Friday, August 23, 2002
Buckeye back bangs heads
College football notebook
The Associated Press
Every time strong safety Michael Doss lowered his helmet and homed in on a ball carrier during Ohio State's preseason workouts, head coach Jim Tressel held his breath.
“When he comes flying up and he's going to hit one of our guys, I get nervous for that guy's sake,” Tressel said. “He's a collision guy.”
The Buckeyes' demolition man figures to get a lot of opportunities to make hits Saturday - this time against Texas Tech - in the Pigskin Classic at Ohio Stadium.
Doss almost decided to jump to the pros last winter after his junior season. He admits there have been moments when his mind drifts to what might have been.
“Being a human and having dreams and aspirations, you're always going to think about what might have happened if you had changed your mind or made a different decision,” he said. “But that's part of life. You make decisions and then you live with the decisions you make.”
Doss has led the Buckeyes the past two seasons in tackles - and in pivotal plays. Last season, he blocked punts against UCLA and Indiana and had two interceptions in a victory over rival Michigan.
Doss can become only the seventh Ohio State player to be a three-time All-American.
PENN STATE: Safety Yaacov Yisrael will miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee. He started every game last season at strong safety.
FLORIDA: Todd Johnson returned to practice as a spectator Thursday, one day after the All-Southeastern Conference safety was knocked unconscious during a workout. Gators coach Ron Zook said Johnson received a clean bill of health and could be in the lineup in Florida's opener against Alabama-Birmingham Aug.31.
MARYLAND: Tailback Bruce Perry, the 2001 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, will miss the first four to eight weeks of the season after tearing a groin muscle in his left leg in warmups Tuesday.
GEORGIA: The mother of a 19-year-old former Georgia student testified her daughter called her after an alleged rape and said she had been treated “like a dog.”
The woman testified at the trial of Bulldogs football player Brandon Williams, who is charged with rape, aggravated assault and aggravated sexual battery. Basketball players Tony Cole and Steve Thomas also face charges in the case.
The players, all 21, are suspended pending the outcome of the case.
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Buckeye back bangs heads
