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Ohio State football fans want night games over noon kickoffs; Caitlin Clark speaks out

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Ohio State football fans want night games over noon kickoffs; Caitlin Clark speaks out


Here we (probably) go again. You may recall that in 2024 Ohio State played six consecutive football games that kicked off at noon. You may also recall the resulting kerfuffle among fans who complained that noon starts mainly benefit only Baby Boomers – ahem – whose heads hit the pillow by 10 pm.

“Give us night games or give us death,” the youngsters demanded. Or something like that. 

Well, Fox Sports heard the cries of the OSU vampires, but that doesn’t mean the network listened. No official kick time has been announced, but if Fox follows its normal modus operandi the Ohio State vs. Texas season opener in the Horseshoe will trend more toward party pooper than super duper, which is to say another Big Noon Kickoff. 

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Mike Mulvihill, who oversees research analytics and strategic planning for Fox, said last year, “There’s a belief that prime time is somehow inherently better (than noon), but that’s not really matched up by the analysis.

“It’s our job to put the schools that we’re partners with in front of as many people as possible. If we can provide our schools as much exposure as possible, that should not just benefit Fox, but that should benefit those programs. What we’ve found over the last six years is that it’s very clear that putting our best game on at noon is what delivers the biggest audiences for these games.”

In other words, ratings overrule stadium atmosphere.

To be fair, I’ve covered noon games where the vibe is electric, and covered night games that were snoozers. People tend to forget that a full day of alcohol consumption often results in a zombie crowd effect. But overall, with the exception of the Michigan game, night games top nooners as exciting spectacles.

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But before grabbing torches and pitchforks to hunt down Fox executives, remember the Big Ten, which partners with the network, is no innocent bystander. The conference knew how Fox operated when it signed up to receive $7 billion over seven years. 

Adding spice to this made-for-TV drama is the grandstanding move of Ohio Rep. Tex Fischer, who last week introduced a bill requiring Ohio State football games against top-10 opponents to start at 3:30 p.m. or later. The bill, which exempts the Ohio State-Michigan game, proposes a $10 million fine for broadcasters violating the start time rule.  

Personally, I think 3:30 p.m. is the kickoff sweet spot time for fans. Enough time to tailgate. Not too late to doze off during the fourth quarter. Regardless of start time, OSU-Texas should be a ratings bonanza and in-person humdinger.  

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Kudos to Indiana Fever players for speaking out 

They could have shrugged or remained silent, but Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates chose to wag a finger at some of their own fans who allegedly taunted Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese during a game May 17.

“There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society,” Clark said, adding she appreciated that the WNBA was investigating the matter.

Social media posts during the Fever-Sky game claimed hateful remarks or noises were made toward Reese after a third-quarter incident in which Clark fouled Reese to prevent a layup. Reese confronted Clark, but was restrained by Indiana’s Aliyah Boston.

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Any time players from the home team speak out against their own fans it adds power to the message that unruly fans need to pipe down and stop with the personal attacks. 

Listening in

“I would like to sincerely apologize for my behavior yesterday on Hole 16. As professionals, we are expected to remain professional even when frustrated and I unfortunately let my emotions get the best of me. My actions were uncalled for and completely inappropriate, making it clear that I have things I need to work on.” – PGA Tour player Wyndham Clark, posting Monday on X after flinging his driver following a poor tee shot May 18 during the PGA Championship. The tossed club came within a few feet of striking a tournament volunteer standing behind the tee box.

Off-topic

Recently visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and while the gigantic home (178,926 square feet) is indeed impressive, the most incredible sight was the view out the back window of the distant mountains and valleys, proving once again that natural beauty beats man-made every time.

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Sports columnist Rob Oller can be reached at roller@dispatch.com and on X.com at@rollerCD. Read his columns from the Buckeyes’ national championship season in “Scarlet Reign,” a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Dispatch. Details at OhioState.Champs.com

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts



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THC gummies recalled in Ohio for not being properly marked

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THC gummies recalled in Ohio for not being properly marked


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO)- The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control has issued a product recall for edible gummies made by Green Investment Partners, LLC.

marijuana leaf(Iarygin Andrii – stock.adobe.com)

The Division investigated a complaint that the affected gummies were not marked with a universal THC symbol on each serving.

The Division’s rules require the universal THC symbol on each serving; therefore, the products are not compliant.

The Division has placed a hold on all affected gummy products so that no additional products are distributed to or sold at dispensaries.

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No adverse events have been reported. Anyone who experiences adverse health effects after consuming the affected product should contact their health care provider immediately and report the event to the DCC at 1-833-464-6627. The DCC will provide any updates, as necessary.

AFFECTED PRODUCT:

Product Name:

O’Dank Cannabis Infused Gummies – Pineapple

O’Dank Cannabis Infused Gummies – Sour Watermelon

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Purchase Dates: September 5, 2025, to present

Processor Name: Green Investment Partners, LLC (License# CCP000024-00)

Product ID and Batch:

Gummy recall
Gummy recall(ODC)

Affected Product Sold at the Following Dispensaries:

(OCC)



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Ohio State’s defense is already elite, but these two players could make it even better

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Ohio State’s defense is already elite, but these two players could make it even better


COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s defense has been nothing short of dominant this season, but what’s scary for future opponents is that it might be on the verge of getting even better.

The latest episode of Buckeye Talk revealed two fascinating developments that could transform an already-elite unit into something truly unstoppable.

The first involves what Stephen Means described as “the ultimate good problem” at the nickel position. While Lorenzo Styles has been solid, Jermaine Mathews has shown flashes of being an elite playmaker who can dramatically change games with his ability to create turnovers.

“This is, I think, the ultimate good problem that a defense could have — where the guy who’s doing a job isn’t doing it poorly, but there just might be a guy who is elite, elite, elite at it,” Means said.

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What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?

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What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?


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Why do central Ohio communities trick or treat on nights other than Halloween?

This week’s What’s Up With That? is a personal one, as it’s a query I’ve had since I moved to Columbus nearly seven years ago. What’s the origin of central Ohio’s complex (to outsiders) tradition of holding trick or treating (or Beggars Night, as some call it) on nights other than Oct. 31?

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It is a question that has been asked and answered by The Columbus Dispatch before. But to save you a journey through our archives, I’ll recap the history here. 

Why does central Ohio schedule trick-or-treating on nights other than Halloween?

Up until 2005, when the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the current system for recommending when communities should hold trick-or-treating, Columbus hadn’t held the event on Halloween itself in 90 years, according to past Dispatch reporting.

Columbus historically held a raucous Downtown Halloween party on Oct. 31, according to our archives, prompting the preference for Oct. 30 as the day kids could collect candy. That party was discontinued in the 1950s over too much revelry, but Oct. 30 trick-or-treating persisted.

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MORPC took on its role as trick-or-treat scheduler in 1993 and adopted the current system it uses to choose the date in 2005. MORPC’s recommendation is just that; communities are still free to set their own trick-or-treating days and times.

When is central Ohio trick-or-treating in 2025?

Here’s MORPC’s system: When Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick or treat typically takes place the Thursday before Oct. 31 in central Ohio. When Halloween falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, expect costumed kids on the day itself. 

In 2015, a MORPC spokesman told the Dispatch the system was meant to increase convenience for families. Friday or Saturday night trick or treating could conflict with football (as could Sunday, for that matter, although in central Ohio it’s largely the first two putting a dent in people’s calendars).

Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, the recommended trick-or-treat date is Oct. 30, and cities and towns have official candy-calling hours of 6-8 p.m.

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But there are exceptions. Here’s a look at which Franklin County communities are going their own way:

  • Bexley: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
  • Grandview Heights: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
  • Groveport: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
  • Madison Township: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
  • Worthington: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31

You can see other communities’ hours in this list we published in early October.

Have a question about Columbus? I’ll find your answer

What other weird central Ohio traditions would you like to have explained? I’m happy to track down the information. Or just curious what that development is, or why the traffic pattern you hate is the way it is?

Email ekennedy@dispatch.com and I will see what I can do.

Eleanor Kennedy is the senior digital director of the Columbus Dispatch. She can breached at ekennedy@dispatch.com.



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