Ohio State’s Tressel Sidesteps QB Question

Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel won’t say who will start at quarterback when the No. 4 Buckeyes play No. 2 Texas on Saturday night.

Tressel sidestepped 15 questions about the quarterback rotation Tuesday, saying only that Justin Zwick and Troy Smith would play for Ohio State at Columbus.

Zwick started Ohio State’s 34-14 win over Miami of Ohio last week, completing 17 of 23 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown with an interception. He was also the starter at the beginning of last season, before being replaced by Smith.

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Rick Clausen will take over at starting quarterback for No. 6 Tennessee, replacing Erik Ainge for the Volunteers’ next game in two weeks, Coach Phillip Fulmer said Tuesday. Ainge started the Volunteers’ 17-10 victory over Alabama Birmingham.... Junior college transfer Joe Ayoob will start at quarterback for California at Washington on Saturday despite completing none of 10 passes in a 41-3 victory over Sacramento State.... The Alcorn State-Southeastern Louisiana game scheduled for Thursday night in Hammond, La., has been moved to Saturday because of problems caused by Hurricane Katrina.