A BANDIT from Ohio will be attempting to snatch a win Saturday from the Ohio State Buckeyes when they face the Indiana University Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana’s Zack Shaw, a Coshocton High School graduate, isn’t contemplating any illegal action (if he is, the guys in the striped shirts will notice) during the match-up, but this is one game that he undoubtedly would like to win because of past circumstances.

The 6-3, 253-pound redshirt senior, who has safety and defensive linebacker duties as a bandit, received offers from several colleges after high school but not from OSU although the Buckeyes were recruitng him when he committed to Indiana.

After high school, he was rated the No. 13 prospect in Ohio and the No. 14 inside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com.

Not only has Shaw studied the Buckeyes, but he commented that he wants to be at his best Saturday.

And among his achievements last year, he recovered a fumble against No. 7 OSU. In that game, the Hoosiers led OSU 20-14 at one point in the third quarter but eventually lost 42-27 to the Buckeyes.

The Coshocton High graduate is sixth on the Hoosier team with 15 tackles this year.

Among the Hoosiers is a player from Eastern Ohio – Austin Dorris, who led the Shadyside Tigers to regional finals appearances in 2011, 2013 and 2014 as well as a 42-7 four-year record.

This quarterback and tight end, coached by Mark Holenka, earned first-team all-state and Ohio Valley Player of the Year honors during his senior year.

Dorris’ talents weren’t limited to the football field as he also was on the Principal’s List. He is the son of Bob Dorris Jr. and Gloria Dorris. A freshman at IU, he is a tight end on the team.

Saturday’s game will mean the end of a perfect record for the Hoosiers or the Buckeyes. Both are now 4-0.

It’s been a long time since those two teams have faced one another when undefeated. That was back in 1942 when both had 1-0 records.

The Buckeyes, under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown that year, became the first national title team in OSU football history, and one of the outstanding players was 1944 Heisman Trophy winner Les Horvath.

As they enter this weekend’s game, the Buckeyes are tied for first in the Big Ten with six interceptions, No. 2 in the Big Ten in fewest yards allowed and also No. 2 in total passing yards allowed as well as in the opponent passer rating, and third in fewest first downs allowed.

OSU safety Vonn Bell is No. 2 in the Big Ten in passes defended, and three Buckeyes – Darron Lee, Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis – are in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in sacks.

Ezekiel Elliott, OSU running back, is third in the Big Ten with 113.8 yards per game, and his current streak includes at least 100 yards rushing.

Indiana leads the Big Ten in scoring and total offense and has the nation’s leading rusher in Jordan Howard, and the Hoosiers are known for their powerful offensive line which opens big holes and protects the quarterback.

The Buckeyes are hoping to continue their two longest active streaks in the nation, including being the winner of 14 consecutive road games and 17 in a row overall.

IU has defeated Southern Illinois, 48-47; Florida International University, 36-22; Western Kentucky, 38-35; and Wake Forest, 31-24.

OSU head football coach Urban Meyer during Monday’s press conference mentioned the start of the Big Ten season this week before adding, “On the road, Indiana, renewed focus, as the ultimate goal is to compete for a championship in November, and that comes to fruition this week.

Meyer, who was critical of how the offense played in the game with Northern Illinois, said there was a much better performance on offense during last Saturday’s game with Western Michigan.

Noting the perimeter blocking in that game was much better, Meyer added, “Wide receivers who graded a champion were Michael Thomas and Corey Smith. Corey Smith played really hard on special teams as well. Running back, consistently, Zeke (Ezekiel Elliott) is as good as there is, also had a hit city as far as a great effort blocking downfield. But he graded out at 90 percent playing at a very high level.”

After mentioning several other champions, Meyer commented on being a little bit disappointed on the defense’s overall performance last week.

Indiana head football coach Kevin Wilson is in his fifth year of coaching at IU and has a record of 18-34.

No. 1 OSU at mid-week was the 21-point point favorite over IU.

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THE BUCKEYES beat the Hoosiers last year, but the icy roads which held up traffic for hours as the fans traveled to the ‘Shoe were memorable features related to that game. Slidding on a hill on a self-imposed detour on an unnamed road – at least to us – was no joy.

Saturday’s game slated for 3:30 p.m. will be televised by ABC/ESPN2 (reverse mirror).

Pokas can be reached at bettypokas@yahoo.com.