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Ohio State's April 2 practice proved to be one rather afflicted by the injury bug. After quarterback Braxton Miller apparently took a spill following an overly aggressive teammate's hit (worry not Ohio State fans; the potential Heisman finalist was just fine, even after taking the lick from potential breakout defensive end sophomore Noah Spence), Urban Meyer announced to the media gathered at the practice that backup offensive lineman Antonio Underwood would be likely missing the 2013 football season with injury.
Media types, fans, and casual observers alike often joke that one could just take a bunch of pre-canned responses (e.g. "they're looking better and better each day", "[so and so] really looks the part", and the like) and you'd be able to describe just about every spring football practice press conference ever. But then there are days like today when the feedback channel almost universally seems to be unwanted.
Overall though, it sounds like the rest of the spring practice went mostly as expected. With the 2013 spring game rapidly approaching (just a week from Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati), we should be reaching resolution a lot sooner rather than later on this latest round of practices...at least until summer ball comes.
Here were the highlights from what the experts observed from this afternoon's practice:
Braxton Miller took a brutal shot during winner/loser day today. Was down on the turf for a while.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 2, 2013
Braxton finally sat up and walked off but he was pretty upset at whoever hit him. Had to be restrained by Philly Brown.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 2, 2013
#OhioState football just completed a winner-loser day practice. The offense emerged victorious, forcing the defense to run sprints
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) April 2, 2013
Ohio State also did some work today on the pistol/3 RB offensive set that teams like the Redskins and 49ers used to great success this year
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) April 2, 2013
Patrick Elflein entered battle at RT with Decker and Farris. Decker most of #1 reps today it appeared
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 2, 2013
Offense rallied to win end of practice scrimmage thanks to pass from Guiton to Vannett
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 2, 2013
Defense had to run gassers for losing
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 2, 2013
When Braxton returned, he ran out of the pocket and lowered his shoulder into David Perkins. Wasn't going to shy away from hits.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 2, 2013
Meyer said the defense won the scrimmage on Saturday, but he learned Cardale Jones could play QB at Ohio State.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 2, 2013
The second biggest hit of the day went to Jamal Marcus. He laid out out Bri'onte Dunn in the backfield.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 2, 2013
The RBs continue to look good, especially Warren Ball. He missed last season with foot injury. Ball has been great all spring. Depth.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 2, 2013
Best catch of the day goes to my guy Michael Thomas. Went up and made a great grab with Eli Apple draped all over him.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 2, 2013