Jonathon Cooper
FILE - Alabama head coach Nick Saban celebrates with his team after the BCS National Championship college football game against LSU in New Orleans, in this Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, file photo, Alabama won 21-0. Saban's dominating run at Alabama is more than just wins and championships. He's also ruined the careers of many of his fellow SEC coaches and cost the league's other 13 schools more than $100 million in buyouts -- all in search of someone who can knock the game's greatest coach from his perch.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Column: Let's just get college football season over with

By Paul Newberry Jan. 08, 2021 05:52 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is tackled by Ohio State defensive end Tyreke Smith during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NFL prospects everywhere in Alabama-Ohio State title game

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 07, 2021 02:28 AM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields pauses before the start of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Northwestern at Ohio State 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 12:21 PM EST

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

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

FILE - In this March 6, 2019, file photo, Ohio State University football coach Ryan Day gestures during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State’s spring practice likely will begin a competition to determine who will be the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback in 2021. The contenders are highly touted freshmen Jack Miller or C.J. Stroud, both of whom were early enrollees and have been on campus since the beginning of the year. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Spring practice provides look at Ohio State's future QBs

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 02, 2020 01:39 PM EST

Ohio State’s Jonathon Cooper eyes 5th year of eligibility

Nov. 23, 2019 12:12 PM EST
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State says senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper will seek another year of eligibility because of an ankle injury that limited his...

Rutgers interim head coach Nunzio Campanile looks up at the scoreboard during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 2 Ohio State heads to Rutgers as 51-point favorite

By Tom Canavan Nov. 15, 2019 12:07 PM EST

Ohio State running back Master Teague, right, tries to run around Maryland defensive back Nick Cross during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Fields, No. 3 Ohio State overwhelm Maryland 73-14

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 09, 2019 03:58 PM EST

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 13 Wisconsin looks for redemption against No. 3 Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 25, 2019 11:45 AM EDT

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day reacts after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Coach Day to keep No. 6 Ohio St on task against Miami

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 20, 2019 12:41 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 6, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields runs through a drill during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio. Lots of people are curious to see how No. 5 Ohio State is going to fare in its first game with a new head coach and a new, untested starting quarterback. That includes the new coach, Ryan Day. He’s as curious as anybody to see what’s going to happen. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Florida Atlantic will try to keep up with new-look Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 30, 2019 12:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2019, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks with players during NCAA college football practice, in Columbus, Ohio. Day is taking over a program that went 83-9 in seven seasons under Meyer. The Buckeyes hardly needed a makeover and Day has not felt compelled to put his so-called stamp on Ohio State as he transitioned from offensive coordinator to head coach. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
With new coach and QB, No. 5 Ohio State hosts FAU in opener

By The Associated Press Aug. 29, 2019 05:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, right, sacks Tulane quarterback Jonathan Banks during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Chase Young is known to lead with his mouth. Being the loudest Buckeye on the field is part of the reason his teammates elected him a captain this season. The other part is that he can back it up the chattering. Young is Ohio State’s best player, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound man with startling quickness and a mean streak who rarely stops cheering, cajoling and trash-talking. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Ohio State's Young leads with his mouth, then backs it up

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 27, 2019 02:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2018, file photo, Georgia quarterback Justin Fields enters Sanford Stadium before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Athens, Ga. New Ohio State quarterback Fields says he is ready for the hype and expectations that come with the job. He transferred from Georgia after being a backup to Jake Fromm last season. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP, File)
No surprise here: Fields named Ohio State's starting QB

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 19, 2019 12:34 PM EDT

Indiana head coach Tom Allen responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Big Ten Notebook: Spartans, Buckeyes tops on preseason team

Jul. 18, 2019 05:18 PM EDT

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day smiles as he talks to reporters during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Latest: Ohio St DE emulates Hayes: 'The team up north'

Jul. 18, 2019 01:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm looks over his playcard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri in West Lafayette, Ind. Brohm sees all sorts of challenges in No. 2 Ohio State. Purdue’s coach knows the Buckeyes are big and strong, capable of scoring dozens of points making life miserable for opponents. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
No. 2 Buckeyes still seeking improvement on trip to Purdue

By Michael Marot Oct. 19, 2018 04:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa plays against Maryland during an NCAA college football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Bosa’s college football career is over. The injured All-American defensive end intends to withdraw from Ohio State to spend time rehabilitating and training for an NFL career. He is expected to be a first-round draft pick. No. 2 Ohio State made the announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018.. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Injured Bosa leaves Ohio State to prep for pro career

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 16, 2018 12:07 PM EDT

Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman, left, is brought down by Ohio State defensive back Jeffrey Okudah, bottom, as linebacker Tuf Borland follows the play during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Minnesota 30-14. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Some starters returning to banged-up Ohio State defense

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 15, 2018 03:00 PM EDT