There was a large shadow cast over the offense last season. It came in the form of Matt Wilhelm, Michael Doss, Cie Grant, Kenny Peterson and others that received much of the credit for OSU’s improbable title run. Now with Doss, Wilhelm, Grant and Peterson looking towards the NFL for future employment, it appears the Buckeye offense will be the ones with the spotlight on them.

“You could say the defense carried the load last year,” said junior fullback Branden Joe. “I think we do have a load to carry. You got some new faces on defense, and there is a lot of experience returning on offense.”

The Buckeye offense was far from anemic last season, averaging 29.3 points per game. However, it often received criticism for its inability to put up big numbers in Big Ten conference games.

In the four toughest tests on the conference schedule (Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue) the offense put up a disappointing 49 points combined. And while the Buckeyes converted an outstanding 12-of-18 fourth down conversions, they moved the chains only 35.8 percent of the time on third down. OSU was ninth in the conference in third down proficiency.

“The offense could be frustrating at times,” said senior tight end Ben Hartsock. “We came out at certain points in the season and completely dominated. We could do anything to anybody, no matter what they threw in front of us. And as the season went on we kind of just spun are wheels out. But the defense bailed us out.”

This season, with all 11 starters returning, those in and around the football program think the offense will improve.

“I think they are really sinking their teeth into trying to get better,” said coach Jim Tressel.

To put up bigger numbers offensive coordinator Jim Bollman will try to pass the ball more in 2002.

“We want to be more consistent,” said senior quarterback Craig Krenzel. “We need to score more points in whatever way we can. To do that it’s going to evolve from us having a more consistent passing game. We are going to throw the ball more. We’re going to want to throw the ball down field more, and hopefully hit a few more big plays to score some big touchdowns.”

The team believes Krenzel is the man to improve the Buckeyes’ passing attack.

“He’s obviously carrying himself with more confidence,” Tressel said. “I think you see a much more mature, more experienced guy. I’ve been really pleased the way he’s paid attention to his little things. Craig is getting better which is a great sign for a returning guy.”

Joe said he agreed with his coach’s assessment of Krenzel.

“He definitely has a new swagger, which is a good thing,” Joe said. “I definitely notice more confidence in Craig.”

As for those receiving Krenzel’s passes, coaches expect to get more out of players like Hartsock.

“We are concentrating on trying to throw the ball a lot more to the tight end,” Krenzel said. “Ben has taken that to heart. In this spring, I can see in him a desire to get better as a rout runner.”

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins is expected to haul down some more big catches to add to his personal highlight reel from last year.

“Michael is Michael,” Krenzel said. “He’s a great football player, and he has a lot of experience. He’s going to make a lot of big plays for us next year.”

Most of the criticism for last year’s offensive inconsistency was often laid at the foot of the offensive line. Many felt the injury-plagued unit was not blocking as well as it should have been.

This year players and coaches are cautiously optimistic about the play in the trenches.

“We’re deeper but need to get better,” Tressel said. “More guys can step in to do the basic things. I still don’t think we’re anywhere near where we need to be to become a dominate offensive line, which is our goal.

Concern has risen over the fact that running back Maurice Clarett did not participate in full contact drills for most of the spring and will be out for tomorrow’s annual spring game. The sophomore’s 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns from a year ago are seen as a key to the offense’s performance.

Clarett’s left shoulder was injured at Wisconsin last season and caused recurring problems the rest of the way. He is not healthy enough to pass the OSU strength test, which Tressel himself calls “rigorous”. But judging by the fact he is benching 360 pounds, Clarett should be fine when Ohio Stadium opens for business again on Aug. 30.

“He’s training like crazy,” Tressel said. “He’s just got to get 100 percent healthy.”

For OSU to repeat as national champions, it will surely need the offense to make more big plays. But it appears the team believes that should be no problem.

“We plan on making a statement this year,” Joe said.