Urban Meyer pumps his team up before the game against Wisconsin. (USA Today)COLUMBUS, Ohio – The night began with the thrill of a pregame speech from LeBron James. It ended with a violent slam of a podium. It began with inspiration and so much awe that one of the Buckeyes felt “like a groupie.” It ended with another Buckeye in an ambulance and a third saying his night was “ruined.” Ohio State’s night featured a crucial 31-24 win over dogged Wisconsin to stay unbeaten during Urban Meyer’s tenure here, but what might linger a bit longer is what took place before kickoff, and what was learned about a captain’s injury after the final whistle. If you can believe it, the Buckeyes hardly noticed the most famous Ohioan in the world walking into their team room before the game. “We were so focused on what Coach Meyer was saying,” said sophomore defensive lineman Adolphus Washington, “that he kind of snuck in.” Meyer was speaking to the Buckeyes about their primetime home game against the Badgers, and the importance of seizing the moment. Pat Forde: Aaron Murray, Georgia keep national title aspirations alive “Now we’re going to have one of the greatest athletes of all-time come and talk to us,” Meyer announced, and there was James, decked out in Buckeyes scarlet. Braxton Miller runs the ball during the fourth quarter. (USA Today) The Miami Heat star spoke about playing for the guy next to you, and how he understands his fame but championships aren’t really about him. It didn’t really matter what he said, though. He was LeBron James, coming to talk to the Buckeyes, then going out to the sideline and cheering for them – even giving high-fives as they exited the field. “When he walked in,” Washington said, “I couldn’t believe it was him.” James stood on the sideline with the Ohio State basketball team for a good part of the first half, and told ABC he loved football even more than hoops. So it was unclear whether James was more of a recruiting tool for Meyer’s Buckeyes or Thad Matta’s. But that doesn’t really matter either. “It certainly doesn’t hurt recruiting,” Matta said at halftime. “Everybody knows what he stands for and to have him around your guys, it certainly motivates them.” Winners and Losers: Alabama’s defense finally looked like Alabama’s defense The person who motivates the football Buckeyes even more than James, however, is Meyer – the no-nonsense coach who levered the two-time NBA champion’s theme of seizing the moment into preparation for the biggest game of the home season. Players said Meyer set the tone even before James showed up. Meyer was the one who got them ready. The real star of this Saturday night was not the man who left Ohio for Florida, but the man who left Florida for Ohio. “He’s great at focusing on the goal right ahead of you,” said junior defensive lineman Joel Hale, “so we’re prepared in every aspect.” They were prepared for the Badgers, even though Wisconsin threw a huge curve by passing the ball far more than even their own fans are used to. Quarterback Joel Stave threw for 296 yards – 207 of which went to receiver Jared Abbrederis, who was the standout of the night even in the loss. The Buckeyes didn’t relent on rush defense, though, and held star running back Melvin Gordon to 74 yards for the evening. The Badgers, one of the most powerful running teams in the country, were held to just 104 yards total on the ground. The difference in the game came in one single second. At the end of the second quarter, a Braxton Miller heave from the Wisconsin 40 was dropped in the Badgers secondary. What should have been an interception turned into a fourth-down chance with one second to go in the half. Miller looked to Meyer and got a wordless message: “Let’s do it again.” Miller chucked another one down the field and this time it landed in the hands of Corey Brown for a touchdown. That made it 24-14 and the Buckeyes ended up winning by 7. Related: Ohio State’s Braxton Miller throws four touchdowns in return from knee injury It was the very definition of seizing the moment, or in this case, the second. It was proof of what both Meyer and James spoke about. And that was underscored even more by Miller’s return to the starting lineup and to his Heisman form. …
Continue Reading: Buckeyes win, lose and get a motivational speech from LeBron James on roller coaster night (Yahoo Sports)
