Sunday, September 11, 2005
The linebacker played one of the best games of his career against Texas.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Ohio State senior linebacker A.J. Hawk isn't sure the Buckeyes can get back into the national title race, but he does know one thing.
"We're not quitting," he said. "Who knows what is going to happen? If we run the table, which we feel we can do, then we're still in it.
"Anything can happen in college football."
Hawk, a first-team all-American selection last year, played one of the best games of his career in Saturday's loss to Texas, compiling a game-high 12 tackles (seven solo), three tackles for a loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception.
But ...
"The bottom line is, when we needed to stop them, we didn't," Hawk said.
Costly loss
Vince Young's game-winning touchdown pass in the closing minutes of Saturday's contest did more than cost Ohio State a perfect season -- it may have cost them a chance at the Rose Bowl. With Oklahoma looking vulnerable after last week's loss to TCU, Texas (2-0) seemingly has a clear path to the BCS title game. Two-time defending champion USC still has to play an improved Notre Dame, but it would be stunning if the Trojans stumbled before January.
After Saturday's game, Longhorns coach Mack Brown was asked if the win over OSU will quiet the critics who say he can't win big games.
"I don't think you can ever silence critics anymore," he said. "Critics are critics because they're called critics and that's what they're paid for.
"What you do learn at Ohio State and Texas is you do your best and understand there will be critics and you're not perfect and you make mistakes. We made them [Saturday] and I'll always make them and I'm not worried about that anymore."
Home to San Diego State
The Buckeyes will play host to San Diego State at noon on Saturday before opening the Big Ten season against Iowa. The best OSU can do is run the table and hope for the best.
"We have a lot of strong guys and we're going to come through this," said senior safety Nate Salley. "We are still going to play our hearts out and keep strong. A lot of teams are playing ranked teams, so anything can happen."
One thing Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will have to deal with in the upcoming days is the brimming quarterback controversy. Justin Zwick and Troy Smith shared quarterback duties against Texas to mixed results.
Zwick got the start but was ineffective much of the game, leading Ohio State to just three points. (In Zwick's defense, tight end Ryan Hamby dropped a sure touchdown pass midway through the third quarter.) Zwick played six of the 13 offensive series, completed 9-for-15 passes for 66 yards and had a crucial fumble in the closing minutes that all but ended Ohio State's hopes of a comeback.
Smith led five scoring drives
Smith, on the other hand, led the Buckeye offense to scoring drives on his first five chances, although only one of those was a touchdown -- a 36-yard pass to Santonio Holmes early in the second quarter. He finished with 76 yards rushing and 78 yards passing.
"I think it worked well for us," Zwick said of the quarterback rotation. "I'm just happy to be out there leading the team and trying to get better."
Holmes was equally diplomatic.
"I think we as a team are very comfortable with both of them throwing the football," he said. "They both have poise and are very mature on the field."
Tressel hinted that he may continue the rotation indefinitely. No one's sure if it will work, but one thing is certain: There will be plenty of second-guessing in Columbus this week.
scalzo@vindy.com