Tuesday October 16, 2012 year: 132 No. 115
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thelantern Meyer moves in on Fickell’s dire defense
sports
Pat BRennan Sports editor brennan.164@osu.edu
Injury infusion
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Coach Urban Meyer gave an update on the football team’s multiple injuries on Monday.
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Ohio State sophomore linebacker Ryan Shazier said words couldn’t describe the Buckeyes’ defensive performance against Indiana. The appropriate descriptors came to first-year OSU coach Urban Meyer with apparent ease during his weekly press conference Monday, and he wasn’t happy. Maybe that’s why, at least for the time being, Meyer will have an increased role in the defense — he’s targeted the problem and is already working with the unit to improve its play. In light of nearly blowing an 18-point, late-game lead against the Hoosiers, Meyer, who said he’d be more involved with the defensive unit afterward, said the Buckeyes need to eliminate big plays. To help facilitate the defense’s growth, he’s already upped his involvement with the unit — Meyer said he’s met with both the players and the coaches on the defensive side of the ball. You won’t hear a whine from co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell regarding these matters, though — he said he’s happy to continue collaborating with Meyer. After allowing 481 yards of total offense and 49 points, Meyer described OSU’s problem succinctly, saying it needs to cease allowing big plays. “Pressing issues, eliminate the big play. There were 14 plays in there (against Indiana), and I actually met with the entire defense and the defensive staff in there,” Meyer said. “Instead of just complaining and whining and making noise, we have to put a plan together. That’s eliminate big plays … I’m not happy at all with what’s going on defense. That includes players, coaches and I think we can all get better.” Fickell’s defense is a porous one — OSU has allowed more points through seven games — 172 — than in either the past two seasons. Last year, the Buckeyes allowed 114 points to the opposition through seven games and during the team’s 2010 Sugar Bowl-championship campaign, which was later vacated, the defense allowed 112 points through seven games. With concerns about the now No. 7-ranked Buckeyes’ defense bubbling over, Fickell didn’t offer any excuses. Instead, a simple solution — make more plays, he said.
andrew Holleran / Photo editor
OSU coach Urban Meyer throws down his play sheet during the 1st half of the game against Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 13. OSU won the game, 52-49. “We’ve got to do a lot better job. I think the big thing is you look at — we’ve got to finish,” Fickell said. “To me, the greatest thing is, you say, ‘Hey, let’s see how we learn from this.’” From the outside looking in, it might appear that Fickell, having drawn Meyer’s ire, will now have his toes stepped on by the Buckeyes’ head coach. While it’s true that Meyer will be more involved in
the defense, Fickell said, he’s always been present, adding that increased criticism from Meyer should help speed the learning process up. “(Meyer’s) come over more, but I think he’s always been involved. I think his ability to get over there and make sure, you know, motivational things and make
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4A OSU student struck by train off campus Kristen Mitchell Campus editor mitchell.935@osu.edu
Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
Jerry Springer is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. in the Ohio Union’s Great Hall Meeting Room 1.
campus
Man breaks sound barrier
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FALL ACCIDENTS
Status: Rachel Stump- Aug. 19
Recovering
James Daniel Huges- Sept. 5
Unavailable
Yifan Gu- Sept. 6
Stable
Mark Kalina- Oct. 13
Critical but stable
In light of the accident, he said his brother has been staying positive. Matt Kalina said when he saw his brother, Mark Kalina made a joke: “I need to ask you a question. Is the train OK?” Mark Kalina has had extensive damage to his legs, including the loss of his left leg and his right leg below the knee. However, Matt Kalina said his
brother will be able to walk again with the help of prosthetics and rehabilitation. He also had his right pinky finger removed. After the accident, Matt Kalina said his brother called the authorities for help himself, and waved to the helicopter attempting to locate him. The accident has been hard on the
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Columbus Marathon to funnel runners through the ‘Shoe Michele Theodore For the Lantern theodore.13@osu.edu
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An Ohio State student sustained extensive injuries early Saturday morning when he was struck by a train, but his brother said he has been “all smiles.” Mark Kalina, a 23-year-old student in engineering and brother of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was hit by a train at about 2 a.m. Saturday while walking on railroad tracks near Hocking Street and Nationwide Boulevard. He was transported to the Wexner Medical Center, according to Columbus Division of Police records, where he remains in critical but stable condition Monday evening. Kalina was cited for criminal trespassing, according to the report. Kalina’s younger brother and OSU student in communication Matt Kalina said he was the first one at the hospital when they had identified Mark Kalina and notified his family.
family, but Matt Kalina said his brother’s positive attitude has made it easier to deal with. “We’re all sticking together,” he said. He said relatives and friends have been coming to visit Mark Kalina, and his family has been grateful for the support. Kristen Kalina, Mark Kalina’s sister and a graduate student in education and human ecology, said in an email that “the (hospital) waiting room is constantly filled with people waiting to see him” and even though he has a long road to recovery, “he has an extremely supportive group of family and friends that are rallying behind him.” In the first 18 hours following the incident, Kristen Kalina said her brother has had “75 plus visitors.” Pi Kappa Alpha, better known as Pike, philanthropy chair and third-year in marketing Zach Horner said Mark Kalina has been in high spirits, and many of his brothers went to visit him in the hospital over the weekend.
Marathon runners will get a chance to see what Buckeye football players get to see every home game this Sunday: a view of Ohio Stadium from the field. During the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon, participants are mapped to be routed for a stretch through Ohio Stadium at about mile 18 of the 26.2 mile run. In previous years, the race course was routed around the stadium and near the Olentangy River, but runners didn’t have the chance to enter the stadium. But this year, participants competing in the full marathon will have the opportunity to run the same route football players do: down the ramp of the “home tunnel” and across the field, said Darris Blackford, Columbus Marathon race director. To contribute to the atmosphere of
Ohio Stadium, a cheering section will be stationed in the stands to encourage runners as they near the 18-mile marker on the course. The idea of running through the stadium was inspired by other races with courses that allow runners to cross major football fields, such as the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon in Wisconsin that routed runners through Lambeau Field last May, home of the Green Bay Packers. Blackford said no one had thought of routing runners through the ‘Shoe before. “No one had ever asked (about Ohio Stadium),” Blackford explained. Some students on campus said they are excited to have OSU showcased in the marathon. Brian Phillips, a fourth-year in mechanical engineering, said it would “add value to the race,” because “a lot of people really admire Ohio Stadium.” Sunday’s race will mark Phillips’
andrew holleran / Photo editor
The 2012 Nationwide Columbus Marathon is set to take place Sunday. The 26.2 mile race will route runners though Ohio Stadium. fourth time running the Columbus Marathon and he said the stadium portion will come at a “point in the race where you start to lose steam.” Other students agreed, such as Kayla Kilar, a second-year in criminology and sociology, who is participating in the half-marathon. While she won’t get to run through the stadium, she said she’s happy other runners will. “A full marathon is such an accomplishment. It’s more of an honor that the full marathoners get to run through the stadium,” she said. She said she hopes the new race
route will encourage other students to participate in the race in future years. “I think it’s an honor and it’s a great idea to get Ohio State involved,” Kilar said. “More students can get involved and aspire to have good health.” The Columbus Marathon is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. and travels throughout Columbus. The race begins downtown and weaves through Bexley, Olde Town East, German Village, Grandview and Victorian Village in addition to an appearance at OSU.
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