Ohio University's in Athens, not Columbus

Let's be completely straightforward. \nIU losing to Ohio State Saturday was not a surprise. \nIf anyone truly believed the Hoosiers could travel to Columbus and beat the Buckeyes, that person deserves the 'Optimist of the Decade' award. But the Hoosiers deserve all the credit for a tough first half. Had it not been for the 17 points given up in the third, that Optimist award just might have been given out.\nBiggest standout on defense:\nYes, there actually is a standout player, and that is freshman Damien Jones. While lately much of the hype on defense has been dedicated to linebacker Herana-Daze Jones, who is the Big Ten's leading tackler, Damien has been quietly establishing himself at the cornerback position. Saturday, against Ohio State, Damien had four total tackles. While that number is neither impressive nor the most in the game, Damien was instrumental in saving an early score by the Buckeyes on their first possession by breaking up a long pass. Look out for this young upstart.\nMost unsurprising event:\nOn Ohio State's first possession, it looked as if the Hoosiers could have a fighting chance in the game. Then freshman running back Maurice Clarett entered the game, and it was all over for the Hoosiers. On his first appearance in the game, Clarett helped the Buckeyes move the ball 50 yards in 12 plays, and capped it off with a touchdown. Even with an unstable knee, Clarett exploited the IU rush defense. Just think what's going to happen when the Hoosiers face a completely healthy running back later on. Actually don't, it will be better that way.\nBiggest identity crisis:\nOhio State fans and cheerleaders. Here's the situation. You are not Ohio University. You are The Ohio State University, which begs the question of why all but one of your cheers is missing the word, "State." Now unless you are only up to the P's in the alphabet, I'm sure there is someone at your school creative enough to come up with a cheer that incorporates it. Just don't do what the IU athletic department did, and spend money on a marketing company to come up with a revamping plan. You'll end up with nothing but debt, and nothing to show for it. Well, expect incorrect cheers.\nBest multi-tasking:\nLet me get personal for a moment, and introduce you to my sports editor/best friend/bodyguard/roommate/voice to tell people off when I can't, or won't: Miss Katie Schoenbaechler. Following last Thursday's column about Ohio State, Katie was intercepting my e-mail, answering my phone and keeping watch outside my door, waiting to pounce on any Ohio State person wanting to mess with me. Well, not really to that extent. But as a sports editor, she's been great, and as a friend, well, everyone wishes they had one like her.\nMost "Did they mean to do that?" moment:\nApparently, the Buckeyes got their signals crossed, literally. The OSU quarterback was walking off the field for the play just as the center snapped the ball late in the third quarter, and…well…never mind. This one is just too easy.\nBest imitation of a Butterfinger candy bar:\nGlenn Johnson in the third quarter. Ohio State had just scored early in the third quarter, and IU was on it's way to marching down the field to close the gap to 10. But disaster struck when Johnson, usually a dependable receiver, dropped a beautiful pass thrown by quarterback Gibran Hamdan. This led to a domino effect of letdowns as, on the same possession, Ryan Hamre's punt was blocked, and two minutes later, the Bucks scored again.\nBest response:\nOhio State fans, students and alumni. Following last Thursday's column about OSU, I received numerous e-mails from Buckeye supporters. While it was impossible for me to respond to each one of them, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my articles. I hope that these people who wrote continue to read my columns and support me in the future. Thanks!