Suspended players return

Ohio State coach Luke Fickell confirmed Tuesday that junior running back Jordan Hall, sophomore defensive back Corey Brown and junior defensive back Travis Howard will be available for Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium against the Toledo Rockets (1-0).

Hall, Brown and Howard were suspended Thursday for receiving impermissible benefits of $300 or less each at a charity event they attended earlier in the year, according to an athletic department press release.

Fickell said he was unsure if the players could be assessed additional suspensions later in the season.

“They’re available, that’s all I know,” Fickell said. “We’re going to move forward with the guys that are available, and if something comes up, something comes up.”

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jordan Whiting will also return to OSU’s lineup Saturday. Whiting is the first of five players to return to the Buckeyes after being suspended in December 2010 for selling OSU football memorabilia in exchange for improper benefits. The other four players — DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Dan Herron and Solomon Thomas — still have four games remaining in their respective suspensions.

Scarlet and Gray ascend in the polls

After its 42-0 victory against Akron on Saturday, OSU jumped three spots in the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll to No. 15. The Buckeyes leapfrogged Michigan State, which maintained its No. 17 position in the AP’s ranking after its 28-6 home win against Youngstown State of the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision.

Wisconsin climbed three spots in the poll to No. 8 and simultaneously overtook Nebraska, which maintained its No. 10 ranking.

Penn State rounded out the Big Ten’s presence in the AP poll, grabbing the No. 23 spot after beating Indiana State, 41-7, in its season-opener.

Trio of Buckeyes’ seniors named captains for Toledo game

Quarterback Joe Bauserman, linebacker Andrew Sweat and defensive back Nate Ebner will act as OSU’s captain’s against the Rockets on Saturday.

“It’s extremely exciting, especially being a senior,” Ebner said of his selection as a game captain. “Knowing I can lead the guys out there, it’s a great opportunity. It’s humbling and I’m proud.

Buckeye broiler

Fickell said that the temperature on the field during Saturday’s game against Akron at the ‘Shoe was 130 degrees.

“I think we lost two officials before the game even got rolling,” Fickell said of the excessive heat. “That was adversity we needed to see.”

Saturday’s game at the ‘Shoe against Toledo kicks off at noon, and weather.com is forecasting a high temperature of 74 degrees with scattered thunderstorms.