By Jon Spencer
(Mansfield) News Journal

COLUMBUS - If not for football, junior linebacker A.J. Hawk says he'd be playing baseball at Ohio State.

Judging by the way he ranged far to his left in Saturday's 32-19 victory at Michigan State, Hawk would have wielded a sticky glove at the hot corner for the Buckeyes.

"Aaron" is his given name, but Hawk resembled another baseball legend with his victory-sealing interception against the Spartans. Just call him "Brooks."

Six plays after Ted Ginn Jr. made the biggest catch of the game, Hawk made the best - diving toward the sideline in the final minute for the pick that made Ginn's 58-yard bolt up the middle with a slant pass stand as the game-winning touchdown. With wings spread like a hawk, the sprawling No. 47 managed to spear the ball and touch one knee inbounds before rolling out of bounds.

"He's an amazing player," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "If he's not an All-American, I don't know what an All-American looks like. He's a leader, he's quiet and he's humble. He's everything you'd want in a football player."

It should have been the second time this season Hawk sewed up a win with an interception. Officials disallowed his shoe-top grab against North Carolina State, ruling that he trapped the ball even though TV replays clearly showed he cupped his hands between the turf and the ball.

The Wolfpack scored moments later, forcing the Buckeyes to recover an onside kick to preserve the 22-14 victory.

That scary scenario ran through Hawk's mind after he made his interception against MSU at the OSU 44 with the Buckeyes holding a precarious 25-19 lead.

"The first thing I thought was that I was hoping the ref would call me in (bounds)," Hawk said. "Then when I saw that he gave it to me . . . it's exciting when anybody makes a big play at that time of the game."

It may be remembered as the signature play of Hawk's stellar season. With three games left - the 6-3 Buckeyes became bowl eligible with their win in East Lansing - Hawk has already topped his team-leading 106 tackles of a year ago.

Hawk has 111 stops, with one sack, two interceptions, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

His 10 tackles at MSU marked Hawk's sixth double-digit effort. His 20 tackles in a loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 9 made him only the ninth player in OSU history to record 20 or more tackles in a game and the first to do so since Chris Spielman tied the school mark with 29 against Michigan in 1986.

"A.J. is one of those steady, physical guys who studies the game," Tressel said. "The guys in the huddle are sure that 47 is going to be exactly where he ought to be. That gives, I think, even extra onus to the rest of us to make sure we're where we're supposed to be.

"Has he stepped up from last year? I can't tell you that I've studied it that hard, but he was good last year and I think he's good this year. I don't see too many better as I watch other teams play. I haven't seen one I'd trade for him."

Hawk has made the semifinalists' cut for awards given to the nation's top linebacker (Butkus), lineman (Lombardi) and defensive player (Bednarik).