Ohio State pushed its morning practice to the late afternoon Monday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, its last before classes start Tuesday.
The Buckeyes are officially two weeks away from visiting Blacksburg, Va., and Virginia Tech, so game preparations are moving forward.
Notes:
- The big news was freshman wide receiver/quarterback Torrance Gibson was held out due to what an Ohio State spokesman describes as a "minor foot and ankle injury." He warmed up with the team in a walking boot on his right foot, before leaving the field when practice started with other injured players. Spokesman added that Gibson isn't expected to miss too much time.
- Freshman Mike Weber was also in full pads, but had his left knee heavily wrapped as the rest of the team warmed up. He then had an ice bag on the knee, continuing his rehabilitation from a meniscus tear.
- Marshon Lattimore, who Urban Meyer mentioned Saturday as someone who pulled his hamstring, warmed up gingerly but then also left the field. He was in full pads.
- As the media was leaving the field, starting outside linebacker Darron Lee left the field walking slowly and appeared to have been favoring his knee.
- After stretching to begin the practice, the team did "DDF," or difference drills, stressing hand placements on blocks. They did this the last time the media could see practice as well, so Meyer is driving the point home.
- Dontre Wilson practiced as did Joel Hale and Cam Burrows. They had been held out rehabbing minor injuries and had missed time.
- Players who fielded punts: Wilson, Braxton Miller, Noah Brown, Ezekiel Elliott.
- Miller wore a black non-contact jersey, but continued to lead the quarterbacks group in stretching.
- Meyer spent a considerable amount of time with the wide receivers group.
- During punt drills, Meyer was elated when Nick Vannett followed through on his block and finished something the head coach had been stressing.
- During individual position drills, the second team offensive line was as follows (from left to right): Jamarco Jones, Demetrius Knox, Brady Taylor, Evan Lisle and Isaiah Prince.
- Weber, Gibson, Lattimore, Michael Hill, Johnnie Dixon were all riding stationary bikes as practice continued and the media exited. Gibson also spent time in the sand pit doing drills.
- Duke transfer kicker Jack Willoughby continued to take reps at punter during special teams work. He is battling with Sean Nuernberger for the chance to backup Cameron Johnston at the position.
- Joey Bosa was in attendance and practiced at full capacity.
- The team practiced on the grass field Monday. Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium is a grass surface, so the Buckeyes are getting acclimated.
Stay tuned with Eleven Warriors for videos and photos of practice, as well as interviews with co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Ash, running backs coach Tony Alford and select running backs and safeties after practice.
