Sports
Ohio State’s close call against Nebraska revealed a weakness that could derail title hopes
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Just three weeks ago, Ohio State dominated Iowa with a physical performance against one of the country’s premier run defenses. The Buckeyes looked like they were hitting their stride up front and could win games in the trenches.
Things can change fast in college football. Now, after a 21-17 win over Nebraska, an inability to dominate in the trenches could prove to be the Buckeyes’ undoing.
Ohio State ran for just 64 yards and averaged a season-low 2.1 yards per carry against the Huskers. According to TruMedia, it averaged just 0.79 yards per rush before contact, its fourth-worst mark since 2019. It gave up two sacks and six pressures on quarterback Will Howard as the offense struggled to find its rhythm and went the entire third quarter without a first down.
There have been some changes up front with left tackle Josh Simmons out for the season due to a knee injury. Zen Michalski stepped in for him Saturday, but he struggled mightily until he went down with an injury in the fourth quarter. Michalski, who was on crutches on the sideline, wasn’t the answer, and Ohio State doesn’t have an answer yet as to who will start at left tackle in a potential top-five matchup next Saturday at Penn State, which entered this week ranked third in the FBS in pressure rate.
GO DEEPER
Ohio State survives: What does this mean for Buckeyes, Huskers?
Who will replace Michalski? Can that person be good enough to avoid a drop-off elsewhere on the line? Because of its recruiting struggles on the offensive line, Ohio State is not really equipped to even face those questions. Now Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and offensive line coach Justin Frye have to find answers fast because their Big Ten and national championship hopes depend on it.
During preseason camp, Ohio State’s offensive linemen got hit with an illness that went through the entire position group. Coaches spent weeks switching players in and out of the lineup, keeping others at home sick and giving some of the bench players reps against the defensive starters.
Day, as any coach would do, spun that into a positive, saying that it gives the Buckeyes more depth than they initially expected.
“Guys were forced into an early camp and had to respond,” Day said Tuesday.
Ohio State is 6-1, but Nebraska pushed it to the limit. (Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images)
Midway through the season, that depth is being tested in a way nobody could’ve expected.
Starting left guard Donovan Jackson missed the first two games of the season, forcing Austin Siereveld into the lineup. He’s now rotating with right guard Tegra Tshabola. Ohio State finally got healthy before the Oregon game, then watched as Simmons went down with a season-ending knee injury.
That thrust the redshirt junior Michalski into his first career start. Despite his struggles, which included allowing a sack on the first drive and a sack that led to a fumble later in the game, Day didn’t think about pulling him.
“I felt like for his first start he had to play through it,” Day said. “We didn’t want to panic and just pull him out. It’s your first start, so there’s some things you’re going through. … We wanted him to play through that and see how that went.”
That’s an understandable response from a coach, though there also wasn’t another answer at tackle unless Ohio State moved players around. It didn’t want to do that mid-game unless Michalski got hurt, which he ultimately did. That forced Jackson to move out to tackle.
The next-man-up mentality is a coaching cliche that sounds nice until you run through so many players that the next man up isn’t ready to play. The healthy scholarship offensive tackles left on the roster are redshirt sophomore George Fitzpatrick, freshman Ian Moore and freshman Deontae Armstrong. They are not ready.
The next-best scenario is to move Jackson to tackle and Luke Montgomery to guard, like the Buckeyes did against Nebraska. Ohio State will mull other decisions this week.
Ohio State has nobody to blame but itself for the depth issues on the line getting this bad. Its recruiting failures along the offensive line made something like this a worst-case scenario all offseason.
On the high school front, it failed to recruit talented tackles for years. Ohio State hit on Jackson, a five-star, and Tshabola, a four-star, but they both moved inside since arriving in Columbus. After them, the top two tackles since 2021 were Fitzpatrick and Michalski, who didn’t look ready to play despite being in his fourth season. That’s not good enough.
Then there’s the transfer portal. Ohio State did a nice job adding Simmons from San Diego State before the 2023 season, developing him into a potential first-round pick. It also did a nice job of getting Seth McLaughlin from Alabama to play center this year. And yet depth is still lacking.
All of it has put Ohio State in the situation it’s in now, coming off an abysmal performance in which neither TreVeyon Henderson nor Quinshon Judkins — two of the nation’s most talented running backs — had more than 30 yards rushing against a Nebraska team that gave up 215 yards and five touchdowns on the ground to Indiana a week earlier.
Day said he thought it was an execution problem, along with Nebraska doing some new things.
“It’s not good enough,” Day said. “We have to be able to run the football and we didn’t do that today.”
Regardless of the reasoning, Ohio State has to get this fixed.
Ohio State is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, losing only by a point to Oregon. It still has all of its goals on the table: the Big Ten title, the College Football Playoff and the national title. But the question remains: Does Ohio State have the bodies up front to reach those goals by beating Penn State, Indiana, Michigan — and perhaps Oregon in the Big Ten title game — and anybody else it would play in the Playoff?
The Buckeyes looked like they were erasing those concerns not too long ago, but suddenly Day is under pressure again to find answers.
GO DEEPER
College Football Playoff 2024 projections: Boise State strengthens case with Week 9 underway
(Photo: Ian Johnson / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Sports
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
LAS VEGAS – Danhausen’s curse may be real after all – just ask Stephen A. Smith and the New York Mets.
While the latter dropped their 10th game in a row, Smith got his share of the curse on Saturday night during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. Smith was in attendance for WWE’s premier event of the year and heard massive boos from the crowd.
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Smith was sitting ringside to watch the action. The ESPN star appeared on the videoboard above the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He appeared to embrace the reaction and smiled through it.
The boos came after Danhausen appeared on “First Take” on Friday – much to the chagrin of the sports pundit. Smith appeared perplexed by Danhausen’s appearance. Smith said he heard about Danhausen and called him a “bad luck charm.”
Danhausen said Smith had been “rude” to him and put the dreaded “curse” on the commentator.
WWE STAR DANHAUSEN SAYS METS ‘CURSE’ ISN’T EXACTLY LIFTED AS TEAM DROPS NINTH STRAIGHT GAME
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Smith is far from the only one dealing with the effects of the “curse.”
Danhausen agreed to “un-curse” the Mets during their losing streak. However, he told Fox News Digital earlier this week that there was a reason why the curse’s removal didn’t take full effect.
“I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect,” Danhausen said. “Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation.”
Danhausen enters the arena before his match against Kit Wilson during SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on April 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
On “Friday Night SmackDown,” WWE stars like The Miz and Kit Wilson were also targets of Danhausen’s curse.
Sports
After 55 years as a broadcaster in L.A., Randy Rosenbloom is leaving town
It’s time to reveal memories, laughs and crazy times from Randy Rosenbloom’s 55 years as a TV/radio broadcaster in Los Angeles. He’s hopping in a car next Sunday with his wife, saying goodbye to a North Hollywood house that’s been in his family since 1952 and driving 3,300 miles to his new home in Greenville, S.C.
“When I walk out, I’ll probably break down,” he said.
He graduated from North Hollywood High in 1969. He got his first paid job in 1971 calling Hart basketball games for NBC Cable Newhall for $10 a game. It began an adventure of a lifetime.
“I never knew if I overachieved or underachieved. I just did what I loved,” he said.
Randy Rosenbloom (left) used to work with former UCLA coach John Wooden for TV games.
(Randy Rosenbloom)
John Wooden, Jerry Tarkanian and Jim Harrick were among his expert commentators when he did play by play for college basketball games. He called volleyball at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games for NBC and rowing in 2004. He’s worked more than 100 championship high school events. He did play by play for the first and only Reebok Bowl at Angel Stadium in 1994 won by Bishop Amat over Sylmar, 35-14.
“There were about 5,000, 6,000 people there and I remember thinking nobody watched the game. We ended up with a 5.7 TV rating on Channel 13 in Los Angeles, which is higher than most Lakers games.”
He conducted interviews with NFL Hall of Famers Gale Sayers and Johnny Unitas and boxing greats Robert Duran, Thomas Hearn and Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s worked with baseball greats Steve Garvey and Doug DeCinces. He called games with former USC coach Rod Dedeaux. He was in the radio booth for Bret Saberhagen’s 1982 no-hitter in the City Section championship game at Dodger Stadium. He was a nightly sportscaster for KADY in Ventura.
Randy Rosenbloom, left, with his volleyball broadcast partners, Kirk Kilgour and Bill Walton.
(Randy Rosenbloom)
He was the voice of Fresno State football and basketball. He also did Nevada Las Vegas football and basketball games. He called bowl games and Little League games. He was a public address announcer for basketball at the 1984 Olympic Games with Michael Jordan the star and did the P.A. for Toluca Little League.
Nothing was too small or too big for him.
“I loved everything,” he said.
He called at least 10 East L.A. Classic football games between Garfield and Roosevelt. He was there when Narbonne and San Pedro tied 21-21 in the 2008 City championship game at the Coliseum on a San Pedro touchdown with one second left.
Probably his most notable tale came when he was doing radio play-by-play at a 1998 college bowl game in Montgomery, Ala.
“I look down and a giant tarantula is crawling up my pants,” he said. “My color man took all the press notes, wadded them up and hit the tarantula like swinging a bat.”
Did Rosenbloom tell the audience what was happening?
“I stayed calm,” he said.
Then there was the time he was in the press box at Sam Boyd Stadium and a bat flew in and attached itself to the wooden press box right next to him before flying away after he said, “UNLV wins.”
Recently, he’s been putting together high school TV packages for LA36 and calling travel ball basketball games. He’ll still keep doing a radio gambling show from his new home, but he’s cutting ties to Los Angeles to move closer to grandchildren.
“I’m retiring from Los Angeles. I’m leaving the market,” he said.
Hopefully he’ll continue via Zoom to do a weekly podcast with me for The Times.
He’s a true professional who’s versatility and work ethic made him a reliable hire from the age of 18 through his current age of 74.
He’s a member of the City Section Hall of Fame and the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He once threw the shot put 51 feet, 7 1/2 inches, which is his claim to fame at North Hollywood High.
One time an ESPN graphic before a show spelled his name “Rosenbloom” then changed it to “Rosenblum” for postgame. It was worth a good laugh.
He always adjusts, improvises and ad-libs. He expects to enjoy his time in South Carolina, but he better watch out for tarantulas. They seem to like him.
Sports
Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
LAS VEGAS – Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.
Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.
Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.
Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.
Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.
WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’
AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.
Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.
Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.
-
California2 minutes agoCalifornia regulators kill charity fireworks for America’s 250th, sparking outrage
-
Colorado8 minutes agoOutgoing Colorado Buffaloes Sebastian Rancik, Bangot Dak Make Transfer Portal Moves
-
Connecticut13 minutes agoOne arrested after a multi-car crash in Naugatuck Saturday
-
Delaware20 minutes ago9 Most Scenic Drives in New Jersey
-
Florida25 minutes agoSouth Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open
-
Georgia31 minutes ago
Georgia receiver and draft prospect Zachariah Branch arrested for misdemeanor obstruction
-
Hawaii37 minutes agoKanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts | Maui Now
-
Idaho43 minutes ago‘Unrelenting’: Statehouse reporters recap 2026 legislative session in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News