Most of OSU's top players will not be on tonight's flight
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- Don't count on seeing Maurice Clarett, Michael Doss or Craig Krenzel if you welcome the Ohio State team when it arrives back in Columbus.
Only one scholarship player -- backup quarterback Scott McMullen -- is scheduled to be on the team flight when it arrives at Port Columbus International this evening.
NCAA rules permit universities to give players the cash equivalent of a full-fare coach ticket. Players are then allowed to find their own way home and pocket the difference.
As a result, almost every member of the Ohio State team's traveling party will not be on the charter that departs from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport at 4 p.m. and is expected to arrive at Lane Aviation at Port Columbus between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Between 15 and 20 non-scholarship players and the entire coaching staff and their families will be on the charter flight.
Ohio State sports information director Steve Snapp said some preliminary plans have been made for a reception for the team, most likely late next week.
"Now's not the time to approach [coach] Jim [Tressel] about that," Snapp said. "We certainly will do something, though."
The coaching staff leaves on Sunday for a convention in New Orleans.