OSU Notebook: Nicol has extra feeling for playing Penn State

COLUMBUS - Rory Nicol might be the forgotten Pennsylvanian in Ohio State's starting lineup against Penn State tonight.

While everyone seems to take notice of the fact freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor is from Jeannette, Pa., not many people are talking about Nicol being from Pennsylvania.

He says he hasn't even noticed a big increase in calls from home this week with Penn State coming to Ohio Stadium for an 8 p.m. game.

"For a couple years people would call. Now I think people have forgotten that I play," he said.

 Penn State recruited Nicol and coach Joe Paterno promised him he would still be coaching when he graduated.

 "So I guess he's a man of his word," Nicol said.

The Buckeyes' senior tight end is excited about playing Penn State, even if his cell phone hasn't been constantly ringing.

"When you play against your home state, you always want to play your best. There is a little extra feeling you get," he said.

INJURY UPDATE: No. 2 tailback Dan Herron has been cleared to return tonight after missing the last two games because of a concussion he suffered at Wisconsin.

Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa injured his shoulder at Michigan State last Saturday but should be available this week. Donald Washington will probably start in place of Chekwa, though.

Senior defensive tackle Todd Denlinger is battling a thumb injury after coming back from a badly sprained ankle earlier in the season. Coach Jim Tressel expects him to be available against Penn State.

"Denlinger will be able to play," Tressel said. "He's a warrior. Todd Denlinger will give you everything that he has and he'll be ready to go."

NO FAN OF NIGHT GAMES: Tressel likes the atmosphere at night games but says they break up the routine he prefers on game day.

 "I don't really enjoy the night games" he said. "We'll go over to the stadium and have some walk throughs and try not to sit there all day long. Then you find yourself flipping on the TV and watching games and you don't want to get too wrapped up in watching games because we don't want to spend any emotional energy. But it is what it is. I'd prefer waking up and playing."

AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS:  Former Ohio State players Archie Griffin, Craig Krenzel and Bob Hoying will be signing autographs today outside St. John Arena.

Griffin will sign from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. Krenzel will sign from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and Hoying will be signing from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

GENTRY NOMINATED: OSU's Tyson Gentry has been nominated for the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl/Football Writers Association of America Courage Award.

Gentry has been partially paralyzed since suffering a broken vertebrae in his neck during spring practice in 2006. After several surgeries, he has movement in his head and shoulders and partial movement in his arms. He uses a motorized wheelchair.

Lima Senior graduate William Bratton, of the University of Toledo, won this award in 2002.