January 12 2015

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Monday January 12, 2015 year: 135 No. 1

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No big surprise: Students more likely to wear apparel after their team wins AMANDA ETCHISON Campus editor etchison.4@osu.edu

on Monday night in Arlington, Texas, with history on the line for both programs.

Not only will it be the first time either school — or any school for that matter — has played a 15th game, but a win for Oregon would mean the Ducks would pick up their first-ever national title, and a win for OSU would mark an eighth title and the first since 2002.

Now on the biggest stage in college football, the Buckeyes have a shot at title No. 8 after battling through a season chock full of adversity and unforeseen circumstances.

OSU lost a Heisman trophy candidate in senior quarterback Braxton Miller before the season even started, and then it was without redshirtfreshman quarterback J.T. Barrett — who fractured his ankle in the Michigan game — for the Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin and the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.

Students wanting to know the outcome of the National Championship game after it’s over on Tuesday morning need look no further than their peers’ apparel choices.

College students are more than twice as likely to wear their team’s apparel on the first class meeting after a football team win, according to a recent study of seven universities conducted by Ohio State professors.

A team win made the odds of wearing two items of apparel more than three times as likely, the study said.

After a loss, though, students were 55 percent less likely to wear apparel, said Jonathan Jensen, co-author of the study and doctoral candidate in OSU’s Department of Human Sciences sport management program.

Jensen said the study was made up of data collected throughout 14 weeks during collegiate football teams’ 2013 regular seasons. Schools included in the study were OSU, Minnesota, Indiana, Louisiana State, Florida State, Louisville and Syracuse.

“We needed to have different schools … and if you remember, both Ohio State and Florida State went undefeated during the 2013 regular season, but we needed a variance and we needed both wins and losses, obviously,” Jensen said.

At each school, Jensen and instructors who agreed to contribute to the study recorded students’ decisions to wear college sports apparel after football games. More than 3,200 unique datapoints were collected from sports management or sports marketing classes at all seven schools, which ensured that researchers were collecting data from a group of “highly identified fans,” Jensen said.

“We actually wanted to make sure we were doing it in classes where students were more likely to be fans of the team and know whether the team won or lost,” he said. “If we would have done it in a class or classroom where they may not have even known who won the game, it really wouldn’t have suited the research.”

The study was a replication of one

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MARK BATKE / Photo editor

Sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) breaks away for a touchdown during the Sugar Bowl against Alabama on Jan. 1 in New Orleans. OSU won the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup, 42-35.

ONE TO GO

Ohio State set for National Championship bout with Oregon BUCKEYES IN THE TITLE GAME

TIM MOODY Sports editor moody.178@osu.edu

Total National Championships 7

DALLAS — No college football team has played 15 games in a season, but two coaches who are set to break that benchmark Monday are ready to get the show on the road.

“We’re ready to go,” Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said Sunday in a joint press conference with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.

“Enough talking and questions and answers and flashbulbs. Our guys are excited and ready to compete.”

As soon as Helfrich finished, Meyer was quick to echo his opponent’s sentiment.

“Ditto,” he said.

The Buckeyes (13-1, 8-0) and the Ducks (13-1, 8-1) are set to square off in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship

Most recent title 2002 (OSU 31, Miami 24 - 2OT) Most recent appearance in National Championship Game 2007 (LSU 38, OSU 24) Coach Urban Meyer's title game record 2-0 (Florida, 2006 and 2008)

DUCKS IN THE TITLE GAME Total National Championships 0 Most recent appearance in National Championship Game 2010 (Auburn 22, Oregon 19)

OSU foots the bill for 124 people to go to the Sugar Bowl LIZ YOUNG Editor-in-chief young.1693@osu.edu The Sugar Bowl was a free ride for some Ohio State administrators, faculty, staff, students and their guests.

Ohio State sent 124 people to the Sugar Bowl on its dime, adding up to roughly $372,000.

OSU’s official party to the Sugar Bowl included at least 69 people and their guests from the Board of Trustees, the Athletic Council, the president’s cabinet, Council of Deans, Senior Management Council and student, staff and faculty leadership. That official party was determined by the Big Ten Conference, according to a document provided by OSU to fill a public records request.

Preliminary estimates of expenses for that party totaled roughly $207,000 — the cost of the trip was about $3,000 per person based on single occupancy. All of those party members were listed with at least one other person (a spouse or a guest), so as OSU noted, that total cost figure is likely inflated.

Some people who made the cut: • President Michael Drake and wife Brenda Drake • Provost Joseph Steinmetz • Seventeen Athletic Council members with guests • Nine trustees with guests

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Buckeye fans from Oregon stay loyal ahead of title game MICHAEL HUSON Lantern reporter huson.4@osu.edu Although Chris Colley was born in Oregon and wore an Oregon hat this semester, he wants the record to show that he’s not rooting for the Ducks this Monday.

“I am definitely a Buck fan,” he said. “I’m not in any way an Oregon fan. Just to make that clear.”

And he’s not alone. Some Ohio State students from the state of Oregon have dropped the Ducks to support the Buckeyes as OSU is set to face Oregon in the National Championship game this week.

Colley, a fourth-year in civil engineering and member of the fencing team, was born in Portland, Ore., but said he is confident and supports the Buckeyes against the Ducks.

Colley said he has been an OSU football fan since he began attending OSU, and that he balanced this with his enthusiasm for the Ducks. However, this season, as the possibility of a BuckeyeDucks National Championship showdown arose, his fondness for the Ducks dwindled down to nothing.

He does admit, though, that he wore a Ducks hat to class several times during Fall Semester.

“I’d like to take this time to apologize to my fellow students and all Buckeye fans for that hat,” he said.

Colley said he expects there might be some tension with his family back in Portland, who are Duck fans, but that a greater rivalry has emerged between him and his girlfriend, who has been a life-long Ducks fan and is currently attending Oregon.

Courtesy of Amy Van Auker

Springfield, Ohio, native and OSU alumna Amy Van Auker shows off her Buckeye pride in front of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium.

“It’s going to be a little tense on Monday,” he said. “No matter which way the game goes, I think we probably won’t talk for a few days.”

Colley said although they have tried to keep things civil over the phone and avoid it in conversation, the topic of Monday’s game inevitably comes up.

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campus Championship from 1A The Buckeyes also suffered an early loss to Virginia Tech, and they later learned about the death of teammate Kosta Karageorge the day after beating Michigan to cap an 11-1 regular season and an undefeated run in Big Ten play.

Despite all they’ve been through, sophomore defensive lineman Joey Bosa — a consensus All-American — said the Buckeyes didn’t have any trouble staying focused on the task at hand after toppling the top-ranked Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup.

“Obviously, it’s really exciting to accomplish something like that as a team,” Bosa said. “And it took all of about four hours to get over the win, because we’re not on a mission to win the Sugar Bowl, we’re on a mission to win the National Championship.”

Meyer said it’s important for his players to keep that focus when the lights come on Monday night, in part because this game represents one last shot to come out on top and go down in history.

“There’s never a game you don’t want to take your best shot, but this one, you try to paint the stage so they’re not shocked when they step in the arena, because it’s going to be — the Sugar Bowl was incredible, and this is even ratcheted up a little bit more,” he said.

“So we talk quite often about when you have that opportunity to step into the batter’s box, you get one swing. You step into a prize fight, you get one swing, and the great champions don’t miss.”

Meyer’s words come with experience: He won two national championships as the coach at Florida before coming to OSU. But similar experience isn’t completely lacking in OSU’s opponent.

Helfrich was the Ducks’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2010-11 when Oregon fell to Auburn in the title game, but none of his current players have ever taken part in a national championship contest.

That includes quarterback Marcus Mariota, but the redshirt-junior helped show he’s ready for the big stage with a Heisman Trophy-winning season and standout performance in the Rose Bowl win over Florida State on New Year’s Day. Mariota said it’s been great to have time to prepare for the game, but added that the Ducks are itching to get on the field and take their shot at the Buckeyes.

“It’s awesome to go back to Eugene,

(Ore.) and be able to work there in our own facility,” Mariota said. “It’s been an awesome week of preparation. Guys are excited, and honestly, we’re just looking forward to playing the game.”

But even with the excitement, the Honolulu native — who is known for his calm demeanor — said he wants to treat the game itself like any other.

“I think once you step on the field and once you get to the stadium, it’ll be an incredible feeling,” Mariota said. “But at the same time we’ve just got to kind of control those emotions and try to play the best game that you can.”

While Mariota is polishing off his third year as Oregon’s starter, OSU redshirtsophomore quarterback Cardale Jones is set to start just his third collegiate game when the two teams face off.

As Mariota calmly prepares for the game like any other, one of Jones’ decisions shows he’s just as focused with a different approach.

“I blocked out every contact in my phone except coaches and my mom because she’s traveling down here today, have to make sure she gets here safe,” Jones said Saturday. “But took me like 40 minutes to block everybody on my phone.”

On paper, Mariota’s experience in comparison to Jones’ might give Oregon an upper hand, and Meyer said he views the Duck signal caller as one of the main keys to the game.

“Our No. 1 concern is their quarterback,” he said.

But Meyer also expressed the difficulty of playing a 15th game, something typically reserved for levels of competition higher than college ball.

“The wear and tear, I think that has more to do with the practice, the approach,” he said. “It was drastically different than anything that we have ever done as far as the practice routine.”

While the physical exhaustion of the long season might be new to OSU, one aspect of the game will be familiar for the Buckeyes. For the sixth time under Meyer — and for the third game in a row — OSU is an underdog.

But in those earlier five games, the Buckeyes have gone undefeated.

Overall, the Buckeyes have a 12-game winning streak, which is the best in the nation.

The Buckeyes and the Ducks are set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. at AT&T Stadium with title hopes and a spot in the history books on the line.

Apparel from 1A conducted on OSU’s campus in 1973 by Robert Cialdini, a current professor at Arizona State University who conducted the initial research while teaching as a visiting associate professor of psychology at OSU, Jensen said.

The 1973 study aimed to explain human decision-making, specifically relating to the observed increase in students wearing OSU apparel following football team victories. The study found that, following a successful game, students were more likely to make the conscious decision to wear college sports team apparel, but after a loss, they were less likely to wear sports apparel.

Jensen said the original study coined the term “basking in the reflected glory,” or “BIRGing,” which is a self-esteem mechanism that relates to psychological forces like social identity and group identification.

In their updated version of the study, Jensen said he and co-writer Brian Turner, an associate professor of sport management at OSU, wanted to see if this phenomenon was still observed today, taking into consideration the popularization of collegiate-licensed merchandise.

“It has been 40 years since the initial study came out and no one really knew whether the theory still held or not,” Jensen said. “Collegiate-licensed merchandise has become a $4.6 billion business and you know how ubiquitous collegiate merchandise is, particularly among students, but also among the public at large … We didn’t know whether the decision whether or not to wear affiliated apparel was still influenced by the outcome of games.”

Jensen and Turner said the results they found in their 2013 study supported the original study’s findings, but they were surprised that other factors like student gender and game location did not impact the amount of apparel worn after the games.

“There was no difference between males and females in terms of whether their decision to wear apparel was impacted by the game. No difference whatsoever,” Jensen said. “We also controlled for whether it was a home game or a road game, thinking that if it was a home game, everyone would be more influenced by the outcome of the game because you ostensibly went to the game or were kind of a part of it, but there was no difference between road and home games either.”

Jensen said he was surprised to learn that although the magnitude of the game or the success of the opponent did not impact students’ decision to wear sports apparel, the expectation of winning or losing the game did impact the percent of students wearing apparel the next day.

“If you were expected to win a game and you did, then there was no change at all,” he said. “One thing that we did find that was a little unexpected was if you were expected to win a game and lost, there was still a large percentage of students that wore the apparel.”

Jensen said he thinks this is a result of students wanting to show support for their team, even after an unexpected loss.

“When you are expecting to win the game and you lose, students still wear apparel because of their high identification with their fellow students.

(They are) basically saying ‘Hey, even though you guys got upset, we are not going to abandon you and we are going to continue to support you,’” he said. “Students were more likely to wear apparel when they were upset than if they were expected to lose a game and they lost.”

David Jackson, co-owner of Across the Field Store, an OSU merchandise store located at 2781 Olentangy River Road, said the OSU football team’s success has a large impact on the amount of merchandise sold in the store after a game.

“I would say that there is definitely an increase when we win and I would say that there is about a 25 percent decrease of sales when we do lose a big game, a home game,” he said. “For the away games, there is probably not that big of a difference because we have a steady stream, but for the home games, there is definitely more of a market decrease when we lose.”

Jackson said about 75 percent of Across the Field Store’s yearly sales are conducted between September and December, but these sales occur both before and after important games.

“We definitely see an increase, but it is definitely not just after the game. It is during the time directly before the game, too,” he said. “For example, people are already coming in and looking for pre-National Championship merchandise so that they can be the one at the office being the first person to wear the OSU vs. Oregon T-shirt or something like that.”

Although Jackson said hoodies are usually some of the most popular apparel items bought by fans after games, he anticipates the official game T-shirts will sell quickly if OSU wins the National Championship.

“Probably the No. 1 thing will be the T-shirts.

They are called ‘locker room T-shirts’ and they are actually the shirt that the team wears,” he said.

“That is probably the No. 1 demand.”

Jensen said he thinks the study’s results, although “not totally unexpected,” will have important implications in the world of sports marketing and management.

“We are trying to understand how sports outcomes affect consumer psychology and we hope that they can be used to predict decisionmaking essentially so that retailers and apparel manufacturers can make choices to feature certain items,” he said. “Because the original study back in 1973 was done on the Ohio State campus and (this) study 40 years from then was done at Ohio State, I hope that this study kind of shines some light on Ohio State’s reputation as a bastion of psychology and consumer behavior.”

W W W. J A PA N M A R K E T P L A C E . U S

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Monday January 12, 2015

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Bill from 1A The Buckeyes played Alabama for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans. OSU won, 42-35, to earn a spot in the National Championship game.

That game is scheduled for Monday at 8:30 p.m. against the Oregon Ducks.

Travel information for the National Championship won’t be available until after the trip, OSU spokesman Gary Lewis said.

OSU’s athletic department footed the bill for the official party’s travel to the Sugar Bowl, reimbursing expenses “through bowl proceeds,” according to the document.

Other members of the OSU community attended the Sugar Bowl as well — at least 37 working administrators, faculty, staff and students were able to use department discretionary business funds, which aren’t public funds but are private donations intended to be used for “institutional advancement.” They could use those funds if they were traveling to the game on business to cover costs, and they could also use that money to pay for hotel rooms, tickets and events for a spouse or a guest, which 18 of them did. Airfare for that spouse or guest, though, was the individual’s responsibility.

The preliminary estimate of expenses for that category alone — not including guests — under that category comes out to $111,000. With guests — $165,000, a figure that, again, is likely inflated because it assumes single occupancy.

Fans from 1A

Ryan Tomlinson, a second-year in computer science and engineering, was also drawn from Portland to Columbus for OSU fencing.

“I’m definitely going to cheer for OSU,” he said. “I’m part of the athletic program, so it’s kind of hard to cheer against them. All the teams are kind of one big team.”

Tomlinson said he thinks the fencing team wouldn’t take too kindly to having a Duck fan in their midst.

“They would give me a lot of crap,” he said. “Several times, people have asked me, ‘So, who are you cheering for?’

And sometimes I hesitate, and they’ll remind me, ‘Where do you go to school again?’”

Being a big college sports fan entering Buckeye nation, Tomlinson said it wasn’t difficult making the switch from Duck to Buck his freshman year.

“It definitely feels like a community, like one big family,” he said.

Tomlinson said he expects friendly rivalries with his parents in Portland, and that there has been a lot of back and forth so far with his friends who attend Oregon.

“There’s been a lot of trash-talking,” Tomlinson said.

He said he can think of one Duck in particular he plans to call if OSU wins — a friend who currently attends Oregon.

Maggie Gerwe, a fourth-year in nursing from Lake Oswego, Ore., said since coming to OSU, she has fully converted.

“I’m definitely a Buckeye now,” she said.

Gerwe said she came to Columbus wanting a “big school atmosphere” away from Oregon, where many of her friends from high school went. After looking at OSU online, she said she visited and immediately loved the campus, atmosphere and football team.

“I’m excited. I’ve always wanted the Ducks to play OSU, so I’m excited that in my senior year we get to do this for a national championship,” she said.

Gerwe said she expects to move back to Oregon after she graduates, but that it won’t change her allegiance as a fan.

“I will always be a Buckeye after spending four years at such an amazing school, with such amazing spirit,” she said.

Ohio natives who now live in Oregon, like Amy Van Auker, who is from Springfield, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing science at OSU in 2012, also remain loyal Buckeye fans.

Van Auker is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communication disorders and sciences at Oregon, and said the question of her allegiance has come up often this past week.

“I am appalled when people ask me that question, that they even have to ask,” she said. “I root for OSU.” Van Auker said she can root for the Ducks, so long as they aren’t playing OSU. She attended one Oregon football game this season and said the amount of school spirit at the two universities is comparable.

“I have a lot of pride being from the state of Ohio … I just feel the need to constantly defend it,” she said. “All the people in my program knew that I went to OSU. As soon as I came back from break, I think they were expecting me to really be obnoxious, and I don’t think I disappointed.”

Van Auker said she wore a different OSU outfit every day last week, and on Friday, went around Oregon’s campus with her roommate, taking photos and videos of herself wearing Buckeye gear and spelling out O-H-I-O. “I was right out there in the

Some people listed under that category: • Vice President for Student Life Javaune Adams-Gaston • College of Arts and Sciences executive dean and vice provost David Manderscheid A third category of attendees listed on the OSU document detailed people who paid their own expenses. No tax dollars or student tuition was used to pay for these people, the document noted.

Some of those who paid their own way: • Former Interim President Joseph Alutto • Three representatives from Coca-Cola, a company with which OSU holds a $32 million contract OSU spokesman Chris Davey provided a statement about the trip with the document, noting that costs were covered only for those people who traveled on OSU business. Official figures for the trip will be released when it’s available in OSU’s NCAA report.

“As we have for past bowl games, we were delighted to organize a trip including some of our friends, families and partners to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl,” Davey said in an email. “This was an opportunity to bring Buckeyes together and advance the interests of the university.”

open with my (OSU quarterback) Braxton Miller jersey on,” she said. “I felt a little vulnerable, but it was fine.”

Although school spirit is high, Van Auker said the Oregon campus atmosphere remains friendly to Buckeye fans, with mostly playful confrontation. She said one student commented during her spirit video shoot, “What? Come on.” Then, thinking she was a visitor, he shouted, “It’s OK. Welcome.”

Van Auker said she plans to watch the game with friends — all Duck fans — at a Buffalo Wild Wings. In a sea of green and yellow, she said she’ll be decked out in scarlet and gray.

“I’m a lone wolf here,” she said.

The 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship, between the Buckeyes and the Ducks, is set to kick off Monday at 8:30 p.m.

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Monday January 12, 2015

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BUCKS vs. DUCKS When OSU has the ball

When Oregon has the ball TIM MOODY Sports editor moody.178@osu.edu

JAMES GREGA, JR. Asst. sports editor grega.9@osu.edu

DALLAS — While many storylines have focused on 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota taking on a rebuilt Ohio State defense, the other side of the ball might be just as compelling.

The Buckeyes will be led by third-string redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones, who will be making just his third collegiate career start in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship against the Oregon Ducks.

Jones, who has led the Buckeyes to wins over Wisconsin and Alabama in the Big Ten title game and the Sugar Bowl, respectively, said that while he feels relaxed, as kickoff approaches he has noticed some of his teammates getting antsy.

“You know, pretty calm, cool, collected right now,” Jones said. “But as we get closer, you see guys get a little jittery, guys getting a little more antsy just to put the uniform on, and then when the uniform is on, all that goes away.”

Someone who only puts his uniform on seemingly halfway, sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott, has been a key for the Buckeye offense since Jones took over, rushing for more than 200 yards in both games.

Elliott, who has not been held under 100 yards or without a touchdown since a 31-24 win over Minnesota on Nov. 15, said Saturday that establishing a running game early in the national title matchup will be essential if OSU is to bring home the trophy.

“That’s really important for us,” Elliott said.

“We’re at our best with a balanced attack when we can pass the ball and run the ball, so we like to establish the run and then be able to run playaction and take shots down the field.”

Taking shots down field is exactly what the Buckeyes have done since Jones took the reigns of the offense, as all four of his touchdown passes in his two starts have been caught by senior wide receiver Devin Smith and all have covered 39 yards or more.

Smith ranks third on OSU’s squad for receptions, but ranks first in yards (886) and touchdown receptions (12) and is averaging 27.7 yards per catch on the season, which is best in the Big Ten with a minimum of 30 receptions.

The Massillon, Ohio, native could be poised for a big day against the Ducks’ defense, which ranks 86th in total defense this season and 111th in pass defense.

To make matters worse for the Ducks, they will once again be without their star senior cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the 2015 Rose Bowl.

During OSU’s on-campus media day on Tuesday, Smith said that while redshirt-freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett was an effective signal caller, the power behind Jones’ arm brings a new dimension to the Buckeye offense.

“I feel like we are way more effective when we throw deep,” Smith said. “Not taking anything away from J.T., but with the strength that Cardale has in his arm, it makes it a lot easier for us, just run, and he will put it on the money.”

Oregon’s leading tackler redshirt-senior defensive back Erick Dargan said Saturday that he and his fellow Duck defenders

MARK BATKE / Photo editor

Redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones runs the ball during the 2015 Allstate Sugar Bowl against Alabama on Jan. 1 in New Orleans. OSU won, 42-35.

OHIO STATE OFFENSE Points per game: 45.0 Total yards per game: 509.7 Passing/rushing touchdowns: 41/36 Interceptions/fumbles lost: 11/11 3rd-down conversions: 52% Red zone scoring percentage: 84% DEFENSE Points allowed per game: 22.1 Total yards allowed per game: 333.6 Passing/Rushing touchdowns allowed: 15/24 Interceptions/fumbles recovered: 24/8 3rd-down conversions: 35% Opponent red zone scoring percentage: 85% can’t take Jones lightly, despite his relative inexperience.

“He is dangerous. I think he’s more dangerous than a lot of people gave him credit for already,” Dargan said. “Anytime you’ve got a quarterback that can throw the ball hash-to-hash and deliver the ball downfield, you’ve got to watch out for him.”

Dargan, who leads the Pac-12 conference in interceptions this season, said that it’s not just Jones’ arm that the Ducks need to prepare for.

“He can run, you know, he’s not scared to take off, he’s not really sliding or nothing,” Dargan said of the 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound Cleveland native. “He’s going to try and deliver a blow, whether he’s ready to go out of bounds or he’s in the middle.”

Oregon redshirt-senior linebacker Tony Washington seemed more focused on Elliott’s ability to run the football, however.

“The dude is really fast. He makes a lot of plays.

He’s a tough guy to bring down and he’s going to compete and work hard every rep. He’s determined to make the big runs to get into the end zone,” Washington said. “So, as a defense, we’ve got to wrap up and take him down. He’s not a guy that’s going to let an arm-tackle take him down.”

The Buckeyes and Ducks are set to play for the 2015 College Football National Championship on Monday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

DALLAS — When the Oregon Ducks have the ball during the College Football Playoff National Championship, it’s no secret where Ohio State’s focus will be aimed.

“Our No. 1 concern is their quarterback,” OSU coach Urban Meyer said during a Sunday press conference.

He was referring to Oregon redshirtjunior signal caller Marcus Mariota, who led the Ducks to an 11-1 regular season record before winning the Heisman Trophy and the Pac-12 Championship Game. His dominance — combined with the work of a plethora of playmakers — helped Oregon average 47.2 points per game this season, along with 552.9 total yards.

Mariota alone accounted for 4,121 passing yards, 731 rushing yards and 56 total touchdowns — including one as a receiver — while throwing just three interceptions.

OSU sophomore defensive lineman Joey Bosa said Mariota’s success in all aspects of the offense means the Buckeyes have to be ready for anything and everything Monday night.

“He’s such a dual threat with his legs and his arms,” Bosa said. “It’s really not one more than the other, we’ll have to limit both to beat them.”

Beyond keeping on eye on Mariota’s appendages, OSU will be tasked with finding a way to keep up with the tempo of Oregon’s offense. The Ducks have run nearly three plays per minute of possession this season, and outgained their opponents 1,833 yards despite holding the ball for just 27:07 per game.

Senior defensive lineman Michael Bennett noted that Oregon isn’t always pushing its offense at full speed, but added the Buckeye defense has to make sure it gets set before each play in order to have success.

“The biggest thing is getting lined up,” Bennett said Saturday. “No matter what the situation, you get lined up and you get the call and you put your hand in the ground.”

He added that the pace of the Ducks will be in stark contrast to that of the Alabama Crimson Tide, whom the Buckeyes beat in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day to earn a trip to the title game.

“Against Alabama, they kind of took their time and had a lot more opportunities to scheme against them or gather yourself and get ready for the next play,” Bennett said. “While with Oregon, whether you are ready or not, you need to focus on the next play and put your hand in the ground.”

In order to make their high-flying offense run like a well-oiled machine, the Ducks have relied on more than just Mariota. Freshman running back Royce Freeman led the team with 1,343 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, while junior running back Byron Marshall added 834 receiving yards and five scores through the air.

But the Ducks will also be without at least two key playmakers in redshirt-freshmen wide receivers Darren Carrington and Devon Allen. Carrington was ruled ineligible

JIM GENSHEIMER / Bay Area News Group

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota passes against Arizona in the first quarter of the Pac-12 championship game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.

OREGON OFFENSE Points per game: 47.2 Total yards per game: 552.9 Passing/rushing touchdowns: 42/42 Interceptions/fumbles lost: 3/7 3rd-down conversions: 52% Red zone percentage: 87% DEFENSE Points allowed per game: 22.3 Total yards allowed per game: 421.9 Passing/rushing touchdowns allowed: 20/17 Interceptions/fumbles recovered: 12/18 3rd-down conversions: 41% Opponent red zone scoring percentage: 83% for the game after reportedly failing a drug test, while Allen is out with an injury.

With the wide range of weapons and athletes Oregon has on offense, Bosa said his team is still focused largely on stopping Mariota first in order to slow down the attack.

“We’ve just got to limit what Marcus Mariota can do, try to keep him in the pocket, but they’re obviously going to spread the ball out all game and they’re going to try to hurry it up,” Bosa said.

“We’re just going to try and keep up with the pace and try to keep him in the pocket.”

Bosa — who needs just one sack to break the OSU single-season record — said the Buckeye coaching staff has employed a different approach in practice to prepare for a fast-paced matchup.

“We’ve been running a lot more and hurrying in practice, so that’s definitely helped us get in shape,” he said. “These

continued as Oregon on 8A

OPINION

5 keys to Ohio State’s title bout with the Oregon Ducks JAMES GREGA, JR. AND TIM MOODY Asst. sports editor and Sports editor grega.9@osu.edu and moody.178@osu.edu

Mariota earned the trophy by compiling 56 total touchdowns — including one as a receiver — and spearheading a Duck attack that is one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous, in the nation.

If OSU can somehow find a way to keep the nation’s top player in check, it’ll be in a prime position to win the game.

DALLAS — Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer has been here before. Oregon coach Mark Helfrich has too, but not as the man in charge, and with less success.

As the two coaches get their teams ready to face off in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship, they’ll be looking to leave a mark on the history books for their respective schools. No. 4 OSU (13-1, 8-0) is looking for its eighth national title, while the No. 2 Ducks (13-1, 8-1) are hoping to pick up their first championship in school history.

With the matchup just over the horizon, The Lantern sports editors picked five keys to the game that pits the historic powerhouse Buckeyes against the new-age and fast-paced Ducks.

1. Can the Buckeyes down a third-straight Heisman finalist?

When OSU shellacked Wisconsin, 59-0, in the Big Ten Championship Game, it negated the impact of Heisman runnerup Melvin Gordon.

When the Buckeyes topped No. 1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to seal their trip to the National Championship, they held Heisman finalist Amari Cooper to just 71 yards.

But after dispatching the other two finalists, OSU is set to face the Heisman Trophy winner — Oregon redshirt-junior quarterback Marcus Mariota — with a national title on the line.

Monday January 12, 2015

2. What will Tom Herman pull out of his sleeve in his last game at OSU? Win or lose, OSU co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman will be coaching his last game as a Buckeye as he has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Houston following the national title game.

From what we have seen from Herman, he is not afraid to take chances on the biggest stage (see: wide receiver pass from Evan Spencer in Sugar Bowl) and in his last game as a member of Urban Meyer’s staff, we could see some fireworks.

Herman has also not been shy about opening the playbook up with redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones behind center, even though the Cleveland native has only started two games in his college career.

Will Herman play it close to the vest, or open it up? He already has a job locked up, so expect him to empty the playbook for Jones and the OSU offense.

MARK BATKE / Photo editor

OSU sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliot warms up Jan. 1 during the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in New Orleans. OSU won, 42-35.

continued as 5 keys on 8A 5A

5

sports

MARK BATKE / Photo editor

OSU redshirt-freshman linebacker Darron Lee (43) attempts to sack Alabama redshirt-senior quarterback Blake Sims (6) during the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans. OSU won, 42-35.

4 players behind Ohio State’s success 4 players behind Oregon’s success JAMES GREGA, JR. Asst. sports editor grega.9@osu.edu DALLAS — As the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship draws closer, the Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing for not only the Oregon Ducks, but also the biggest stage in the sport.

After pulling an upset in the Sugar Bowl against the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, the Buckeyes will need to pull yet another upset to take home their first title since the 2002 season.

In order to do that, there are a number of players that the Buckeyes will need to play well.

CARDALE JONES Position: Quarterback Year: Redshirt-sophomore Hometown: Cleveland Height/Weight: 6’5”/250 Passing yards last two games: 500 Passing touchdowns last two games: 4 Total career touchdowns before December: 2 Offense: Cardale Jones, redshirt-sophomore quarterback While the Oregon signal caller has stolen the awards, spotlight and headlines, there is

no denying that Cardale Jones could be the second-most important player in the national title game.

Making just his third career start, the Glenville High School product is now tasked with leading the OSU offense on the biggest stage in college football.

Despite being one of just two healthy scholarship quarterbacks, Jones said he does not plan on holding anything back in the title game.

“You know, playing cautious like that, that’s what gets you hurt,” Jones said. “(The coaches) haven’t told me, ‘Make sure you slide or get out of bounds.’ Just play smart and play within yourself.”

Jones is averaging 250 yards per game through the air in his two starts this season, both coming against top-10 defenses.

Luckily for Jones, the Oregon defense ranks 111th in the country in pass defense and he has the next player on this list to throw it to.

Devin Smith, senior wide receiver If history is any indication of what will happen in the title game, the Buckeyes should have one thing on their minds: Get the ball to Devin Smith in the end zone.

The Buckeyes are 22-0 in Smith’s career when he catches a touchdown pass and he has caught four of the last five OSU touchdown receptions, all of which have come from Jones.

continued as OSU’s success on 8A

TIM MOODY Sports editor moody.178@osu.edu DALLAS — The Oregon Ducks proved their depth with a 59-20 thrashing of Florida State in the Rose Bowl, but the team has thrived throughout the season on both sides of the ball.

When the Ducks take on Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship, there will be a number of key players on offense and defense whom the Buckeyes will have to pay attention to.

MARCUS MARIOTA Position: Quarterback Year: Redshirt-junior Hometown: Honolulu Height/Weight: 6’4”/219 Passing yards: 4,121 Total yards per game: 346.6 Total touchdowns: 56 Offense: Marcus Mariota, redshirt-junior quarterback For obvious reasons, Mariota is the main focus for the Buckeye defense heading into the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Honolulu native accounted for 56 total touchdowns on his way to the Heisman Trophy

this season, and totaled more than 4,800 yards to spearhead the Ducks’ attack. He’s been the starter in Eugene, Ore., for three seasons, but Mariota still found time to praise the players around him for the offense’s success this year.

“It’s like being a point guard on a basketball team,” Mariota said Saturday. “It’s fun to dink and dunk and watch those guys make plays.”

Byron Marshall, junior running back Marshall is listed as a running back, but has played the part of a pass-catcher for most of the season.

He leads the team with 66 receptions and 834 receiving yards and has caught five touchdowns through 14 games. But Marshall has still been involved with the running game, racking up 383 yards and another score on the ground.

On Saturday, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said Marshall has taken the switch to receiver in stride on his way to becoming a key part of the Ducks’ offense.

“We know what he can do as a tailback, we know what he can do as a receiver, and we’ll just continue pushing that envelope,” Helfrich said.

“But I think just from a selflessness standpoint, it was a great move for him and our team.”

Defense: Erick Dargan, redshirt-senior defensive back Like Marshall, Dargan has had success throughout the season when it comes to catching the football.

continued as Oregon’s success on 8A

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Monday January 12, 2015

sports OSU’s success from 7A With his recent production, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said Saturday that his defense needs to be aware of Smith and what he can do on the football field.

“Smith is a good player, whether it’s blocking, running routes … he’s a playmaker,” Helfrich said. “Not just him, they’ve got a couple playmakers on their offense. We’ve just got to come to play and be on our ‘A’ game.”

Smith has scored many big touchdowns in his career, and if he can score one for OSU in Arlington, Texas, it might just mean a Buckeye victory.

joey bosa Position: Defensive lineman Year: Sophomore Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Height/Weight: 6’5”/278 Tackles for loss: 20 Sacks: 13.5 Forced fumbles: 4 Defense: Joey Bosa, sophomore defensive end The first unanimous All-American for OSU since 2007, Joey Bosa did not have the type of game Buckeye fans are used to seeing out of the Florida native against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Bosa totaled just three tackles against the Crimson Tide and to the untrained eye, seemed rather ineffective.

Bosa said he doesn’t mind taking on multiple blockers if it means the team as a whole has success.

“Teams have definitely been trying to limit

Oregon from 5A last four practices, we’ve been having hurry-up periods. It’s definitely been tough, but it’s been working.”

Meyer agreed that practice has been slightly different than normal, and said it’ll be important for his team to suppress the exhaustion, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“We have the shot clocks up, we have a lot of emphasis about defeating the demon, the demon that takes place when fatigue takes over, and that’s real,” Meyer said. “And that’s something that we’ve addressed really hard, but ultimately it comes down to those young guys out there playing tomorrow night.”

what I do and keying on me,” Bosa said Saturday. “I don’t mind it as long as it’s freeing up my other teammates and they’re all making plays and we’re playing well as a unit. That’s all I can ask for.”

The sophomore is just a half sack away from tying the school record for sacks in a season (14.0), which was set by Vernon Gholston in 2007, the last time the Buckeyes played for a national title.

Bosa said the record would be nice, but his eyes are ultimately fixed on bringing the College Football Playoff trophy to Columbus.

“I could make no tackles, and as long as we win, I’ll be happy,” Bosa said.

Darron Lee, redshirt-freshman linebacker The defensive MVP of the Sugar Bowl, Darron Lee was almost not a Buckeye.

“He came to camp, like five or six times.

I rejected him, probably four times,” Meyer said. “Shows you how good an evaluator I am.”

Meyer credited OSU co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Luke Fickell for remaining confident in Lee, and ultimately bringing him to Columbus.

“Coach Fickell made the right decision.

He worked with him,” Meyer said Tuesday.

“They have a great relationship and that’s the best way to go about this business — to go compete and work with a guy that might be your coach some day. That’s a great story.”

Lee ranks third on the OSU defense in tackles with 73 and will likely play a key part in helping to slow down Heisman Trophy winner and Oregon redshirt-junior quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The Buckeyes and Ducks are set to play for the first-ever College Football National Championship Monday in Arlington. Kick is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST.

Bosa said it won’t be easy to keep up with Oregon’s athleticism, including along the Ducks’ offensive line, but stressed that winning individual battles early and often will be key for the Buckeyes to have success, and ultimately win the game.

“It’s going to be tough … we’re going to have to win first down, try to get them to second and long or third and longs,” Bosa said. “That’s a really big goal for us, because if we slow them down on first down, they really won’t go to the hurry up and they’ll take it slow and that’s the whole goal.”

The Buckeyes defense is set to go head-go-head with the fast-paced Ducks on Monday at 8:30 p.m. EST in Arlington, Texas.

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Oregon’s success from 7A

erick dargan Position: Defensive back Year: Redshirt-senior Hometown: Pittsburg, Calif.

Height/Weight: 5’11”/210 Total tackles: 90 Interceptions: 7 Interception return yards: 110 The main difference is, his catches come from the opposing team.

Dargan is tied for third in the nation with seven interceptions this season, and said his ball-hawking ability comes from his preparation and increased knowledge of the game.

“I’m just around the ball,” he said. “Understanding the defense a lot better, understanding where the ball might go within the defense on certain calls, and just making plays when they present themselves.”

But forcing turnovers isn’t all Dargan can do, as he also leads the team with 90 total tackles and has added 2.5 tackles for loss.

DeForest Buckner, junior defensive lineman

5 keys from 7A 3. Can Ezekiel Elliott continue his run of big games?

Prior to the Big Ten Championship Game, Elliott had never rushed for more than 200 yards in a college game.

After back-to-back games against top-10 defenses, Elliott now has two such games under his belt.

The performances have seemingly taken the pressure off of Jones and have catapulted the Buckeyes into a situation not many people thought they would be in: playing for a national title.

If Elliott can come anywhere close to another 200-yard performance, there is a good chance the Buckeyes could pull their third-straight upset.

4. Can the Buckeye defense physically keep up with the Oregon offense?

More than just keeping up with Mariota, the Buckeyes must keep up with the fast-paced attack of the Duck offense.

When OSU defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl more than a week ago, its defense was able to catch its breath in between plays because for most of the game, the Crimson Tide would huddle between plays.

Now, the Buckeyes must prepare for an offense that averages just under three plays per minute of possession, not to mention a Heisman-

Buckner and his defensive teammates might not get as much attention as Mariota and the Oregon offense, but he’s found a way to be disruptive to opponents throughout the season.

Buckner has totaled 73 tackles with a team-high 13 tackles for loss, and he sits fourth on the team with four quarterback sacks. He’s also tallied a trio of quarterback hits and forced one fumble.

OSU redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones — the player Buckner will likely be going after for much of the game Monday night — said the Oregon defense is an underrated part of the team’s success.

“They don’t get as much credit as they deserve,” Jones said. “One thing that really sticks out to me is the way they play as a unit.

They don’t blow many coverages. They don’t miss many tackles. They don’t make many solo tackles. There’s a lot of guys to the ball.”

While playing his role in that unit, Buckner has been disruptive in pass defense as well, registering four pass break-ups so far this season.

The Buckeyes and the Ducks are set to square off at 8:30 p.m. EST Monday in Arlington, Texas, with the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship on the line.

If the Ducks are able to wear the Buckeyes down like they have most of their opponents this season, OSU will likely be in for a long night.

5. Will any players announce departures after the game?

On Sunday, Meyer confirmed that junior defensive lineman Adolphus Washington and junior offensive lineman Taylor Decker had both expressed their intention to return to OSU for their senior seasons.

That’s all fine and well, but there’s no guarantee those decisions will stay the same going forward. Throw senior quarterback Braxton Miller into the mix, and there are a few big-name players who could decide to depart OSU before their eligibility is up.

Meyer said he fully expects Miller to return as well, but transfer rumors have been swirling around the two-time Big Ten Player of the Year.

In the other locker room, all eyes will be on Mariota, who is projected as a top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. If Mariota declares, nobody will be surprised, and it would be hard to blame him — especially because he’s a senior academically.

No matter who wins, it would be a good bet to expect multiple players to declare their intention to either stay or go in the locker room after the game.

The title game between the Buckeyes and the Ducks is set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. on Monday in Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium.

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opinion Restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba is in people’s best interest Letter to the editor: There are many great aspects of spending my winter break in Miami, Fla. While expecting to experience warm weather, beautiful beaches and a city filled with Latin American culture, I did not expect to be in Miami for the announcement of the restoration of all diplomatic relations with Cuba. Since Fidel Castro took over the island, hundreds of thousands of Cubans, including my family, have traveled to Miami in order to escape the cruelty of the regime and seek greater opportunities in America.

Over the years, Miami has become know as “the capital of Latin America” because its population represents various countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, however, the Cuban American population still remains dominant.

In order to understand the differences of opinions over restoring relations with Cuba, one must understand the differences of Cuban Americans. The people who left Cuba right after the dictatorship was established tend to not support restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. Although they love their native country, they will do anything to punish and remove Fidel and his followers. Many Cuban Americans, including my family members, refuse to go to Cuba because they believe it legitimizes that regime. Therefore, when the United States agreed to restore its relationship with Cuba, those people saw it as the United States accepting the cruelty and oppression of the regime. They do not want Cuba to receive any help or support because it will strengthen the regime and prolong the dictatorship and communist party. This position may sound extreme, but keep in mind that many Cubans had to completely uproot their lives, change their lifestyle and separate their family, so the idea of supporting a dictatorship that had such an effect on their lives seems heinous.

Another opinion among some Cuban Americans supports the United States restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. The opinion is mostly shared by people who have migrated from Cuba more recently. They believe that

the current solution that was put in place over 50 years ago is ineffective and harmful. They have seen the effect that isolation has had on the island, and how it has strengthened and stabilized the dictatorship and further hurt the structure and people of Cuba. Instead of focusing of punishing the dictatorship, they want to help Cuban Americans and better prepare for the future of the island.

I am in support of restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, and hope that the embargo will soon be lifted. I don’t think that the current policy is worth pursuing because it is based on isolation and has been ineffective for over 50 years. There is no doubt that the actions of Castro and the communist party in Cuba has been cruel and ruthless, and has increased suffering and absence of human rights in Cuba. However, the regime is very strong and the chances that the people of Cuba will be able to overthrow the government on their own is very slim.

I believe the only chance Cuba has to become more democratic and provide better life conditions for its citizens is to restore relations with “superpower countries,” such as the United States, so it can become more exposed to more progressive ideals and values. In contrast to the opinions of many Cuban Americans, the Cuban government doesn’t need the United States government or visitation of Americans to legitimize it, because it has been legitimate for over 50 years without any major challenges to its authority.

I believe restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba is in the best interest for both countries. Cuba will be exposed to American values and hopefully become more democratic and grant its citizens greater rights and freedoms. While some people worry that the Cuban government will take advantage of the United States, considering their technology and gross domestic product, I would not by any means consider Cuba a major threat to the United States.

I think lifting the embargo would be tremendously beneficial to Cuba. Over the past 50 years, Cuba has had little to no exposure to modern technology and has economically fallen behind the rest of the world. Therefore,

“I am in support of restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, and hope that the embargo will soon be lifted. I don’t think that the current policy is worth pursuing because it is based on isolation and has been ineffective for over 50 years.” if Cuba were to have a free market in the future, it would suffer tremendously, causing more problems for Cuba. As of right now, Cuba is in a terrible state, the dictatorship is cruel, people are suffering from lack of medical care and decent living conditions, the economy and technology is over half a century behind the rest of the world and the situation seems to be worsening. There is no point in continuing a solution that has proven to be ineffective for 50 years. History proves that countries that are kept under isolation and harsh punishment become more extreme in their ideals and could become a threat to the rest of the world.

On the other hand, countries that have closer relationship to the United States tend to become more democratic, because they are become exposed to American values and ideals. I see the restoration of diplomatic relations to Cuba as hope that the country’s government will become more progressive and the people of Cuba will be relieved of oppression and inhumane conditions.

Caroline Gonzalez First-year in political science and economics Campaign and elections coordinator for College Democrats gonzalez.469@osu.edu

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ST. ANDREW School, in Upper Arlington, is looking for a Latchkey Assistant for the 2014-2015 school year. Latchkey Assistants assist and supervise students enrolled in the after school care program. This is a part time position and would be great experience for those pursuing careers in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. Latchkey hours run from 2:45-6 PM daily and follow the school calendar. Candidates do not have to be available each day of the week, though this is preferred. Requirements: High School Diploma, BCI and FBI background checks, and completion of a child care workshop.

For more information or to express interest in this position, please contact Latchkey Director, Jane Malagisi (jmalagisi@ cdeducation.org or 614-634-2654).

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For employment consideration: Please email a cover letter, resume and completed job application to: Human Resources 2500 Medary Avenue, Columbus, OH 43202, at the following email address: humanresources@ helpinghandscenter.com.

Crossword Los Angeles Times, Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

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Monday January 12, 2015

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Monday January 12, 2015

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thelantern www.thelantern.com OPINION

marking movement

New year to bring more feminism, less Taylor Swift

TAYLOR FERRELL Lantern reporter ferrell.178@osu.edu On stage, dances exist for a moment in space — in downtown Columbus, they also sit stationary on a canvas.

At Ohio State’s Urban Arts Space, German artist Jean Kirsten is set to show how to artistically record movement not with technology, but with signs and symbols, or as it also known: Labanotation.

The “Jean Kirsten: For Laban” exhibit is set to run Tuesday through Feb. 6 at the Urban Arts Space.

Nena Couch, head of Thompson Library special collections, said Kirsten’s work is an artistic exploration through visuals of the movement inspired by dance theorist Rudolf Laban.

“Laban developed a system (Labanotation) that helps us to do movement analysis, and that’s what Kirsten incorporates into his visual art,” Couch said.

Similar to sheet music, Laban’s notation turns dance choreography into a written transcription in such a way that it can be reproduced in the future.

Couch said Kirsten is intrigued with combining visual movement into painting, evoking the kinetics of the dancer.

“Labanotation is a conceptual way of thinking about dance to analyze, record and re-animate it,” Couch said. “You can actually do the movement that Martha Graham or George Balanchine did, which is pretty wonderful.”

Couch said that diagonal hash marks, heavy lines and dots are are elements in Kirsten’s works that were inspired by the Labanotation symbols.

“Visually, I think (the exhibition) is going to be stunning,” Couch said. “Whether they understand the Labanotation or not, the visual impact will help to understand the movement through what you see there. Kirsten talks about themes of rhythm, shape and space , and I think that’s what you see in his work. You will get a bigger understanding of it through the work.”

Kelly McNicholas, communications coordinator for the Urban Arts Space, said Kirsten’s exhibit will open people’s eyes to the existence of Labanotation and the history of Rudolf Laban.

“I think (Laban) has given us a way of capturing that movement and writing it down so that it can be shared across time and space,” Couch said.

Courtesy of Nena Couch

From left: Singers Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello of Fifth Harmony and Lady Gaga

Artist notates dance in Arts Space exhibit

Courtesy of Nena Couch

A portion of a work from Jean Kirsten’s 2012 paper series

McNicholas said the Urban Arts Space is excited for not only what the exhibit will bring to OSU , but what Kirsten will personally bring as well.

He will be at the Urban Arts Space on Monday and Tuesday so OSU students and others who attend can have a chance to meet him.

McNicholas said this offers students a one-on-one experience with an international artist, there is also a possibility Kirsten will speak to an OSU printmaking class.

The Urban Arts Space is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with hours extended to 8 p.m. Thursdays. Admission for the Kirsten exhibition is free.

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TYLER ANDERSON Lantern reporter anderson.2273@osu.edu “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”

I first heard this supposed Eleanor Roosevelt quote years and years ago when a teacher scolded me and my friends for gossiping about a fellow classmate. It felt like a slap on the wrist for sure, but the way the teacher said it was so matter-of-fact, so haunting. It was a direct attack on my intelligence, and those words have stuck with me to this day.

People who take interest in pop culture get a bad reputation.

It’s gossip, shameless and trashy — or so they say. But I disagree.

I see it as a sort of study — a social experiment.

Celebrities — actors, athletes and musicians — act as societal weather gauges. The way these people act, the decisions they make and the words they say all act as indicators as to where our society stands.

The way celebrities react to pop culture events — things like the nude photo leak or the Sony hacks — shape the way we react.

And the way we react, as the public, shapes the way celebrities react. Or maybe I’m just self-justifying, who knows.

Anyhow, 2014 was a great year in the celebrity world, I’d like to take a moment to share my predictions for what 2015 might hold: More feminism.

This past year has already been heralded by some as “The Year of Feminism,” and while it’s true that women have never seen a year so grand as 2014, I have a feeling that it’s only going to get better. As more and more celebrities speak out on the injustices women face, more and more members of our society will follow suit.

Less racism.

Despite the ongoing feud between Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea — which is a shameful disgrace on the rap world — I do think our society is becoming more accepting of all races, in all situations. Events such as the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson and the various violent attacks on blacks and other races in this country have rekindled Americans’ spirit of equality. White rapper Macklemore recently spoke out regarding his status as a

continued as Year on 14A

Mistakes and moms: Cbus band belts out past teen angst JON MCALLISTER Lantern reporter mcallister.107@osu.edu In an attempt to shine light on local music, The Lantern’s “Columbus’ Own” is a weekly series that will profile a new Columbus band each week.

As the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman.

It’s a type of understanding that seems to elude some boys during the formative years, especially toward their moms.

In the case of Columbus punk band Nuclear Moms, a teenager’s direction-less dissatisfaction toward his matriarch is the manifesto by which the band creates its music.

“There was a lot of frustration with moms at the time, and that was back in high school,” bassist Alexander Blocher laughed, leaning back against his seat at local campus bar Mama’s Pasta and Brew. “I got to a point where I despised my mom.”

Those explosions of emotion from Blocher were mistakenly taken out on his mother, girlfriends even. Once he escaped to Ohio State, he realized he was in the wrong.

Monday January 12, 2015

“I got away from her, and I realized how much of an a--hole I was,” Blocher said.

Blocher started the band with drummer, Collin Kovac, with the plan that it would just be a duo. But the project was nearly sacked after a long period where Blocher struggled with writing and recording any lyrics.

During that time, Blocher worked at the Gateway Film Center with the band’s eventual vocalist Tyler Fernberg.

“Alex gave me an idea of how the album was going to be about conflict with our mothers,” Fernberg recalled.

With Blocher’s trust, the newlyacquired singer would step up to the mic in the studio each time and make up the lyrics as he went.

The band’s first self-titled EP — released in August — centered on arguments and teenage frustration based upon interactions that Fernberg and Blocher had with women in their teenage years. To Fernberg, the record is a concept album that begins with the build of anger all the way to its nearly murderous end.

“The EP was very cathartic and just letting everything out — no

JON MCALLISTER / Asst. photo editor

Tyler Fernberg of Nuclear Moms sprawls out and screams on the floor during a performance on Dec. 10 at 15th House.

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Alexander Blocher (left) and Collin Kovac of Nuclear Moms perform on Dec. 10 at 15th House.

Mom from 13A f------ censors,” Blocher said. “You look at the lyrics, and they’re brutal.”

Fernberg said he felt that the compositions matched his feelings. And once the songs were written, Blocher read through them and was blown away by the congruency of his own feelings with what Fernberg had written.

“I didn’t have a real reason to be upset with my girlfriend and I didn’t realize that until after we broke up — and then (Blocher) didn’t have a real reason to be upset with his mom and he didn’t realize that until after he left her,” Fernberg said.

Naivety and stubbornness created a

Year from 13A white man in a predominantly black industry, stating: “Race is uncomfortable to talk about.

White people, we can just turn off the TV when we’re sick of talking about race. We can be like, ‘No, I’m done.’”

More Fifth Harmony.

These contestants of the second season of “The X Factor” will hit it big. The girls’ first album is set to drop in February, and after dropping a few singles that made the charts , these girls are proving that they aren’t going anywhere.

Less Taylor Swift.

Not because her popularity is dwindling, and not because I don’t love her to death,

Monday January 12, 2015

preconceived notion that the women in their life at the time were the ones out-of-line.

As a result, the concept for the next record observes the aftermath of the first record and dealing with the collateral that had been created.

Kovac said that, like plenty of other college students, he feels the aggravation of having to choose a career that dictates the rest of your life. It’s at this crossroad that he realized people really can’t do whatever they want to do.

Kovac said he wants to make a sort of counter-attack on the way things are, with finding stability, success and security all while doing what he wants to do.

“It’s my first real try at this, as a group,” he said. “This is our shot, you know?”

“It’s bulls--- that you should feel like you have to be someone,” Fernberg said. “Everyone wants to be somebody, they want to be recognized, they want to be famous, blah blah, who cares?”

“Who Cares?” happens to be the working title of the follow-up record to the self-titled EP release in August.

With the Nuclear Moms project, Blocher said he wants to make music where the listener can feel on top of the world, in control — even powerful.

“There’s this point in time where you almost get lost in this narrative of this

driving music — I sit there, and I’m just like, ‘What can I do to entrance people?’”

Blocher said.

Blocher envisions listening to Nuclear Moms “in a rusty pickup truck (driving) down an abandoned, desolate desert in Arizona with nothing around you.”

“Your left arm is still on that f------ steering wheel and you’re listening to this s---, driving down that desolate, desert road,” Blocher said.

He also said he wants to deliver a heavier variation to the vibe of Canadian punk duo Death From Above 1979.

“I just long for that low-end — give me something that’s just f------ ballsy.”

but because this pop princess is soon to be going on tour. Her two biggest songs, “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space,” have already run most of their courses, and though Swift will certainly release more singles off her hit album “1989,” I have a feeling none will strike a chord the way these two songs did. Anyhow, T-Swizzle hits Nationwide Arena for two nights in September, so if you haven’t thought about buying tickets, well, think about buying tickets.

main characters that schizophrenically swap from one storyline to the next and then end up all tying into one another? Yeah, we’re long overdue for one of those babies. Despite the two-to-three star ratings and the profusely negative reviews, I kind of like these movies.

It’s fun to see big groups of A-listers appear on screen together, and everyone loves a good rom-com. Here’s hoping for a “St. Patrick’s Day” or “Kwanzaa” cinematic release.

and talking snowmen has, unfortunately, grown quite thin.

Another ensemble-casted major motion picture.

Remember “Valentine’s Day” (2010), “New Year’s Eve” (2011) and “He’s Just Not That Into You” (2009)? Those big movies with 17

Perhaps a new Disney princess that isn’t nearly as popular as Anna or Elsa.

“Frozen” was huge in 2014. It’ll still be huge in 2015, but not as much. Disney might give us a new strong female lead to fawn over, based on pure speculation, but it just won’t be the same. Our tolerance for catchy theme songs

Everyone will have forgotten who Lady Gaga is.

I’ve only scratched the surface, and only time will tell what 2015 will have to offer.

But I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to be a good, good year.

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