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Sun March 30, 2008

OSU Football Q&A with Mike Baldwin

 
 
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After nine practices are there any surprises?

Not really. The two-deep chart for Friday's first major scrimmage was exactly the same as the "thud” scrimmage two weeks ago. The surprise two weeks ago was Jonathan Rush started at left guard and Rush was the starter again on Friday.

One of the biggest surprises happened before spring practice began when Bo Bowling, a walk-on who played at NEO, was named the starting punt returner.

Safety Lucien Antoine, a junior college transfer, continues to make a strong impression. Antoine recorded an interception in the first "thud” scrimmage and supplied three hard hits in Friday's first major scrimmage. He's listed on the second team but played a little with the starters late in the scrimmage.

Orie Lemon remains the starting middle linebacker and has been productive.

Can Beau Johnson earn the starting tailback job?

It's a possibility but much too early to make projections on any starting jobs other than veterans who have been starters in previous seasons. Johnson certainly has the physical tools.

Viewed as the catalyst to Butler (Kan.) Community College winning the junior college national title, Johnson is similar to Dantrell Savage, who was first-team all-Big 12 last season.

Johnson, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, has good speed but should also pound out yards between the tackles. Durability is his biggest strength. The early guess is Kendall Hunter will start the season opener, but Johnson could earn the job at some point this season.

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