BuckeyeGrove.com - In a "huge surprise," Smith suspended for Alamo

December 20, 2004

BuckeyeSports.com Staff Reports

Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel suspended starting quarterback Troy Smith Monday for the MasterCard Alamo Bowl for violating team and NCAA rules and standards. Tressel called the violations "a huge surprise."

The Buckeyes play Oklahoma State on Dec. 29 in the Alamodome.

"Obviously he feels terrible that he didn't take care of his responsibilities as he should have," said Tressel at a press conference Monday afternoon.

"He feels terrible for the team. He's anxious to be back with teammates in the winter. He said to me, 'I'll start at the bottom of the totem pole when I get back but I understand this is what I should do.'"

Ohio State's Director of Athletics Andy Geiger said the university has petitioned the NCAA for Smith's reinstatement for the 2005 season.

Tressel would not divulge details of the suspension, citing privacy concerns but said there is "no danger of forfeiting games" played this season.

When asked if the suspension could conceivably run longer than the one game, the OSU coach said, "We hope not but were not in charge of those things."

Smith, who started the last five games of the regular season and directed the Buckeyes to a 4-1 record in that span, will not travel with the team to San Antonio on Dec. 22.

"I am aware of what is expected, both on and off the field, at Ohio State and I have fallen short of those expectations," said Smith. "I accept this penalty, wish my teammates the very best in the bowl game, and look forward to the beginning of Winter Quarter."

Smith played in eight of the Buckeyes' 11 games this year and completed 68 of 122 passes for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. He also rushed for 339 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 82 carries.

The 6-foot-1 junior broke into the starting lineup in week seven as a replacement for injured starter Justin Zwick. In the last five games, Smith completed 58 of 107 passes for 791 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 325 yards and two scores. He amassed 386 yards in total offense (241 passing and 145 rushing) in a 37-21 win over Michigan in the season finale, turning in the third highest single-game performance in Ohio State history.

Zwick is expected to start for the Buckeyes in the Alamo Bowl. Tressel will comment to the media at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. We will have his comments posted shortly thereafter.

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