6:15 p.m.: Good work by the offensive line today.  They really cut back on the penalties that plagued them last week.  This is a good group who will only get better.  Keep working guys.  I'm logging off for the week.  For more insight, tune in to 97.1 The Fan following the game.  I'll be on during hour two.  Also be sure to tune in to Wall to Wall Sports tonight at 11:30 on CBS 19.  Thanks for reading and Go Bucks!

6:06 p.m.: Johnny Simon is in the game.  Being #54 sure reminds me of Tim Anderson.  I hope he can be that type of player.  He is a strong kid who loves to work, alot like Tim.

6 p.m.: Great block by Duron on a short completion to Brandon Saine.  12 yard gain.

5:53 p.m.: Our defensive line is having a great game.  Quick quarter.  On to the fourth.

5:37 p.m.: Boogie with a pick.  (Lawrence).  Good to see a kid make a play after all of the injuries he has had to endure. Note: Wilson's second career interception, first was against OU last season.

5:30 p.m.: Good drive by the offense.  Another play by Thad.  The kid is out of his mind right now.  Just keeps on making plays.

5:22 p.m.: Thad with a sack and a QB hit on the first two plays of the second half.  Follows it up with a forced fumble.  Thad is making his presence felt.

Notes from the First Half:

Ohio State’s defense has allowed 0 points over its last six quarters of play and only one touchdown over the past nine.

Herron: eight consecutive games with a touchdown

Pettrey: sixth career kick of over 50 yards and second of the season

4:55 p.m.: Gotta run some plays here.  Illinois has 3 TOs.  Guess they don't want to use any.  Halftime...

4:49 p.m.: Nevermind.  Sudden change for the defense.  Gotta hold them.  That was a huge play.

4:46 p.m.: Two minute drill coming up.  Always a great game situation for a young quarterback.

4:42 p.m.: Time for more Boom and Zoom.  Boom is running hard today.  Still, the 0 passing yards stat would make Woody proud.

4:37 p.m.: Illinois LT Jeff Allen, meet Nate Williams.  He just put you on your back en route to Juice.

4:33 p.m.: Good drive.  We may not throw for the rest of the game.  Too many bad things can happen if it keeps monsooning like this.  If the rain slows, we may.  But we currently have 0 passing yards, 127 rushing yards, and a 13-0 lead.  Keep running it.

4:29 p.m.: Way to tackle Terrelle 5 yards out of bounds. Again, stay classy.

4:26 p.m.: Good tip by the D-Line.  Ran a twist and got enough push to be able to put a paw on the ball.  Followed that by a poor Illinois punt that leads to a touchback.

4:22: p.m.: Kurt Coleman has yet another strip.  Does it every week.  Great coaching by Coach Haynes and Coach Taver.  They work tirelessly at drills to force turnovers.

4:16 p.m.: Pray for Marcus Williams.  Hopfully he will be fine, but not being able to put any weight on a leg is never a good sign.

4:12 p.m.: Good hit by Tater.  6-0.  Would be a great time to take Caesar for a walk.  You know who you are...

4:10 p.m.: Commercial break.  Time for a shameless plug.  I will be on 97.1 FM The Fan for the postgame show right after the game.  I will also be doing Wall to Wall Sports on CBS 19 tonight at 11:30 pm.  Tune in!

4:05 p.m. (end of first quarter): Brandon Saine is running really hard.  Nothing ignites a team faster then running someone over.  It ignites a stadium, really...

4:03 p.m.: Brian Rolle has All-Big Ten written all over him.  He has really stepped up this year.  Here comes the monsoon.  Time to pound the ball on offense.

4 p.m.: The no huddle by the Illini will be a good test to see how deep we are.  Gotta roll some guys through to keep everyone fresh.

3:55 p.m.: Strength coach Eric Lichter is raising the roof on third down to get the crowd into it.  You can see the lat definition from the press box.

3:53 p.m.: Great decision by the kick returner to bring it out.

3:51 p.m.: Two Block O's now.  Interesting.  It was always fun to hear them getting excited before, during and after the game.  Our student section is the best in the country.

3:49 p.m.: We need points here.  Tater (Pettrey) has to hit this...and does

3:45 p.m.: B ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3:42 p.m.: Defense has to go now.  Gotta say hi again to the Bartons, Glibas, Perdues and Bermans who are reading this right now.  Look for a lot of running this game if the conditions stay as is…

3:38 p.m.: Mike Adams gets the call over Andy Miller for the start.  Interesting…

3:36: p.m.: Of course, Illinois had to run up to us during our normal pregame ritual of jumping of the Block O at midfield.  Stay classy Illinois.  On a better note, Coach Bruce is our honorary captain today.  The “Hurricane” is sure to have us fired up…

3:20 p.m.: Illinois comes into the ‘Shoe today in what should be a good test for the guys.  Illinois is a team that traditionally plays up to us, and down to everyone else in the Big Ten.  They are very talented, but terribly inconsistent.   They also have a decent number of Ohio kids playing for them, so that always factors in.  Usually these kids were not offered by us, so they play with a chip on their shoulder.  We were always aware of that and realized how important it was to show the staff they made the right call on who they gave the scholarships to.  Granted that recruiting in a very inexact science, you realize some guys slip through the cracks.  It happens.  Be back in a sec.  Script OHIO is starting.

Former OSU All-Big Ten tackle Kirk Barton shares his thoughts as long-awaited game plays out on the Ohio Stadium field

Buckeye Fans,

While you are watching the Big Ten opener with Illinois today in the Horseshoe, follow Kirk Barton's blog. The former All-Big Ten offensive tackle will be perched in the press box as he shares his thoughts on the action. Check back near kick off for the start of Barton's blog.

Barton Bio

Four-year starting tackle and leader of offensive line ... AFCA first team All-America in 2007 ... first team all-Big Ten (media, coaches, Rivals) in 2007 ... 41 career starts ... voted team captain as senior ... won 2007 Jim Parker award for outstanding lineman ... Big Ten all-academic ... four-year letterman ... part of 2006 line that allowed just 12 sacks all season, protecting Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.