ohio State defensive back Denzel Burke, left, breaks up a pass intended for Purdue receiver David Bell during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Stroud throws 5 TD passes, No. 6 Ohio State routs Purdue

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 13, 2021 07:22 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After two weeks of some uneven offensive play, the No. 6

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Spencer Holstege (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Upset alert: Revitalized Purdue focused on No. 6 Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 11, 2021 01:43 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The handful of current Ohio State upperclassmen who were

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) flips the ball after scoring a touchdown against Indiana in the first half during an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
After 9 OT loss, No. 20 Penn St challenged by No. 5 Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 28, 2021 01:32 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After last week's blowout of Indiana, Ohio State

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs on his way to scoring a 94-yard touchdown against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Michigan State won 31-13. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Tucker, Michigan State among biggest surprises in Big Ten

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 19, 2021 03:56 PM EDT
Mel Tucker took over a downtrodden Michigan State program before a pandemic

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell watches a replay during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCF is next as No. 3 Cincinnati tries to stay among elite

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 14, 2021 12:13 PM EDT
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati moved up to the No. 3 spot in the AP Top 25 this

Ohio State defensive lineman Zach Harrison, right, tackles Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Stroud throws 5 TDs, No. 7 Buckeyes bury Maryland 66-17

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 09, 2021 03:52 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — C.J. Stroud, who didn't throw a pass in a college

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Stroud, No. 7 Buckeyes hitting stride with Maryland up next

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 07, 2021 01:17 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After some rough going early, freshman quarterback C.J.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, top, celebrates his touchdown against Akron during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 10 Buckeyes break loose with 59-7 rout of Akron

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 25, 2021 11:40 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After three tough games -- including an upset by Oregon

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud looks to throw a pass against Tulsa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Growing pains frustrate No. 10 Ohio St as Akron visits next

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 23, 2021 12:12 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No. 10 Ohio State isn't exactly in freefall but a program

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, left, celebrates his touchdown against Tulsa with teammate Dawand Jones during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 9 Buckeyes struggle with Tulsa, pull away for 41-20 win

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 18, 2021 07:50 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson's big day put

Ohio State running back Miyan Williams, left, tries to run past Oregon defensive lineman Bradyn Swinson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Oregon beat Ohio State 35-28. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Disheveled No. 9 Buckeyes look to rebound against 0-2 Tulsa

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 16, 2021 12:43 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The upset of Ohio State by two-touchdown underdog Oregon

Oregon defensive back Verone McKinley, right, tackles Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Oregon beat Ohio State 35-28. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Buckeyes make corrections, look ahead after rare home loss

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 14, 2021 01:58 PM EDT
Perennial powerhouse Ohio State is not accustomed to losing games during the

Oregon running back Travis Dye, center, is tackled by Ohio State linebackers Cody Simon, left, and Teradja Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Verdell, No. 12 Oregon stun No. 3 Ohio State 35-28

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 11, 2021 05:03 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — C.J. Verdell watched on TV last week as Minnesota's