OSU FOOTBALL Running game must improve

That's where much of the Buckeyes' focus lies this spring.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- While most of Buckeye Nation frets over whether Justin Zwick or Troy Smith will be Ohio State's next starting quarterback, almost as big of a question lingers a few yards farther from the line of scrimmage.
Lydell Ross is the front-runner at tailback, with converted fullback Branden Joe and a recuperating Maurice Hall still in the hunt as the Buckeyes go through their paces during spring workouts.
Even with Ross clearly No. 1, nothing is really nailed down at tailback because of a harrowing season in 2003. The Buckeyes were ranked 84th among the 117 NCAA Division I-A teams in rushing.
Falling behind
To put that into perspective, not only was Ohio State's 126 rushing yards a game eighth best in the Big Ten -- it was dead last among Ohio's Division I programs.
"Definitely, it is embarrassing," said Ross. "That's something that we have to correct. That's expected. That has to be better."
Ross' 826 rushing yards was the fewest for Ohio State's No. 1 back in 11 years. Over the last 36 seasons, only six times has the team's leading ground-gainer rushed for fewer yards.
As a result, coach Jim Tressel is focusing much of the spring on the running attack. To shore up the tailback spot, Joe was shifted over after finishing last season on a high note.
A physical runner who missed the first four games last year with a torn pectoral muscle, Joe gave a sneak peak at his potential by gaining 46 yards on 11 carries in the Buckeyes' 35-28 win over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.
"I prefer to be on the field with the starting 11," Joe said earlier this spring.
Ross, meanwhile, isn't conceding the starting job to anyone. Held back by nagging injuries throughout his career, Ross didn't miss a day of winter conditioning and has been a bull so far this spring.
Besides being healthy, he has also improved his attitude.
"I'm focused on being the best running back in the nation," Ross said.
Ross has shown flashes of that high goal but has never followed up on that promise. His freshman year against Indiana -- when he was just 17 years old -- he gained 124 yards. He helped preserve Ohio State's unbeaten season with 130 yards in a narrow win against Cincinnati two years ago.
Last season, Ross got off to a slow start because of foot and thigh injuries. He finished strong with 167 yards against Indiana, 110 against Penn State and 125 against Michigan State late in the season in consecutive games.
Imagine where the Buckeyes would have finished in the rushing stats if not for those three games.
"I played well but I need to play consistently every game," Ross said. "The games like Indiana, I have to do that every game."