Bowl ban among Ohio State penalties

The Buckeyes are preparing to play Meyer’s former team, Florida, in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. Meyer, a two-time national title winner with the Gators was hired to much acclaim on Nov. 28 and has built a solid recruiting class despite the ongoing NCAA problems. But a bowl ban could affect those verbal commitments.

At a news conference Monday, the new coach said he was given indications — but no promises — that the penalties against Ohio State would not be severe. After the NCAA’s ruling came down, he did not say whether he felt the school was treated fairly.

“The NCAA penalties will serve as a reminder that the college experience does not include the behavior that led to these penalties,” he said.

Asked whether the committee on infractions was trying to send a message with more severe penalties, Greg Sankey said, “I would not suggest that this is necessarily a new day, but these penalties are significant and that’s part of the committee’s role in both deliberating and finding violations and then assessing penalties.”

The NCAA also issued a public reprimand and censure, put the Buckeyes on probation through Dec. 19, 2014, and reduced football scholarships from 85 to 82 through the 2014-15 academic year.

Edward Rife, the owner of Fine Line Ink where Ohio State players began to congregate in 2009 and 2010, has been sentenced to three years in prison following his conviction earlier this year on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

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