Ohio State Buckeyes’ Tyler Moeller granted sixth year
The NCAA has granted Ohio State Buckeyes safety Tyler Moeller a sixth year of eligibility, which will bring the youngster back for the 2011 season.
The Buckeyes and Moeller applied for sixth year eligibility early in the season after Moeller suffered a season-ending injury on 2 October, tearing his pectoral in a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel informed the
team on Wednesday 17 November that Moeller would be back with the club the following season.
Moeller has suffered a litany of injuries during his time with Ohio State, missing the entire 2009 season with a head injury he sustained in a Florida bar when he was the victim of an assault in July of that year.
Ohio State will be happy to have the safety back next season, as he played the star role in the Buckeyes' nickel defence.
Getting Moeller back next season should help to improve an Ohio State defence that was already impressive without him this season. The Buckeyes currently rank fifth in the nation, averaging a mere 13.6 points against per game.
Ohio State has had a very strong 2010 season and is in the hunt for top spot in the Big Ten, sitting at 9-1 with a 5-1 record against conference opponents. The Buckeyes record has them tied at the top of the conference with the Michigan State Spartans and
the Wisconsin Badgers.
Nevertheless, Ohio State has two difficult games remaining this season with a real challenge coming on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes in week 12, which will be followed by a game at home against the Michigan Wolverines.
Before sustaining his season-ending injury, Moeller managed to record 20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and an interception in only five starts.
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