Proud to Be a Buckeye

Well, as many of my American readers probably know we lost to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl tonight with only seconds left on the clock. It was a true heart breaker for OSU fans… especially since the country seems to love hating us and no one gave us a chance in this game.

The thing I love about this particular team are how many of the seniors on the team turned downed millions of dollars last year as they decided to come back for their senior seasons.

Of course there are other schools that also have seniors come back (a.k.a. Mark Graban’s mighty Wildcats of Northwestern) but I think it’s safe to say the trend today is to leave for the money, especially those that will be drafted in the first round.

Two young men in particular stand out. James Laurinaitis (shown in picture) and Malcolm Jenkins both came back for their senior seniors. I can only imagine how much they wanted to win tonight as it was their last game as a Buckeye.

But, alas, they didn’t and it stinks for them and for Buckeye nation. But this senior class never lost to Michigan and goes out as the second winningest senior class of all time. That ain’t too shabby.

Gary Petersen
January 6, 2009 - 7:54 am
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Shouldn’t that properly be, “I am a huge fan of THE Ohio State University”?

🙂

Until last June, I lived just north of the Michigan border in a Toledo, Ohio, suburb. The Ohio State-Michigan football game was an annual celebration that lasted an entire week – the likes of which I’ve not seen replicated anywhere else. Or more like a week and a day, I suppose, since the Monday after was spent recounting the game. I think OSU and MU football had an effect on that area that was only eclipsed by the comings and goings of the automotive industry.

Gary
Ron Pereira
January 6, 2009 - 8:34 am
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Ha, yes Gary… I suppose you are right. I grew up in Greenville, Ohio and was watching the Buckeyes play football before I even knew what I was watching. So many heart breakers against Michigan… but that magical night in 2002 will never be forgotten for the rest of my life!

I’ve lived in TX for 10 years now and while we do love it here… my mom always reminds me, “You can take the boy out of Ohio, but you cannot take Ohio out of the boy!” So true.
Michael Lombard
January 6, 2009 - 9:17 am
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I was pulling for the Buckeyes last night for the first time ever. Too bad they missed that one big tackle at the end.

I’m a Florida Gator alum myself, so I’m totally stoked about Thursday night. The last time we played in a national championship game, we did pretty well (who was that against, Ron?). Hopefully, St. Tebow can add to his legacy and solidy his status as one of the greatest competitors in college football history.

And talk about a good guy. He’s got it all: class, character, spirituality, leadership, toughness, determination, and skill. Oh yeah, and he’s like a tank running down the field! Run & hide Sooners, run & hide! I’m hoping Tebow will pull a Laurinaitis and come back for a senior year. I think that would officially qualify him for sainthood in Gainesville.
Ron Pereira
January 6, 2009 - 10:35 am
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Well, Michael, as much as it pains me to say this… I am also a big Tebow fan. He is a great kid for the very reasons you mention. And I definitely think he’s back next year since I honestly don’t see him as a big time NFL QB. Now, as a NFL free safety or tight end or something like that… look out, folks. Look out.
Gary Wood
January 6, 2009 - 10:37 am
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Ron,

I am a proud Nittany Lion, class of 1974. I thought Ohio State handled themselves very well throughout the season and especially last night. I too, am proud of ‘student’ athletes who finish their academic careers. Too many collegiate sports programs, especially football and basketball are no more than farm clubs for the pros.

I think this is reflected by the number of Ohio State, Penn State and other Big Ten schools that have athletes succeed in life, not just the pros.

Penn State represented the Big Ten well, even though they were down 24 points or so at the half. They didn’t give up.

Good luck next year in the Big Ten.

Gary Wood, PSU ’74
Chris Young
January 6, 2009 - 2:50 pm
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I too am a proud member of the Buckeye Nation. Growing up less than an hour from Columbus, you can’t help but bleed scarlet and gray. I just spent the morning consoling my fellow Buckeyes here in Lexington, Ky. (Yes, we are everywhere). I just told than that we have a good trend going over the past three years. There aren’t many digits left between 3 points and a win. OH – IO!
Ron Pereira
January 6, 2009 - 3:33 pm
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Amen, Brother Chris! Amen.
Michael Lombard
January 6, 2009 - 3:58 pm
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Ron, I could see Tebow as a jack-of-all-trades kind of player. He could be an H-back type: blocking, running, receiving, and passing out of a “Wildcat” formation or on end-around plays. He’d also be good as a placeholder on kicks (imagine the fake punt runs and passes you could do with him).

Not to try to stretch the connection between Lean and football, but some teams like the Patriots are kind of like Toyota in that they breed well-rounded utility players like Tebow could be. This kind of reminds me of Toyota’s approach to employee development. They have deep functional expertise, but they also put a great premium on cross-functional learning.

For the Pats, this improves their flexibility as a team, giving them the ability to deploy a wide range of gameplans from week to week. For Toyota, it gives them the ability to attack new products like hybrids quicker than anybody else.

Is this analogy too much of a stretch?
Jim
January 6, 2009 - 4:47 pm
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You guys payed a good game. Good luck to you next year.

Hook ’em Horns!

Jim in TX
Rick Foreman
January 7, 2009 - 9:28 am
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Although a great Tebow fan for the many reasons listed, I must confess to growing up in Sooner land and will be pulling for them Thursday. I believe it to be an up hill climb for sure. Unless it is the Big 12 Championship, we seldom show up in these big games. Therefore I’m hoping my good friend Michael does not win out this week. Thanks to Texas for allowing us to play in this game. 🙂