COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -Dozens of forgiving fans lined up at airport arrival gates to greet returning Ohio State football players on Tuesday, a day after the Buckeyes' loss in the Bowl Championship Series national championship game.

Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. exited the charter flight to Rickenbacker International Airport on crutches, wearing a gray Nike running suit. He hurt his left foot celebrating after returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown.

After that, things went south for the Buckeyes, who lost 41-14 to Florida. The Buckeyes lost their No. 1 ranking, dropping to No. 2 as the Gators moved up to the top spot.

The team later arrived on campus in four buses that pulled up to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center training facility. A handful of fans stood by the door, holding a poster thanking the team for the season.

``We're here because we're extremely proud of the Buckeyes,'' said Kimberly Russell, 44, of Columbus. ``It was an amazing season and we wanted to be here to let them know that we care.''

Coach Jim Tressel was not with the team. He headed to a coaching convention after the game, said OSU sports information director Steve Snapp. Quarterback Troy Smith took a separate flight home to Cleveland.

Offensive tackle Alex Boone said the ride home was quiet.

``Nobody really talked, nobody said anything, which is the way it should be,'' the sophomore said.

Boone said he was embarrassed by the Buckeyes' play, especially how the offensive line didn't protect Smith from a swarming Florida defense.

``It was a good season. We beat Michigan,'' Boone said. ``But to go out there and lose and get embarrassed, that was terrible.''

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