Bill Legg has stared into the Buckeyes and not blinked.

Marshall's first-year offensive coordinator has done the play-calling against Ohio State before.

So, when Marshall squares off against No. 2 Ohio State at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, in Ohio Stadium at Columbus, it will not be the first time Legg has danced with the vaunted Buckeyes defense.

Just three seasons ago, Legg was calling the plays as Purdue's offensive coordinator when the No. 23 Boilermakers hosted No. 4 Ohio State in West Lafayette, Ind. Ohio State prevailed, 23-7, but Legg's offense successfully moved the ball.

Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter threw for 268 yards in a spread offense very similar to the new scheme Marshall has installed.

Boilermakers tight end Dustin Keller had seven catches for 101 yards that day, which bodes well for Marshall star tight end Lee Smith.

Also, Purdue wide receiver Greg Orton had 10 catches for 91 yards. That could translate into success for Marshall's quick passing game to Troy Evans and Chuck Walker as well as intermediate routes to Aaron Dobson and Wayne Bonner.

The bottom line is it's not like Legg doesn't know what to expect.

"Nope, I've played them a few times," he said matter-of-factly.

Although the personnel obviously has changed, the concepts haven't. There are tried and true ways to attack Ohio State's defense. And there are certain pitfalls an offense must avoid.

Legg is keenly aware of all that.

"You've got to be sound," he said. "And when you are playing them on the road, you've got to be really focused and do a great job with your communication because their fans will be loud. ... especially with it being a night game.

"It's not going to be like a practice where I look over you and I make a call in a normal tone of voice. We've got to be focused to the point when we're screaming that call, we're not thinking it's the snap count. We know it's the call."

Most of all, Marshall has to play sound, turnover-free offensive football and keep its mistakes to a minimum.

"That's because Ohio State is going to play sound football," said Legg. "They're going to be where they're supposed to be, when they're supposed to be there based on what their call is.

"They will take full advantage of any mistake you make from an offensive standpoint. You look at their success rate. ... it's generally linked to their ability to create turnovers and put their offense either on short fields or score defensively themselves.

"They are a master of that. And they've done a great job of that over the years since (Jim) Tressel has been there. And this team is no different.

"So, you've got to be smart, sound and you can't be non-aggressive. You still have to attack. But you've got to be smart and sound in what you're doing."

Legg knows what he's talking about. After all, he did help coach a win over Ohio State. In 2004, Purdue beat the Buckeyes, 24-17, with Legg on the sideline.

Besides Legg, co-offensive coordinator Tony Petersen also has a win over Ohio State under his belt. In 2000, Minnesota beat the Buckeyes, 29-17, when Petersen was a member of the Gophers' offensive coaching staff.

They both have been there, won that.

And that's called ... credibility.

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 304-526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

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