Karsatos Hopes to End Buckeye Streak : Avoiding Another 9-3 Finish Goal of Former Sunny Hills Star

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State quarterback Jim Karsatos is confident that he will be able to end the Buckeyes’ six-year streak of 9-3 finishes.

“Don’t mention those 9-3 seasons,” the former Sunny Hills High School star said. “We are going to try to do it all this year. I want to be going home for the holiday and play in the Rose Bowl.”

Ohio State fans are expecting big things from Karsatos, a 6-foot 3-inch, 224-pound senior from Fullerton.

After spending his freshman and sophomore seasons on the bench while Mike Tomczak started, Karsatos beat out Tom Tupa to earn the starting job last season and made the most of it. Karsatos, who threw at least one touchdown pass in 10 games and had 19 overall, completed 61.9% of his passes to finish fifth in the nation in passing efficiency.

Against Northwestern, he completed 16 of 20 attempts for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

But Karsatos said it will take more than great individual performances if the Buckeyes are to contend for the national championship.

“We have a stockpile of talent, both on offense and defense,” he said. “But what this team will have to develop is team unity. It is so important. I think last year we had some players who were more impressed in their own performance and future. That might have hurt us some.”

Karsatos said he has seen signs already that things will be different in 1986.

“The team seems a bit different this year--it seems more intense, more interested in the overall picture, and that has to be good,” he said.

Ohio State and Alabama open the college football season Aug. 27 in the Kickoff Classic at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. On Sept. 6, Ohio State plays Pac-10 power Washington at Seattle.

Karsatos thinks that opening with Alabama and Washington will be to the Buckeyes’ benefit.

“We should have most of the kinks worked out and the mistakes corrected by the time we face Colorado and Utah, both at home. That should put us in great shape to start the Big Ten season at home against Illinois,” he said.