Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
Seniors on Picture Day (courtesy of the Ozone)
Dave Thurman (5:00 PM)
Saturday's game is another big one as Iowa comes to town, with the winner heading to the Rose Bowl. It is also Senior Day at Ohio Stadium, as Buckeye fans bid farewell to a group of 19 players.
Saturday's game is another big one as Iowa comes to town, with the winner heading to the Rose Bowl. It is also Senior Day at Ohio Stadium, as Buckeye fans bid farewell to a group of 19 players.
It may not be the most talented class to ever don the Scarlet and Gray (Beanie, Hartline and Washington would have helped), but it is a group that has persevered through some personal trials and showed a lot of heart.
Before we look at the players individually, let's take a moment and examine them as groups.
Before we look at the players individually, let's take a moment and examine them as groups.
On offense there are eight seniors, but amazingly, five of them came to Columbus as walk-ons. It is one of the weakest offensive groups I can remember, and no doubt that is one reason this team has struggled to move the chains consistently.
On the other side of the ball there are nine players preparing for their final home game and it is a strong group, which again helps explain the success of the defensive troops this season. Finally there are two specialists who are seniors, and they have done a solid job this season as well (combined with Small's returns they helped special teams be well above average).
Briefly let's take a look at all 19 seniors, and consider their impact over the past four to five years:
Briefly let's take a look at all 19 seniors, and consider their impact over the past four to five years:
Offense
Dan Potokar —A speedy walk-on receiver who was diagnosed with cancer during his career but has battled with the will of a champion.
Ryan Shuck —Another walk-on receiver who earned a scholarship this year, and was able to play a little on special teams. No doubt he'll always remember recovering a fumble against Minnesota.
Joe Gantz —A running back who walked on, earned a scholarship his senior year and actually got to carry the ball four times.
Marcus Williams —A very talented walk-on who earned a scholarship and was a special team's stud the past couple of years until sidelined by an injury. His long run in the spring game will always be a highlight in my mind.
Ray Small —Has there ever been a player in the doghouse as often as Ray? Touted as another Ted Ginn, he never lived up to the hype, but did flash moments of brilliance in his career, and will be remembered fondly for his game-changing punt returns against Penn State this season.
Jake Ballard —The big guy showed excellent hands in his freshman season when he snagged a TD against Indiana, but had few passes thrown his way the next three years. A fine blocker, Jake is probably the most successful of the seniors who played on the offensive side of the ball.
Andrew Moses —A walk-on who earned a scholarship, the big guy played quit a bit the past two seasons, and actually got the start against New Mexico State, a game in which he also served as a captain.
Jim Cordle —A talented lineman, Cordle started a lot of games the past three seasons. A fine center, and a decent guard, he struggled at tackle this year when he was pressed into service. Certainly the ultimate team player who put the needs of the squad above his own limitations!
Defense
Tom Ingham —A walk-on defensive lineman, he eventually earned a scholarship and got to play in four games this season.
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