Ten thoughts on Ohio State and Big Ten football, as the No. 1 Buckeyes prepare to host Minnesota on Saturday night.
Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding revealed in the spring that he kicked last season with a torn adductor muscle in his right hip. He spent most of the season trying to compensate for it and felt like he finally figured out the best way to do that in the Oregon playoff game, and then he was good to go.
Speaking to reporters this week, Fielding said he’s healthy now, and while perfect on the season (4 for 4 on field goals and 15 for 15 on extra points) he doesn’t have to worry about battling his body.
“I’ve felt great the whole year, so hopefully it continues,” he said. “It’s been great not having to worry about, ‘Oh, that hurts when I do this,’ or, ‘I have to change this so I’m not hurting myself more.’ I’m just focusing on actually kicking, which is nice.”
All he has to fight now is Ohio Stadium.
The Shoe, with a closed North end and a South end that lets in the wind on both sides, remains a constant challenge for all kickers. The North end is the more consistent end, but asked the easiest place to kick, Fielding quickly said, “Indoors.”
No one is projecting a roof on Ohio Stadium anytime soon.