Ohio State beat reporter Jon Spencer wrote this piece in early November about the legacy Ohio State's seniors wanted to leave after their careers ended:
COLUMBUS -- Before this season, Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel asked his seniors to reflect on what they had accomplished in their college careers.
"The words that kept coming up were 'unfocused' and 'individualism,' " said defensive tackle Kenny Peterson. "Those are things we didn't want to happen to this year's team.
"I'm a fifth-year senior and I've been through the good times, the bad times and the terrible times. We let everyone know this year we've got to stay focused. We'll go out and celebrate a victory, but come Monday it's back to work. The underclassmen accepted that and they understand that."
The senior leadership provided by players like Peterson, and the senior-like performance of freshman tailback Maurice Clarett, are the biggest differences between the sixth-ranked Buckeyes (9-0, 4-0 in the Big Ten) and No. 23 Minnesota (7-1, 3-1) heading into Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game in Ohio Stadium.
While the Gophers have no senior starters on defense, OSU starts five seniors on that side of the ball -- six if you include punter Andy Groom. It's no coincidence that all six are having big seasons and that the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in scoring defense (13.9 ppg).
Ohio State has blanked its last three opponents in the second half and has allowed only 38 points after halftime all season.
"We talk constantly that you have a chance to have a good football team if your seniors have a 'career-best' year," Tressel said. "As you look at a number of our seniors, they've having career-best years."
At the top of that list are the team's leading tacklers -- middle linebacker and Butkus Award semifinalist Matt Wilhelm (69 tackles, 12 for loss) and strong safety Mike Doss, who has made 63 tackles and returned an interception for a TD in his bid to become a three-time All-American.
Peterson was credited with three quarterback hurries in last week's 13-7 win over Penn State and has made four sacks and broken up three passes since switching to tackle from end this season.
Despite sitting out the Penn State game with a sprained ankle, senior outside linebacker Cie Grant ranks second on the team with nine tackles for loss, including four sacks, and has definitely found a home after struggling at cornerback last season.
Free safety Donnie Nickey is the most experienced Buckeye on defense, completing his fourth year as a starter. He ranks fifth in tackles (37) and leads OSU with two fumble recoveries. He has also blocked a kick.
Normally, punters aren't looked at as defenders. But Groom helped foil Penn State's comeback bid by pinning the Lions deep with punts of 59 and 55 yards in the final five minutes. Groom leads the Big Ten in punting (45.7 yards) and has been Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week the last two weeks.
"I wouldn't say we're solely leaning on the seniors, but everybody from the seniors on down knows their role on the team, and I think that separates this team from teams in the past," Peterson said.
"There's no prima donnas, there's no individuals. It's a bunch of guys working toward the same, common goal. When you get that, that force is tremendous."
While credited with only one tackle against Penn State, Doss graded out at 98 percent.
"It's not just about making tackles; it's about being exactly where you need to be, getting everyone around you where they're supposed to be and making proper adjustments," Tressel said. "He's like the quarterback of the defense in a lot of ways.
"The consistency (Doss) showed was extraordinary, so if you talk about why we still have a chance to reach the goals we set, I think it is in large part because the seniors are doing what needs to be done."
Originally published Thursday, January 30, 2003
