Buckeyes try to stay cool in heat

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

On a day when the National Weather Service advised people to avoid prolonged work in the sun, the Ohio State Buckeyes spent two hours in full pads battling the high humidity while the temperature inched into the mid-90s.

And things are going get even worse.

The Buckeyes, not so fresh from their first day of full contact, begin two-a-day drills on Wednesday.

Even the best conditioned athletes are physically stressed when the mercury rises and every breeze feels like a steaming towel is passing in front of your face.

“You can train, but you can’t train for this,” said Joe Bauserman, backup quarterback to Terrelle Pryor. “You’re not out here (during preseason conditioning) in pads, running gassers in 100-degree heat. It’s usually 6 a.m.”

Jermale Hines appears to be in superlative shape. A torpedo of a hitter from his safety spot, he acknowledges that Mother Nature can test anyone.

“It’s something you can’t prep for,” he said. “We ran real hard the whole summer. Once you get out here, it’s a totally different condition. It’s something you just have to fight through and be mentally tough.”

Most of the workout was situational, with the offense in short-yardage inside the 10 and the defense trying to make stops. Linebacker Brian Rolle missed the workout because he had a class. Offensive lineman Marcus Hall and starting cornerback Devon Torrence were not on hand to practice, nor was freshman running back Rod Smith.

At one point late in the practice, offensive lineman Andrew Norwell and linebacker David Durham got into a scrap that lasted only a few seconds. No one seemed terribly surprised.

“The heat will bring out the dog in you and you will get into some arguments and some stuff will get heated,” center Mike Brewster said. “But everything cools down once you get into the film room and figure stuff out.”

The arrival of two-a-days doesn’t mean twice the fun.

“I don’t really even look at it as a two-a-day,” cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said. “I look at it as one practice, take a nap of like 45 minutes, then wake up and it’s a new day and a new practice. And it’s two opportunities to get better.”

There were frequent breaks to guzzle water and electrolyte drinks. Afterward, players could also sit in an ice bath before heading into the air-conditioned locker room.

Running back Dan Herron said getting through two-a-days helps bond a team because the players are almost united in their misery.

“That’s a part of football,” he said. “These guys who come out here and work hard, run in this heat, play hard in the sun, it’s not for everyone. Not everyone can do this.”