Ohio State Football: News, Notes and Updates from Camp

After another week of camp and a jersey scrimmage, Ohio State coach Luke Fickell addressed the media on Thursday about encouraging the Buckeyes' team mentality, as well as the heated competition between veteran quarterback Joe Bauserman and rookie Braxton Miller.

Click through the slideshow to see who is injured, who is on the postseason award watch list, and who won last week's infamous jersey scrimmage on this week's issue of Buckeye News and Notes.

Hand Injury Plagues Linebacker Etienne Sabino

During last Saturday's jersey scrimmage, junior linebacker Etienne Sabino left the game with a swollen left hand. 

According to the Ozone, Sabino suffers from a broken hand and did not practice this week. He is expected to play with a cast on during the season opener. 

“I kept playing and I just thought it was a small bruise, but after a couple plays I saw it throbbing,” Sabino said.

The 6'3", 242-pound junior had six tackles last season, three of which were solo. With stars such as Ross Homan and Brian Rolle leaving last year, Sabino is expected to make an impact this year for the Buckeyes.

Defensive Stars Nathan Williams, John Simon Put on Watch List

According to Ohio State's athletic website, two Buckeye defensive players have been named on preseason watch lists.

Linebacker Nathan Williams was put on this season's Ted Hendricks watch list. Williams has been a force on the field from the beginning, accumulating 89 career tackles and several interceptions.

"We’ve came a long way since we’ ve started," Williams stated at last week's media day. "It's been fun developing the young guys that came in. By the time Akron comes, they’ll be ready to go."

DL John Simon was named as one of the 12 "players to watch" at the Big Ten media day earlier this summer. He was nominated for a Lott trophy during his sophomore year, and has gained 55 career tackles as a Buckeye.

"I just want to get out there every day, working hard and doing what I can to help the young guys," said Simon at Sunday's media day. 

"If everyone does their job, we’ll be fine. We just need to move forward. We’re Ohio State, we just gotta make sure we hold to these high expectations," Simon said, regarding the recent football controversy. 

Buckeye Offense Wins Jersey Scrimmage, Wears Coveted Scarlet Jerseys

Last week, coach Luke Fickell did something Jim Tressel has never done before:

During Saturday's jersey scrimmage, Coach Fickell did not keep score. 

"It’s stepping back and watching both sides, as opposed to watching something specific. It’s hard to get used to. I'm still trying to find that niche, where I’m supposed to be and what I'm supposed to focus on," Fickell said at last week's media day.

However, after reviewing the tape, Fickell declared the offense as the scrimmage winner. The offense will get to wear the coveted scarlet jerseys, a tradition carried on for several years. 

Center Mike Brewster Announced as 2011 Lowe's Senior Class Award Candidate

According to the Ohio State athletic website, Buckeye center Mike Brewster has been announced as one of the thirty student-athletes for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, a recognition for great performance both on and off the field.

Brewster has started 36 games as a Buckeye, and is considered to be one of the best centers in the nation.

The award is based on four categories: community, classroom, character and competition. Lowe's will make a decision midway through the season and narrow down the list to 10 candidates. Fans can go to Lowe's website to cast their votes.

Last winter, star basketball senior David Lighty was also one of the finalists for the award.

Coach Fickell Announces Bauserman, Miller Will Split Time as Quarterback

On Thursday, head coach Luke Fickell made an unofficial announcement to the media.

The quarterback race has been narrowed down to veteran Joe Bauserman and true freshman Braxton Miller.

Fickell plans on using the two-quarterback system.

"They’ve [Bauserman and Miller] been taking the majority of the reps. I think they’ve done a good job, and hopefully they’re helping each other out and know that we need everybody," Coach Fickell said at the press conference.

"I think it’s best for the team. You can go all the way back in '96 when I was here. We had a two quarterback system and it worked…I think that’s what we may be after. "

In 1996, Ohio State used junior quarterbacks Stanley Jackson and sophomore Joe Germaine. Ohio State went to the 1997 Rose Bowl, under head coach John Cooper.