COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman will likely take the first snap when No. 18 Ohio State plays Akron on Saturday, interim coach Luke Fickell says.
Fickell stresses that both Bauserman and true freshman Braxton Miller will be needed as the Buckeyes try to eclipse 10 months of scandal and controversy stemming from players taking cash and free tattoos and ex-coach Jim Tressel finding out about it and covering it up.
The Buckeyes will have game captains — linemen J.B. Shugarts, Mike Brewster and John Simon — for their 122nd opener.
Fickell, an assistant elevated to replace Tressel who was forced out in the midst of an NCAA investigation, says Bauserman had the edge over Miller in leadership. Ohio State will be without three offensive starters suspended for taking improper benefits.
