The Associated Press

PHOENIX - Ohio State's players are getting tired of hitting each other in practice all the time.

The Buckeyes can't wait to finally play an opponent again.

"I'm ready to play right now," OSU all-purpose star Chris Gamble said Sunday. "It's been a long layoff for me."

By the time the second-ranked Buckeyes take the field Friday night for the Fiesta Bowl against No.1 Miami, they will have been off 40 days.

The biggest beneficiary of the break might be OSU freshman tailback Maurice Clarrett, who is recovering from a nerve injury to his left shoulder.

Miami has played two games since Ohio State's victory over Michigan on Nov.23. But the Hurricanes also are a bit stir crazy.

"The waiting period is difficult for everybody," Miami center Brett Romberg said. "You get tired of hitting the same color jerseys every day."<

SEE CINERGY IMPLOSION
Animation from Enquirer photos
Video from WCPO
Galleries: Implosion | Crowd | Aerial shots | Views from Kentucky

CINERGY IMPLOSION STORIES
Cinergy Field down in 37 seconds
Cleanup begins today, will take months
What's next for the Riverfront?
New skyline already earning praise
No hitches, no errors
Partiers impressed by implosion
Fifty-five years that shaped Cincinnati's riverfront

BENGALS
Bengals reach new low in 27-9 loss to Bills
Bengals players, fans wait for Brown to act
Game statistics
Bengals Report Card
Bengals By The Numbers
Frustrated Spikes contemplating future
Bengals Notebook: Kitna misses $1.6M bonus

NFL
Browns make playoffs but lose Couch
Fans can say Browns are back
Jets in; Pats, Dolphins out
Sunday Night Game: Bucs 15, Bears 0

XAVIER MUSKETEERS
After West's outburst, XU circles wagons
Xavier 84, Eastern Ky. 60
Creighton warms up for Xavier with 10th straight win

UC BEARCATS
UC 66, Miami 54
Fouls hurt RedHawks
UC-Miami Notebook: Hicks comes back
DAUGHERTY: What if UC had beaten Ohio State?

WOMEN'S CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT
UC women beat Xavier with defense
Ex-Bearcats, Pirtle say hello

OTHER COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS
Miami looks for breather tonight
NKU finally loses a game
Kentucky's confidence shaken
Duke 85, Dayton 74

FIESTA BOWL
Miami: Buckeyes can't match our speed
All-American Wilhelm letting play do talking
Tough ticket may end OSU fans' streak of 335 straight games
OSU antsy after long vacation

OTHER COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
UK will introduce football coach today
Today's Bowl Games

PREP SPORTS
West's Maupin commits to Ohio State
High School Week Preview
LeBron James legend grows
Sunday's High School Results
High School Schedules
Prep sports home page

WHAT'S ON TV
Today on TV