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Buckeyes hope to atone for bowl losses

Tressel, players out to erase rep as big-game chokers

Associated Press

Published December 26, 2008 at 10:04 p.m.
Updated December 26, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.

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Ohio State coach Jim Tressel doesn't feel any pressure to deliver a win when the Buckeyes play in the Fiesta Bowl.

Photo by Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel doesn't feel any pressure to deliver a win when the Buckeyes play in the Fiesta Bowl.

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Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is aware of all the snickering taking place behind his back, directed at his team's miserable failures in recent big games.

It seems most college football fans and media observers consider the Buckeyes a bunch of overrated chokers who can't compete with the nation's best teams. They've come to that conclusion because the Buckeyes have played poorly in four nationally televised games the past three seasons.

But Tressel said he doesn't feel any personal pressure to deliver a win when the Buckeyes take on Texas in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5.

"If we do, that will be wonderful - it won't change my life," he said during the team's bowl preparations. "If we don't, that will be disappointing, but it won't change my life.

"You might write some bad things about me, but I'll get over it. So, no, I don't feel a pressure."

The players are well aware that most of America has little respect for them.

"We're always a great program and we have great talent," safety Kurt Coleman said of the Buckeyes.

"The last two years, we haven't shown up the way we needed to. I think this year it's a whole new team - we're out there playing Texas on the fifth, and it'll be a great game. I think we'll be able to change the perception then."

HUSKERS CARRY ON: Though the Nebraska football team arrived to warm weather in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, and with the anticipation of playing in their first Gator Bowl, the mood was less than festive.

The Cornhuskers arrived without head coach Bo Pelini and his brother Carl, the team's defensive coordinator, who were in Youngstown, Ohio, for their father's funeral. Anthony Pelini died Tuesday after an extended illness. He was 85.

The Pelinis are expected to return in time for practice Sunday at the University of North Florida.

ARMY HIRES ELLERSON: Army filled its football coaching vacancy by heeding a core West Point value: History matters.

Rich Ellerson, who will turn 55 on Thursday, grew up around Black Knights football and is leaving his eight-year coaching job at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo to come to a place he knows well. His father and two brothers graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, where brother John helped lead the 1962 team to a 6-4 record. And he has worked with former Army coaches known for running successful schemes on both sides of the ball.

Ellerson replaces Stan Brock, who was fired Dec. 12 after two 3-9 seasons.

Cal Poly made it to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs twice under Ellerson and was ranked as high as No. 3 this season. Ellerson was 56-34 at Cal Poly.

SPARTANS EXTEND DANTONIO: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio got a new contract Friday, a deal that will pay him a $2 million bonus if he remains with the program into 2016.

The No. 19 Spartans (9-3) are preparing to play No. 16 Georgia (9-3) on New Year's Day in the Capital One Bowl.

Dantonio's contract remains a five-year rollover deal with a base salary of $618,000. His overall compensation will rise to $1.8 million per year, up from $1.13 million, because of increased supplemental income.