This is the seventh in a series of 100 daily posts, a Countdown to College Football. (Sort of.)
As you read this — assuming you are reading this today and not tomorrow — we are now just 132 days away from Ohio State kicking off against Oregon State. More importantly, however, we are down to just 94 days until the Big Ten Media Days are wrapped up.
Then, mere days after that, fall camp gets underway and you will be ensconced in the velvety-warm womb of college football once again.
In an effort to keep you somewhat warm until then, however, we will keep giving you enough football to at least keep your toes thawed.
In today’s 1/100th, we look at what used to be a great college rivalry, what used to be a great college program, a guy you’ve never heard of, and one you definitely have.
Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s edition if you missed it.
Now please join us as we continue our countdown of the 100 greatest Buckeyes of The Ozone era (1996-present).
We will also preview one of the 100 most exciting games on this fall’s college football schedule, and one of the 100 things we’re most looking forward to this fall.
Plus, we’ll preview one of this season’s 100 biggest personnel matchups.
Greatest Buckeyes Of The Ozone Era
#94 Dustin Fox
Dustin Fox came to Ohio State as an Army All-American from Canton Glen Oak in the 2001 class. Fox actually started twice as a true freshman and also came away with the game-ending interception on the road at Michigan.
As a sophomore in 2002, Fox started every game at cornerback for the national champion Buckeyes. He finished third on the team with 84 tackles. His three interceptions were one fewer than Chris Gamble. Fox had 17 passes defended in 2002, which was more than both Gamble (10) and Mike Doss (10). He also tied for the team lead in forced fumbles with three (Darrion Scott).
As a junior in 2003, Fox finished fourth on the team with 77 tackles. His three interceptions tied for the team lead (Gamble). Late in the season the No. 4 Buckeyes hosted No. 11 Purdue, and Fox got a finger on a field goal attempt at the end of overtime to secure Ohio State’s 16-13 win. The victory moved OSU to 6-1 in conference play and put them into a first-place tie with Michigan.
Fox then dealt with injuries as a senior in 2004. He missed games against North Carolina State, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. The Buckeyes lost both Big Ten games.
He was also banged up for the Purdue game later in the season and did not start — Ohio State lost this game as well.
Best Games This Fall
#94 Penn State at Pittsburgh
After a 16-year break, Penn State and Pittsburgh renewed their rivalry for the 2016 season and beyond. Since the return of the “Keystone Classic” each team has successfully defended their home field.
When they take the field against each other on September 8, it will mark the 99th meeting between the two programs.
The first time they met was 1893, with PSU coming away with a 32-0 win. Interestingly, this rivalry has really only been a home-and-home deal since the 1980s. Over the first 66 meetings, only seven of the games were played in Happy Valley.
I’m guessing the lack of home games for Penn State was because too many Pitt players and their mules died on the 100-mile wilderness hike from Latrobe to State College, whereas the Wildlings from State College were a heartier breed. And plus they were accustomed to hiking into town for supplies once a year. It wasn’t until roads were introduced to central Pennsylvania in 1978 that Pitt was comfortable making the trek.
Even then, they still traveled by mule for some reason.
What We Can’t Wait To See
#94 Dorian Thompson-Robinson leading Chip Kelly’s offense at UCLA
I don’t know that this will actually happen, but I’m sure hoping it does. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class and he will arrive on UCLA’s campus this summer.
Thompson-Robinson was Tate Martell’s backup at Bishop Gorman and only started one season at quarterback. He was also a very dangerous receiver for Martell. DTR had offers from everywhere before he ever started a game. Ultimately he chose UCLA over Michigan one year ago, but now looks like the best fit to run new Bruins coach Chip Kelly’s offense.
Redshirt sophomore Devon Modster leaves the spring as the leader at quarterback for UCLA. He was Josh Rosen’s backup last season, completing 51-of-79 passes for 671 yards and four touchdowns.
If Kelly felt great about his quarterback options, however, he probably wouldn’t have sought out former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight. As a graduate transfer, Speight will be eligible to play right away for the Bruins. It will be interesting to see what the QB depth chart looks like in the season opener against Luke Fickell and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Speight completed 17-of-29 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns against UC last season in a 36-14 win for the Wolverines.
Matchup To Watch
#94 Terren Encalade, Tulane WR vs. OSU CB Damon Arnette
You probably haven’t heard of Terren Encalade before, but you have now. Encalade (6-0 190) is a redshirt senior wide receiver for Tulane, and he and the Green Wave will be in Columbus on September 22.
Encalade caught 39 passes for 730 yards and four touchdowns last season, but really came on at the end of the year with a total of 15 catches for 297 yards against Houston and SMU. This spring, he made it three 100-yard receiving games in a row with two catches for 137 yards in the spring game. He scored once on a 78-yard catch and run.
Encalade will find himself matched up with fourth-year junior cornerback Damon Arnette throughout the game. Yes, Tulane is going to be overmatched, but this is a sandwich game for the Buckeyes. It comes one week after TCU and one week before they head to Penn State for a White Out.
If the Ohio State defense is going to get the shutout that they want, it may very well come down to Damon Arnette keeping focused while defending Terren Encalade.