By John Nestor

Columbus, OH

In an occurrence that seems to becoming about as common as the sun rising, the Ohio State football program is in trouble with the NCAA.

Heading into Saturday's matchup with Nebraska the Buckeyes are going to be without three players who accepted too much money for too little work at summer jobs.

Two of the players, running back Daniel Herron and wide receiver DeVier Posey, have already been sitting out for accepting cash and free tattoos. Herron is Ohio State's leading returning rusher and Posey it top returning receiver.

Offensive lineman Marcus Hall will also be out for the Nebraska game. Hall was suspended for the first time.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said at a Monday afternoon news conference there was no "systemic" problem at Ohio State, despite what seems to be mounting evidence to the contrary.

Instead he pushed the blame on the athletes, former coach Jim Tressel and a booster.

"These failures are individual failures: failures of individual athletes, and as you know unfortunately a previous coach, and a booster," Smith said. "So it's not a systemic failure of compliance. I'm optimistic and I'm confident that we will not have those charges."

Herron and Posey were expected to be reinstated to play this week but now Ohio State is hoping the NCAA might allow them back on the field next week.

Two other players also were overpaid for the summer work. Defensive lineman Melvin Fellows is out with a medical hardship and starting linebacker Etienne Sabino has already been reinstated by the NCAA.

 

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Ohio State Football Again in Hot Water with NCAA