By: Jim Wojtanik (BuffaloNews.com) -

Ohio Stadium is about as imposing a structure for a visiting college football team as there is.

Built during the Warren G. Harding administration, the horseshoe-shaped grand gray lady holds 105,000, nearly all of whom root rabidly for one of the most successful college football programs in the country.

And next week, Ohio State defensive lineman and St. Francis graduate Doug Worthington will enter that field for the last time.

“We were all talking about it last week [a 45-0 pasting of New Mexico State last Saturday], that this last game was the last time we’d all be running through the tunnel together as a team,” said Worthington, who will be honored with other seniors before the game with Iowa next week. “It’s been a blessing to play here. You really can’t put words into it.”

His defensive coordinator and line coach, Jim Heacock, has been with the team for 14 years and has seen a lot of Senior Days, but even he admits that they are emotional.

“They can be tough,” he said. “But in the coaching profession one thing you get satisfaction from is seeing a young man grow while he’s here. And Doug has certainly done that.”

The 6-foot-6, 276-pound Worthington came to Columbus after an outstanding two-year career at St. Francis, where he landed after Turner-Carroll closed its doors. A redshirt and member of Levitra buy the scout team in 2005, he suffered a right knee injury on the first day of bowl practice, had surgery and sat out all of the winter workouts and spring practice.

But after much hard work, he was a full-time starter by his sophomore year and voted a team captain for this season. He leads all Ohio State defensive linemen with 29 tackles and his fumble recovery in the season opener against Navy helped the Buckeyes win a game that proved tougher than expected.

And now he’s in position to be a middle-round pick in next spring’s NFL draft.

“Right now he’s projected to be a third- or fourth-rounder,” said Jerry Smith, his high school coach at St. Francis. “If he can bulk up to 290-295 pounds he could be higher.”

Smith recalled with fondness all the attention that came during the recruiting process.

“There were about 20 or 21 schools interested in Doug,” he said. “Before he flew to Florida to be announced as coach, Urban Meyer and his entourage came up to take a look at him. Alabama came several times when Mike Shula was the coach. Penn State and Boston College also wanted him.”

But for Worthington, his choice was made easy thanks to the Buckeyes’ head coach, Jim Tressel.

“He not only teaches you about football, but he teaches us how to become young men,” he said.

Smith thinks it had a lot to do with the success of the Ohio State program.

“I think Doug was comfortable with the school and saw the number of pros that came out of there and saw an opportunity,” he said.

And that injury setback may have played a role in helping Worthington become a leader in a high-profile program.

“My job is to make sure everybody on the line is on the same page and simply play my position,” he said. “In high school you put individual athletes out there and they make plays. Here, our line has to play well as a unit and everybody has to make plays and have great intensity. That’s very important.”

According to Heacock, Worthington is one of his most dedicated players as far as preparation is concerned.

“He’s usually watching video on his own, evaluating the guys he’ll be going up against,” Heacock said. “Our days begin at 1:55 p.m. with meetings, watching video, two hours of practice, then watching video of the practice. After dinner, you’ll see Doug watching more film. He’s constantly trying to make himself a better player.

“It may not show in the stats, but he’s improved tremendously in pressuring the quarterback.”

Worthington gives a lot of the credit back to Heacock.

“He likes to keep us involved,” Worthington said. “He’s motivated me to make better use of my free time and to make sure I’m doing things the right way.”

Perhaps the toughest part of the season for Worthington and the 15th-ranked Buckeyes (7-2) lies ahead, beginning with today’s trip to 11th-ranked Penn State (3:30 p.m., Ch. 7). Despite a surprising loss to Purdue two weeks back, they find themselves in position to win the Big Ten and return to the Rose Bowl or a BCS Bowl if they can run the table.

It won’t be easy. If they get by the Nittany Lions today, No. 8 Iowa will likely come into Columbus undefeated, then there’s the annual season finale with bitter rival Michigan, which this year will be played in Ann Arbor. And the Wolverines would like nothing better than to deny Ohio State a conference title.

“We just have to make sure we get in their backfield and keep the pressure on them,” Worthington said of Penn State. “It’ll be a great challenge and everyone’s up for it.”

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