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Ohio State running backs coach confirms departure, does not mention Michigan

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Ohio State running backs coach confirms departure, does not mention Michigan


COLUMBUS, Ohio — Departing running backs coach Tony Alford’s farewell to the Ohio State football community was long on thank yous, but did not mention Michigan.

Alford is expected to be named the next running backs coach for the Wolverines. Ohio State confirmed he is no longer on staff.

Alford wrote a long post on X.com entitled “Thank you” in which he thanked former coach Urban Meyer, athletic director Gene Smith and coach Ryan Day. He also set aside one section to address his players.

“Now to the most important people, the players,” Alford said. “You guys have had such an amazing impact on me, not only as a coach but as a father and as a man. I thank you and your families so much for allowing me to be a small part of your journey. I can only ope that I made half as much an impact on you all as you have on me.

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“Watching so many of you grow to become the men that you have become makes me so proud. Thank uou guys and I hope and pray that all of your successes are as great as your dreams and goals.”

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Alford added that while he will “undoubtedly miss so many things about being a member of the Buckeye Football Family, I am excited about what the future holds as I embark on the next chapter of this journey.”

While he did not mentioned Michigan, the school also has not formally announced his hire. Contract language presumably must still be finalized to make that official.

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Alford succeeds Mike Hart, who was not retained on Sherrone Moore’s first staff as Michigan head coach. Alford spent the past nine seasons with the Buckeyes.

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Why Ohio State is the poster child for what the new College Football Playoff represents

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Why Ohio State is the poster child for what the new College Football Playoff represents


COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jack Sawyer ran from a postgame interview when he heard the opening notes of “Carmen Ohio” coming from the Ohio State band.

The local product didn’t want to miss a second of the postgame tradition.

Emeka Egbuka gazed at the Ohio Stadium seats as he slowly turned in a circle.

The senior receiver who always took his role in stride amid a collection of spectacular talent at the position wanted to take it all in one final time.

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Donovan Jackson had his arms around fellow offensive linemen as they posed for a photo with Will Howard.

The once-highly-rated offensive tackle wanted to be part of a captured moment with those who helped him keep the quarterback upright despite brutal injury luck in the trenches.

Those were among the late-night moments inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday as members of the Buckeyes’ senior class celebrated a College Football Playoff first-round win against Tennessee.

A group once ranked among the best in the storied program’s history that hasn’t achieved many of its goal — capped by an ugly postgame scene following a Nov. 30 loss against Michigan — got a second chance to leave its home field on a better note.

They took advantage, dominating the Vols en route to a 28-point victory.

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The first step in rewriting, or at least improving, a legacy was complete.

“It means everything to me,” Sawyer said. “When we saw we got another home game against a team like that coming in here, I knew it was going to be awesome.”

Ohio State’s seniors nearly left on an ugly note

Ohio State coach Ryan Day establishes the program’s standard with three goals each year: Beat Michigan, win the Big Ten and claim a national title.

When the 2021 recruiting class arrived, it was supposed to start a run of consistently reaching those accomplishments. So far, the Buckeyes’ senior class is 0-for-11 and the lasting memory was lined up to be an ugly one.

Before Sawyer was running to sing with teammates on Saturday, the final image of him at Ohio Stadium was one of anger and disappointment.

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Ohio State was a heavy favorite against Michigan this year, suggesting a three-game skid in the rivalry would finally end.

Instead, the Wolverines pulled off the upset and tried planting a flag at midfield. It led to Sawyer and many of his teammates taking offense, sparking fights that saw law enforcement get involved.

Despite a stellar outing from Sawyer, including a spectacular interception, that was going to be the lasting image.

“I could’ve had a million sacks, but we lost the game,” Sawyer said Saturday. “That’s all that matters to me. Everything (about) the way the game ended motivated us to come into this week like this.”

The new College Football Playoff allows narratives to change

The Michigan loss would’ve been it for players such as Egbuka, Sawyer and Jackson last year. At 10-2, Ohio State’s season would’ve ended in a underwhelming bowl game after immense expectations.

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The new 12-team College Football Playoff has brought change, allowing additional opportunities to shift narratives.

Perhaps no group in the country could benefit more than Ohio State’s seniors.

“I think it’s awesome,” Sawyer said. “The 12-team playoff, I think it’s great. It gives teams a chance that you wouldn’t have got a chance in years previous.”

There’s a cliché in baseball when a hitter is going through a slump. If they’re hitless in 11 consecutive at-bats, you tell yourself that they’re due.

Statistically, there’s no such thing. You’re likelihood to get a hit in that 12th at-bat is the same as any other, but the belief still exists that the longer the drought continues, the sooner it is to end.

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Ohio State’s seniors are on at-bat No. 12: Winning a national title.

Maybe the win vs. Tennessee proved they’re due to change how they’re remembered.

“It is a new season,” Sawyer said. “It’s a new season every week. It’s win-or-go-home. It’s the NFL playoffs now. That’s been our mindset.”



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Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for Dec. 22, 2024

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The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2024, results for each game:

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 1-5-0

Evening: 9-0-9

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 4-6-7-5

Evening: 8-9-5-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 6-8-2-3-8

Evening: 9-9-8-2-8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

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06-26-27-36-37

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

04-07-37-43-47, Lucky Ball: 08

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.

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After beating Tennessee, Ohio State will finally get its rematch with Oregon

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After beating Tennessee, Ohio State will finally get its rematch with Oregon


COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State players had been thinking about a rematch with Oregon long before the Buckeyes crushed Tennessee in a first-round playoff game.

Their first chance to avenge the Oct. 12 loss to the Ducks looked to be the Big Ten championship game, but that slipped away when the Buckeyes lost to Michigan and gave up their spot in the title game.

Now, by virtue of Saturday night’s 42-17 win over Tennessee, the Buckeyes will see the Ducks again in a quarterfinal game on a grand stage — the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

“It’s going to be a heck of an opportunity for all of us,” Ohio State quarterback Will Howard said. “I think we’ve all been looking forward to this one, another crack at these guys. The way the last one ended didn’t sit right with me.”

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In the first game, the Buckeyes led twice in the second half but couldn’t hold it. They were driving in the final minute. After a questionable interference penalty on freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, Howard scrambled out of the pocket to extend a play and slid as time ran out, ending the 32-31 shootout on a mental error.

It would be the closest game of the season for top-seeded Oregon (13-0).

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity because it was not a great game for us,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “And I know, quite frankly, the guys got a little pissed off. They used that game as motivation. So, I’m sure they’re looking forward to another opportunity.”

The Ohio State defense — now statistically the best in the nation — allowed Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks to pile up 496 yards.

“You get to watch yourself play, and watch the mistakes that you’ve made, and you see how they attack you,” Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon said. “But also, there’s a lot of football played in between that. They’ve changed. We’ve changed, and we’re just, we’re going to look at what we need to do, and trust the game plan the coaches have, and we’ll go and tackle them.”

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Nearly everything was working right inside the frigid Horseshow on Saturday night, the first December college football game in the history of the 102-year-old stadium.

Howard threw two touchdown passes to Smith and compiled 311 passing yards — his highest total since the Oregon game. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins rushed for two touchdowns apiece. The defense sacked Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava four times and limited him to 104 passing yards, his lowest total of the season.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning recognized the Buckeyes’ ability to be explosive.

“That’s an elite football that we just played,” Lanning said after the October game. “They’re really, really talented. They don’t have weaknesses.”

Other quarterfinal games include No. 6 seed Penn State against third-seeded Boise State on Dec. 31, and on Jan. 1 it will be No. 5 Texas against No. 4 Arizona State, and No. 7 Notre Dame versus No. 2 Georgia.

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