Saturday, October 30, 1999
New blood invigorates OSU defense
Play earning Cooper, Doss more time
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is looking for playmakers on defense and may have found two in middle linebacker Joe Cooper and safety Michael Doss, who have played their way into more playing time.
When the 21st-ranked Buckeyes play host to Iowa at noon today, Cooper — who began the season in a black hole as the backup to Butkus Award semifinalist and outside linebacker Na'il Diggs — will be splitting time at middle linebacker with Elder High alum Jason Ott.
Doss, a true freshman from Canton McKinley, could see significant playing time at strong safety in place of Donnie Nickey. Ott and Nickey have been two of the biggest culprits of the Buckeyes' tackling woes.
“(Cooper and Doss) have been playing some great football,” defensive captain Ahmed Plummer said. “I'm not a coach, and I can't make a decision on whether they deserve to start, but all I can say is they've helped us these past couple of ball games, and we can use them whatever role they're playing. They're athletes. They get to the ball and make plays. Playing defense is all about reaction.”
Even as the Buckeyes (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) have gotten back into the bowl picture, they still must answer key questions today against an Iowa team (1-6, 0-4) that is dragging at the bottom of the Big Ten.
How will the quarterback situation play out? Can starter Steve Bellisari be effective enough to keep Austin Moherman on the sidelines? Can the Bucks keep up the running attack they established with Mi chael Wiley last week?
But the biggest questions concern who will step up to make plays. Cooper and Doss may be the men on defense. The two backups impressed with their big hits in last Saturday's 20-17 win at Minnesota. Cooper replaced Ott in the middle and came up with a big sack late.
“We're trying to create more competition for playing time,” Buckeyes coach John Cooper said.
Joe Cooper and Doss have done that themselves. Cooper, especially, has shown in brief stints in the middle he may be more effective than the bigger Ott. Cooper is only 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, smallish for a middle linebacker. Ott, by comparison, is 6-4, 240 but has struggled against the run.
Ott is upfront about his mistakes and makes no excuses, but also isn't ready to concede the job. He'll start today.
“(Joe Cooper) came into the Penn State game and made some good plays,” Ott said. “I want to win as much as anyone else, and if there's another guy out there who deserves playing time, he should get playing time. But I don't think it's going to be one guy.”
Cooper is quicker, more athletic, and what the Buckeyes need right now — a playmaker. His sack came at a crucial time, though he missed his assignment but made the play anyway. Cooper believes he's a natural strong safety who can play in the middle and eventually may move back to the outside.
“I wouldn't say he's moved ahead of (Ott), but he's earned more playing time,” John Cooper said. “The best thing about Joe is his foot speed.”
Joe Cooper didn't even play middle linebacker until three weeks ago, moving after Ott's backup, freshman Freddie Pagac, injured his knee. Before that, Cooper said, he didn't even think about playing in the middle.
“The only thing I had on my mind was to get out there and make plays if I was called on,” Cooper said.
Doss could come in handy against the Hawkeyes' passing attack, which saw quarterback Scott Millen throw for 426 yards in a loss to Indiana last week.
Doss, a first-team all-state Division I star and honorable mention USA Today All-American who had 14 career interceptions in high school, began the season making an impact on special teams, then started to see more playing time at safety the last two weeks.
“Doss is closing the gap, no question,” John Cooper said. “When we've given him the opportunity, he's made big plays.”
Plummer said Doss reminds him of former Buckeyes All-American safety Damon Moore — a big hitter who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
“I really like Michael Doss because I really like his attitude,” Plummer said. “He's willing to do whatever it takes to get out on the field. With that type of determination, you want those type of players out there with you.”
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