OHIO STATE After years on sidelines, Childress gets a chance

The senior wideout was named OSU's top player on offense from the opener.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- It was the Ohio State career of Brandon "Bam" Childress in one play.
Late in the first quarter of the Buckeyes' season opener on Saturday against Cincinnati, quarterback Justin Zwick tossed a long, high spiral in the direction of Childress, who was streaking down the field near the hash marks.
Childress ran under the pass and sprinted to the end zone for the Buckeyes' first points of the year. The crowd roared, the band played and his teammates crowded around to tap him on the helmet and pat him on the back.
Then the yellow flag fell to the ground. Back up field, near the line of scrimmage. An Ohio State lineman was called for holding, nullifying the touchdown, abruptly ending the celebration and, once again, dramatically taking away Childress' moment in the spotlight.
For a change, however, the story had a happy ending for Childress. He didn't get credit for the 46-yard touchdown catch, although he did finish with four catches for 67 yards in the Buckeyes' 27-6 victory. He was honored as Ohio State's top player on offense.
"I had a great game but I don't want to be complacent or anything," the Warrensville Heights native said. "I want to keep on working hard in the weight room and get better every game."
Long journey
If there's one thing Childress has learned, it's to not take anything for granted. He came to Ohio State as Ohio's Mr. Football. Big things were projected for the quick defensive back/receiver with the moves of a matador.
Then he all but vanished only to reappear as a potential standout every spring. He watched as the Buckeyes churned out a series of receivers, all of whom took their place ahead of him in the pecking order (Michael Jenkins, Ken-Yon Rambo, Reggie Germany, Chris Vance, Chris Gamble, Drew Carter).
"It was frustrating but the biggest thing for me was just knowing that when I do get the opportunity I had to make the best of it," Childress said.
Still, that opportunity never came.
The clippings, plaques and trophies didn't get him playing time. He was redshirted in 2000, then rode the pine for most of the 2001 season, making one catch. He saw action in 13 games as a sophomore, catching only four passes while collecting a national championship ring.
A year ago, Carter broke a leg but redshirt freshman Santonio Holmes stole the job opposite Jenkins in the Ohio State offense. Childress filled in while catching nine passes in a bit role.
Good talks
When doubts crept in, he visited coach Jim Tressel -- more times than he can remember.
"I couldn't count 'em, but I know it was a lot though," he said with a laugh. "I remember me all the time asking Coach Tressel, 'What can I do to get better?' or 'What can I work on?' Every time we talked it made me feel better as far as what to work on, what to do, what not to do. I'm just glad that me and him are real close."
A brief payoff came last January in the Fiesta Bowl when Childress caught two passes for 44 yards, including a 36-yard gain that set up the Buckeyes' second touchdown in what would be a 35-28 win over Kansas State.
When that game was over, Childress recommitted himself to working out, getting in condition and preparing for his final season.
Now the old man of the receiving corps has earned his stripes. He still doesn't start, but that's OK with the 22-year-old.
"I never got my head down," Childress said. "I just kept working hard, knowing that if you keep working hard it's going to pay off sooner or later."