COLUMBUS — Ten thoughts on Ohio State and college football.
When Robert Fitzgerald twisted Jeremiah Smith’s ankle at the end of a 68-yard catch-and-run by the true freshman two seasons ago, both players were still fairly new to the Big Ten footnall scene.
Smith, as a true freshman and five-star recruit, finished off what was then the longest play of his Big Ten career, catching a crosser in the middle of the field from Will Howard and racing down the right sideline. Fitzgerald, then in his third season with the Wildcats, was a former backup then making his third career start as he trailed the play and finally helped track down Smith.
As Fitzgerald grabbed Smith around the lower legs, he leaned his body back and twisted Smith’s ankle. Intent? Can’t know. Result? Smith limped off the field and had to get his ankle wrapped before he returned. Outcome? Ryan Day said the next week that the play had been sent to the Big Ten office for review and the conference had come back and said Fitzgerald should have been called for a 15-yard personal foul on the play.