SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Overcast skies and cooler temperatures welcomed a lighter Ohio State practice at Notre Dame Prep High School on Wednesday, the second day the Buckeyes worked out in Phoenix. The Buckeyes are one step closer to their Fiesta Bowl showdown with the Clemson Tigers.
The program allotted the media another 15-minute window for cameras and reporters to view practice. Urban Meyer held the same intensity as a day before.
"Get good reps. Get good reps," Meyer shouted in the huddle before the team broke for individual workouts. "It's coming down to it now. Get good reps."
Here are other tidbits and notes from the media's brief time to view the workout.
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Boston College head coach Steve Addazio attended practice. He spent the first bit the media was there speaking to Director of Player Personnel Mark Pantoni before stepping on the field to do the same with Meyer.
Boston College head coach Steve Addazio is at Ohio State practice today. Speaking with Mark Pantoni and Urban Meyer pic.twitter.com/OpmXXvwHtN
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) December 28, 2016 -
The two former colleagues—Addazio served as an assistant under Meyer at Florida from 2005-10—laughed as they spoke to one another, before Meyer offered a fist bump to Addazio once the team finished stretching. Addazio's Eagles fell to Clemson 56-10 at home on Oct. 7.
I'd think Addazio is telling Meyer how to defend Clemson but probably not considering Boston College gave up 56 points to the Tigers pic.twitter.com/qFfodAGgl6
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) December 28, 2016 - Meyer stood above his team and for the second straight day singled out freshman defensive tackle Malik Barrow: “Malik Barrow, you were way better [Tuesday]. Now finish. Finish. Finish. Finish.”
- A Houston Texans scout attended practice.
- Not all players were in full pads on Wednesday. The majority of the starters on both sides of the ball only wore upper leg pads but nothing on the shoulders. J.T. Barrett and all the quarterbacks were in full gear, however.
- The players designated to the scout team and thus in orange jerseys were in full pads.
- Dontre Wilson returned punts during the special teams portion of practice. He lost his job as the team's primary punt returner to Curtis Samuel ahead of its game at Maryland on Nov. 12.
- The other players who fielded punts were Samuel, Demario McCall, Parris Campbell and Corey Smith.
- Meyer again hovered over the special teams portion of practice with great intensity. He stood fewer than two yards from Cameron Johnston while he punted and Tyler Durbin while he practiced field goals.
- ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit walked into practice while the Fiesta Bowl staff showed the rest of the media contingent out following the 15-minute window.
