Ohio
Three Storylines To Watch For Ohio State Buckeyes Against Akron
The Ohio State Buckeyes begin their quest for a national championship on Saturday in a Week 1 matchup against the Akron Zips.
Here are three storylines to look for in the Buckeyes’ season opener:
The college football world finally gets to see Ohio State’s newly-acquired transfers against Akron.
Quarterback Will Howard will make his first official start in the scarlet and gray. The former Kansas State Wildcat threw for over 2,600 yards last year, while totaling 351 rushing yards. Howard is a perfect scheme fit for the Buckeyes’ new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who has found success with dual-threat quarterbacks in the past.
Along with Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins and safety Caleb Downs will make their debuts for Ohio State against the Zips. Judkins is coming off back-to-back seasons with 1,000 rushing yards, and Downs was named the SEC Freshman of The Year in 2023. Both transfers will play a critical role in the Buckeyes’ success this season.
While he may not be a transfer, freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will certainly be a name to watch in his collegiate debut. The former five-star recruit has generated tons of hype since arriving in Columbus. Smith has a chance to break Ohio State legend Cris Carter’s record of most receiving yards by a freshman, and game one against Akron will be pivotal for the wideout.
Outside of all the transfers, Kelly was a major upgrade for the program.
Kelly spent the past six seasons with UCLA, where he turned the program around and led the Bruins to consecutive bowl games in his final two seasons. His offensive knowledge helped elevate UCLA, as all his former teams excelled at running the ball. The combination of Howard, Judkins, and running back TreVeyon Henderson will be a nightmare for any opponent.
Despite a loaded backfield, Kelly will also have one of the best wide receiving cores at his disposal this year. Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate both return this season, while Smith looks to be the next man up. Expect Kelly to approach this season with a balanced attack.
Ohio State is heavily favored going into Saturday’s contest. While upsets are always possible in college football, it’s likely that the Buckeyes will turn to the team’s bench in the later part of the game.
Running back James Peoples is one ballcarrier to look out for against Akron. The freshman from San Antonio, Tx. was a former four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, and looks to be the third running back for the Buckeyes this season. Kelly is known for using multiple running backs throughout the year, so look out for Peoples.
Another transfer to watch that may not be a starter but will be part of the rotation is safety Keenan Nelson Jr. The South Carolina transfer started in three games last season for the Gamecocks, and will provide depth to the defensive back room this season.
Ohio State has a new offensive play caller in 2024.
Chip Kelly left his post as UCLA’s football coach to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season, teaming up with his former quarterbacks coach at multiple stops and current OSU coach Ryan Day.
Here’s a look at how much Kelly will make in 2024.
What is Chip Kelly’s salary?
Kelly signed a three-year deal to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State that includes an annual basic compensation of $2 million.
Ohio State assistant coach salaries: Does Chip Kelly make the most?
Ohio State’s 10 main assistant coaches are set to make nearly $11.43 million in basic compensation in 2024. In 2023, those assistants made about $9.32 million. The assistants do not include strength and conditioning coaches, analysts and various members of the support staff.
Here’s what each Ohio State assistant coach is set to make in 2024:
Chip Kelly salary at UCLA
In March 2023, Kelly signed a contract extension to remain the coach at UCLA through 2027. According to the Los Angeles Times, Kelly was set to make $6.1 million in 2023 and 2024, and $6.2 million in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Ohio State was responsible for paying $1.5 million to UCLA for Kelly’s buyout and related taxable income resulting from the expense.
Ohio State football schedule 2024
- Aug. 31: Ohio State vs. Akron; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Sept. 7: Ohio State vs. Western Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Sept. 21: Ohio State vs. Marshall; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Sept. 28: Ohio State at Michigan State; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
- Oct. 5: Ohio State vs. Iowa; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon; Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
- Oct. 26: Ohio State vs. Nebraska; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 2: Ohio State at Penn State; Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
- Nov. 9: Ohio State vs. Purdue; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 16: Ohio State at Northwestern; Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Nov. 23: Ohio State vs. Indiana; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 30: Ohio State vs. Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
Ohio
COVID-19 cases jump 2,000, to more than 10,000, as Ohio pushes new vaccine: Coronavirus update for Thursday, Aug. 29
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio took a large leap this week, from 8,352 last week to 10,418 this week, the state reported Thursday.
This week saw the weekly case number climb over the 10,000-mark for the first time since January. It also was the 13th straight week that the case number has increased, continuing an upward swing that began in early June.
At the same time last year, the state reported just over 7,000 cases.
The best protection against COVID-19 is the updated vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, said Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said in a Thursday news conference.
The updated, one-shot vaccine, which is formulated to be effective against the variants currently in circulation, is available in some Ohio locations, he said. People also can find a vaccine shot at vaccines.gov locator.
“We expect availability to increase as we move into September,” Vanderhoff said.
At least 1,384,882 Ohioans have received the updated one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an increase of 382 people from the prior week, the state reported. This represents 11.8% of the state’s population.
The total COVID-19 case count since early 2020 in Ohio has reached 3,807,492.
- Previously: Aug. 22 Ohio COVID-19 update
There were 252 Ohioans newly hospitalized in the last week, raising the total since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 to 153,282. Five people were admitted into the ICU, raising the total since 2020 to 15,865.
The state health department reported an additional 32 deaths from COVID-19, raising the total to 44,146. Death reporting sometimes lags by weeks.
COVID-19 tests are still free for people enrolled in Medicaid, Vanderhoff said. The federal government recently announced that it will once again provide free COVID-19 tests, starting in late September. Americans will be able to order up to four tests per household at this link.
“Tests are an important tool, not just so you can protect others, but also in determining whether you might benefit from treatment,” Vanderhoff said.
Gov. Mike DeWine, who announced he had COVID-19 on Aug. 20, Is back to his normal work schedule after treatment with an antiviral medication, Vanderhoff said.
Aug. 29 recap
Total reported cases: 3,807,492, up 10,418.
Total individuals with updated vaccine: 1,384,882, up 382.
Total reported deaths: 44,146 up 32.
Total reported hospitalizations: 153,282, up 252.
Total reported ICU admissions: 15,865, up 5.
Aug. 22 recap
Total reported cases: 3,797,074, up 8,352.
Total individuals with updated vaccine: 1,384,500, up 640.
Total reported deaths: 44,114, up 21.
Total reported hospitalizations: 153,030, up 216.
Total reported ICU admissions: 15,860, up 7.
Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.
Ohio State football has a new offensive play-caller.
After hiring Bill O’Brien briefly before he took the head coaching job at Boston College, Ohio State coach Ryan Day hired Chip Kelly, the former UCLA and Oregon coach, to be the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2024.
Kelly will make his official Ohio State coaching debut Saturday when OSU takes on Akron. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Ohio Stadium and will be broadcast on CBS.
Here’s a look at why Kelly made the step to be OSU’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coacg.
More on Chip Kelly: Ryan Day and Chip Kelly are reunited at Ohio State. Here’s their relationship history
Why Chip Kelly wanted to be an Ohio State offensive coordinator
At Ohio State, Kelly is a coordinator and a position coach for the first time since 2008. But in his introductory press conference with the Buckeyes, Kelly admitted “sometimes I do a lot of things other people don’t do.”
“I just want to be happy, and I’m really happy coaching a position and really happy to be at this place,” Kelly said.
Kelly spent 19 seasons as a position coach and/or a coordinator before becoming the head coach at Oregon in 2009.
Chip Kelly’s UCLA record
After four years at Oregon, where he led the Ducks to 46 wins in 53 games, including a BCS Championship appearance in 2010, Kelly returned to college football in 2018 to coach UCLA.
Kelly’s teams at UCLA finished 35-34. The Bruins beat Boise State in the 2023 LA Bowl but lost to Pittsburgh in the 2022 Sun Bowl.
- 2018: UCLA 3-9
- 2019: UCLA 4-8
- 2020: UCLA 3-4
- 2021: UCLA 8-4
- 2022: UCLA 9-4
- 2023: UCLA 8-5
Chip Kelly’s UCLA buyout
In March 2023, Kelly signed a contract extension to remain the coach at UCLA through 2027. According to the Los Angeles Times, Kelly was set to make $6.1 million in 2023 and 2024, and $6.2 million in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Ohio State was responsible for paying $1.5 million to UCLA for Kelly’s buyout and related taxable income resulting from the expense.
Chip Kelly’s Ohio State contract
Kelly signed a three-year deal to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State that includes an annual basic compensation of $2 million.
Chip Kelly’s coaching career
Here’s a look at where Kelly’s coached before becoming Ohio State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
- 1990: Columbia — Defensive Backs/Special Teams
- 1991: Columbia — Outside Linebackers/Safeties
- 1992: New Hampshire — Running Backs
- 1993: Johns Hopkins — Defensive Coordinator
- 1994-96: New Hampshire — Running Backs
- 1997-98: New Hampshire — Offensive Line
- 1999-2006: New Hampshire — Offensive Coordinator
- 2007-08: Oregon — Offensive Coordinator
- 2009-12: Oregon — Head Coach
- 2013-15: Philadelphia Eagles — Head Coach
- 2016: San Francisco 49ers — Head Coach
- 2018-23: UCLA — Head Coach
- 2024: Ohio State — Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Ohio State football schedule 2024
- Aug. 31: Ohio State vs. Akron; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Sept. 7: Ohio State vs. Western Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Sept. 21: Ohio State vs. Marshall; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Sept. 28: Ohio State at Michigan State; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
- Oct. 5: Ohio State vs. Iowa; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon; Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
- Oct. 26: Ohio State vs. Nebraska; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 2: Ohio State at Penn State; Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
- Nov. 9: Ohio State vs. Purdue; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 16: Ohio State at Northwestern; Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Nov. 23: Ohio State vs. Indiana; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 30: Ohio State vs. Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
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