COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Now that the NCAA has finalized its ruling that five Ohio State football players who took improper benefits are suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel says he wants the same punishment.

On Thursday night, the NCAA denied Ohio State's appeal on behalf of the players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, reasserting that they must sit out the first five games this fall for selling autographed memorabilia and receiving discounted tattoos.

Tressel had been handed a two-game suspension in a separate investigation by Ohio State after it was discovered he had not notified the NCAA, his Ohio State bosses or the school's compliance department that he was aware for more than nine months -- including throughout his team's 12-1 season in 2010 -- of the players' improper benefits.

"Throughout this entire situation, my players and I have committed ourselves to facing our mistakes and growing from them; we can only successfully do this together," he said in a statement. "I spoke with athletic director [Gene] Smith, and our student-athletes involved, and told them that my mistakes need to share the same game sanctions."

Ohio State had learned of Tressel's knowledge of his players' NCAA violations while preparing a seven-page appeal to the NCAA of the players' suspensions. On March 8, the university announced Tressel would sit out the first two games of the 2011 season.

But before the NCAA could rule on his punishment, he added three games to his penalty.

"Coach Tressel has requested that he sit out the first five games of the 2011 season. I have accepted his request and we are taking action to notify the NCAA," Smith said in a statement. He declined further comment.