MITCH STACY
FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day yells during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Ohio State stars leaving early for the NFL happens every winter, but perhaps the more surprising news this time is about the number of important players who've decided to stay.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Day encouraged by returning players who put off NFL dreams

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 22, 2021 01:52 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State stars leaving early for the NFL happens every

Ohio State players sit on the bench after their loss to Alabama in an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Fields, prolific Ohio State attack stifled by Tide defense

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 11, 2021 07:15 PM EST
Justin Fields and the prolific Ohio State offense, fresh from piling up 639

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2019, file photo, Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) blocks Arkansas defensive lineman Mataio Soli (11) as Alabama offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. (55) offers support during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Leatherwood is likely to face his biggest challenge of the year when Alabama meets Ohio State in the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Prolific offenses in title game powered by tough O-lines

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 08, 2021 05:50 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, a player who

Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) looks on against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Two of the best cornerbacks in the nation, Shaun Wade of Ohio State and Patrick Surtain of Alabama, will have their hands full on Monday night in South Florida. They are possibly the No. 1 and No. 2 NFL prospects at the position — which one is best is a matter of debate that the national championship game could help settle. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Top cornerbacks will play crucial role in championship game

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 07, 2021 05:26 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two of the best cornerbacks in the nation, Shaun Wade of

Ohio State running back Trey Sermon, right, is congratulated by head coach Ryan Day, left, after being named most valuable player following the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. Ohio State defeated Northwestern 22-10. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Buckeyes' Sermon breaks out ahead of national title game

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 06, 2021 01:22 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — During the first four games of Ohio State's pandemic

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) eludes Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore (49) as Ohio State offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (78) blocks during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Clemson and Ohio State get CFP rematch in Sugar Bowl

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 20, 2020 01:40 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Shortened schedule and all, Ohio State is headed back to

Northwestern running back Jesse Brown (1) celebrates with teammates as he holds the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-10 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 3 Buckeyes have something to prove in Big Ten title game

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 15, 2020 04:54 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A group of university administrators on a Zoom call

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against Wisconsin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, in Indianapolis. The Big Ten athletic directors support removing the conference’s six-game minimum requirement for teams to be eligible to play for the league championship, and a vote is expected Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, to make it official. Removing the minimum would clear the way for No. 3 Ohio State to play in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 19 against No. 15 Northwestern. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Big Ten audible: Ohio State will play for title vs Wildcats

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 09, 2020 02:27 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Big Ten Conference dropped its six-game minimum

Ohio State's Trey Sermon, right, rushes against Michigan State's Xavier Henderson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State won 52-12. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 3 Buckeyes await word on 'The Game' with plenty at stake

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 06, 2020 03:34 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No. 3 Ohio State banked some style points during its rout

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Day: No. 3 Ohio St will be 'shorthanded' for Michigan State

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 03, 2020 02:14 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No. 3 Ohio State will be “a little shorthanded” because

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Outbreak puts Ohio State's championship hopes in jeopardy

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 28, 2020 11:11 AM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State officials are unsure when the team can

Indiana defensive back Jaylin Williams, right, knocks Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to the ground during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Revitalized Illinois hosts undefeated No. 3 Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 27, 2020 11:30 AM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Justin Fields and Ohio State are scoring points by the

Ohio State running back Master Teague, right, celebrates his touchdown against Indiana with teammate Luke Farrell during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 3 Ohio State beats back comeback bid by No. 9 Indiana

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 21, 2020 04:20 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After climbing to its highest AP Top 25 poll ranking in

Ohio State coach Ryan Day watches during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 49-27. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 9 Indiana tries to measure up against No. 3 Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 19, 2020 11:39 AM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Back when the schedule was assembled, a mid-November game

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann directs his team against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio. Transfer rules have generated a lot of comings and goings in the Ohio State basketball program. Add a preseason practice schedule affected by COVID-19 restrictions, and it’s no wonder coach Chris Holtmann is still trying to figure out where all the pieces will fit. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
No. 23 Ohio State still piecing together lineup, schedule

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 10, 2020 11:55 AM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Transfers and other factors led to a lot of recent

Ohio State running back Trey Sermon runs for a first down against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 49-27. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Fields throws 5 TDs passes, No. 3 Ohio State beats Rutgers

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 07, 2020 11:40 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Justin Fields threw five touchdown passes, and No. 3 Ohio

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, front left, reacts on the sideline in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Rutgers is next for hot-starting Fields, No. 3 Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 05, 2020 01:53 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — In Ohio State's first play from scrimmage against Penn

Nebraska linebacker Will Honas, left, tackles Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Fields, No. 5 Ohio St run away from Huskers in opener, 52-17

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 24, 2020 03:31 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Justin Fields and No. 5 Ohio State shook off the rust in

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State hosts Nebraska on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Finally! No. 5 Ohio State opens against rebuilding Nebraska

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 22, 2020 12:46 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State receiver Chris Olave took a wrong turn in the

FILE - In this Oct. 3, 2020, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his team during their NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio. No. 6 Ohio State has outsized expectations for the 2020 season after coming within one play of advancing to the national championship game last season. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
No. 6 Ohio St confident about another run at national title

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 14, 2020 12:32 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State came within one botched play of likely