The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Appreciative Meyer returns to OSU
If Urban Meyer had ever taken for granted a pregame walk into Ohio Stadium, he might have found a newfound appreciation for it on Sept. 22.
On the heels of a threegame suspension for his role in the handling of domestic abuse allegations against former assistant Zach Smith, Meyer made his return to Ohio Stadium for the Buckeyes’ game against visiting Tulane.
After being greeted by a number of fans at the gate of the stadium, Meyer stood at the far end of the field and one-by-one greeted players with a handshake, a hug, or both.
And yes, there were tears.
“I kind of got tears from that moment,” said fifth-year senior Parris Campbell, who received the longest embrace from Meyer. “I love Coach Meyer, he loves me, he loves the entire team. I’m sure in that moment he got chills just like I did.”
This looked like a different Meyer than in some other years, maybe because missing three games via a suspension hit him hard.
Meyer pumped his fist during pregame warmups. He hugged
his players when they came into the stadium. When it came time for the singing of “Carmen Ohio,” the school’s alma mater, he stood with his wife and daughters, arms draped around each other, and smiled as he gazed up to the singing student section.
He didn’t sing like he usually does. He just looked up, stared, and smiled.
An emotional Urban Meyer, indeed.
“Very observant,” Meyer said. “I love these guys. It’s one of the great things about being a coach, coach at Ohio State. You got your family, your players and your staff. I didn’t know I was doing all that, but I can probably feel that I was.”
Many wondered what kind of shape the Buckeyes would be in when Meyer returned from his three-game penalty. Breaking in a new quarterback, replacing a slew of talent on the defensive side of the ball, a dangerous road trip to TCU — there were plenty of questions about what type of team Meyer would be handed when he returned to the sidelines against Tulane.
After the Buckeyes’ 49-6 demolition of the Green Wave, which wasn’t as close as the score suggests, it’s safe to say Ohio State survived fine without the proverbial captain of their ship.
That untested quarterback, Dwayne Haskins Jr., completed 87.5 percent of his passes (21-of-24) for 304 yards and five touchdowns in the first half alone.
The young-but-talented defense held Tulane to 256 yards, most of which came in the second half when the game was very much over.
And as for the worrisome test last week in Texas against the Horned Frogs, the Buckeyes passed in flying colors, 40-28.
Meyer tipped his cap to acting coach Ryan Day, who returned to his duties as assistant coach with Meyer’s return, by giving Day the game ball.
“Three-and-oh. Pretty good record,” said Meyer of the 3-0 team he took charge of again this week. “I’m not sure of the exact winning percentage, but it’s pretty high. He’s done a great job.
“Ryan was exactly the guy we needed to lead it and get us through this, and he did a hell of a job.”
The early returns on the 2018 Buckeyes are positive to the point that Ohio State is very much in the conversation for a playoff berth if they continue to hold serve. Of course, there’s a long way to go, starting with a trip to Happy Valley next week to face 10th-ranked Penn State.
Now that Meyer is back, it’s full steam ahead for the Buckeyes behind an electric offense led by a stunningly efficient sophomore quarterback and a defense that has been very stingy through four games.
“Being with him before we go out on the field together, the excitement he brings, the energy he brings, it was definitely missed,” said Haskins. The feeling is mutual. “This is something that, you know, in 2012, when (AD) Gene (Smith) made a call and asked me if I would be interested in coming back to Ohio State, and we were going through a tough time then as well, and we did,” Meyer said. “My family is completely ingrained in this community, they love this place, I love this university. Walking into that skull session and see Buckeye Nation’s support, myself and our team that was somewhat overwhelming and I appreciate that.”
Doing without that for the span of a three-game suspension likely heightened that appreciation.