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Holtmann: With chance for statement win, Ohio State ‘didn’t have the fight’ at Nebraska

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

Holtmann: With chance for statement win, Ohio State ‘didn’t have the fight’ at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. – Chris Holtmann had a four-letter word to describe his team’s play Tuesday night.

No, it wasn’t that one. Or that other one. This one is printable, discussable and in this case was the descriptor the Ohio State men’s basketball coach chose after an 83-69 loss inside Pinnacle Bank Arena. It wasn’t just that the Buckeyes lost a road game, something they’ve now done in their last 13 such games, or that they lost to a Nebraska team enjoying a breakout season that’s often been lights-out at home.

It was how Ohio State lost this one, and the lack of sustained fight, that was particularly worrisome.

“I thought we were really soft throughout the whole game, but again, give them credit,” Holtmann told The Dispatch. “Ultimately that falls on me. I don’t know if it was just the last 10 minutes or not. We did not have the fight in this game that we needed to have by any stretch. Ultimately, that falls on me. We just didn’t have the fight we needed to, really from the jump, to be honest with you, but certainly when adversity hit we did not respond.”

There has been plenty of adversity as this season has rolled on. The Buckeyes never trailed in last Saturday’s comfortable home win against Penn State, a game that snapped a three-game losing streak and had the potential to be a turning point in Big Ten play. In each of the previous three losses, the Buckeyes were in position to win in the final four minutes only to come up short each time.

Chris Holtmann: As Ross Bjork gets acclimated, Ohio State’s Gene Smith still the boss until July

At Indiana, the Buckeyes cut a game-high 66-56 deficit with 3:34 left to a 67-65 game with 1:44 to play before losing 71-65. At home against No. 15 Wisconsin, Ohio State overcame a six-point deficit with an 8-0 run to take a 56-54 lead with 5:49 remaining only to be outscored 19-4 in the final 5:16 to lose, 71-60. And at Michigan, the Buckeyes turned a 12-point deficit into a four-point lead with a 16-0 second-half run but were outscored 11-4 in the final 3:37 and lost, 73-65.

Tuesday night, with Rienk Mast destroying Ohio State’s defense behind a barrage of 3-pointers, things got out of hand and stayed there. In the biggest Nebraska win ever against Ohio State, the Cornhuskers led by double digits for the final 12:08.

Fourth-year center Zed Key, who had 7 points and six rebounds in 18:49, said it wasn’t from lack of effort or fight from the Buckeyes.

“Thinking about it, not really,” Key said. “They went on a run and we couldn’t get the stops that we need or the rebound that we needed. No, but I know we’re going to be better for next game. We’re going to learn from our mistakes and correct them.”

The nature of the loss meant that while Ohio State did not practice Wednesday, the coaching staff was holding individual meetings with a number of players to try and address where things currently stand. After playing Bowen Hardman for the final 7:35 for his first Big Ten minutes of the season, Holtmann said the sophomore guard had earned the opportunity through his everyday approach to being on the scout team.

“I think right now, that’s what we’re looking for out of our bench is just the right approach and the right attitude and I think he’s really had that,” Holtmann said. “I thought he needed to be given a look because he’s had the right approach and right attitude and I think his play was a by-product of having the right attitude.

Hardman scored a career-high 11 points after having totaled 20 in his first 13 career appearances. He saw more playing time than two of Ohio State’s freshmen who seemed ticketed for rotation roles this year. Forward Devin Royal had a turnover, was beaten for a basket in the paint and then called for a foul on an offensive rebound that led to two late-half Nebraska free throws in only 1:29.

He didn’t see any second-half playing time, but it was more than guard Taison Chatman, who was a healthy, unused substitute. Forward Scotty Middleton, who was suspended for the Penn State game for a violation of team expectations, finished with 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting in 14:11.

After the Michigan loss, Holtmann delivered a clear message that this team’s story was still to be written and that he still had “high-level belief” in this group of players.

Ohio State Buckeyes: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy

The Buckeyes still have 12 games to turn the season around, and it wasn’t long ago that the 2019-20 team started Big Ten play 2-6 only to close by winning 9 of their final 12 games before the postseason was canceled due to COVID-19. There are plenty of opportunities ahead for the Buckeyes to climb back onto the NCAA Tournament bubble.

But sooner or later, they need to have the necessary toughness for a full game if they want to capitalize on a few of them.

“We just need to be better,” Holtmann said. “That’s it. We need to be better. I thought we weren’t tough enough, so ultimately that’s something that we as coaches need to get them playing tougher, much tougher.”

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy

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Western Michigan beats Ohio 17-13, take sole possession of 1st in Mid-American Conference

Published

2 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Press Room

Western Michigan beats Ohio 17-13, take sole possession of 1st in Mid-American Conference

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Quarterback Broc Lowry and Jalen Buckley each ran for a touchdown on Tuesday night to help Western Michigan beat Ohio 17-13 and take sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference.

Western Michigan (6-4, 5-1) has a half-game lead over Miami (Ohio) and Buffalo in the conference standings, both of which have a half-game lead over Ohio (6-4, 4-2).

Tailique Williams caught a pass from Broc Lowry behind the line of scrimmage and broke numerous tackles before he was brought down for a 71-yard game and, on the next play, Jalen Buckley ran for a 3-yard TD that gave Western Michigan a 17-13 lead with 13:43 left in the game.

Chase Hallock picked off a pass and returned it 37 yards to set up a 46-yard field goal by Palmer Domschke that opened the scoring about five minutes into the first quarter and Lowry’s 1-yard TD run early in the third quarter gave the Broncos a 10-7 lead.

Parker Navarro ran for a 2-yard touchdown late in the first quarter and Sieh Bangura capped a 17-play, 83-yard drive that took more than 10 minutes off the clock with a 3-yard scoring run on the first play of the fourth quarter that made it 13-10 after David Dellenbach’s PAT attempt was no good.

The Broncos honored former Western Michigan and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died on Thursday. On the team’s Senior Night, players held a jersey with Kneeland’s No. 99 on it and wore helmet decals that read “MK 99.” His number was also painted on the football field.

___

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These central Ohio high school football players had best second-round OHSAA playoff games

Published

21 hours ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

These central Ohio high school football players had best second-round OHSAA playoff games

As the number of central Ohio high school football teams remaining in the playoffs dwindles each week, the definition of top performances expands.

Yardage, touchdowns, tackles and sacks take even more of a back seat to a simpler statistic – the final score.

Here is a look at which central Ohio players had the best games in the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

This list was gathered from games covered by the USA Today Network and statistics submitted by area teams. Teams are encouraged to submit stats as soon as possible after games to sports@dispatch.com, dpurpura@dispatch.com and fdirenna@dispatch.com.

Blake Bogenrife, West Jefferson

Stats: The senior receiver caught three passes for 78 yards against No. 6 Toronto in Division VI, Region 23, none bigger than his 40-yard touchdown reception from Austin Buescher with 2:36 left as the third-seeded Roughriders (10-1) won 21-20. West Jefferson converted three third downs on the winning drive.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Beverly Fort Frye

Levi Davis, Olentangy Orange

Stats: The Pioneers’ senior quarterback helped break open a close Division I, Region 3 contest, scoring twice in the last 13 minutes and finishing with 342 all-purpose yards (255 rushing, 87 passing) as top-seeded Orange (11-0) went on to a 43-14 win over No. 8 Olentangy Berlin.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Olentangy Liberty

RJ Day, DeSales

Stats: The junior quarterback threw for a single-game program-record 482 yards and three touchdowns, including the winning score to Jordan Karhoff from 11 yards with 5 seconds left, to power the No. 2 seed Stallions (9-2) to a 33-29 win over No. 7 Ashland in Division II, Region 7.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Massillon Washington

Miles Marshall, Centerburg

Stats: The junior running back amassed 193 yards and all four touchdowns (17, 2, 38 and 4 yards) for the top-seeded Trojans on 26 carries in a 28-14 win over No. 8 West Lafayette Ridgewood in Region 23.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. North Robinson Colonel Crawford

Edward Oakley, Upper Arlington

Stats: The junior kicker connected on field goals of 29 and 32 yards in the final minutes, the latter in the closing seconds, to turn a three-point deficit for the sixth-seeded Golden Bears (10-2) into a 30-27 win at No. 3 Pickerington North in Region 3. Oakley also kicked a 37-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Pickerington Central

Watch OHSAA football playoffs on NFHS Network

Ben Rucker, Olentangy Liberty

Stats: The junior defensive lineman returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, highlighting a defensive effort that saw the fifth-seeded Patriots (8-4) hold No. 4 Olentangy (8-3) to just 22 yards rushing in a 17-0 win in Region 3.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Olentangy Orange

Eli Stumpf, Big Walnut

Stats: The junior quarterback ran for a 16-yard touchdown and passed for scores of 44 and 8 yards to Brody Hatfield in the first half of a Region 7 game against Walnut Ridge, leading the Golden Eagles (10-1) to a 43-0 win. Stumpf completed 10 of 15 passes for 141 yards.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Canal Winchester

Nick Vanhoose, North Union

Stats: The senior running back had 121 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, scoring from 12 and 2 yards in the second quarter as the eighth-seeded Wildcats (8-4) blew out No. 1 Williamsburg 47-14 in Division V, Region 20. Griffin Osborne also ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Carlisle

Cyren Wallace, Danville

Stats: The sophomore running back had eight carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns and returned a second-half interception for another score as the 11th-seeded Blue Devils (7-5) routed No. 3 Fisher Catholic 59-8 in Division VII, Region 27.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Waterford

High school sports reporter Dave Purpura can be reached at dpurpura@dispatch.com and at @dp_dispatch on X.

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Veterans Day 2025 parades, events in Northeast Ohio

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

Veterans Day 2025 parades, events in Northeast Ohio

*Attached video: Local Vietnam War veteran receives special honor

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Veterans Day 2025 falls on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and is a day to honor and celebrate veterans and active military members nationwide.

Cities across Northeast Ohio are celebrating with parades, ceremonies and other events to honor our veterans. Fox 8 News has compiled a list of local events to attend:

Akron

Veterans are invited to Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens from 10 a.m. to dusk for a complimentary self-guided tour of the Manor House and gardens.

Brunswick

The Military Ministry at Saint Ambrose Parish will host a Military Family Mass in the Church at 5 pm on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Saint Ambrose Parish, followed by a reception in the parish’s Mother Teresa Room.
All current military members, veterans, and their families are invited to attend this special Mass and join the parish in honoring their service at the reception that follows.

Canton

The MAPS Air Museum’s 13 Annual Veterans Day Program will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War from 4-10 p.m. with dinner provided at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Chagrin Falls

The Chagrin Falls Veterans Day ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Triangle or Chagrin Falls Fire Department, depending on the weather.

Cleveland

Air Force Gulf War Veteran Tim Hauser will be the grand marshal for the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

The parade will start at Cleveland City Hall and will conclude at Skylight Park in Tower City, where the city will host its first-ever Veterans Day Celebration.

Green

The City of Green’s Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park. The event honors local veterans and celebrates those in our community who have worn a U.S. military uniform.

Kent

The annual Veterans Day observance will pay tribute to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Student Green on the Kent Campus, located in front of the Kent Student Center and Risman Plaza.

This year’s keynote speaker is Patricia “Trish” McDaniel, Ph.D., a 1983 Kent State alumna and senior executive research scientist of chemistry in the U.S.

Lakewood

The annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Nov.11 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in Lakewood Park.

Mansfield

The Veterans Day parade will be held on Nov. 11 in downtown Mansfield, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The parade will step off from the five-way light at Marion Avenue and Park Avenue West and make its way to Central Park, where a short ceremony will follow at the gazebo.

In case of bad weather, the parade and outdoor ceremony will be canceled and the program will move indoors to AMVETS Post 26 (1100 W. Fourth St.) at 11 a.m.

Mentor

A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery memorial promenade. This year’s keynote speaker is Brigadier General Peter Collins, USMC (Ret.).

North Canton

The City of North Canton 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at City Hall.

Oberlin

Oberlin City School District, in collaboration with The City of Oberlin and Oberlin College, will hold its annual Veterans Day Appreciation Ceremony starting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the Oberlin Elementary School gym. The event will feature Midview High School’s Air Force JROTC, the Oberlin High School Band, Firelands Honors Choir, keynote speakers and other special honors, as well as light refreshments.