Friday, September 20, 2002
Buckeyes preparing to go without Clarett
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said freshman tailback Maurice Clarett definitely won't start and might not play at all Saturday when the No. 6 Buckeyes play at Cincinnati.
“There is no way he will go out and start the game,” Tressel said Thursday. “We'll see how he comes along, but we're preparing as if he is not playing.”
Clarett underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his right knee. Team doctors had said there was a chance Clarett could play against the Bearcats.
Clarett was injured last Saturday in Ohio State's 25-7 victory over Washington State. He finished with 230 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns — the sixth-best rushing total by an Ohio State back and the second-best by a Buckeyes freshman.
Clarett did not practice Thursday and instead did rehabilitation work. Tressel said Clarett has missed too much practice to start Saturday.
“He didn't work at all on football, so unless all of a sudden he has an amazing spring in his step ... we're preparing and assuming that we will play the game with him dressed but probably not playing,” the coach said.
Clarett, a 6-foot, 230-pounder from Harding High School in Warren, has rushed for 471 yards and scored six touchdowns in the Buckeyes' three victories. He is third in the nation with an average of 157 yards rushing a game and is on pace to become the first Ohio State back to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
He opened the season with 175 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 45-21 victory over Texas Tech.
Tressel said Clarett would be replaced by sophomores Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall and redshirt freshman JaJa Riley, with Ross probably getting the start.
Clarett has 63 carries so far this season — 12 more than Ross, Hall and Riley combined.
Tressel said that regardless of who is at tailback, the Buckeyes will continue to emphasize their running game.
“I am not going to lose any sleep over having to play Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall,” he said. “Those guys are good.”
Tressel said Clarett would play through the pain Saturday if he had the chance.
“He'd like to carry it every play and play every game, but he also knows that when he can't, he has to do the next best thing, and that's get ready to do it again,” Tressel said.
“He's taken his rehabilitation very serious. If anything, we have to hold him back a little.”
Bearcats Stories
Cinergy farewell begins tonight
Watch stadium's greatest moments online
Greatest Stadium Moments Countdown, No. 8: Game 2, 1990 World Series
Greatest Stadium Moments Countdown, No. 9: Browning's Perfect Game
Griffey will play final two at Cinergy
Reds-Phillies series preview
Reds 5, Pirates 4
Reds Box, Runs
Reds coaches await word
Royals coach attacked by fans
Dodgers hang in wild-card race
Athletics nudge Angels out of first
Bengals' Warrick: I deserve the ball
Bengals Notebook: Farmer fast healer
Falcons have running back controversy
NFL Notebook: Browns keep QB mystery
Bob Hayes played, lived and died in fast lane
Pusateri packs punch in Miami secondary
Prep football schedule
Preview of top Cincinnati games
Preview of top Northern Ky. games
St. X-Moeller pits brother vs. brother
Moeller expects sellout
Kings QB rules the field
Prep Football Notebook: Mount Healthy healthy again
Beechwood-Highlands game might be last
Sibling rivalry prepared NewCath RB
More Player of the Year candidates
Boys golf results
Boys soccer results
Girls field hockey results
Girls golf results
Girls soccer results
Girls tennis results
Girls volleyball results
Buckeyes preparing to go without Clarett 
