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Urban Meyer had a visitor in his office Tuesday afternoon. It wasn’t a dignitary or celebrity. Instead, one of his players entered the palatial space inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Jack Mewhort needed to clear his mind, wanted to let Meyer know about past demons. In 2011, Ohio State went to Purdue controlling its own destiny in the division. The Buckeyes came home losers and didn’t win another the rest of the season.
On Tuesday, Mewhort assured Meyer it wouldn’t happen against. The offensive lineman let his head coach know the locker room is small and dingy and that the team’s focus is not one step ahead, but on the current opponent.
In his final meeting with reporters this week, Meyer said overlooking the Boilermakers is a non-issue. Bradley Roby echoed his coach’s thoughts, saying Ohio State has more to lose than Purdue, so a letdown isn’t even spoken of. Philly Brown said leadership is how you avoid potholes.
Notes:
- Meyer said the run game begins with the offensive line. “No disrespect to Carlos,” Meyer said, “but I could run through some of those holes.”
- Braxton Miller was gimpy a little on his bad knee last week. Meyer said that’s all gone. Miller is 100 percent.
- Meyer said Miller is making the correct reads this year and running the offense with efficiency. That’s why the unit has been so prolific, according to Meyer.
- Evan Spencer will play Saturday, Meyer said. But he’s been very limited in practice this week.
- Roby said he put too much pressure on himself early in the season, which led to his struggles. He said he’s refocused in recent weeks and got back to the basics, instead of trying to live up to the hype.
- One issue was attempting to do too much on the field, whether it was covering up for others mistakes or trying to make big plays.
- Ryan Shazier said one issue he has on the field is being too fast as a linebacker. It’s led to him overrunning plays at times. Shazier said it’s not a bad problem to have, though. It allows him to cheat on some plays and beat offensive players off and around blocks.
- Two players Shazier named as model linebackers were Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman.
- Brown said he’ll be happy to se Darrell Hazell, the coach that recruited him to Ohio State. Brown said they have a great relationship and will share a hug. He called Hazell one of the best coaches he’s ever been around.
- “He can throw us over his shoulder and carry us to victory.” -Brown on Hyde
- Purdue is second in the nation in net punting. Brown said the Buckeyes will get creative.
