Stronger Rockets are next for Buckeyes

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

As bad as things have been on the national stage for Ohio State’s football program the last nine months, the Buckeyes remain the kings of the Buckeye state.

That’s what it’s like when you go 32,844 days since your last loss to a backyard opponent.

Suspensions, NCAA investigations, a vacated season, a deposed coach and a departed quarterback have stung Ohio State.

But by virtue of Saturday’s 42-0 beatdown of Akron, and the overwhelming popularity of the scarlet and gray, the Buckeyes continue to maintain their in-state dominance within Ohio’s borders.

The Buckeyes are 42-0-1 against their closest neighbors since their last loss, a 7-6 setback to Oberlin during native son Warren Harding’s administration in 1921.

Next up is Toledo, a far more talented Mid-American Conference team than Akron, which comes to Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

“You can’t take anyone lightly and I don’t think we ever do,” Buckeyes defensive back Nate Ebner said. “Anyone we’re going to play against, we know they’re capable of anything. We understand that and have that mentality during the week.”

Ohio State has played the Rockets twice — and won by a combined score of 87-0.

But the Rockets are coming off a 58-22 victory over New Hampshire in their season-opener on Sept. 1. In addition to the extra time to get ready for the game at Ohio Stadium, they’re also the preseason pick to win the MAC.

And with Ohio State still without four and possibly seven players suspended for trading memorabilia for cash, many don’t believe this will be an easy game.

“Our players are excited, there’s no question about it,” Rockets coach Tim Beckman, a former Ohio State assistant coach, said on Monday. “A majority of our football team is from the state of Ohio, from what we call Rocket Nation — a four-hour radius [from Toledo]. They all know about the Buckeyes.”

While Akron got $850,000 for coming to Columbus, the Rockets get nothing. That’s because Toledo was the home team two years ago when the teams met at Cleveland Browns Stadium and got to keep all the money then.

It’s not like the Rockets haven’t played — and won — big games against big-time programs before. Upsetting the high and mighty, or at least teams from automatic qualifying Bowl Championship Series conferences, is almost a yearly occurrence.

Last season Toledo beat Purdue of the Big Ten 31-20, the year before that the Rockets romped over Colorado of the Big 12, 54-38, and the year before that they administered one of the most shocking losses Michigan has ever had, beating the Wolverines 13-10 at The Big House.

The Rockets have also whipped Kansas, Minnesota, Cincinnati and Penn State this decade.