The Buckeyes have their starting quarterback. Joe Bauserman to get the call against Akron.
(AP) COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Dressed in a white oxford shirt with an Ohio State logo on the chest -- no tie, no sweater vest -- Luke Fickell made the Cheap Penguins Jerseys 2011  first big call of his head coaching career.
Fickell, an assistant elevated to replace Jim Tressel who was forced out in the midst of an NCAA investigation, said that fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman would most likely be the starting quarterback when the 18th-ranked Buckeyes open their season on Saturday at home against Akron.
Bauserman and true freshman Braxton Miller had battled for the starting job in recent weeks in camp. They were listed with an 'or' separating them on Ohio State's two-deep roster this week.
"Joe would probably take the first snap," Fickell said at his first weekly news conference. "Just talking with those guys, talking with the offensive staff, we know we're going to need them both. The whole idea is we want to make sure that we can put them out there in front of 106,000 and see how guys respond."
He said Bauserman got the edge because he's seen more game action -- although he has seldom played with a game on the line because Cheap Flyers Jerseys 2011  he was behind departed three-year starter Terrelle Pryor.
"It's leadership," he said when asked what separated Bauserman, a former minor league pitcher for three years in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. "It's also what this team, where we were at the time. He's done a really good job through camp. I've been impressed with the things we've asked him to do and what he's done."
Fickell, formerly the linebackers coach, stressed that the job wasn't permanently Bauserman's.
"It doesn't mean I haven't been impressed with Braxton as well," he said. "That's why we've been impressed with him enough to list him in the 'or' category. But, again, the whole idea is we want to continue to create competition and to make sure that those guys understand that by saying 'or' that we need both."
Offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts said the 25-year-old Bauserman was more knowledgeable about the playbook.
"Joe's an older guy, he's been around. He knows the system a little bit," he said. "Joe's a little more of a pocket passer, but he's a lot more athletic than people give him credit for when he gets out of the pocket. We all know Braxton can make Cheap Blackhawks Jerseys 2011  some plays on his feet if he has to scramble or step up."