Ohio State and California don't tee it up in Berkeley until tonight, but the Buckeyes' trip to the West Coast has already featured a bit of drama.
Tim May, the veteran Buckeyes beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch, reports a shootout occurred near the team hotel in Oakland prior to the Buckeyes' arrival.
As I stood with several Columbus television reporters and cameramen at the side entrance to the hotel, several shots – at least eight – rang out from around the corner near the main entrance. Seconds later a young man moving briskly and with his right hand clutching something in the area of his belt, ran past us and down the side street.Apparently two men had engaged in a gun fight, and according to witnesses, neither of them was hit. But a cab driver on station at the hotel was struck in the leg by one of the bullets. He was transported to the hospital but appeared to be in good condition otherwise.
May also reported seeing Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller walk off the team bus, but neither the signal caller nor head coach Urban Meyer spoke to reporters at that time.
Miller is a game-time decision as he deals with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
Whether or not the incident prior to their arrival affected the Buckeyes' plans is unclear, but it did lead to at least one change in the itinerary for a member of the team's traveling party.
Bummer! Wanted to go for pre-game jog in Oakland, but after the SHOOTING outide hotel right before we arrived, not good idea.#notpackingheat
— Shelley meyer (@spinnershells) September 14, 2013
