By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - They call themselves Silver Bullets. The inference is that when Ohio State's defensive players get going, they're a blur of silver helmets flying around, blasting into the offense. It's a mentality as much as anything.

Part of that mentality is that this defense wouldn't go soft just because it lost five starters to the NFL. So the Buckeyes didn't seem especially surprised the way they manhandled Washington's touted offense in the season opener.

"Each year we challenge ourselves to become as good as or even better than the (defenses) from the past," junior defensive end Simon Fraser said. "Coming into the locker room at halftime, we all realized we had made a step toward becoming the defense we're capable of being."

At halftime, Washington had no points and just 77 yards.

The Buckeyes would hold UW's high-powered attack - which averaged 420.7 yards a game last season - to 262 net yards, including 7 rushing yards. The Huskies were 2-of-17 on third-down conversions.

"They are as advertised," Huskies coach Keith Gilbertson said of the Buckeyes. "They are big and powerful and quick and have lots of athletes. They have tremendous defensive backs, linebackers, defensive linemen."

OSU finished second in the nation last season in scoring defense (13.1 ppg) and third in rushing defense (77.7 yards). The Buckeyes allowed 10 fewer TDs than any other Big Ten team, 19 in 14 games.

Funny thing is, it was the offense folks were buzzing about all offseason - an offense that returned 10 starters. Yet after Saturday, the focus is back on the defense.

"There are some positions where we're young, and we're going to be tested," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "But the nice thing is the guys up front are veterans and they set the tone. . . . We're going to have a good defense."

Three-fourths of the starting defensive line is back: Tim Anderson, Darrion Scott and Will Smith. Fraser is the new full-time starter on the line, though he made two starts last year.

"Some have advertised them as the best in the country," Gilbertson said of those linemen. "They're very, very good."

Depth along the defensive line is a key advantage. OSU rotated 12 players there Saturday to keep everyone fresh.

Fraser, who tied for the team lead with seven tackles - six solo - was named Big Ten co-defensive player of the week. He had three tackles for loss, including a sack.

The other new starters are linebackers A.J. Hawk and Fred Pagac Jr., and safeties Will Allen and Brandon Mitchell.

Hawk, making his first start Saturday, tied for the team high with seven tackles. Allen, who previously had made a start at nickelback, had five tackles. Mitchell, who will share time with Nate Salley at free safety, was in on three tackles and broke up a pass.

CLARETT UPDATE: OSU spokesman Steve Snapp said late Wednesday the school had been unable to complete its response to the NCAA's allegations against Maurice Clarett. Snapp said it probably would send that document today.

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com

A breakdown of Ohio State's defensive starters, including new faces and departures:

Returning starters

Darrion Scott	DT	Sr.
Tim Anderson	DT	Sr.
Will Smith	DE	Sr.
Robert Reynolds	LB	Sr.
Chris Gamble	CB	Jr.
Dustin Fox	CB	Jr.

New starters

Simon Fraser	DE	Jr.
A.J. Hawk	LB	So.
Fred Pagac Jr.	LB	Sr.
Will Allen	SS	Sr.
Brandon Mitchell	FS	Fr.

Gone to the NFL

Michael Doss	SS
Kenny Peterson	DE
Cie Grant	LB
Matt Wilhelm	LB
Donnie Nickey	FS