Ohio State baseball lost one to Nebraska but bounced back to win the second game against the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington on Sunday.
Sunday was much like the season to date for the Ohio State baseball team. It looked far from an offensive juggernaut in game one against Nebraska, but rebounded with a pitching gem and timely offense to win game two against the Indiana Hoosier, both taking place in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Buckeyes could never figure out the Huskers’ pitching in a 9-0 loss in the first game. Nebraska used five pitchers and kept the OSU offense off-balance, only allowing five hits all game and cruised thanks to a five-run first inning. The win by the Cornhuskers sealed the Big Ten championship for 2021 conference campaign.
Game two against Indiana was different. Starting pitcher Garrett Burhenn hurled a gem to lead a rebound for the Buckeyes. He pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits, with the lone run coming in the first inning for the Hoosiers. He struck 11 hitters and got timely outs throughout the game to carry Ohio State to a 3-1 victory.
On the offensive side of the ball, Ohio State scored a run to tie it in the top of the second inning thanks to a Connor Pohl home run. The Buckeyes then added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning on a bases-loaded, one-out, two-run single up the middle by Brent Todys. And that would be how things ended on the scoreboard with Burhenn going the rest of the way.
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) May 23, 2021
With the win and loss on the day, OSU’s record now stands at 20-18. It sits in sixth place in the league with just four games on the schedule remaining. Ohio State will next take on Indiana again on Monday evening for its final away game of the year, before hosting Northwestern for a three-game weekend series to end the season.
It’s all about pride now and finishing the season on a high note to build for the future.
We break down the most likely future Ohio State Buckeyes on ESPN’s recent top 25 recruiting list regardless of class.
A few days ago ESPN released an article ranking the top 25 college football recruits regardless of class and we wanted to figure out how many are seriously considering becoming an Ohio State Buckeye. Recruiting rankings are fluid and differ a great deal between sites and this was the case even before COVID-19, which has complicated recruiting even further.
It is also important to remember that not only do the rankings change, but the decisions and standings of these high school athletes change as well. Teenagers often change their mind and that is no different when choosing a college. Below are a few of the prospects from the list that are considering Ohio State.
247Sports discussed potential impact freshmen across the country. When the Big Ten came around, five Ohio State players made the cut.
It’s no secret that the Ohio State football program recruits some of the top prospects in the country on an almost yearly basis. Top five ranked recruiting classes have become the norm. Many of those go on to have stellar careers in Columbus, and some even get a chance to make an impact right away as freshmen.
And you’d be hard-pressed to find another team in the Big Ten that gets so many freshmen contributing right away because a lot of the kids Ohio State recruits come right out of the box ready to insert into the big-time college football game.
And that’s where we look with one of the latest articles from 247Sports. Chris Hummer took a look at some of the freshmen players that could have an immediate impact across the country, guys you need to know, and when he wandered into the Big Ten, Hummer highlighted five players wearing scarlet and gray that you may want to take notice of.
The popular sportsbook BetMGM has released odds for select Ohio State football games for 2021, including against Oregon and Michigan.
We’re still months away from the start of the college football season, but that hasn’t stopped some of the online sportsbooks from releasing some very early lines for some of the games this fall.
In the case of Ohio State, BetMGM has released some extremely early lines for a handful of games including the big-time intersectional meeting with Oregon, and for the annual end of the year donnybrook with Michigan (or at least what used to be).
So let’s go through some of the odds for games Ohio State has against some of its scheduled opponents in 2021. As more are released, or as these move, we’ll have those for you too.
ESPN spoke to several national college basketball coaches and received anonymous feedback on what Ohio State has to offer recruits.
The most honest answers come from people when there is no chance of recourse. The same can be said for college basketball coaches across the country. Many among the top seven leagues were recently asked to compare the jobs in the Big Ten conference. They dished on things like what set them apart, what could be better, and ultimately which were the most appealing in the league for prospective recruits?
When it comes to Ohio State, there are good and bad points as with any program, but when it was all said and done, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello took anonymous feedback (subscription required) from coaches in the league and split all the jobs up into five tiers — one being the top.
It’s very interesting to get an outside take on the OSU program and what others across the country feel about it, so let’s get to all the fun stuff.
We’re keeping track of all the former Ohio State players that got selected in the 2021 NFL draft as they officially sign their contracts.
We just witnessed another NFL draft where the Ohio State football program had a slew of players hear their name called. In fact, for the second year in a row, the Buckeyes had at least ten players go in the draft, the only program to do so. OSU has been a draft monster during the history of the draft, leading all programs with total first-round picks and third in overall picks throughout the history of the draft. Simply put, if you want to sign an NFL deal, head to the banks of the Olentangy.
And it’s on that note that we’re now onto the next phase of this draft process, getting those players that were selected officially inked with their new teams. We decided to put together a draft signing tracker for former Ohio State players and keep track of it all with a status of each.
Normally, the higher the pick the longer it takes to sign because — well, money, but we’ll see how it all plays out. We’ve already seen a handful of former Buckeye make it official and we’ll continue to update the tracker as each smiles in front of the camera with a really fancy pen, normally on social media.
So off we go, our Ohio State football NFL draft player signing tracker for 2021, with reported contract details thanks to spotrac.com when available.
What does the Ohio State football schedule look like as we go out the next few years? Here is a look at some opponents to look forward to.
The Ohio State football program has always done a great job of scheduling some huge intersectional matchups to go along with in-state opponents and programs that pique interest. There are of course games that are ho-hum just to fill out a schedule, but there’s almost always a big nonconference game to look forward to in addition to the Big Ten schedule.
That won’t change over the next few years either. The Buckeye program already has some pretty big games against some of the blue bloods of the sport scheduled far in advance, and while not everything is known after just a couple of years out, the schedules are beginning to take shape.
Just as recently, OSU athletic director Gene Smith confirmed a future home-and-home with Oregon way out in the years of 2032 and 2033.
We’ve put together what we know at this point with future schedules for you to keep track of when and where Ohio State is playing, and what games to look forward to in the future. As the schedules are updated, we’ll continue to add to it, so come back and stay informed.
Former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has a ton of superstar potential for the Chicago Bears in a city that desperately yearns for it.
When former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, you could almost feel the excitement emanating from Lake Michigan. The fact that the Bears traded up to get the former Heisman finalist who fell a few more spots than many anticipated was a bold move for a franchise thirsty for a superstar quarterback.
Chicago’s struggles at the quarterback position
In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find another NFL franchise that’s had such a checkered past trying to find that difference-maker under center. Heck, the latest experience with Mitchell Trubisky, a first-rounder himself from the 2017 draft, didn’t go quite as planned. He is now with the Buffalo Bills.
Before that, it’s hard to find a quarterback that’s been thrust into the spotlight of the Windy City and succeeded to take the city’s heart. There was excitement when Chicago signed Jay Cutler in 2009 as a free agent, but for all the talent he possessed — and even displayed at times — it too was one that had too much inconsistency, leaving Bears’ fans longing for more.
He’s still the Bears’ all-time leader in passing yards (2,020) and touchdowns (154), but his 109 interceptions during his eight seasons tell you all you need to know about the love/hate relationship the city of Chicago had with “their” quarterback.
The aura that already surrounds Justin Fields is at such a higher level than Mitch Trubisky.
Mitch was also such an unknown when he got to Chicago. Most fans had barely ever watched him play.
Most casual fans have at least caught glimpses of Fields and that brings hope.
Aside from that, there are really not too many broad shoulders to stand on when looking at Chicago quarterbacks. To this day, Jim McMahon is probably the most adored for his personality and for helping bring home a Super Bowl on the 1985 team. But he did little to lay claim to being a superstar on a team that relied on the best defense ever assembled and a ball-control offense that featured Walter Payton.
In what has become a quarterback league, the Bears have had a hard time being a quarterback team, ever.
Justin Fields, meet the city of Chicago
Welcome in Justin Fields. He’s the next in a long line of quarterbacks the city is just waiting to steal its collective heart. He has a strong arm, is lightning fast, and is without question one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the NFL — day one. He’s also a tireless worker and ultra-competitive. In other words, he has all the skills and traits to finally be what Chicago has long desired with its NFL team. A superstar as one of the most visible icons of the city.
But can he be what everyone wants him to be? If so, the potential at stardom is out of this world on many levels.
Chicago is a city that will get behind its sports teams and the personalities on them if it is given a reason. It has forever loved the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks, but fell in love with the White Sox during the World Series run in 2005. It became Illinois fans when the Illini went on a run in the Final Four that same year, and even starts to look a little north along the shore when Northwestern is beginning to make a little noise. Its inhabitants loved Sister Jean and Loyola during a couple of NCAA March Madness runs.
It’s a city that loves its sports teams as a part of its culture. It decorates and adorns its buildings and gets behind its stars and teams that go on memorable runs or do the unthinkable. I’m not from Chicago myself but have embraced all things from the city because of marrying a Chicagoan. Our reception dinner involved deep dish pizza. In suburban Chicago. My in-laws love Chicago sports. It’s in their blood, is a way of life, and the entire family gets swept up in the sports scene. Even the casual fan there is more than just a casual fan in other cities.
Jun 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A statue of Chicago Bulls veteran Michael Jordan outside of the United Center before game three of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
The potential of what could be
And that’s the point. If Justin Fields can turn into what many hope he’ll become in one of the largest and most marketable cities in the country, he’s going to be a superstar of grand proportions. There’s a void there that’s been growing for a long time, and Fields has what it takes to be not only the face of a franchise, but perhaps the face of the city. If Patrick Mahomes can be all over our television sets out of Kansas City, Missouri, then what will it look like if Fields does feats of athletic wonders in Chicagoland.
Imagine what could be. Nobody will ever reach the popularity and global reach Michael Jordan did, but if Fields becomes a superstar of the sport during his time in Chicago, there’s a potential that he’s the next closest thing to when “His Airness” was rolling around town in nice cars, a cigar hanging out of his mouth, and traveling around with a few NBA trophies and MVP awards in tow.
Just imagine then what will happen if Fields helps bring home a couple of Super Bowls, makes multiple Pro Bowls, and goes on an all-out assault on the all-time Chicago passing records. This whole thing could get fun.
Obviously, Fields has to be “that” for the world to embrace him. They won’t rename Soldier Field to Soldier “Fields” without plenty of remarkable things happening while mixing it up as a Monster of the Midway.
Somewhere in here, there’s another piece about living up to lofty expectations, but that’s for another day. For now, many in Chicago, and frankly, some Ohio State fans as well, are waiting to see what happens with Fields and rooting for him to ascend upon the sports superstar throne that hasn’t had a king in Chicago for a long, long time.
Time to “Bear Down” and see how this all plays out. The potential is massive.
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Former Ohio State tight end Luke Farrell has made it official, signing his rookie deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday.
Former Ohio State tight end Luke Farrell has put the pen to paper in signing his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was all made official according to a tweet sent out from the Jaguars official Twitter account on Thursday.
To be fair, it was a little surprising to see Farrell go as high as he did in the 2021 NFL draft. He was expected to be a very late-round prospect but was scooped up by the Jags in the fifth round as the No. 145 overall pick. Having his former coach at Ohio State, Urban Meyer, as the new head coach in JAX and influential on the selection process probably didn’t hurt.
Congrats are in order for Farrell and we know he can’t wait to get to work. As always, we’ll continue to stay on top of all the former Ohio State players taken in the draft as they officially sign on the dotted line with their new teams.
Former Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai has officially signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns.
It’s official for former Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai. According to a picture and caption on Twitter by the Cleveland Browns account, Togia has inked his rookie deal.
Details of the contract are not immediately clear at this point, but Togiai surprised many by declaring early for the NFL draft after last season. He wasn’t a sure-fire first couple of days pick, but he was selected by the Browns as the No. 132 overall pick in the fourth round.
Possessing brut strength, an unyielding work ethic, and a high motor, Togiai has the tools to be successful in clogging things up in the middle of the trenches, and that’s just what the Browns hope they got in the Idaho native.
We will continue to stay on top of all the former Ohio State players that were selected in the 2021 NFL draft as they sign their new rookie contracts. In the meantime, good luck to Togiai as he tries to carve out a home in Northeast Ohio.
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