Tressel, Smith Rip Into Big 10 Ruling

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What's brewing today with the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes ...

BUCKEYES BUZZ: What was the message sent by Ohio State's hot-tempered response to S Kurt Coleman's one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit late in Saturday's 30-0 win over Illinois?

To backtrack, Coleman was suspended on Monday for the hit and for "targeting a defenseless opponent." A new NCAA rule requires the conferences to look at video replays of all cheap shots and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Coleman, a team captain and second-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, was flagged for the hit on Illinois backup quarterback Eddie McGee on the final drive of the game. McGee had gained 4 yards when he was hit by Coleman with the game firmly in Ohio State's win column.

Tressel had even addressed the new rule last week, saying that he and his staff talk to the team all the time about not breaking the rules or else they'll be caught by the video officials two days after the games.

Yet Tressel and athletic director Gene Smith said Coleman's suspension for the Indiana game was unjustified.

"The decision to suspend points to the conference office's feeling as if there was poor judgment by the game officials for their decision not to eject at the time," they said. "In our estimation, the final 'poor judgment' is in levying a one-game suspension in this particular case."

In the joint statement, Tressel and Smith conceded that Coleman's hit was late.

Still, they seemed to be saying that the fact that Smith was assessed a 15-yard penalty and that Ohio State's coaches took him out of the game was enough of a penalty.

"Obviously, we will abide by the one-game suspension from the Big Ten Conference, but we feel as if there was poor judgment throughout," Smith and Tressel said. "We do not agree that it was 'pre-meditated' or that he was 'targeting a defenseless player."'

Players from Purdue and Michigan had received similar suspensions for separate incidents earlier in the season. Tressel seemed to be in agreement that it was OK for the Big Ten to take further action after a game in those instances.

But then he and Smith appeared to be angry when an Ohio State player was suspended for a similar breach.

WEEKLY HONORS: The Ohio State coaching staff selected its weekly award winners for outstanding play in the rout of Illinois.

DL Doug Worthington was the defensive player of the week, with six tackles and a sack. Placekicker Aaron Pettrey, with three field goals and a perfect day on point-afters, was honored on the special units. Tailbacks Dan Herron and Brandon Saine were the offensive players of the week, combining to rush for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The top player of the back seven on defense was S Jermale Hines, now likely the starter in place of Coleman. Jake Ballard was chosen as the top blocker.

Singled out for their scout-team work were: RB Jermil Martin, DT Adam Bellamy and RB James Georgiades.

TOPS IN BIG TEN: Likewise, the Big Ten also handed out its weekly honors.

On offense, the winner was Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien, who set career highs with 19 completions, 31 attempts and four touchdown passes to help Wisconsin improve to a perfect 4-0 on the season with a victory over Michigan State; Iowa LB Pat Angerer, who racked up a game-high 14 tackles while producing a pair of key turnovers to help the Iowa defense limit Penn State to only 10 points in a road triumph; and Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn, who with the Hawkeyes trailing 10-5 in the fourth quarter against Penn State, turned the game around by blocking a punt and returning it 53 yards for the touchdown and a lead Iowa would not relinquish.

REMEMBER THIS: Local game time is 6 p.m., meaning the ninth-ranked Buckeyes game at Indiana starts at 7 p.m. on television.

CONFERENCE TILTS: This week's Big Ten games also include Michigan at Michigan State, Northwestern at Purdue, Wisconsin at Minnesota, Penn State at Illinois and Arkansas State at Iowa.

GAUDY RECORD: Tressel has a record of 86-20 at Ohio State, a winning percentage of .811. That's hard to beat, unless you're Mount Union coach Larry Kehres. The coach of the perennial Division III powerhouse has a record of 278-21-3 (.925) in his 24 seasons.

Here are some other truly incredible numbers about the Purple Raiders' program:

- since 2000 Mount Union's won-loss record is 128-4.

- It holds not just the longest, but the TWO Longest winning streaks in college football history: 55 in a row from 2000-2003 and 54 straight from 1996-99.

- The Purple Raiders have won their last 36 regular-season games.

- And, finally, their record when winning the turnover battle since 1990: 137-1.