Relive Ohio State’s 2006 win over Texas with player commentary, this Sunday on Big Ten Network

If you’re looking for something to watch on Sunday evening, the Big Ten Network is airing the Ohio State vs. Texas game from 2006 at 8 p.m. ET. with commentary from some of the players on the roster.

In addition to James Laurinaitis breaking down the big win over the Longhorns, other Buckeyes like Malcolm Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr., and Anthony Gonazalez will share their memories of the game that helped put them on the path to the 2007 BCS National Championship game.

I remember the 2006 rematch and revenge vividly— particularly because the heartbreaking loss in the first game of the OSU-UT series ruined my plans in 2005 — in which I instead of celebrating with my friends, I sat in my car crying on Chittenden Ave. for about an hour before leaving campus altogether for the night.

After being embarrassed on our home turf the year before, Ohio State was extra motivated in Austin in 2006.

The Buckeyes got on the board first, but the Longhorns tied things up late in the second half. Refusing to go into halftime tied at seven, quarterback Troy Smith tossed a 29-yard pass to Teddy Ginn, who ran it into the endzone to put OSU up 14-7 heading into the half.

Ohio State would add a field goal in the third quarter, and put the nail in the coffin with a 2-yard rushing TD by Antonio Pittman with six minutes left to play in the fourth. The Buckeyes didn’t let Texas back on the board after their first-half touchdown, and the clock ran out with Ohio State claiming a 24-7 win.

(Is it football season yet? I could really use a Buckeye touchdown to celebrate.)

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“Ohio State softball head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly has announced the addition of Jordan Clark as an assistant coach to her staff.”

-Ohio State Athletics

Before she was among the coaching ranks, new assistant Jordan Clark was a player for Kovach Schoenly at Miami (OH) from 2009-12. Her collegiate career included being a two-time captain, two-time Mid-American Conference performer and the 2012 recipient of the MAC’s Nan Harvey Sportsmanship Award.

“I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to join Ohio State and the softball staff,” said Clark. “I want to say thank you to Coach Schoenly and the administration for giving me this amazing opportunity to join the Buckeye family. Ohio State is a top athletic and academic institution with a powerhouse brand that competes at the national level year after year. The people, pride and tradition that makes up the softball community are truly one of a kind. I can’t wait to get started!”

Clark is joining her former coach in Columbus after a three-year stint as a volunteer assistant coach for Arkansas — a team she helped to the NCAA Tournament in both 2017 and 2018, with the Razorbacks making it to the Super Regionals this past season.

“Jordan brings knowledge, competitiveness and enthusiasm to our program,” said Kovach Schoenly. “She is a dynamic coach with the ability to help in various aspects of the game and recruiting. She has learned from a staff that I deeply respect. Our program is aiming for the Super Regionals and World Series.”

The new Buckeye assistant was the first base coach for Arkansas, and worked with the outfielders and base runners. Clark was part of the staff that was named 2018 NFCA Division I South Region Staff of the Year, and should bring an exciting energy to an upward-trending Buckeye softball team.

Clark isn’t the only SEC transfer to Ohio State recently, the Buckeyes added pitcher Lauren Rice from Missouri to their roster last week. In fact, Rice pitched a complete game victory over Clark and the Razorbacks in 2018, in addition to a big win over No. 5 Georgia.

“We are thrilled to add someone with Lauren’s experience to our pitching staff,” said Kovach Schoenly. “She is a power pitcher but more importantly, she is fierce. We are excited to add depth to our staff.”

The right-handed ace had a stellar freshman year for the Tigers, leading the team in a host of categories, including: wins (12), ERA (3.25), appearances (35), games started (23), complete games (7), shutouts (3), combined shutouts (5), saves (2), innings pitched (146.2), strikeouts (86) and batting average against (.256).

Rice throws 70-plus mph in the circle, and notched a perfect game in 2015 and three consecutive no-hitters during her high school career.

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NFL Buckeye bits from the week

Malik Hooker on the Colts’ culture shift toward winning — Andrew Walker, Colts.com

“I’m definitely the guy that I feel like we’re capable of winning now,” Hooker told reporters during this offseason. “You know, we’ve got a lot of great players, a lot of good players coming back as well. So I feel like this year, we’ve got a young, fast and good, physical team, so I feel like we’re definitely capable of winning now.”

On Nick Vannett being a TE sleeper for the Seahawks — ChristinaCola, Field Gulls

“With Jimmy Graham nothing but a memory, Vannett is my pick for a TE sleeper. Vannett snaps have been slowly increasing over the past two seasons, and he finally has an opportunity to be Wilson’s go-to option in the passing game at tight end.”

Marshon Lattimore on his next professional goal — Joel Erickson, The Advocate

“We talk about it all the time, we’re just trying to be the best,” Lattimore said. “We won rookie of the year, now we’re trying to win Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year.”

Malcolm Jenkins on ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ being the Eagles’ anthem — Brandon Gowton, Bleeding Green Nation

“And two weeks before the Super Bowl, or it might have been starting in the playoffs, our special teams coach, Coach [Dave] Fipp, just one day put it on. He was at least like three minutes of his whole meeting because the whole group had just gone crazy in the special teams meeting.”

On Ezekiel Elliott’s quiet offseason and what it means for the Cowboys — Connor Livesay, Blogging The Boys

“In 2018, Ezekiel Elliott is looking for a fresh start entering his third-year in the league. Elliott’s offseason so far has been very quiet, which is very good for both the team and the player. “

On Terrelle Pryor and the Top 10 Supplemental Draft picks — Christian D’Andrea, SB Nation

“Pryor beats out players like Jared Gaither, Dave Brown, and Steve Walsh for the final spot on the list thanks to one breakout season at wide receiver and the fact he’s still got time to prove last year’s disappointing campaign was an outlier.”

On Cameron Heyward’s successful petition to EA Sports — Simon Chester, Behind the Steel Curtain

“Reading through the tweets on the EA Sports Madden NFL official Twitter page, Heyward is the first player to have his grade readjusted so far, but it’s unlikely he will be the last.

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STICK TO SPORTS

• The Ohio State football team hosted their annual Special Skills Invitational, with over 250 campers participating with players like Jordan Fuller, J.K. Dobbins and Demetrius Knox.
• Some kangaroos in Australia have been acting drunk, but they’ve actually been poisoned by Phalaris (canary) grass.
• Ever wonder why athletes spit out their drinks, instead of swallowing them? Apparently it’s called “carb-rinsing” and there’s actually a reason.