It's football season baby! Kickoff Saturday is scheduled with many great games but none may be as important as YSU vs. OSU on Aug. 30th. Less than 2 days away! Yes, this may not be a "marquee" match up but it's still very important as our players and coaches look to get rolling in high gear in the much anticipated Sept. 13th game at USC.

The Buckeyes open up the 2008 season with something that has been lacking in recent years, Senior Leadership. This 2008 team is loaded with 4th and 5th year seniors and return 18 total starters, 9 on both sides of the ball.

Here is a quick look at each teams premier offensive players with 2007 stats.

The Ohio State Buckeyes:

• QB #17 Todd Boeckman - 191-299 for 2379 yds, 64% completions, 25 TDs and 14 INTs. Passer rating of 148.95.
• RB #28 Chris "Beanie" Wells - 274 attempts for 1609 yds, 5.9 AVG, 15 TDs
• WR #80 Brian Robiskie - 55 rec. for 935 yds, 17 yd AVG, and 11 TDs.
• WR #9 Brian Hartline - 52 rec. for 694 yds, 13.3 yd AVG, and 6 TDs.

Youngstown State Penguins:

• QB #24 Tom Zetts - 173-277 for 1845 yds, 62.5% completetions, 7 TDs and 6 INTs. Passer rating of 122.41.
• RB #25 Kevin Smith - 123 attempts for 610 yds, 5.0 AVG, 10 TDs.
• WR #1 Ferlando Williams - 42 rec. for 499 yds, 11.9 AVG, and 2 TDs.
• WR #2 Rory Berry - 39 rec. for 473 yds, 12.1 AVG, and 0 TDs.

The Buckeyes will take the field for the first time Saturday at Noon. It's hard to believe that football is already here, yet, it seems like it has taken forever to get here! It will be a beautiful day in Ohio Stadium as weather should not be a factor at all. High of 84 with full sun and only a 10% chance of precipitation.

In the back of every fans mind is the recent title game losses our Buckeyes have gone through. ESPiN and Buckeye haters can talk all they want but they don't control our destiny. It's up to our players to believe in themselves and just get the job done.

Senior LB James Laurinaitis responds:


GO BUCKS!