OHIO STATE Reynoldsfamily has eye on I-AA

Robert Reynolds' brother is playing in the Division I-AA champiohship game for Western Kentucky.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Fiesta Bowl isn't the only college football national championship game that affects the family of Ohio State linebacker Robert Reynolds.
Reynolds' brother, Patrick, is a starting defensive end at Western Kentucky, which plays McNeese State for the Division I-AA title Friday night in Chattanooga, Tenn.
"That's what I'm focusing on this week, not the Fiesta Bowl," said their mother, Roxanne Reynolds. "We've got to get through this one. I get nervous thinking about it. I try not to think about it."
Kentucky home
The Reynolds family lives in Bowling Green, Ky., home of the Western Kentucky campus. With Patrick playing for the hometown Hilltoppers, the Buckeyes have been put on the back burner -- at least for this week.
"Hopefully coach [Jim] Tressel will let me get out and miss practice on Friday so I can go see my brother play," said Robert, a 21-year-old junior for the Buckeyes. "I hope he'll let me out.
"You know, he's played in that national championship game a few times with Youngstown State, so hopefully he'll be lenient toward me."
Because most college football games are on Saturdays, the brothers have only seen each other play in person a few times this season.
Robert went to Western Kentucky's first playoff game on Nov. 30, while Patrick -- on off weeks -- was able to see his brother help the Buckeyes beat Purdue and Michigan, clinching the Big Ten title and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3 against Miami.
"I was probably more excited to see Ohio State beat Michigan and get their championship," said Patrick, a 22-year-old WKU senior who plans to attend the Fiesta Bowl.
"That put the pressure back on me. Hopefully we can win and put the pressure back on him," Patrick said.
The competition never ends for the brothers.
Food is example
Along with their older brother, Jason, 24, and younger brother, Eric, 18, the Reynolds boys enjoy competing for everything from athletic glory to a second helping at dinner, Patrick said.
"With four boys in the family you've got to hold your own," he said. "It's just always something."
This season, Patrick and Robert could fight over whose team has been involved in more meaningful -- and close -- games.
Narrow victories over Cincinnati, Purdue, Illinois and Michigan preserved Ohio State's undefeated season. Western Kentucky won its last two playoff games by three points each.
"It's pretty wild," Patrick said. "They're all down to the wire."
That has added to the tension for Roxanne and Dan Reynolds, who are always nervous when their sons play.
"It is extremely exciting," Roxanne said. "I just absolutely love it."
The break in Ohio State's schedule allows the parents to attend Patrick's playoff games and the Fiesta Bowl together. They had to split up during the regular season when their sons played on the same day.
Cohesion
"It just brings the family so much closer," Roxanne Reynolds said.
The family expects to take a large contingent to both title games. Dan is one of 11 children, meaning aunts, uncles and cousins will be making trips to Tennessee and Tempe, Ariz., to watch Patrick and Robert play.