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Football
Two-Minute Drill: Meyer Leads Buckeyes into Game Week
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer couldn’t hide his excitement Monday as he embarks on the first game week of his career as the head coach in Columbus.

Part of that game week includes a weekly press luncheon on Monday’s, where Meyer spoke to us about a number of issues surrounding the Buckeyes as they prepare to kickoff the 2012 season against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.

Here is a rundown of Meyer had to say, along with co-coordinators Ed Warinner and Everett Withers and a handful of players.

Injury Updates

* Meyer said today is a big day for Nathan Williams. They’re hoping to have him in limited capacity for the opener.

* Freshman RB Warren Ball suffered a mid-foot sprain and he's out indefinitely following surgery. Likely to redshirt this season.

* Freshman Jacoby Boren has been practicing full-go for two weeks and he's the No. 2 center behind Linsley. Warinner said he has all the faith in the world in him.

Offensive Explosion

* WR Corey Brown said he expects an offensive explosion on Saturday, “Don't go to the bathroom while the offense is out there.”

* Brown said last year was tough because everyone knew the offense was the weak link of the team. Said that’s no longer the case.

* Brown said he used to watch Oregon's offense and wish he could play in something similar. Now he does, even though OSU's is more power.

* Linsley said the first time he noticed the up-tempo having a profound affect on the D was last Saturday's scrimmage. Said by the 7th or 8th play, the defense was hunched over looking to the sideline for an answer. Hands on hips. He couldn't believe it.

* Warinner said the WR group has made great strides and the passing game has improved a lot this fall.

* Warinner: "We’re going to try to be the aggressor on offense. We’re going to try to take the game to people."

* Meyer: “We want to be 50-50, but at the end of the day we might be 60-40 run on offense.”

* Meyer called Linsley the No. 1 most improved guy on offense, followed by Carlos Hyde and Philly Brown.

* Meyer said Braxton Miller has come "a million miles." Also thinks he's fairly comfortable now with the offense. Said Miller has a much better sense of urgency now than back in January. Attacks the game now.

* Meyer said Miller reminds him of Chris Leak in terms of his progression as a leader.

* Meyer said at some point Braxton will help him script the offensive game plan. Not this week.

Personnel Moves

* Warinner said Reid Fragel is slightly ahead of Taylor Decker and will get the start Saturday, but Decker will play.

* Warinner said OT Kyle Dodson will likely redshirt this year. Great athlete, but has a lot of learning to do.

* Warinner said he tried to recruit Chase Farris to ND and petitioned to get him on offense this summer. Called him the most athletic offensive lineman they have on the team.

* Philly Brown said he is on the kick block team along with kick return and punt return. They call punt block team “the Freak Show” because it’s loaded with freakish athletes.

Defensive Updates

* Everett Withers said this has been Curtis Grant's best week of practice. He's been as good as he's ever been.

* Withers said the “Star” position is between Christian Bryant and Corey Brown. Devan Bogard is behind them.

* LB Ryan Shazier: “Today is our first day seeing Storm (Klein)... We're just going to welcome him with open arms.”

* Linsley called Garrett Goebel "the apex" of the defense. He doesn't care about sacks or tackles, doesn't want to let his teammates down.

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