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Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > September > 30 > Entry
Saine off to slow start
Sophomore running back Brandon Saine has had a diminishing role in Ohio State’s rushing attack this season, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
The former Ohio Mr. Football from Piqua was limited in preseason practice because of a hamstring injury, and he hasn’t been able to make progress on the depth chart since his return.
Redshirt freshman Daniel “Boom” Herron has clearly become the No. 2 tailback behind Beanie Wells and has shown more burst and shiftiness than Saine has displayed.
Saine rushed just three times for 11 yards against Minnesota on Saturday and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards.
“Brandon was on the sideline for 20-some practices, and it’s hard at that position if you don’t get your rhythm and get rolling and get opportunities and so forth,” OSU coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday.
“I thought Brandon did a good job bringing kicks back on Saturday. He got in a little bit on the offensive side. We continue to talk about how we can utilize him, but right now with all of a sudden Beanie getting back, and Boom, I think, doing very well, the tailback reps become even more rare.”
While the opportunities for Saine may be shrinking, another area product could be taking on a bigger role this week.
Tight end Jake Ballard, a junior from Springboro, will likely see increased playing time against Wisconsin on Saturday with starter Rory Nicol out with a sprained ankle.
Ballard had 13 catches last season and two so far this year.
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Comments
By Tim
September 30, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
I believe in Saine and hope he overcomes those nagging injuries while Beanie, Boom & Pryor carries the load. He’s only a sophmore so he’s got plenty of time to heal and live up to the Ohio Mr. Football hype…
By jimi
September 30, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
saine is a great player, but even at piqua he was hit i the backfield on a frequent basis. to get the most out of brandon you have to commit to using him, maybe twenty touches or so. he’s a home run hitter.. and we can’t really afford to use him. i’d tell him to transfer if he were my kid.
By JMD
October 1, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this
i would recommend Brandon transfer. There are several outstanding running backs in the Big Ten from Ohio (Sutton, Ringer etc) and staying at OSU behind others — he will not get the reps plus the system at OSU will not use him as a Reggie Bush type threat.
By Pete
October 1, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
He needs to get healthy. Since he hurt his knee last year, seems like he’s not gotten completely healed. Herron looks very tentative, almost scared, when he runs the ball. Even w/ that nice little run he took to the 1YD line last week, he probably would’ve scored had he not hesitated. Would like to see all of them get healthy & in top form because they’re gonna need it starting @ Wisconsin.
By Florida Buckeye
October 1, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
From what I saw of him last year, he has speed and power; however this year, he is hesitant to hit the hole, preferring to scat and move instead of power through and then use his vision…the O line isn’t good enough this year for his style of play…sadly
By jmv
October 1, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Saine has the kind of speed that you cant’ coach. Since he can’t break in at tailback I would use him in the slot and even at wideout in special situations. He will create dynamic mismatches. He has great hands I just hope Tressel who is said to be very good at identifying talent and skill will realize he is wasting Saine by just letting him sit on the sideline. If he were my son I would not tell him to transfer being a Buckeye has its’ perks way after football is over…
By robin
October 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
I never understood why the Buckeyes and their forethinking modern offense did not utylize Brandon Saine’s speed. In the LSU game on the few touches he had, LSU could not cover him.
By robin
October 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
I never understood why the Buckeyes and their forethinking modern offense did not utilyze Brandon Saine’s speed. In the LSU game on the few touches he had, LSU could not cover him.
By robin
October 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
I never understood why the Buckeyes and their forethinking modern offense did not utilyze Brandon Saine’s speed. In the LSU game on the few touches he had, LSU could not cover him.
By robin
October 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
I never understood why the Buckeyes and their forethinking modern offense did not utilyze Brandon Saine’s speed. In the LSU game on the few touches he had, LSU could not cover him.
By robin
October 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
I never understood why the Buckeyes and their forethinking modern offense did not utilyze Brandon Saine’s speed. In the LSU game on the few touches he had, LSU could not cover him.
By robin
October 9, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
I never understood why the Buckeyes and their forethinking modern offense did not utilyze Brandon Saine’s speed. In the LSU game on the few touches he had, LSU could not cover him.