The transition from high school to college can be difficult for new students. Especially if that transition involves trying to block linebackers who are 40 pounds heavier than you.That’s the situation Matt Keller faced three years ago when he became a fullback after coming to Ohio State as a 200-pound tailback.”It was a tough transition out of high school,” he said. “The biggest adjustment was the physical part.”Keller said switching positions has proven to be a great move.”I’ve played in a Rose Bowl and I’ve started for two years,” he said. “It’s probably the best move I could have made.”Keller has helped lead the way for a Buckeye rushing attack that leads the Big Ten with an average of 274.3 yards per game.He and freshman fullback Jamar Martin have combined with an improved offensive line to open huge holes for tailbacks Michael Wiley and Joe Montgomery.”I get satisfaction out of (blocking),” Keller said. “Just like Michael (Wiley) gets satisfaction out of breaking a long run, I get satisfaction from knowing I sprung Mike for that run.”As much as he enjoys blocking, Keller said there are other things about the game he enjoys more.”You can never take away running one in,” he said, “but blocking is my job.”Keller said the Buckeyes’ victory in the 1997 Rose Bowl in which he caught a 22-yard pass to set up OSU’s first touchdown ranks as his biggest moment so far at Ohio State.”I really don’t realize that I played in that kind of game,” he said. “I think down the road it’s going to hit me.”The fullback is noted for his work ethic, which has helped him gain nearly 40 pounds since arriving in Columbus.”He works his tail off,” running backs coach Tim Spencer said in the Buckeyes Media Guide. “He’s not your typical I-back fullback, but he’s crafty enough to get the job done.”Now in his fourth season with Ohio State, Keller has been a part of some great teams, but he ranks this year’s Buckeyes as high as any of them.”I think this is definitely one of the top two teams since I’ve been here,” the fourth-year junior said. “I just think of how balanced we are offensively and that defense, you always know they’re going to be solid.”A season ago, Keller showed his versatility on offense, finishing third on the team in both rushing yards with 257 and receptions with 19.As a red-shirt freshman in 1996, Keller had a career-long 63-yard touchdown reception against Purdue and a career-long 22-yard run against Pittsburgh.His versatility is shown in his career statistics as well. In his first two seasons, Keller has run for 378 yards and caught passes for 374 yards.But Keller isn’t worried about personal statistics going into this week’s game against Penn State.”We know this is the Big Ten opener,” he said. “It’s our first really big step to where we want to be at the end of the year, and that’s the Fiesta Bowl.”The Buckeyes could have some extra motivation this week after losing a tough game in Happy Valley last season.”It was a definite heartbreaker,” Keller said of OSU’s 31-27 loss. “It just so happened they mounted a charge at the end of the game.”This year’s team doesn’t want to suffer a similar outcome.”We know they’re a great team,” Keller said. “We know this year we’re going to come out and be ready to play.”