Buckeye Blogger NetworkWho’s ready for Buffalo? Better question: Who’s tired of the “dead period” and ready to buckle up their chinstrap and get to work? One more question: Did anyone make it out to Orion Music and More on the 8th and 9th? It’s Wednesday, let’s rumble!
The wait trudges on…
August 31th in Ohio Stadium the 2013 season officially gets underway. The opponent that day will be the Buffalo Bulls. Let’s be real, this should be a tune-up for San Diego State and the roadie out west to play the Cal Bears.
Urban Meyer and Braxton Miller: Ready to run the table again in 2013
It’s kind of weird to think that Urban Meyer has not lost a game yet as head coach at Ohio State. Taking nothing away from their accomplishments, the 2012 team was not what many would consider “undefeated caliber”. They didn’t really pass the eye test after 2011 and the questions in key spots left most thinking a 10-2 run would be as good as it could get, me included.
Looking back at 2012 in early summer anticipation for 2013, I’m left with a couple of questions and thoughts that I certainly did not have at this time last year.
· Just how good of a football coach is Urban Meyer? We all saw what he did at Bowling Green, from a distance when he was at Utah and then first-hand during his stop in Florida. For me, it’s his attitude that does it. The man is a winner and demands that his players compete at everything on all levels. That competition makes players better and, as important, keeps everyone on their toes and always giving maximum effort. Read More
Mike Thomczak, gunslinger
In today’s episode of the tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we come to #73; the November 5th, 1983 beat down of Indiana, 56-17.
The Buckeyes came into the game with a 6-2 record, with a big win against the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, but having suffered losses to Iowa and Illinois on the road. Indiana was playing under new head coach Sam Wyche, who had replaced Lee Corso after he completed a pair of losing seasons in ’81 and ’82.
The Buckeyes paced themselves in this one, scoring two touchdowns in each quarter. Keith Byars led the OSU ground attack, and Mike Thomczak continued to cement his legacy as a great Buckeye QB.
Sam Wyche’s Hoosiers ended the year with a disappointing 3-8 record. Wyche departed Bloomington at the end of the season to become the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving the Hoosiers in the hands of Bill Mallory who would eventually lead them to a bowl appearance in 1986.
Happy Wednesday! By now, we’ve all found our headbands or just decided that our hair replacement scars aren’t a big deal, and we’re getting ready for the weekend. Here’s a look at all the news that’s fit to distract you from your mid-week responsibilities. Quick editorial note: SBP will be on hiatus next week, as your humble correspondent has a previous appointment. Here’s a little clue in this week’s soundtrack.
Not Just For Oval Beach
Buckeye 411
This worked pretty well that day
In today’s episode of the tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we come to #74 a more recent game. The feature game is the November 3rd, 2012 smoking of Illinois, 52-22.
After a tight 1st quarter (7-6, OSU) the Buckeyes effectively put this game away in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Illini 24-0. Drew Basil kicked off the big quarter with a 31-yard field goal, then worked on extra points as Carlos Hyde (2 TD) and Rod Smith (1 TD) did the heavy lifting in that quarter.
For your viewing pleasure.
Yep, he could actually do that.
Pre Ohio State
Janowicz was born and raised in Elyria, OH and graduated from Elyria High School.
Ohio State
Janowicz played at Ohio State from 1948-1951. As a tailback in the single wing formation, the offense truly ran through Vic Janowicz. So much so, that in 1950 as a junior, Janowicz was awarded the Heisman Trophy, the second Buckeye to be recognized.. Woody Hayes, who coached Janowicz’s senior year, said of him:
“He was not only a great runner, but also passed, was a placekicker and punter, played safety on defense and was an outstanding blocker. Janowicz epitomized the ‘triple-threat football player.”
High praise indeed, coming from Woody. However, things changed a bit in Janowicz’s senior year under his new coach. Woody and installed the T formation, which didn’t use Janowicz’s triple-threat capabilities, thus he an average season as a part-time starter.
Professional career
After college, Janowicz passed up offers to play professional football in order to pursue a baseball career. He reached the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played two seasons as a back-up catcher and third baseman..
Janowicz entered pro football in 1954 with the NFL’s Washington Redskins. As their starting halfback, he finished second in the league in scoring with 88 points in 1955. In 1956 he suffered a brain injury in an auto accident. Though he recovered from the injury, his football career was over.
Honors awards
You’d think that with his skills and accomplishments, Janowicz would have been highly decorated. And he was.
Post football
Off the field, Janowicz faced much adversity after his college success. Just before the car accident, his daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which she succumbed to eight years. Janowicz eventually made a full recovery and became a broadcaster of Buckeye football games. Following the death of his daughter, he went to work in the Abstract Manufacturing Company.
Janowicz worked with youth groups and volunteered often in the community despite his own personal tragedies. He died in Columbus OH of cancer in 1996 at age 66.
Thoughts
This was a treat for me to do Vic Janowicz’s profile. He just struck me as a truly multitalented athlete who never met a skill position (offense, defense, special teams) that he couldn’t play, and play well. Additionally, he also seemed to be the unassuming personality who took life’s ups, and later downs, as they came. The legacy of Vic Janowicz, I feel, is truly a gold standard for OSU athletes. And probably the general population, as well.
Thank you, Vic.
Robert Smith
In today’s episode of tBBC’s Countdown to Kickoff series, we are at #75; another Minnesota Golden Gopher appearance on the countdown list.
On October 27th, 1990 OSU rolled the Gophers, 52-23. It may seem that I’m picking on the Gophers, but I’m not. It’s just that they are “Minnesota Nice”, so they are well represented on our list.
Buckeye quarterback Greg Frey energized the offense with 257 yards passing and 3 TD’s.
The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
It’s Monday, so you know what that means. Not a whole lot going on athletically this week that really interests me, so this will not be a “sporting” effort. With that disclaimer, get your beverage of choice and let’s wade into the swamp.
The James/Wexner
It wouldn’t be a Musing without an update from The James/Wexner.
Dr. Charles Shapiro, director of breast medical oncology at The (OSUCCC–James) has been appointed to serve as Chair-Elect for the Survivorship Committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The appointment is effective this month. Shapiro will serve as Chair-Elect for one year, followed by a one year term as Chair. He will then serve as Immediate Past Chair.
Shapiro, who came to Ohio State in 1998 and is a professor of internal medicine, leads the breast cancer research program at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. He leads an interdisciplinary team of clinical and research scientists whose sole focus is the study of breast cancer.
Congratulations to Dr Shapiro for this appointment.
Today is #76 in our continuing Countdown to Kickoff series placing us squarely at Minnesota’s 2nd appearance on the list. On October 29th, 2005, OSU outgunned the Gophers, 45-31.
The Buckeyes and Gophers played to 14-14 halftime at but Ohio State pulled away with 28 2nd half points. Antonio Pittman (186 yds, 2 TD’s) and Troy Smith (216 yds, 3 TD’s) powered the offense, while Ted Ginn Jr. returned a KO 100 yds for another TD.
Antonio Pittman on the loose
