6 Imams Kicked Off Plane Gave Crew Several Reasons to Be Suspicious

Saturday, December 02, 2006

By Cassie Carothers

Six imams were kicked off a US Airways flight last week in Minneapolis for committing several acts of suspicious behavior, not just because they said their evening prayers before boarding the plane, a police report shows, contradicting earlier media reports.

US Airways manager Robby Taylor Davis told police three of the six imams had one-way only tickets and only one passenger checked luggage. He also said in the police report that most of the six requested seat-belt extensions typically used by obese people despite being thin.

Also, a passenger on the plane who speaks Arabic heard the group mention Saddam Hussein and criticize the United States' involvement in Iraq. The passenger, whose named was redacted from the police report, said he saw two of the men take seats in the front of the plane, two take seats in the middle, and two more in the back...

Click here to read the full police report.

I'm sorry, but I don't give a big fat rats rear end if they were offended or not!!! I don't care if they feel discriminated against! I don't care if any muslim is offended or feels discriminated against! If I'm on a flight and I see suspicious behavior, I'm dang well going to say something. These men were trying to cause trouble, plain and simple. If they don't like it, then get the hell out of this country. I hope that we don't cave to these neanderthals. Too many people have forgotten that we, THIS COUNTRY, were attacked by these islamofacist types on Sept 11th. We have NOTHING to apologize for! They are the ones who need to apologize for pulling this provocative stunt and then they need to go back over to what ever cave they crawled out of! You know, on second thought, I'm not sorry at all for how I feel!!!

Striving To Be Elite

BuckeyeSports.com

December 1, 2006

by ADAM JARDY
STAFF WRITER


Matta reacts to a call during a game against North Carolina on Nov. 29.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Thad Matta might have borrowed a page from the North Carolina pep band’s band.

As the Tar Heels prepared to take the court in the hallowed Dean E. Smith Center prior to their game with Ohio State on Nov. 29, their band played “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a Nirvana song with the lyrics: “Here we are now/Imitate us” – a perfect summation of what Matta and the Buckeyes are attempting to do.

Namely establish themselves as a perennial basketball powerhouse in the same vein as the North Carolinas, the Dukes and the Kentuckys of the college world. Doing so, according to Matta, starts where building a team itself starts: at the recruiting level...

I think they are well on their way to becoming an "elite" program. Coach Matta is doing an incredible job! Personally, I think that if Oden had been ready for the UNC game that we'd have won. If you look at what is coming to Ohio State I'd have to say that the future is pretty bright!

Ohio State Turns To Turf

BuckeyeSports.com

November 29, 2006

by JEFF SVOBODA
STAFF WRITER


Adam Jardy/BSB
Ohio Stadium's natural grass looked spotty before the Oct. 21 Indiana game, pictured here, and would not improve as the season went on.

Ohio State’s season opener against Youngstown State on Sept. 1, 2007, will be more than the first time the Buckeyes suit up against a Division I-AA foe – it will be the return of an artificial surface in Ohio Stadium.

The “interdepartment decision” to go to a synthetic surface was made earlier this week, according to Don Patko, Ohio State’s assistant athletic director for facilities management. The decision ends months of speculation after the natural grass field in the Horseshoe had to be replaced twice during the football season.

“It was just a matter of, there was never not talk to go back to grass,” Patko told BuckeyeSports.com. “We could only go about 15 to 20 days a year on a grass field, so that limited what we could do on it and how much our own team could even play on it. We didn’t like limiting that, so (athletic director) Gene (Smith) and the crew just said, ‘Let’s go with the synthetic and take that variable away and let them play on it as much as they want.’”

The field, which was heavily torn up by fans after the season-ending win against Michigan, will be patched for April’s Spring Game and then the grass will be removed and replaced with a synthetic surface in time for June’s spring quarter commencement ceremonies. The process is expected to cost between $400-600,000, Patko said, and will take place after the Spring Game to avoid delays caused by the winter weather...

Well, I can't say that I'm not a bit disappointed, I do like natural grass better, but hey, it'll allow for a lot more things to take place there. It would be nice to have the high school football playoffs back there and not have to travel to Massilon. I'm looking forward to seeing what the field will look like when it's done.

The End Of The Dead Schembechlers -- Live At The Newport

BuckeyeSports.com

by ADAM JARDY
Staff Writer


Photo courtesy of the Dead Schembechlers.

All the intensity of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry was set to music and preached as gospel to a near-capacity crowd on Friday night.

One night before the Michigan game, more than 1,500 scarlet and gray fans packed Columbus’ Newport Music Hall for the first-ever “Hate Michigan Rally,” headlined by local punk rock band The Dead Schembechlers...

...On a posting on the band’s MySpace page, they declared, “The band is crushed to learn of the death of Bo Schembechler. We named this band after Coach Schembechler to honor him as the face of Wolverine football...”

...“This will be our last ever performance as the Dead Schembechlers,” Biafra said. “We do this to honor, not a man, not a former Michigan coach, we do it to honor a man who went astray. He have always hated Schembechler as a Wolverine, but we will always salute Schembechler, the former Michigan coach.”

Near the end of the concert, the band led the crowd in three cheers for Schembechler...

That was a class move to donate the proceeds to the Schembechler's favorite charity and to retire the groups name. I think they should figure out a way to incorporate Llllloyd's name into there new name.

OSU 42, Michigan 39

Buckeyes win a classic

Smith throws four touchdown passes

By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
Saturday, November 18, 2006 7:29 PM

In the wildest offensive shootout in the history of The Game, Troy Smith engineered an 83-yard drive to the clinching touchdown, a 13-yard pass to Brian Robiskie, as top-ranked Ohio State outscored No. 2 Michigan 42-39 and earned a berth in the national championship game Jan. 8.

Playing in front of an Ohio Stadium-record crowd of 105,708 and a horde of national media, Smith also might have clinched the seventh Heisman Trophy for Ohio State. He was considered the strong front-runner going in, and he wound up matching his career high with four TD passes while topping the 300-yard passing mark (29 of 41 for 316 yards) for just the third time in his career, but second time against Michigan.

Oh, and he beat Michigan for the third straight time and ended his career with 1,080 total yards against the Wolverines.

WHAT A GAME!!! I could barely sit the whole time. What can you say about Troy Smith other than Heisman Trophy Winner. I just wish I'd have won the alumni ticket lottery for this game. Well, it's on to Glendale, AZ for the National Championship game. Could it be a rematch? Possibly, we'll just have to wait and see! WAY TO GO GUYS! GO BUCKS!!!

Time To Go Hunting!

Some Interesting Stats

1 vs. 2 all time: No. 1 is 22-16-2 all time vs. No. 2

M******n all time vs. No. 1: 3-15-2, 1-2-1 vs. Ohio State when the Bucks are No. 1, they have lost their last 7 in a row against No. 1 and they are 0-3 all time in No. 1 vs. No. 2 match ups.

Ohio State is 3-0 in No. 1 vs. No. 2 match ups and 7-2 vs. the top 10 under Coach Tressel.

Ohio States defense is the No. 1 scoring defence in the country allowing only 7.8 points per game overall and is even better at home allowing only 5.8 points per game.

My pick: Ohio State 17 The School Up North 7

LET'S GO BUCKS!!!

Schembechler dies after collapsing during taping of TV show

Moment of silence planned for Saturday at Ohio Stadium

The Columbus Dispatch - BuckeyeXtra
Associated Press
Friday, November 17, 2006 2:01 PM


FILE PHOTO
Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Bo Schembechler, who became one of college football's great coaches in two decades at Michigan, died today after taping a television show on the eve of the Wolverines' No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with Ohio State. He was 77.

Schembechler collapsed at the studios at WXYZ-TV in the Detroit suburb of Southfield and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. His death at 11:42 a.m. was confirmed by Mike Dowd, chief investigator for the medical examiner's office in Oakland County.

Police were sent to the station around 9:25 a.m. along with the city's fire department and escorted an ambulance to Providence Hospital, Southfield police spokesman John Harris said.

"This is an extraordinary loss for college football," Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel said. "Bo Schembechler touched the lives of many people and made the game of football better in every way. He will always be both a Buckeye and a Wolverine, and our thoughts are with all who grieve his loss..."

I don't know that I can add anything else to this. Again, my sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Breaking down Michigan vs. Ohio State - The Lantern

The Lantern - Sports

Scott Woods
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: First Down


Media Credit: David Heasley
A.J. Hawk makes a stop on Michigan running back Mike Hart in the 2005 game.

Michigan offense: The key to the Michigan offense is clear. Junior running back Michael Hart is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate who has punished opposing defenses to the tune of nearly 125 yards per game...

OSU defense: With all the talk in Columbus surrounding Troy Smith, Ted Ginn and the Buckeye offense, the real heroes of OSU's 2006 run at No. 1 has been the Silver Bullet defense...

Advantage: Ohio State

Michigan defense: To say the Wolverine defense has been the reason Big Blue is one of the two best teams in the nation this year is an understatement. Along with OSU and possibly LSU, Michigan is far and away the most dominant defense in the nation...

OSU offense: Led by Smith, junior running back Antonio Pittman, Ginn and junior receiver Anthony Gonzalez, the Buckeye offense has been a force in 10 of 11 games this year...

Advantage: Even

Special teams: With the emergence of Breaston and the Michigan return game in the Indiana game, expect his confidence to be at an all-time high. As for the Buckeyes' Ginn, the same can not be said. Although Ginn shows flashes of brilliance returning the football, his tendency to run east-west instead of north-south has hindered his numbers and his effectiveness. Expect key returns from Breaston and a UM cover team hell-bent on stopping Ginn. Wolverine kicker Rivas and Buckeye booter Pettrey are both solid inside 40 yards, and if The Game comes down to a mid-range field goal, each kicker should inspire some confidence from the sidelines.

Advantage: Michigan

Breaking down Michigan vs. Ohio State - The Michigan Daily

The Lantern - Sports

Kevin Wright
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: First Down

Michigan's offense: This has been a roller-coaster season for the Wolverines' offense. Starting the year against Vanderbilt, quarterback Chad Henne and his receivers didn't seem to click. And while the running game looked bounds better than last season, critics were quick to cite the aerial attack as this team's weakness...

Ohio State defense: With just two returning starters, this unit was supposed to be the Buckeyes' weak link. But that hasn't been the case...

Edge: Ohio State

Michigan defense: Two plays stand out from the previous two years. Texas quarterback Vince Young scrambling 23 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the 2004 Rose Bowl and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith running 14 yards for a crucial first down in the Buckeyes' game-winning drive last season...

Ohio State offense: The Buckeyes' gameplan starts and ends with their signal caller: Heisman frontrunner Troy Smith. The quarterback has greatly improved his accuracy, and he leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency, completing 66.4 percent of his throws. With his ability to scramble and turn broken plays into positive gains, Smith is the spark for the Ohio State offense...

Edge: Michigan

Michigan special teams: The Indiana game last Saturday may have been just what fifth-year senior Steve Breaston needed. The wide receiver recorded his first two scores of the season - a touchdown catch and a punt return for a touchdown. Before that game, many wondered whether Breaston had lost his explosiveness. It got so bad for the return man, that Michigan coach Lloyd Carr replaced him with Brandon Minor for one kickoff against Northwestern...

Ohio State special teams: Just as, if not more, electrifying as Breaston, Buckeye return man Ted Ginn, Jr., could turn the tide of this game with just one touch of the ball. He did it back in 2004 when he was a freshman, and even though he has just one return for a touchdown this season, there's always the chance he could break another one...

Edge: Michigan

Intangibles: It's clear neither team needs motivation for Saturday's game. Winner goes to the National Championship game - it's that simple. Both teams mentally lapsed down the stretch run, but had strong showings last week. With two teams as evenly matched on paper as these two are, the determining factor comes down to home-field advantage...

Edge: Ohio State

Schembechler collapses, dies at 77

ESPN.com news services

DETROIT -- Former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler has died, three Detroit television stations are reporting.

He was 77.

Schembechler collapsed Friday during the taping of a television show and was taken by ambulance to a hospital...

Well, I guess Woody and He are together again. In all honesty, I saw some footage of him in the last couple of days and I didn't think he looked all that good. My thoughts and prayers are extended to his family.

Bo still barking about OSU’s dogs

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Rob Oller

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The news caught Lloyd Carr off guard. The Michigan coach thought Bo Schembechler would address the media later in the day, but the former Wolverines drill sergeant had already said his piece.

Carr cringed at the thought of it.

"I hope he didn’t say anything that will screw this game up," he said.

Uh, too late.

Schembechler was his animated self this week, spewing diatribes like a fountain statue spews water. One of his most entertaining harangues came while discussing the episode outside Ohio Stadium two years ago when Michigan players and coaches stepped off the team bus only to be subjected to a search by bomb-sniffing dogs...

Whaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Cry a little bit more Bo! Now we know where Lllloyd gets it from!

Injury updates

Linebacker Prescott Burgess, who missed the Indiana game Saturday because of an ankle injury, will play against the Buckeyes, Carr said. The status of backup running back Kevin Grady is less certain. Grady has been nursing a sore shoulder and could be a game-day decision.

The news on sophomore receiver Antonio Bass was even less optimistic. Bass, already sitting out the season as he recovers from a knee injury, will not return anytime soon. He had a second surgery two weeks ago that will result in a lengthy rehabilitation that could extend into next season. His status is uncertain, Carr said.

Hash marks

Schembechler does not expect to attend The Game, citing health concerns. He recently had heart surgery. He does plan to watch the game on a 50-inch plasma TV he just purchased. … Tom Slade, a former Michigan quarterback, died Sunday after fighting leukemia. He was 54. "A flawless guy, a good, honest Christian man," Schembechler said. Slade, who lived in Michigan, started the 1972 Rose Bowl game against Stanford.

Poor Bo! Condolances to the Slade family.

Twice-resodded field ready to go for big game

OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK

Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Ohio Stadium field, resodded two weeks ago for a second time this season, became a gridiron yesterday. It was painted with the stripes, numbers and end zone decorations.

In other words, it’s ready to go for what is being billed as "the game of the century" between top-ranked Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan on Saturday...

I'll be interested to see how it holds up. If it doesn't you may see field turf in Ohio Stadium next year.

Beanie’s back in line

Coach Jim Tressel will go into the game with the idea that all three of his running backs are ready for action, barring any unforeseen developments in practice...

Let's hope that he learned his lesson and protects the ball like his life depends on it.

Call it the wrap II

Much has been made of quarterback Troy Smith wearing a wrap on his right throwing hand to protect a tender thumb. But the person snapping the ball to him, senior center Doug Datish, sports a similar wrap on his right hand. It’s not a gesture of sympathy...

What's there to worry about?! He's done just fine so far. I see no reason to think it'll be a problem now.

Traitors

Ohioans who played for Michigan get grief from OSU fans

Tuesday, November 14, 2006
By Todd Jones THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

They might as well have miniature winged helmets painted on their foreheads as targets and rent themselves out at Ohio State booster parties as human piñatas.

They are the few, the proud, the Columbus natives who literally crossed the line, as in the state border, played football for the Michigan Wolverines, then returned to their hometown with no regrets...

We have one from here in Harrison who played for The Team Up North during the early 70's(Other than the unfortunate school choice I will say that I do like him). Although, he seems to be one of many in the Cincinnati area. Unfortunately this area doesn't seem to understand we are in Ohio not Kentucky. Anything that happens outside of, and especially north of, the I275 beltway is irrelevant to most here.

A tale of two seasons: The real difference between '02 and '06

The Lantern - Sports

Commentary
Matt Gottfried
Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: Sports

I can name them off like it was yesterday.

Craig Krenzel. Maurice Clarett. Michael Jenkins. Chris Gamble. A.J. Hawk. Mike Doss. Matt Wilhelm...

But now, four years later, there's a new group of Buckeye greats who could possibly be on the next list of national champions. And the similarities between two of Ohio State's greatest teams couldn't be more startling...

I too remember it like it was yesterday. I hope that this team can keep it going and add their names to that list. In all honesty, if I had to compare the 2, I'd have to say that this years version is, believe it or not, MUCH better. I think they've shown that on the field. Once again though, I'm not going to think about the National Championship until after Saturday's game. I fully believe and expect my Buckeyes to win, but all attention must be focused on THE GAME.

LET'S GO BUCKS!!!

Thank You!!!

To all our vets down through the years, thank you for all you have done to keep this country free! Without you the freedoms that so many take for granted would not be possible.

And then there was one

OSU takes care of Northwestern, looks ahead to Michigan

By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
Saturday, November 11, 2006 7:06 PM

EVANSTON, Ill. — Troy Smith tied his career high with four touchdown passes, and the defense had five turnovers and blocked a punt as top-ranked Ohio State propelled itself into the mega-match against Michigan with a 54-10 win over Northwestern today.

It set up the first meeting of a No.1 (Ohio State) vs. a No.2 (Michigan) in The Game...

I am already stoked and ready!!! I wish I had won the M******n alumni ticket lottery because, more than any other game against "The School Up North," I want to be at this one! The Shoe is going to be absolutely off the hook next Saturday. M******n isn't going to be able to hear themselves think! Troy is use to games like these. He excels in these games. I like our chances!

It Is Now Officially M******N WEEK!

LET'S GO BUCKS! BEAT M******N!!!

Off To A Running Start

OHIO STATE 107 VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE 69

Buckeyes get into footrace with Keydets before blowing them away in second half

Saturday, November 11, 2006
Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Ohio State’s Daequan Cook, right, leaves VMI’s Adam Lonon with nowhere to go. Cook led the Buckeyes in scoring with 22 points.

That adage about kids having to learn to walk before they run is true.

Unfortunately for the newborn Ohio State men’s basketball team, it had no choice but to run — and run, and run some more — last night in the first Division I college game for about half the roster.

Either that or get lapped by spunky Virginia Military Institute, which had scored 272 points in two exhibition wins.

It was pretty at times. It wasn’t pretty at times. But it was, at the end, a 107-69 victory for the Buckeyes in Value City Arena in the first round of the Black Coaches Association Classic...

I watched the game on Tivo after I got back from watching my high school alma mater in the Ohio High School football playoffs. They looked very good, though a bit ragged at times. The new guys are definitely going to be good and very fun to watch! When Oden's healthy this season could be very fun!

Matta Set To Unveil Team In BCA Classic

Bucknuts.com

By Steve Helwagen
Managing Editor
Posted Nov 10, 2006


Mike Conley Jr.

Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta will unveil his 2006-07 team -- well, everybody but Greg Oden -- as the Buckeyes host the BCA Classic this weekend. This story includes a preview of the season-opening three-day tournament as well as an update on Greg Oden, an update on tickets for OSU basketball and a television update as well. Click this free link for more...

I've got tickets to the Ohio State/UC game in Indy and I just received my tickets for the game against Iowa State at The Schott. I hope that Oden is healed up and ready for play by these games because I really want to see him play, but if he's not that ok because I want him 100% for the Big 10 season. It's nice that there's not going to be any let down at the end of the football season. For all the suffering we did during the 90's it's good to be a Buckeye now!

Look Who's Happy The Dems Won

Mideast Media Cheer Democratic Takeover in Congress

By Julie Stahl
CNSNews.com Jerusalem Bureau Chief
November 09, 2006

Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Many in the Middle East cheered the Democratic takeover of Congress and Defense Minister Donald Rumsfeld's resignation although views appeared mixed as to whether the shift would lead to significant changes here.

In Iran - facing the possibility of U.S.-led international sanctions against Tehran for its nuclear development - the English-language Iran News said most Americans had "finally caught up with the rest of the world in rebuking the irresponsible, militaristic, arrogant, belligerent and entirely destabilizing policies of the Bush administration..."

..."Bush's wrong strategy in the Middle East," was responsible for the Republican defeat, Iranian state television said in a commentary, which also cited corruption...

Gee, imagine that, our enemies celebrating the Republicans loses. Ya know, what they are saying sure sounds familiar though. Oh, wait, that's right, it's exactly what the Democrats have been saying for the past year and a half, if not longer. Our enemies have been getting their talking points straight from the Dems. I said before the election that our enemies were rooting for the Democrats to win. This article plainly points out that very fact. Some may not like hearing this, but the Democrats have been more interested in helping our enemies than they have been helping their own country. Why? Because they hate George W. Bush more than they love this country and because they were/are more interested in their own power than they are making sure this country wins!

Basketball Preview

The Lantern - Sports

Basketball Preview
Issue date: 11/8/06 Section: Sports

No. 5 OSU women
By Brian Polking

With three returning starters and the addition of five highly-touted freshmen to a squad that finished last season with a 29-3 record, the Ohio State women's basketball team is expected to be among the nation's best again this season.

ESPN women's basketball analyst Nancy Lieberman ranked the Buckeyes No. 5 in her preseason Top 25, which is not surprising considering the Buckeyes' three returning starters are also their three leading scorers from a year ago...

No. 4 Buckeye men
By Chris Patrick

With the preseason complete, the time is fast approaching for the ballyhooed Ohio State men's basketball team to take the floor. Here is a look at the Buckeyes' schedule, which begins on Friday, broken down by degree of difficulty...

Man, it's good to be a Buckeye!!!

The Republicans Didn't Keep The Promise

Rush



As I said before they were RINO's (Republicans In Name Only) and they didn't deserve or earn the support of the people. Maybe this will wake them up! I certainly hope so. If it doesn't then I don't know what will. Where's The Gipper when we need him?!

A Well Earned Kick In The Gut

Neal Boortz

Today's Nuze

THE DAY AFTER, November 8, 2006

The voters gave the Republicans a well-earned kick in the gut yesterday. They have taken control of the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin. They needed 15 seats to get control. They have won at least 28. As of this morning the Senate is still in play. At best the Republicans will have a one-seat margin in the Senate.

When I got up at 4:00 this morning and started to look at results, I can honestly say that I was neither surprised nor disappointed. I've been saying this for weeks ... and I'll say it again right now ... this may be the best possible outcome for the future of our Republic.

This is good news .. and bad news. Good news because of the message it sends to Republicans. Bad news because of the message it sends to Islamic jihadists who are dedicated to the destruction of our culture.

One thing is certain. The Republicans worked very hard for this defeat. They've earned every lost seat. The Republican majority that was sent packing yesterday bore little resemblance to the Republican majority that rode to power 12 years ago. In 1994 we were promised less government. Over the next 12 years the Republicans more than doubled the size of the government. We were promised control over runaway spending. In the last six years discretionary spending has doubled. We were promised fiscal responsibility. We got a bridge to nowhere in Alaska. We were promised the elimination of the Department of Education. After all, educational achievement had been on a steady decline since education was federalized under this Department. In no time at all the Republicans doubled funding for the Department of Education. In the meanwhile America continues to slip on the international scorecard of educational achievement...

I can't disagree with what he's said at all! Right here in Ohio was a glittering example of this. Mike Dewine was defeated in his bid to be re-elected to the Senate mainly because he showed more RINO(Republican In Name Only) tendencies than he did true conservative Reaganite tendencies. I believe that this was the main reason for his defeat. His joining the "Gang of 14" and other such moves seriously hacked off the conservative electorate in Ohio. Yes, it can be argued that he got caught up in the Bob Taft mess, but I don't believe that was the number one reason he went down. The Republicans abandoned the principles that won them the majority in 1994! They also never figured out how to act like the majority. They let the Democrats defacto run things for all but about the first couple years. They also were too worried about what the hacks in the main stream press were going to say about them instead of worrying about what their constituents were going to say. Here in Ohio especially, there needs to be a top down shake up of the party leadership. It is dominated by RINO's and needs to be cleaned out! If this isn't done and done quickly things are not going to get any better and we will continue to lose. The GOP must return to the principles of The Gipper!

Whew, Glad That's Over!

Well, I just got back from doing my PFT (that's Physical Fitness Testing for those of you from Palm Beach that are too stupid to know how to use a punch card ballot). Anyway, I'm done for another year. Oh, and yes I passed. I had to make weight, do an obstical course and run 1.5 miles. I made weight easily thanks to having worked out periodically and not eating as much junk. I had 14:45 to run the 1.5 miles and I was able to do it (without a great deal of effort) in 12:35. I probably could have had a better time, if I had really pushed it, but there was no prize for being the fastest and I was just credited for having it done in time like everyone else, so I saw no need to kill myself. I'm not sure how much time I had for the obsitcal course, I just know I passed it. The thing that sucked was the fact that it was in the high 20's/low 30's this morning at the time of the run and when I got done I felt (and still do a bit) like I was going to couch up a lung and my lungs were burning like crazy. Oh well, thankfully it's done and over for another year!

Second-string sloths suitable for Smith, grass to get green, leafy lowdown

The Lantern - Sports

Notebook

David Briggs

Issue date: 11/3/06 Section: Sports

To some, a moat teeming with deadly sea snakes wouldn't offer enough protection for Troy Smith's right arm.

So it's been a pretty conspicuous move when the team's backup offensive line comes into shield the Heisman front-runner.

It happens every Saturday. Five new faces rotate in for a first-half series, a practice originally intended to give the starters a break from the oppressive Texas heat during Ohio State's Sept. 9 trip to Austin...

Pitcock, Boone out?

OSU's starting lines both look to be down a man tomorrow.

Defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock and starting offensive tackle Alex Boone will likely be sidelined, Tressel indicated this week...

Third field's a charm?

The surface Ohio Stadium began the season with had stood more than three years of wear. On Monday, the field was torn up and replaced for the second time in five weeks.

What gives? Was the $100,000 OSU ponied up for new sod after the Sept. 24 Penn State game a waste?..

Leafin' it

Ever wonder what it takes to score the Buckeye leaves that adorn OSU's helmets?..

Quotable

"I think I could be good at it, just because I like studying film and I like learning the defenses. But I see how long these coaches are over here. I know they make good money and everything, but they're here too long for me. When I get older, I want to be able to work my 9 to 5 job and go back to my kids. Those guys are over here from 7 a.m. to 11 at night and I can't see myself doing that" - Mitchell on being told one of his coaches thought he would someday join the profession.

Extra points

OSU's Nov. 11 game at Northwestern will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and be televised nationally by ABC ... Tressel spoke with a comical air of gravitas not often associated with a wooden turtle when addressing the Illibuck trophy on the line this week. "Here we are in November playing a Big Ten opponent on the road and one more little item on the plate, if you will, is the Illibuck trophy," Tressel said. "And that's the ultimate thing you want done this week is to earn the right to keep it." Added long snapper Drew Norman: "We want to come back successful, especially when that trophy is on the line." Presumably, it is the honor of playing in this wooden turtle rivalry game that Tressel uses as his sales pitch to recruits.

Mideast terror leaders to U.S.: Vote Democrat

Withdrawal from Iraq would embolden
jihadists to destroy Israel, America

Posted: November 2, 2006
9:27 a.m. Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

JERUSALEM – Everybody has an opinion about next Tuesday's midterm congressional election in the U.S. – including senior terrorist leaders interviewed by WND who say they hope Americans sweep the Democrats into power because of the party's position on withdrawing from Iraq, a move, as they see it, that ensures victory for the worldwide Islamic resistance.

The terrorists told WorldNetDaily an electoral win for the Democrats would prove to them Americans are "tired."

They rejected statements from some prominent Democrats in the U.S. that a withdrawal from Iraq would end the insurgency, explaining an evacuation would prove resistance works and would compel jihadists to continue fighting until America is destroyed.

They said a withdrawal would also embolden their own terror groups to enhance "resistance" against Israel.

"Of course Americans should vote Democrat," Jihad Jaara, a senior member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group and the infamous leader of the 2002 siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, told WND...

The libs/dems have been the best friends of those that oppose this nation for nearly 4 decades now! They are defeatist, cowardly, hate and blame the US first. I know that it's been over used, but they are the "cut-and-run" crowd. They don't believe that we can or should win any wars. They also don't believe that the terrorists are evil. They don't even truly understand what evil is. I thank God every day that it was people like my grandparents that fought WWII, Korea and all the wars that came before. If we had people in charge like these people then, this country may not even exist today. Is it any wonder that the terrorists believe what they do?! They know that the libs/dems will quite literally hand to them what they want without a fight,... VICTORY! Can we afford to vote for people that want to see this country defeated almost as much as the terrorists do?!

Basketball Bucks start new era off right

The Lantern - Sports


Media Credit: David Heasley
Freshman Daequan Cook flies to the basket for two points.

Scott Woods

Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: Sports

And so it began.

The days of lawsuits, Serbian paychecks and sub-.500 seasons have disappeared like so many banners from the rafters of the Schottenstein Center.

As the 2006 version of Ohio State basketball made its entrance into the arena Wednesday night to tangle with the Division II Findlay Oilers, the problems of the past seemed a distant memory as the Thad Five took layup drills for the first time in uniform. Unfortunately for OSU coach Thad Matta, even an 80-57 exhibition victory can leave a college basktball coach looking for answers...

I haven't looked forward to a basketball season this much since JJ arrived. I can't wait till Oden is healthy and available. I just hope that he's ready by December 16, because I have tickets for that game. Oh, in case you don't know that's the Ohio State/UC game in Indy. I think that they have the capability to live up to their preseason ranking, but they're going to have to take a lesson from the football team and take it one game at a time and always critiquing themselves and looking to get better. If they can do that, they will!

Stan White Jr. Finds His Place On Field And Off

BuckeyeSportsBulletin.com

by CORY STEGER
STAFF WRITER


White avoids a tackle against the Bearcats.

Stan White Jr. has become desensitized to it now. The questions about why he didn’t live up to expectations or why he wasn’t as good as his father do not affect him anymore. He simply put his down and kept pushing the pile, both on the field and off.

After falling short of lofty expectations when he came as part of the heralded linebacker class that included A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Mike D’Andrea and himself, White found playing time hard to come by. He bounced around positions, first to tight end, then finally to fullback, before he found the necessary rhythm to excel...

Stan has been and is a key part of this team and is also an excellent young man with a good Christian witness.

New Turf -- Again -- For Buckeyes

BuckeyeSportsBulletin.com

New Turf -- Again -- For Buckeyes


Adam Jardy/BSB
The turf prior to the Indiana game.

by CORY STEGER
STAFF WRITER

For the second time this season, the grass in Ohio Stadium is being replaced. The Kentucky bluegrass that was installed immediately after the Buckeye’s win over Penn State has already worn out its welcome, becoming too wet and muddy for ideal playing conditions...

Hopefully this sod holds up better. It'll be interesting to see how the turf bought locally(Columbus) fairs compaired to that from else where(North Baltimore, Ohio). The other thing is, I would have thought that there would have been a drainage system in place that could suck excess water off the field to help dry it out.

Tressel, players talk faith, values

The Lantern - Sports

Lauren Polinsky

Issue date: 11/1/06 Section: Sports

Stan White has had the football career of which some men can only dream. He started playing at the age of 12 and grew bigger and better with each year. Even though he was making more tackles and winning more awards with each passing season, he felt empty inside. It was not until he reached the biggest point in college football - a national championship - that he realized it was going to take something bigger then football to fill the emptiness in his life.

"A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing that can fill that void we have inside us and it will stay filled," White said...

What a fabulous event and witness for The Lord! The message was spred greatly and it showed that many of these athletes aren't just "jocks," but top quality Christian men as well. I believe that Coach Tressel's Christian leadership is one of the reasons that this team is so successful!

Herby Rips The School Up North

Herbstreit rips U-M on radio

TV analyst and ex-OSU quarterback says defense will fail, receiver Breaston is mostly 'worthless.'

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

The big game is more than two weeks away, but because of the potential matchup of No. 1 Ohio State versus No. 2 Michigan, the talk already has started...

... On what would happen today if U-M and OSU met: "If those two teams were to play right now, just the way they're playing, I don't even think it would be close. Ohio State not only wins that game the way they're playing right now, maybe by a few scores..."

I can't say that I disagree with his assesment. Take a look at the stats that I posted below and use the link I gave and check out the rest of the stats. Also take a look at the type of offenses that M******n has faced. They have faced nothing like what they'll face in The Bucks. On the other hand M******n's offence will show the Bucks nothing that they haven't already seen and shut down. You also look at what Troy has done to them and there's no reason to believe he can't continue to do so.

Anyway, before we get there there's business to take care of first. I want to take care of that first.

TBDBITL

Trick or Treat

World Series '06: Major League letdown

The Lantern - Sports

Jason Turner

Issue date: 10/31/06 Section: Sports

This year's MLB postseason featured one of the most disappointing World Series matchups I've ever seen, and not just because I'm a Yankees fan.

I'd have to say that his Yankee/east coast bias did have a lot to do with him(and a lot of other people, based on the TV numbers) not finding this interesting. It's the typical mentallity that has taken root in the media today, "if it doesn't happen on the coasts, it doesn't matter." "Fly over country"(which, btw, he lives in) is meaningless. What better story could you have had then a team in the Tigers who had one of the worst records in baseball history just 2 short years ago making the World Series and the team with the 2nd most world titles(who were in a 25 year title drought) and one of the more improbable runs to the Championship in the Cardinals?!

Had it not been for a couple of key injuries it would have been the Tigers and not the Yankees with the best record in baseball for the season. Speaking of which, it's not hard to have the best record when you have a team salary of OVER 200 MILLION and the next closest team is something like 80 million less. That makes what both the Tigers and Cardinals did even more sweet in that they both were over 100 million less in team salary than the Yanks. Maybe now some of these free-spending owners (George Steinbrenner) will wake up and see that you don't have to spend the most (or even remotely close to the most) to win championships. Give me a Tigers/Cardinals (though actually I'd prefer the Reds) World Series every year! They're much more interesting.

Talk is cheap when it comes to Michigan-Ohio State

NCAAFootball.com

By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - No team wants to be accused of looking past an opponent. Yet that doesn't mean a lot of other people aren't already chattering about Michigan vs. Ohio State on Nov. 18.

"All you hear about is the big showdown,'' Minnesota coach Glen Mason said Saturday after a 44-0 beating at the hands of No. 1-ranked Ohio State. "A lot of people in the country think they are the best two teams in the country.''

I'm still anxious to get to this game, but there's still work to be done before that!

A Look at Some Stats

NCAAFootball.com

*** 2006 NCAA Division IA Football Total Offense Team Statistics ***
            (Complete Through Saturday, October 28th)

                     From The Sports Network

                    T O T A L   O F F E N S E

Rank   Team                          G  Pl  Yds     Avg TD   Ydspg
1. Hawaii                          8 524 4234    8.08 51  529.25
2. Louisville                      7 469 3473    7.41 34  496.14
3. New Mexico St.                  8 632 3755    5.94 34  469.38
4. West Virginia                   7 441 3215    7.29 37  459.29
5. Oregon                          8 575 3652    6.35 37  456.50
6. Brigham Young                   8 533 3565    6.69 37  445.63
7. California                      8 539 3524    6.54 38  440.50
8. Nebraska                        9 610 3931    6.44 43  436.78
9. Houston                         9 596 3929    6.59 40  436.56
10. Texas Tech                      9 599 3889    6.49 35  432.11
11. Oklahoma St.                    8 500 3448    6.90 41  431.00
12. Purdue                          9 614 3828    6.23 30  425.33
13. Clemson                         9 575 3805    6.62 46  422.78
13. Texas A&M                       9 622 3805    6.12 39  422.78
15. Ohio St.                        9 575 3765    6.55 43  418.33
16. LSU                             8 486 3318    6.83 39  414.75
17. Washington St.                  9 626 3725    5.95 30  413.89
18. Boise St.                       8 509 3305    6.49 42  413.13
19. Missouri                        9 644 3716    5.77 34  412.89
20. Southern California             7 493 2866    5.81 26  409.43
21. San Jose St.                    7 444 2825    6.36 24  403.57
22. Tennessee                       8 501 3213    6.41 32  401.63
23. Tulane                          8 550 3190    5.80 25  398.75
24. Texas                           9 585 3587    6.13 49  398.56
25. Tulsa                           8 528 3166    6.00 31  395.75

48. Michigan                        9 600 3219    5.37 31  357.67

*** 2006 NCAA Division IA Football Team Scoring Statistics ***
            (Complete Through Saturday, October 28th)

                     From The Sports Network

                  S C O R I N G   O F F E N S E

Rank   Team                          G  Pts    Avg  TD  Kxp Oxp FG  S
1. Hawaii                          8 363   45.38  51   41   2  0  0
2. West Virginia                   7 286   40.86  37   37   0  0  0
3. Boise St.                       8 318   39.75  42   38   1  0  1
4. Texas                           9 356   39.56  49   48   0  0  0
5. Louisville                      7 271   38.71  34   34   0  0  0
6. Clemson                         9 345   38.33  46   40   1  0  0
7. Oklahoma St.                    8 303   37.88  41   37   1  0  0
8. Oregon                          8 293   36.63  37   35   0  0  0
9. California                      8 289   36.13  38   36   2  0  0
10. Ohio St.                        9 323   35.89  43   41   0  0  0
11. LSU                             8 287   35.88  39   38   0  0  0
12. Brigham Young                   8 286   35.75  37   34   0  0  0
13. Nebraska                        9 308   34.22  43   39   1  0  0
14. Pittsburgh                      8 273   34.13  36   35   0  0  0
15. Houston                         9 305   33.89  40   38   0  0  0
16. Texas A&M                       9 297   33.00  39   33   3  0  0
17. Wisconsin                       9 291   32.33  37   36   0  0  0
18. Tennessee                       8 258   32.25  32   31   0  0  0
19. Arkansas                        8 251   31.38  34   31   1  0  0
20. Oklahoma                        8 247   30.88  29   29   0  0  0
21. Missouri                        9 275   30.56  34   34   0  0  0
22. New Mexico St.                  8 243   30.38  34   28   1  0  0
23. Southern California             7 211   30.14  26   23   1  0  0
24. Notre Dame                      8 240   30.00  32   30   0  0  0
24. Rutgers                         7 210   30.00  26   24   0  0  0

32. Michigan                        9 255   28.33  31   30   0  0  0

*** 2006 NCAA Division IA Football Total Defense Statistics ***
            (Complete Through Saturday, October 28th)

                     From The Sports Network

                    T O T A L   D E F E N S E

Rank   Team                          G  Pl  Yds   Avg TD   Ydspg
1. LSU                             8 461 1693  3.67  7  211.63
2. Rutgers                         7 399 1564  3.92  8  223.43
3. Virginia Tech                   8 478 1865  3.90 10  233.13
4. Michigan                        9 542 2118  3.91 12  235.33
5. Clemson                         9 574 2175  3.79 14  241.67
6. Wyoming                         9 553 2248  4.07 19  249.78
7. Wisconsin                       9 553 2258  4.08 13  250.89
8. Miami (Fla.)                    8 453 2086  4.60 13  260.75
9. Florida                         8 500 2088  4.18 10  261.00
 9. Ohio St.                        9 537 2349  4.37  7  261.00

*** 2006 NCAA Division IA Football Team Scoring Defense Statistics ***
            (Complete Through Saturday, October 28th)

                     From The Sports Network

                  S C O R I N G   D E F E N S E

Rank   Team                          G TD Kxp Oxp Fg Sf  Pts  PtPg
1. Ohio St.                        9  7   6   0  0  0   66   7.3
2. LSU                             8  7   7   0  0  0   66   8.3
3. Rutgers                         7  8   6   0  0  0   60   8.6
4. Michigan                        9 12  11   0  0  0  104  11.6
5. Virginia Tech                   8 10  10   0  0  0   96  12.0


Take from this what you will, but I think you know what I'm thinking!

Small smacked silly, Beanie botches ballcarrying, Gonzo gets gonged

The Lantern - Sports

Notebook

David Briggs

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: Sports

The Ohio Stadium grounds crew has taken plenty of heat recently, so sorry to pile on.

But the new field, which was replaced more than a month ago for about $100,000, continues to devolve. On Saturday, parts of the field looked as if they had been steamrolled: paint covered numerous bare spots and the discolored grass was spongy throughout.

"They just replaced the field, right?" Minnesota coach Glen Mason said. "They need a new gardener. If they have a weakness, it's a lousy field..."

I don't know if they are going to replace it again between now and M******n, but I think they should. This is odd too. Ohio Field had been one of the best natural grass fields around until this year. I hate to say this, but, as I said before, they might have to think about installing field turf.

Small knocked out, Pitcock has concussion

Ray Small laid motionless for a few moments Saturday after taking a brutal - and cheap - shot to the chin from Minnesota cornerback Dominic Jones...

That was a vicious hit and, yes, it was illegal! It was clearly helmet to helmet and it should have been flagged!!!

All is forgiven

Chris Wells sat alone on the Buckeyes bench.

The freshman tailback had just coughed away his third fumble of the season and he doubted he would get another call...

He definitely needs to work on tucking the ball away.

Troy and Justin, sittin' in a tree

Before Justin Zwick could reach the sideline after his one-yard dive into the endzone late Saturday, he was jubilantly mauled by Troy Smith.

"If anybody was going to be there for him, I was," Smith said. "And tell him how happy I was for him..."

That's what makes him (Troy) the undeniable leader of this team!

Quotable

"The funny thing is that even though we won last year, defensively our stats were so terrible that for us, it was kind of a loss. We used that as motivation, because to us, it was like playing a team that beat us last year." - OSU defensive end Jay Richardson on last year's defense giving up 578 yards of total offense to Minnesota.

Extra points

The Buckeyes' helmets were adorned Saturday with the initials of Andrew Polakowski, the OSU student who was recently suffocated by a residence hall elevator ... Smith hasn't thrown an interception in his last 120 pass attempts ... Under Tressel, OSU is 44-3 when taking a lead into half-time ... The Buckeyes have scored at least 24 points in 16-straight games.

Well, now on to Illinois!

Minnesota marauding

Media Credit: David Heasley

Jack Nicklaus dots the "i" at the homecoming game against Minnesota.

The Lantern - Sports

David Briggs

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: Sports

Ohio State is the best football team in the land because:

A. A defense that lost nine starters is becoming as vaunted as an offense with two leading Heisman candidates, now allowing the fewest points per game in the nation...

Jesus Jim and the Buckeyes

The Lantern - Sports

Scott Woods

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: Sports

Good news, fellow Buckeyes. For those of us who drink like Liza Minnelli, smoke like, well, me, and have unprotected pre-marital sex like inner-city high school girls, Jim Tressel and Co. have the answer we've all been looking for: Drug-dealing hookers ... er ... Jesus...

Gee, is it really a surprise that this kid is in J school?! I'd say, "what a buffoon," but that's rather redundant. I'd also write him a response, but it would be wasted as it would go right over his head.

Buckeyes aware that collision with Michigan is ahead

NCAAFootball.com

By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Like two runaway locomotives on a collision course, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan are rapidly drawing closer.

But before they can get to their Nov. 18 showdown at Ohio Stadium, each has three teams - none with a winning record - to get through...

No looking a head! I can't wait, but there's business to take care of before that!

Brownies beg for Buckeye boss?, Troy talks trophies, field falls flat

The Lantern - Sports

David Briggs

Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: Sports

The Cleveland Browns' yearly plunge into irrelevance has rekindled the seemingly annual talk that OSU coach Jim Tressel could skip town for the NFL and his hometown team.

Four words, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!


Smith's Heisman in the bag?

As much as Troy Smith speaks of drowning himself in the present and refusing to look ahead to, say, Michigan, he admits to Heisman thoughts dancing their way into his head.

He may not say so, but the only way he loses it is if he loses to M******n, and I just don't see that happening.


Ginn, Patterson fine

A protective boot has adorned Ted Ginn Jr.'s right foot for parts of the last week, but the wideout looks to be fine and will start Saturday, Tressel said.

Ouch!


New grass failing

Meet the new turf. Same as the old turf.

More than a month after OSU installed new grass at Ohio Stadium in response to slipping field conditions, the surface has not progressed as planned.

I love having natural grass, but maybe they should consider field turf.

We don't give a damn for Michigan, or do we?

The Lantern - Sports

Brandon Castel

Issue date: 10/2/06 Section: Sports

There's a saying among many Buckeye fans that goes: My two favorite teams are Ohio State and whoever is playing Michigan. The good news for them is their favorite team is No. 1 in the country and 5-0 after a 38-17 win over Iowa Saturday. The bad news is their second favorite team has been getting its butt whipped...

Man, I Can't believe it!

Happy Birthday to me, I think. I'm now 1 year shy of 40! I just had my 20 year high school reunion too. Man, where did time go!?

Wrapping it up, unfortunately!

Well, I'm at the end of my pics. Sorry I couldn't share all of them with you, but I did try to share some of the best. The vacation was a blast! I'm already raring to go again, but I guess I'd better get this one completely paid for first. I hope everyone enjoyed my pics. As I said, I will try to post some from my parents and brother to show some things that I didn't get a pic of.

Pics include, more shots from our bay/sound cruise tour (including a dry dock with an enormous barge in it being repaired, the Crowley tug boats, a Coast Guard ice breaker, and the island ferry), a night shot of Seattle with the stadiums lighted and my trusty dog Boomer with his souvenir bandanna.

Back in Seattle

Well, getting up the morning of day 8 was pretty uneventful. We'd put our luggage out the night before to be collected for off loading. All we had was our carry on's. We went and had breakfast in the main dining room. Nothing much, just some cereal in my case. It was then just sitting and waiting for our turn to disembark. We finally walked off the ship some time between 10 and 10:30 that morning. I was ready to walk back on the instant I walked off. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Well, we'd planned all along to stay a couple of extra days in Seattle to explore a bit. The place we stayed was over looking the public market. What a neat place! It has a little bit of everything, from fresh seafood to fresh produce, to fresh cut flowers to any little nick nack that you can think of, as well as several restaurants. We spent a lot of time just roaming in it. As a matter of fact that's what we did most of the first day back in Seattle. I've got info and will definitely be ordering some fresh seafood from some of the vendors. I left a few dollars there as it is. If Cincinnati ever got it's butt in gear and cleaned up Over-The-Rhine Findley Market and the area around it could be very similar.

Well, my pics are almost at an end. I'll post a few more in the next day or 2 and that'll be it for mine. I'll post a few of my parents and my brothers pics at some point as well.

Pics include the Totem pole in Seattle's main square, a couple of the market and some from a bay sight seeing cruise we took (including the Seattle P. I. Paper with the needle in the back ground, a pic of where the building that Frazier lived in would be if it really existed- his apartment would have been about where the tops of the red and white radio towers are, another skyline view and some really nice guy).

More YUM and Day 7 - Victoria

Pics include more of the midnight buffet (including some the sculptures made with butter and wax, some of the fabulous food, and some sculptures made from various fruits and vegetables), the port at Victoria and Mt Baker (I didn't get many pics of Victoria as I was out fishing all day and the pics of the fishing trip have not yet been developed. I'll be posting some of my parents pics of some the sights in Victoria later), others are the curtain in the theater, our waiter Anthony, and the entire wait staff.

More Icy Strait Point/Hoonah and Day 6 - YUM

Pics include a rather handsome guy (if I do say so myself), a replica of a net rig, the ferry, part of the old cannery and fishing boats, towel pet 5, the chefs and cooking staff, towel pet 6, and then various pics of the midnight buffet.

We were at sea on day 6, and I got up and went for a jog on one of the treadmills. It's a good thing too. Food for this day was the best yet. Dinner offered lobster tails, as many as you wanted. I had 2 on top of the fabulous soups and shrimp cocktail (of course). That was just the start though. As I said, this was midnight buffet night and boy did I enjoy it. I can't begin to tell you what all I had, but I can tell you that I filled my plate to the max with all sorts of goodies from chocolate covered strawberries, to an astounding fruit filled and iced cake. It was a good thing that I jogged that morning, because by the time I went to bed I couldn't eat another bite. Oh did I enjoy myself though! I'll be posting more pics of the buffet tomorrow.