Urban Meyer puts onus on Ohio State offensive line to step up at Penn State

Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer threw the gauntlet down in his last press conference before a top 10 showcase game.

He wants to see his offensive line take control Saturday night at Penn State.

“We’re an offensive line driven program,” Meyer said Wednesday night. “When they’re on we win, and they have to be on.”

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Although the Nittany Lions have the nation’s highest-scoring offense and the Buckeyes check in at No. 2, Meyer sounded like he is expecting a good old-fashioned slugfest.

“Going on seven years now (at Ohio State), any time there’s a big game, it’s going to be field position, take care of the ball and move the chains against a dynamic offense,” Meyer said. "And the defense is really good, too.”

Among other things Meyer discussed Wednesday night:

  • No. 9 Penn State is a big competitor for No. 4 Ohio State on the recruiting trail: "Especially in that part of the country. You start talking about Jersey, Maryland, the Eastern Shore, that's a big battle with them."
  • Senior Brady Taylor, who left spring as the favorite to be the starting center but battled a knee injury in the preseason, had surgery to repair a meniscus issue and is expected back in about four weeks. Michael Jordan ended up winning the starting center job with Josh Myers, a redshirt freshman from Miamisburg, backing him up.
  • Amir Riep, a sophomore safety from Cincinnati Colerain, has been out with a hamstring injury, but he is back this week. Riep is one of the team's top special teams performers.
  • Meyer said Demario McCall could be more involved in the game plan this week. He has been a little bit stuck between playing slot receiver and running back this season after battling injuries last season.
  • Meyer called backup quarterback Tate Martell, "Kind of a cowboy out there a little bit when he runs around."
  • Meyer likes the atmosphere at Penn State: "I think that makes college football great. It is a great environment, but do I like it? I like it if we find a way to win a game. that's why we're there and they're there to do the opposite."

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