Arrive Early Due To Ohio Stadium Security

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What's brewing today with the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes ...

BUCKEYES BUZZ: Expect security to be somewhat tightened as you enter Ohio Stadium - or even drive near it - for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Illinois on Saturday.

Federal bulletins sent to police departments this week and obtained by The Associated Press said officials knew of no specific plots against stadiums and other entertainment venues, but cautioned officers and private companies to be vigilant.

Similar alerts often are issued - a recent one focused on the vulnerabilities of mass transit systems - but they've received increased attention in the last week against the backdrop of ongoing terror investigations in New York City and Denver.

Michigan Stadium officials have banned all purses and other bags. Ohio State officials say only that "security and safety procedures for home football games ... will be maintained at their current levels."

Ohio State spokeswoman Shelly Poe responded earlier this week to an AP e-mail, saying, "I can tell you that it is always extremely high security for our home games because of the proximity of Chemical Abstracts, the hospitals and Battelle to the stadium - every game day is a high-level target."

Chemical Abstracts is a large private company which adjoins campus and is about a half mile or so north of the football stadium. Chemical Abstracts' Web site bills the company as "the largest collection of substance information - as well as indexed references from more than 10,000 major scientific journals and 59 patent authorities around the world."

Ohio State University Medical Center is about a half-mile south of the football stadium.

Battelle is a private, secretive complex near the medical center. It deals with national and international security matters, defense contracts and similar matters. It's Web site describes the company as "an international science and technology enterprise that explores emerging areas of science, develops and commercializes technology."

Those entering the stadium are advised to allow additional time to ensure they arrive for the start of the game.

"We take the security of our fans, student-athletes and staff seriously," said Mike Penner, assistant AD for event management. "Recent advisories issued by the federal government have provided us the opportunity to re-emphasize to our staff and our fans the procedures we already have in place."

Bags larger than 14x14 inches are prohibited in the stadium. All bags are subject to search. In addition, the following are not permitted in the stadium during a game: alcohol, baby strollers, balls, banners, beverages, bottles, professional cameras with detachable lenses, chair back seats, containers, weapons, drugs, fireworks, flags, food, Frisbees, ice chests, irritants, knives, noisemakers, picnic baskets, televisions or radios without headsets, signs, Thermoses and video recorders.

The stadium gates open at 1:30 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Jim Tressel on the fresh start for teams in conference play: "Whether you're happy with what's gone on so far this year or if your not so happy, a new world begins with the Big Ten."

2003 GAME BEST OF DECADE: The 2003 Fiesta Bowl game between Ohio State and Miami, in which the Buckeyes won the national championship in double overtime, has been selected as the Sporting News college football game of the decade.

Peyton Manning, Albert Pujols, Kobe Bryant, Nicklas Lidstrom, Matt Leinart, Tyler Hansbrough and Jimmie Johnson were selected as the athletes of the decade in their respective sports.

In the college football section, LB James Laurinaitis made the all-decade first-team defense, and Ted Ginn Jr. was the all-decade kick returner.

UPDATING: Tressel offered several updates and comments on Thursday:

- After two Ohio State players missed practice Monday due to the flu, all currently are healthy.

- Joking about play-calling responsibilities: "I've always said that it's a committee decision and I'm part of the committee. But the (plays) that worked, I've always said those were my ideas, and the ones that didn't ..."

- RT Jim Cordle, out 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury, has had arthroscopic surgery on the ankle and may be back sooner than originally thought.