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Meyer, OSU prepare for ‘different animal’
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Ohio State coach Urban Meyer gestures before the Buckeyes’ game against Miami of Ohio on Saturday in Columbus.
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Whether it’s typical coach-speak or genuine concern, Urban Meyer is extremely wary of Ohio State’s next opponent, Central Florida.
“A whole different animal coming in here this week,” said Meyer, whose 18th-ranked Buckeyes pounded Miami (Ohio), 56-10, in their opener on Saturday. “I know this [UCF] team, I know this coach, I know this coaching staff, and we have great respect for everything they’ve done.”
Just like the Buckeyes, coach George O’Leary’s team also spanked a Mid-American Conference school from Ohio while scoring 56 points last week. The Knights beat up on Akron, 56-14.
They were impressive on both sides of the ball, showing size, speed and power. But don’t be misled: Meyer’s primary worries still revolve around his own team.
He was extremely disappointed with the Buckeyes’ slow start. Yet he was curiously almost giddy about it.
“I’m pleased we got thrown around a little bit and were actually losing in our home stadium in the first quarter,” he said. “I didn’t like it at the time, but I think everybody got kind of hit in the face a little bit and responded well.”
Rest assured that Meyer is making sure the Buckeyes are well aware of what they did wrong — and of what Central Florida is capable of.
The Buckeyes led just 3-0 late in the first quarter and had done nothing offensively before one play lit a fuse under them.
Quarterback Braxton Miller zipped a rocket of a pass into the end zone that could easily have sailed out of bounds. Instead, sophomore receiver Devin Smith leaped high in front of a defender, reached up with his right arm, snagged the ball and then tucked it in while contorting his body as he fell to the field.
From that point on, everything seemed to go Ohio State’s way.
“What creates momentum sometimes is a big hit or a big run or a great effort — or, jeez, Devin Smith’s one-handed grab,” said Ohio State tight ends and fullbacks coach Tim Hinton.