Buckeyes deal with suspensions

CHICAGO – Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Thursday his team will "push forward" from the news that four Buckeyes, including star defensive end Joey Bosa, will be suspended from the season-opening game for violating athletic department policy.

The penalties, announced just before the start of Big Ten football media days, also involved H-backs Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, and wide receiver Corey Smith. All will sit out the Buckeyes' Sept. 7 game at Virginia Tech.

Meyer would not comment on what policies were violated, but ESPN reported they were related to marijuana use and academic performance.

"I think the department has policies that we respect and I am 100 percent fully supportive of it," Meyer said. "Whether it's a sprained ankle or stuff, you try to create a culture where teams know how to move forward and not concern yourself."

The Buckeyes, the 2014 national champions who were voted No. 1 in the preseason USA Today poll, have three quarterbacks who can start. Braxton Miller, a two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year who sat out last season with a shoulder injury, approached Meyer last month and offered to play wide receiver, the coach said.

Meyer said he and wide receivers coach Zach Smith have worked on footwork and conditioning with Miller, and added that he will "personally work with him myself" when training camp opens.

As for the battle between quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, Meyer said, "We're going to play the guy that helps us win." He said he and his staff are "keeping score of everything" with them in terms of leadership, academics, and other factors.

Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel has been named to the conference's 11-man preseason "players to watch" list.

Zettel, who made the all-Big Ten team last season, was joined on the East Division list by Bosa and running back Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State, and quarterback Connor Cook and defensive end Shilique Calhoun of Michigan State.

The West Division players are running back Corey Clement (Glassboro) and safety Michael Caputo of Wisconsin, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El of Nebraska, defensive end Drew Ott of Iowa, and running back Justin Jackson of Northwestern.

Illinois coach Tim Beckman, whose team defeated Penn State last season, evaded every question connected with a university investigation of allegations that he mistreated some of his former players.

"We're focused right now on our 2015 football team," he said in a typical response.

Beckman has been the target of allegations of mistreatment from some former players, some of whom called him confrontational and verbally abusive. Beckman is entering the fourth season of a five-year contract.

Beckman became Public Enemy No. 1 among Penn State fans in 2012 when he and his staff went to State College to influence players to transfer after the team received its NCAA sanctions.

- Joe Juliano