Tressel Playing Numbers Game

How tough is the Bruin defense? Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel counts the ways.

“I know them by numbers more than names, quite honestly,” he said. “No. 8 is considered one of the finest linebackers in the country. No. 7 and No. 4 the safeties, No. 9 the corner, and No. 99 the defensive end have been multiple-year starters.

“So you see a mature team. You see excellent technique.”

No. 8 is middle linebacker Robert Thomas, who leads UCLA with 16.5 tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss.

No. 7 is Marques Anderson , who has 11 tackles, and No. 4 is Jason Stephens, who has eight.

No. 9 is Ricky Manning, who has two interceptions.

And No. 99 is Kenyon Coleman, who has 7.5 tackles.

All but Manning are seniors.

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Realizing that some people might not want to travel this week, Ohio State offered refunds to the 4,500 who had purchased tickets through the school. There were few takers.

“We haven’t got a whole lot of calls, maybe 100 or so,” said Pat Cartwright of the Buckeye ticket office.

“And we re-sold those quickly. We’ve had repeated inquiries for tickets and don’t have any more to sell.”

About 6,000 Ohio State fans are expected to attend. Many bought tickets through brokers. A handful of tickets were offered online at discount prices, and the ones in desirable locations sold quickly.

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Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari is still not 100% after spraining his ankle last week.

“I’ll be honest, it could be pretty good or pretty bad on Saturday,” he said. “Every day it’s getting better and that’s all I can ask for.”

Sophomore Scott McMullen, who is highly regarded by Tressel, will play if Bellisari is hobbled.

Bellisari passed for 246 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ season-opening victory over Akron, but he fumbled four times.

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Because UCLA does not begin school until Monday, the Bruins will practice at noon today to help acclimate to the 12:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday. Today is the first day of classes for Ohio State. ... UCLA has distributed its limit of about 350 media passes for the game, one of which is for Tim Brant, father of Bruin safety Kevin Brant. ... Fullback Matt Stanley, who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, will be a co-captain.