The rustle of leaves, pleasant temperatures and sunshine welcomed Ohio State to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Monday, signaling the beginning of the first November game week of 2015.
Urban Meyer met with reporters in the team room to talk about J.T. Barrett's OVI citation and suspension, where his offense sits with Cardale Jones at the helm and Saturday 8 p.m. game against Minnesota.
Notes:
- In Ohio State's 49-7 thumping of Rutgers Oct. 24, a total of 24 players received champion recognition for their performances against the Scarlet Knights: Adolphus Washington, Sam Hubbard, Darron Lee, Raekwon McMillan, Joshua Perry, Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore, Tyvis Powell, Vonn Bell, Joey Bosa, J.T. Barrett, Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall, Braxton Miller, Curtis Samuel, James Clark, Jeff Greene, Pat Elflein, Jacoby Boren, Taylor Decker, Nick Vannett and Ezekiel Elliott. Players of the game were Barrett, Elliott, Thomas, Bosa and Bri'onte Dunn (special teams).
- Meyer said he chose to suspend J.T. Barrett for one game: "He has to to counseling and some other things through the university. That will be done."
- Barrett also will forfeit his scholarship for a semester: "You've gotta earn that back." That was set by a precedent, Meyer said, citing Jack Mewhort's incident a few years back.
- "If he's good enough and if he's earned that ... I haven't gone that far yet." — Meyer on if Barrett will start upon his return from suspension.
- Johnnie Dixon will not play this week, Meyer said. Dixon has a micro fracture under his patella, Meyer said.
- Dontre Wilson had a "procedure" on his foot and is questionable this week, Meyer said. He also added that he will know more after practice Monday about the availability of wide receiver Parris Campbell (knee sprain).
- The coaching staff is "having conversations" about moving to Braxton Miller to quarterback in the red zone with Barrett out and Cardale Jones as the starter.
- Asked about his quick decision-making to suspend Barrett or any other players making mistakes being a factor of his evolution of a coach, Meyer said he doesn't think so: "The one thing I look back is if I have given too many second chances to people. As I look back, I probably would say I have." He also added that public opinion doesn't not influence his actions.
- J.T. Barrett has not lost his captaincy, "as of now," Meyer said.
- Meyer called drunk driving "horrible" and said he instantly went to Gene Smith to discuss the situation upon learning about it Saturday.
- Meyer said the situation is "tough" for Barrett and he's going to have to deal with something he's never dealt with before: "When people start attacking with who he is, especially when they don't know him, that's going to be the toughest thing he's ever had to deal with ... Now there are some questions of who you are."
- Meyer said Barrett came over to his house and was "blow away, devastated. All his concern was about the team, as you can imagine."
- A text message at around 6 a.m. informed Meyer of what happened: "I woke up and asked Shelley, did I read this right? Then I dealt with it in the next six hours."
- Meyer said Barrett told him "he felt fine" to drive home. Meyer asked him why he did it, and Barrett said "it didn't even cross his mind. I was just trying to give someone a ride home."
- Cardale Jones did come and pick up Barrett after the incident. Does that play to their relationship? "Sure."
- As of right now, Braxton Miller is Ohio State's backup quarterback with Barrett's suspension, Meyer said: "There's no question he's our No. 2 quarterback."
- Every game, Ohio State has a package for Miller at quarterback: "He can throw. Is he ready to throw? That's what we're going to work on this week."
