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LGHL Kennedy Cambridge’s moment almost two years in the making
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Kennedy Cambridge’s moment almost two years in the making
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The older Cambridge talks about returning to the court and playing with her sister.
When Kennedy Cambridge announced she was transferring from Kentucky to Ohio State in May 2023, most didn’t know that it would be a while before Cambridge would actually suit up. As the 2023-24 season began and Cambridge was on the bench, the excitement of an initial transfer announcement turned into waiting. Now, the wait is over and the redshirt sophomore is literally leaving everything on the court.
“I feel like at any time anybody could get injured. So I feel like for myself, I play every game like it’s my last game,” said Cambridge.
Reading a line like that makes some think it’s another phrase athletes use to fill a media availability, but watch Cambridge play and there’s no denying it.
In four games in Scarlet and Gray, Cambridge has already built a highlight reel of moments supporting her claim.
Against Bowling Green, Cambridge started her second game in a row for head coach Kevin McGuff, due to an injury to forward Cotie McMahon. It’s not a like-for-like replacement, with Cambridge playing a third guard position and Taylor Thierry technically sliding into the McMahon role.
Cambridge admits that she doesn’t bring the same scoring mentality as McMahon, but what she lacks in scoring she makes up in tireless movement on the court. The guard never stays still.
Even if it doesn’t end in a turnover, Cambridge doesn’t allow the opposition to easily catch a pass, especially in the backcourt. The guard has eight steals in five appearances this year, including one against the Ohio Bobcats on Wednesday where as her assignment on defense was going up for a layup, Cambridge ripped the ball out of her hands, took possession, and sent a quarterback pass up the court for a fast break basket.
In recent Ohio State history, Cambridge plays a lot like now-pro guard Celeste Taylor. Like Taylor, Cambridge will do anything to disrupt the other side and do it all with a smile on her face.
“It feels fun,” said Cambridge about returning to the game. “You know, at first my first games were a few, it was shaky, but I feel like my coaches have instilled so much confidence in myself. So it’s like I’m finally getting back into myself.”
Overall, Cambridge had 628 days between her final game with the Wildcats in February of 2023 and her first minutes in Scarlet and Gray on Nov. 5. Close to two years without playing the game she loves. The enjoyment it brings Cambridge is clear.
Pay attention to the Buckeyes on social media for a few days and there’s likely Cambridge reinforcing the fun. Either sporting a cowboy hat, bringing a pet to practice, or generally messing with her teammates.
The family built within the walls of Ohio State welcomed Cambridge from the start and in the offseason, it became a more traditional family when her younger sister Jaloni Cambridge joined in on the action.
Part of a basketball-obsessed family, the two Cambridge sisters played together and excelled at Ensworth High School, winning state championships and practicing and playing together nearly every day.
On top of returning to basketball in general, Cambridge is reunited in games that count for the first time in three years.
“It’s a blessing from God every time we stop on the court together,” said the older Cambridge sister. “And I just feel like we love each other and we play for each other. So it’s been fun.”
That steal and football pass against Ohio was to her younger sister. While both Cambridge sisters cause opponents fits on defense, Jaloni is known as the more offensive-minded of the two.
In five games, Jaloni Cambridge averages 17 points a game and leads the team with 4.8 assists. Over the years, when the two sisters were on the court, the connection was usually Kennedy finding Jaloni. That’s until Kennedy stepped into the starting role Wednesday.
On a break, Jaloni sent a behind-the-back pass intended for Kennedy, but it landed at Chance Gray, who was part of the run. Sunday, the two finally connected.
“That’s the first time she gave me the ball and I put it in the hoop,” said Cambridge. “Now she does a good job putting it in the hoop, but that was the first time I did it and it felt magical.”
As Cambridge said those last few words, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes, reliving the moment in her head and basking in the role reversal shown by a pair of sisters who have played more minutes together this week than in the past three years combined.
Both games with Kennedy starting ended in lopsided Ohio State victories. That’s not to say her substitution and McMahon’s injury were the causes of the wins. Both sides were mid-majors who struggled to match the talent and ability of the Scarlet and Gray roster. However, it’s given the Cambridges, and the entire Buckeye roster, the chance to get minutes together and build chemistry as the Big Ten schedule looms large with non-conference games ticking away.
The natural chemistry with the Cambridge sisters is contagious and can’t help but be a positive for the Scarlet and Gray.
It’s not always going to be 40-60-point victories. Far from it, but when there are moments of lapse on the court, which are bound to happen in any sport at any time, how a player reacts is crucial.
In the first quarter, Cambridge had an emphatic block. With Bowling Green guard Paige Kohler finding an empty lane to the basket, Cambridge wasn’t too far behind. As Kohler went up, Cambridge followed and swatted the ball off the sophomore guard and out for a change in possession. What was going through Cambridge’s mind at that point?
“All I could think of was if I got blown past and I got scored on, it was going to be on film. So I had to do something,” said Cambridge.
Cambridge fixed her mistake and had fun doing it.
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The older Cambridge talks about returning to the court and playing with her sister.
When Kennedy Cambridge announced she was transferring from Kentucky to Ohio State in May 2023, most didn’t know that it would be a while before Cambridge would actually suit up. As the 2023-24 season began and Cambridge was on the bench, the excitement of an initial transfer announcement turned into waiting. Now, the wait is over and the redshirt sophomore is literally leaving everything on the court.
“I feel like at any time anybody could get injured. So I feel like for myself, I play every game like it’s my last game,” said Cambridge.
Reading a line like that makes some think it’s another phrase athletes use to fill a media availability, but watch Cambridge play and there’s no denying it.
In four games in Scarlet and Gray, Cambridge has already built a highlight reel of moments supporting her claim.
Have you ever seen back to back and ones before? Now you have
A career high points for the Sophomore@kencambridge_ | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/NUOH0Hv01f
— Ohio State Women’s Basketball (@OhioStateWBB) November 24, 2024
Against Bowling Green, Cambridge started her second game in a row for head coach Kevin McGuff, due to an injury to forward Cotie McMahon. It’s not a like-for-like replacement, with Cambridge playing a third guard position and Taylor Thierry technically sliding into the McMahon role.
Cambridge admits that she doesn’t bring the same scoring mentality as McMahon, but what she lacks in scoring she makes up in tireless movement on the court. The guard never stays still.
Even if it doesn’t end in a turnover, Cambridge doesn’t allow the opposition to easily catch a pass, especially in the backcourt. The guard has eight steals in five appearances this year, including one against the Ohio Bobcats on Wednesday where as her assignment on defense was going up for a layup, Cambridge ripped the ball out of her hands, took possession, and sent a quarterback pass up the court for a fast break basket.
In recent Ohio State history, Cambridge plays a lot like now-pro guard Celeste Taylor. Like Taylor, Cambridge will do anything to disrupt the other side and do it all with a smile on her face.
“It feels fun,” said Cambridge about returning to the game. “You know, at first my first games were a few, it was shaky, but I feel like my coaches have instilled so much confidence in myself. So it’s like I’m finally getting back into myself.”
Overall, Cambridge had 628 days between her final game with the Wildcats in February of 2023 and her first minutes in Scarlet and Gray on Nov. 5. Close to two years without playing the game she loves. The enjoyment it brings Cambridge is clear.
Pay attention to the Buckeyes on social media for a few days and there’s likely Cambridge reinforcing the fun. Either sporting a cowboy hat, bringing a pet to practice, or generally messing with her teammates.
The family built within the walls of Ohio State welcomed Cambridge from the start and in the offseason, it became a more traditional family when her younger sister Jaloni Cambridge joined in on the action.
Part of a basketball-obsessed family, the two Cambridge sisters played together and excelled at Ensworth High School, winning state championships and practicing and playing together nearly every day.
On top of returning to basketball in general, Cambridge is reunited in games that count for the first time in three years.
“It’s a blessing from God every time we stop on the court together,” said the older Cambridge sister. “And I just feel like we love each other and we play for each other. So it’s been fun.”
That steal and football pass against Ohio was to her younger sister. While both Cambridge sisters cause opponents fits on defense, Jaloni is known as the more offensive-minded of the two.
In five games, Jaloni Cambridge averages 17 points a game and leads the team with 4.8 assists. Over the years, when the two sisters were on the court, the connection was usually Kennedy finding Jaloni. That’s until Kennedy stepped into the starting role Wednesday.
On a break, Jaloni sent a behind-the-back pass intended for Kennedy, but it landed at Chance Gray, who was part of the run. Sunday, the two finally connected.
“That’s the first time she gave me the ball and I put it in the hoop,” said Cambridge. “Now she does a good job putting it in the hoop, but that was the first time I did it and it felt magical.”
As Cambridge said those last few words, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes, reliving the moment in her head and basking in the role reversal shown by a pair of sisters who have played more minutes together this week than in the past three years combined.
Both games with Kennedy starting ended in lopsided Ohio State victories. That’s not to say her substitution and McMahon’s injury were the causes of the wins. Both sides were mid-majors who struggled to match the talent and ability of the Scarlet and Gray roster. However, it’s given the Cambridges, and the entire Buckeye roster, the chance to get minutes together and build chemistry as the Big Ten schedule looms large with non-conference games ticking away.
The natural chemistry with the Cambridge sisters is contagious and can’t help but be a positive for the Scarlet and Gray.
It’s not always going to be 40-60-point victories. Far from it, but when there are moments of lapse on the court, which are bound to happen in any sport at any time, how a player reacts is crucial.
In the first quarter, Cambridge had an emphatic block. With Bowling Green guard Paige Kohler finding an empty lane to the basket, Cambridge wasn’t too far behind. As Kohler went up, Cambridge followed and swatted the ball off the sophomore guard and out for a change in possession. What was going through Cambridge’s mind at that point?
“All I could think of was if I got blown past and I got scored on, it was going to be on film. So I had to do something,” said Cambridge.
Cambridge fixed her mistake and had fun doing it.
Continue reading...
LGHL LGHL WBB Podcast: Utah State head coach Wesley Brooks talks new role, facing Buckeyes
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LGHL WBB Podcast: Utah State head coach Wesley Brooks talks new role, facing Buckeyes
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
The former Ohio State women’s basketball assistant talks with Land-Grant before this week’s matchup in Daytona.
The Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Podcast is a show dedicated to coverage of the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Each Monday during the basketball season, LGHL recaps recent games, previews upcoming contests, and talks with those in and around the Ohio State women’s basketball universe. Hear directly from players and coaches and receive additional context behind what they say to the media.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
This week, Ohio State women’s basketball head coach goes head-to-head against a former assistant. After three seasons, assistant coach Wesley Brooks moved on to his own head coaching role with Utah State. In Brooks’ first season leading a program, the planets aligned to pit the Aggies and Buckeyes against each other this week at the Daytona Beach Classic.
Land-Grant talked with Brooks on the latest episode of the “LG WBB Podcast.” Brooks talked about his time at Ohio State, what he’s applying from the Kevin McGuff style of play, and his feelings on playing the Buckeyes in his first season at Utah State.
Before that, a quick breakdown of the Buckeyes double-win week against MAC sides, a player of the week is chose,n and a quick look ahead to Thanksgiving week basketball. Plus, starting a GoFundMe so all these games’ streaming services can be paid.
Connect with Thomas:
Bluesky: @ThomasCostello
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
The former Ohio State women’s basketball assistant talks with Land-Grant before this week’s matchup in Daytona.
The Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Podcast is a show dedicated to coverage of the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Each Monday during the basketball season, LGHL recaps recent games, previews upcoming contests, and talks with those in and around the Ohio State women’s basketball universe. Hear directly from players and coaches and receive additional context behind what they say to the media.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
This week, Ohio State women’s basketball head coach goes head-to-head against a former assistant. After three seasons, assistant coach Wesley Brooks moved on to his own head coaching role with Utah State. In Brooks’ first season leading a program, the planets aligned to pit the Aggies and Buckeyes against each other this week at the Daytona Beach Classic.
Land-Grant talked with Brooks on the latest episode of the “LG WBB Podcast.” Brooks talked about his time at Ohio State, what he’s applying from the Kevin McGuff style of play, and his feelings on playing the Buckeyes in his first season at Utah State.
Before that, a quick breakdown of the Buckeyes double-win week against MAC sides, a player of the week is chose,n and a quick look ahead to Thanksgiving week basketball. Plus, starting a GoFundMe so all these games’ streaming services can be paid.
Connect with Thomas:
Bluesky: @ThomasCostello
Theme music: “HOLY MOLY” by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Continue reading...
LGHL What’s most important for you: beating TTUN, avenging the Oregon loss, winning B1G title?
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What’s most important for you: beating TTUN, avenging the Oregon loss, winning B1G title?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes have played 11 games so far this season with six (but preferably five) games potentially ahead of them. With each prospective game, there is something unique on the line for Ryan Day’s squad. So, in this week’s fan survey, we want to see what is more important for Buckeye Nation between now and the start of the College Football Playoff.
We also want your thoughts on the margin of victory and winner (there is only one right answer on that last part) for this weekend’s rivalry game. So, check out the questions below, then make sure to vote in the survey at the bottom of the article.
If we didn’t include an option that is at the top of the list for you, feel free to write it in in the comments below.
There is a lot at stake for Ohio State over the next few weeks. The Buckeyes start this week looking to win their first rivalry game in five years when the Mitten Men come to Columbus. If OSU is able to win The Game, then they will turn their attention to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
But there’s a lot built into that game, so what’s most important to you? Avenging OSU’s lone loss of the season by beating Dan Lanning’s squad, getting the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, or winning the Big Ten title? A win in Indy would accomplish all three, but
Then there is the possibility — albeit a longshot — that Will Howard is named a Heisman Trophy finalist. Obviously, I think that he deserves it, but we will see if the Heisman voters do too.
When the FanDuel Sportsbook opened up betting on this year’s edition of The Game, it installed the No. 2 Buckeyes as a 21.5-point favorite. The gold standard college football analytics model SP+ projects Ohio State to win by a score of 36-10. So, no matter how anxious you are about this game (and deservedly so), it is not expected to be especially close.
While I am hoping that Ryan Day is finally able to #Hang100OnEm, even if it doesn’t get there, I will be predicting a massive blowout, especially with how salty the Buckeyes were following their win over Indiana and how little glimpses of the same animosity have trickled out since.
I don’t think that it would be journalistically prudent to actually predict Ohio State to put up 100 points on Saturday, but I will almost certainly be predicting a 50-burger when I make my official prediction on Saturday’s “Tailgate” podcast and in our staff predictions article.
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes have played 11 games so far this season with six (but preferably five) games potentially ahead of them. With each prospective game, there is something unique on the line for Ryan Day’s squad. So, in this week’s fan survey, we want to see what is more important for Buckeye Nation between now and the start of the College Football Playoff.
We also want your thoughts on the margin of victory and winner (there is only one right answer on that last part) for this weekend’s rivalry game. So, check out the questions below, then make sure to vote in the survey at the bottom of the article.
If we didn’t include an option that is at the top of the list for you, feel free to write it in in the comments below.
Question 1: What is most important to you over the next few weeks?
There is a lot at stake for Ohio State over the next few weeks. The Buckeyes start this week looking to win their first rivalry game in five years when the Mitten Men come to Columbus. If OSU is able to win The Game, then they will turn their attention to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
But there’s a lot built into that game, so what’s most important to you? Avenging OSU’s lone loss of the season by beating Dan Lanning’s squad, getting the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, or winning the Big Ten title? A win in Indy would accomplish all three, but
Then there is the possibility — albeit a longshot — that Will Howard is named a Heisman Trophy finalist. Obviously, I think that he deserves it, but we will see if the Heisman voters do too.
Question 2: What will the margin of victory be in Saturday’s game against TTUN?
When the FanDuel Sportsbook opened up betting on this year’s edition of The Game, it installed the No. 2 Buckeyes as a 21.5-point favorite. The gold standard college football analytics model SP+ projects Ohio State to win by a score of 36-10. So, no matter how anxious you are about this game (and deservedly so), it is not expected to be especially close.
While I am hoping that Ryan Day is finally able to #Hang100OnEm, even if it doesn’t get there, I will be predicting a massive blowout, especially with how salty the Buckeyes were following their win over Indiana and how little glimpses of the same animosity have trickled out since.
I don’t think that it would be journalistically prudent to actually predict Ohio State to put up 100 points on Saturday, but I will almost certainly be predicting a 50-burger when I make my official prediction on Saturday’s “Tailgate” podcast and in our staff predictions article.
Share your thoughts here:
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Biggest matchups to watch in The Game
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You’re Nuts: Biggest matchups to watch in The Game
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes and Wolverines meet for the 120th time.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Well, it’s here, folks. *ichigan Week has descended upon us. The Game, The Rivalry, The opportunity for Ohio State to right some wrongs. On paper, it seems like the Buckeyes are destined to do so.
The Wolverines are down (temporarily?) as a program, likely down their best player, and certainly down a functioning offense. But games are played and outcomes are determined on the field. And because The Game is unlike any other, I am not taking anything – or any outcome – for granted.
I don’t care if TTUN is 6-5 or 11-0, records are or should be thrown out the window when these two teams play. Especially this year, when we’ve watched chaos ensue on a weekly basis.
But even if most CFB results had gone according to plan or betting line, the Wolverines would (or should) still be considered a threat to the Buckeyes. Because despite a lack of overall talent on the offensive side of the ball, Sherrone Moore’s team boasts tons of experience and one of the best defensive cores in the country... Oh, and hatred in their hearts (for OSU), which can be a hell of a motivator.
Part of that defensive core mentioned above is what I will be focusing on today. Gene and I decided to look at matchups for this installment of You’re Nuts, and after careful consideration and deliberation (several cups of coffee), I realized that my most intriguing matchup is actually between two groups of players: TTUN’s interior defensive line comprised of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and OSU’s interior offensive line of Austin Siereveld, Carson Hinzman, and Tegra Tshabola.
Simply put, Graham and Grant are one of the best (if not the best) defensive duos in the entire country. Tipping the scale(s) at a combined weight of 660 pounds, these guys throw off opponents’ timing up front, clog run lanes, and occasionally get after the quarterback — all while moving like athletes half their size. And this weekend, they get to go up against a trio of interior offensive linemen who have played all of one game together.
While Siereveld, Hinzman, and Tshabola have all started games and played well in spurts, they have rarely done so together. Saturday will be just their second game as an interior unit, where chemistry is very important. Not helping matters is the fact that the latter’s performance has seemingly dipped or regressed as of late. Tshabola was beaten and abused by Indiana’s inferior interior, likely giving Graham and/or Grant reason to salivate.
However, Tshabola is not the only Buckeye iOL with a maize and blue target on his chest. Hinzman was Ohio State’s center last year, when Graham and Grant helped limit TreVeyon Henderson to 60 yards on 19 carries, “good” for a 3.2 YPC average. Back then, Hinzman had Donovan Jackson and Matthew Jones flanking him. Now it’s Siereveld and Tshabola...
On top of TTUN having the considerable experience advantage here, OSU also just sort of hasn’t run the ball well lately. Henderson has broken a few big ones, but Quinshon Judkins has been grounded for about a month. The latter tends to get a lot of carries between the tackles and guards, which is right where the Wolverines want you (opponents) to run.
If the Buckeyes can’t break through that interior defensive line on Saturday, then Will Howard and Co.’s job(s) will be made much more difficult. And given the weather forecast, we don’t need Howard’s job to be made any more difficult! Temperatures are expected to be near freezing; something that is not typically conducive to airing the ball out.
If Saturday’s game becomes a smash-mouth affair, I have some concerns about Ohio State’s ability to grind out tough yards against TTUN’s defense. Graham and Grant are the real deal, and that duo will be going up against an inexperienced, inconsistent (as of late) trio.
But at the same time, I have faith in Chip Kelly and Ryan Day to devise a game plan which will put their guys in a position to succeed. I also have faith in Hinzman and others to rise to the occasion, like they’ve done since Josh Simmons went down against Oregon. OSU’s new/old center has really stepped up over the last few weeks, and I’m hopeful that his peers will do the same in The Game.
Saturday’s matchup between big men will almost certainly be an intriguing one. I am just hopeful that it is ultimately deemed a tie, because I believe the Buckeyes have an advantage everywhere else. As long as they don’t let G&G wreck shop, the Scarlet and Gray should be in good shape.
Go Bucks!
Ohio State’s defensive game plan against Michigan is certainly going to look a lot different than it did against Indiana. The Buckeyes were able to effectively shut down the Hoosiers’ passing attack by getting consistent pressure with well-designed blitz packages, resulting in five sacks compared to only eight completed passes for Kurtis Rourke. The Wolverines, however, would be content with never throwing the football if they don’t have to.
Even after a poor showing against Ohio State, Indiana ranks fifth in the Big Ten and No. 37 nationally in passing offense. Compare that to Michigan, which ranks second-to-last in the B1G — ahead of only Iowa — and 127th in the country in passing offense, and you understand why adjustments will have to be made in Jim Knowles’ approach to Saturday.
The Wolverines are not exactly an elite rushing team either, sitting at eighth in the conference and No. 70 in FBS in rushing offense (compared to 5th and 60th, respectively, for Indiana’s run game), but they do have a pair of talented backs that could cause problems for the Buckeyes on Saturday in Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. For that reason, my matchup to watch in The Game is Ohio State’s linebacker duo of Cody Simon and Sonny Styles vs. the pairing of Mullings and Edwards.
Following his huge performance in the national title game against Washington, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries, it was expected that Donovan Edwards would take over as the starter in 2024 with Blake Corum off to the NFL. While Edwards has still been a big part of Michigan’s rushing attack this season, it has actually be Kalel Mullings that has turned into the feature back for the Wolverines. Mullings leads the team with 832 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Edwards has totaled 578 yards and four scores.
Edwards has always been more of a boom-or-bust type of back, but he has saved some of his best career performances for his team’s biggest games, including Ohio State. The senior’s top collegiate performance by far came in the 2022 rendition of The Game, rushing for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-23 win over the Buckeyes. His last meeting against the scarlet and gray was far less fruitful, with just 31 yards on 10 carries last season, but Knowles knows that a lapse in focus can quickly lead to a long touchdown if his defense isn’t up to the task.
The efforts to slow down the Michigan rushing attack will be led by the Ohio State defensive front, but most importantly its starting linebacker duo of Sonny Styles and Cody Simon. The latter is coming off likely the best game of his career, recording a team-high 10 total tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Styles, meanwhile, was a bit shaky to start the season having moved down from his original position at safety, but has gotten better and better as the year has gone along, finishing second on the team with eight tackles and a TFL against the Hoosiers.
This will be a very different game than most that the Buckeyes have played this season, both in terms of intensity and animosity as well as the style of play of the opponent. Ohio State has mostly stuck with its base 4-2-5 for the majority of the year, mixing it up in different packages and situations, but it would not be at all surprising to see an extra linebacker on the field a lot on Saturday — especially on early downs. We have also seen Knowles move safety Caleb Downs into the box like an extra linebacker against more run-heavy teams, and I’m sure we will see some of that too.
Ohio State is currently the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing less than 11 points per game. The Buckeyes have also been among the nation’s best in stopping the run, ranking third in FBS holding opponents to 90 yards per game on the ground and a 2.7 yards-per-carry average. On paper, Knowles’ group should have little trouble getting stops against this Michigan offense, but we know that records and statistics heading into The Game can get thrown out the window, cliché or not.
Simon and Styles will have to be at their very best for Ryan Day’s team to finally stop the skid against TTUN and get back on the ride side of the ledger against their biggest rival. If the Silver Bullets can keep the Wolverines contained on the ground, it will go a long way in determining the final result.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes and Wolverines meet for the 120th time.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Biggest matchup to watch in The Game
Josh’s Take
Well, it’s here, folks. *ichigan Week has descended upon us. The Game, The Rivalry, The opportunity for Ohio State to right some wrongs. On paper, it seems like the Buckeyes are destined to do so.
The Wolverines are down (temporarily?) as a program, likely down their best player, and certainly down a functioning offense. But games are played and outcomes are determined on the field. And because The Game is unlike any other, I am not taking anything – or any outcome – for granted.
I don’t care if TTUN is 6-5 or 11-0, records are or should be thrown out the window when these two teams play. Especially this year, when we’ve watched chaos ensue on a weekly basis.
But even if most CFB results had gone according to plan or betting line, the Wolverines would (or should) still be considered a threat to the Buckeyes. Because despite a lack of overall talent on the offensive side of the ball, Sherrone Moore’s team boasts tons of experience and one of the best defensive cores in the country... Oh, and hatred in their hearts (for OSU), which can be a hell of a motivator.
Part of that defensive core mentioned above is what I will be focusing on today. Gene and I decided to look at matchups for this installment of You’re Nuts, and after careful consideration and deliberation (several cups of coffee), I realized that my most intriguing matchup is actually between two groups of players: TTUN’s interior defensive line comprised of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and OSU’s interior offensive line of Austin Siereveld, Carson Hinzman, and Tegra Tshabola.
Simply put, Graham and Grant are one of the best (if not the best) defensive duos in the entire country. Tipping the scale(s) at a combined weight of 660 pounds, these guys throw off opponents’ timing up front, clog run lanes, and occasionally get after the quarterback — all while moving like athletes half their size. And this weekend, they get to go up against a trio of interior offensive linemen who have played all of one game together.
While Siereveld, Hinzman, and Tshabola have all started games and played well in spurts, they have rarely done so together. Saturday will be just their second game as an interior unit, where chemistry is very important. Not helping matters is the fact that the latter’s performance has seemingly dipped or regressed as of late. Tshabola was beaten and abused by Indiana’s inferior interior, likely giving Graham and/or Grant reason to salivate.
However, Tshabola is not the only Buckeye iOL with a maize and blue target on his chest. Hinzman was Ohio State’s center last year, when Graham and Grant helped limit TreVeyon Henderson to 60 yards on 19 carries, “good” for a 3.2 YPC average. Back then, Hinzman had Donovan Jackson and Matthew Jones flanking him. Now it’s Siereveld and Tshabola...
On top of TTUN having the considerable experience advantage here, OSU also just sort of hasn’t run the ball well lately. Henderson has broken a few big ones, but Quinshon Judkins has been grounded for about a month. The latter tends to get a lot of carries between the tackles and guards, which is right where the Wolverines want you (opponents) to run.
If the Buckeyes can’t break through that interior defensive line on Saturday, then Will Howard and Co.’s job(s) will be made much more difficult. And given the weather forecast, we don’t need Howard’s job to be made any more difficult! Temperatures are expected to be near freezing; something that is not typically conducive to airing the ball out.
If Saturday’s game becomes a smash-mouth affair, I have some concerns about Ohio State’s ability to grind out tough yards against TTUN’s defense. Graham and Grant are the real deal, and that duo will be going up against an inexperienced, inconsistent (as of late) trio.
But at the same time, I have faith in Chip Kelly and Ryan Day to devise a game plan which will put their guys in a position to succeed. I also have faith in Hinzman and others to rise to the occasion, like they’ve done since Josh Simmons went down against Oregon. OSU’s new/old center has really stepped up over the last few weeks, and I’m hopeful that his peers will do the same in The Game.
Saturday’s matchup between big men will almost certainly be an intriguing one. I am just hopeful that it is ultimately deemed a tie, because I believe the Buckeyes have an advantage everywhere else. As long as they don’t let G&G wreck shop, the Scarlet and Gray should be in good shape.
Go Bucks!
Gene’s Take
Ohio State’s defensive game plan against Michigan is certainly going to look a lot different than it did against Indiana. The Buckeyes were able to effectively shut down the Hoosiers’ passing attack by getting consistent pressure with well-designed blitz packages, resulting in five sacks compared to only eight completed passes for Kurtis Rourke. The Wolverines, however, would be content with never throwing the football if they don’t have to.
Even after a poor showing against Ohio State, Indiana ranks fifth in the Big Ten and No. 37 nationally in passing offense. Compare that to Michigan, which ranks second-to-last in the B1G — ahead of only Iowa — and 127th in the country in passing offense, and you understand why adjustments will have to be made in Jim Knowles’ approach to Saturday.
The Wolverines are not exactly an elite rushing team either, sitting at eighth in the conference and No. 70 in FBS in rushing offense (compared to 5th and 60th, respectively, for Indiana’s run game), but they do have a pair of talented backs that could cause problems for the Buckeyes on Saturday in Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. For that reason, my matchup to watch in The Game is Ohio State’s linebacker duo of Cody Simon and Sonny Styles vs. the pairing of Mullings and Edwards.
Following his huge performance in the national title game against Washington, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries, it was expected that Donovan Edwards would take over as the starter in 2024 with Blake Corum off to the NFL. While Edwards has still been a big part of Michigan’s rushing attack this season, it has actually be Kalel Mullings that has turned into the feature back for the Wolverines. Mullings leads the team with 832 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Edwards has totaled 578 yards and four scores.
Edwards has always been more of a boom-or-bust type of back, but he has saved some of his best career performances for his team’s biggest games, including Ohio State. The senior’s top collegiate performance by far came in the 2022 rendition of The Game, rushing for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-23 win over the Buckeyes. His last meeting against the scarlet and gray was far less fruitful, with just 31 yards on 10 carries last season, but Knowles knows that a lapse in focus can quickly lead to a long touchdown if his defense isn’t up to the task.
The efforts to slow down the Michigan rushing attack will be led by the Ohio State defensive front, but most importantly its starting linebacker duo of Sonny Styles and Cody Simon. The latter is coming off likely the best game of his career, recording a team-high 10 total tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Styles, meanwhile, was a bit shaky to start the season having moved down from his original position at safety, but has gotten better and better as the year has gone along, finishing second on the team with eight tackles and a TFL against the Hoosiers.
This will be a very different game than most that the Buckeyes have played this season, both in terms of intensity and animosity as well as the style of play of the opponent. Ohio State has mostly stuck with its base 4-2-5 for the majority of the year, mixing it up in different packages and situations, but it would not be at all surprising to see an extra linebacker on the field a lot on Saturday — especially on early downs. We have also seen Knowles move safety Caleb Downs into the box like an extra linebacker against more run-heavy teams, and I’m sure we will see some of that too.
Ohio State is currently the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing less than 11 points per game. The Buckeyes have also been among the nation’s best in stopping the run, ranking third in FBS holding opponents to 90 yards per game on the ground and a 2.7 yards-per-carry average. On paper, Knowles’ group should have little trouble getting stops against this Michigan offense, but we know that records and statistics heading into The Game can get thrown out the window, cliché or not.
Simon and Styles will have to be at their very best for Ryan Day’s team to finally stop the skid against TTUN and get back on the ride side of the ledger against their biggest rival. If the Silver Bullets can keep the Wolverines contained on the ground, it will go a long way in determining the final result.
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DE Epi Sitanilei (Official Thread)
- By brodybuck21
- Buckeye Football
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LGHL Grumpy Old Buckeye: Nitpicking Ohio State’s 38-15 win over Indiana
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Grumpy Old Buckeye: Nitpicking Ohio State’s 38-15 win over Indiana
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Winning by 23 points against the No. 5 team in the country is good (really good), but it could have been better.
It’s understandable if many Ohio State fans felt a bit edgy about undefeated No. 5 Indiana coming into Ohio Stadium and facing a Buckeye team that lost another key offensive lineman during the week. Easy schedule or not, the Hoosiers had handled their business with ease and were playing football with a swagger perhaps never seen in our lifetimes.
In the end, the Buckeyes started slowly (again) but settled into the game and dominated most of it, winning 38-15.
Still, it was a close game for quite a while. As such, here are the things that gave me heartburn and an upset stomach when the Buckeyes hosted Indiana.
Starting Conservatively
The Buckeyes got the ball first and quickly went three-and-out on their first possession. A short Quinshon Judkins run was followed by a swing pass to Judkins for two yards and a checkdown pass to Emeka Egbuka for three more, leading to a punt.
The conservative play calling isn’t too surprising, given the Ohio State staff likely wanted to see how the offensive line would hold up before putting Will Howard in harm’s way. Still, it was a gift to the Indiana defense and helped the Hoosiers maintain their belief they could pull off the upset early in the game.
Enough is Enough
It may sound harsh, but I’m going to say it anyway: I’ve seen quite enough of Davison Igbinosun on the football field for Ohio State. Igbinosun committed pass interference not once, but twice on the opening Indiana drive, showing early that he has learned absolutely nothing all season long.
Whether he’s wearing gloves, mittens, or his lucky underwear, the man just can’t stop grabbing, clutching, and roughing up receivers with the ball in the air. Despite having good coverage on many of the plays ending in him drawing a flag, he doesn’t trust it, doesn’t locate the ball, and doesn’t make the play he’s in position to make.
He got another such penalty in the fourth quarter, making for one of the worst hat tricks you’ll see. Igbinosun’s failure to develop his game and eliminate these penalties is certainly on him, but it’s also on the coaching staff for not correcting it or replacing him. We hear a lot about Ohio State’s “next man up mentality,” so let’s see if the next man up can cover as well as Igbinosun but without giving up free first downs.
Third Downs Were Too Easy
Ohio State’s defense struggled mightily on third down early in the game. Indiana converted all three third downs on its opening drive, needing nine, six, and two yards to extend the possession. After converting a third-and-1 on their second possession, the Hoosiers got themselves in trouble on another third-and-1 with a false start penalty.
The Buckeyes sacked Kurtis Rourke on the ensuing third-and-6 for a loss of 11 yards and, for the most part, that stopped the bleeding on third downs for the OSU defense. Indiana finished with six conversions on 14 third downs in total, meaning after going 4-for-4, the Hoosiers converted only twice on their final 10.
Block in the “Back”
Howard’s completion to TreVeyon Henderson was called back for a block in the back penalty on Carson Hinzman downfield on a play that happens dozens of times and doesn’t get called. Hinzman’s defender dipped his shoulder, and the lineman still managed to get almost entirely side instead of back, but the flag flew.
Later in the game, there was another one called on Donovan Jackson. Again, the defender dipped the shoulder when he felt the big man coming, and the flag flew anyway for the second time. Similar types of blocks on Indiana weren’t treated the same, as the Hoosiers were flagged just three times all day and all of them were either obvious pre-snap penalties (false start and a delay of game) or a late onside kickoff that went out of bounds.
The Buckeyes are ranked 134th (last) in the country in opposition penalty yards per game, entering the matchup with Indiana with a 25.5 yards-per-game average in that department. Indiana was called for 15 yards worth of penalties, so that disparity will worsen. It’s amazing that a team as good as Ohio State can do the things it does without anyone holding or interfering with receivers. More on that below.
Minimizing Chances
Chip Kelly and Ryan Day are widely known as good play-callers. Yet there’s an area where there have been too many mistakes made from the sideline or coaching box this season, and they’re almost always in short-yardage situations.
Ohio State drove down the field after Indiana’s touchdown opened the scoring, pushing inside the Hoosiers’ 5-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-1 at the Indiana 2-yard line, Kelly had Howard take the snap in the shotgun, several yards behind the line of scrimmage. A quarterback sneak from under center would likely be a successful play in that situation, or at least a handoff closer to the line might allow Judkins or Henderson to leap at the line for a first down (or a touchdown).
Instead, Judkins was met in the backfield and the play ended in no gain at the line of scrimmage, handing the ball back to Indiana. To his credit, Kelly changed things up in subsequent similar situations in the game — to great success.
Not Calling It Both Ways
While pass interference was something the Big Ten officials could clearly see when Igbinosun was committing it, they seemed to struggle to recognize the same behavior by Indiana, even when it was obvious.
Jeremiah Smith was hit early in the end zone on the possession that followed Ty Hamilton’s recovery of a fumble Cody Simon forced. Bennett Christian was outright tackled downfield as well. Neither drew a flag, and a couple of plays later, Jelani Thurman couldn’t handle a pass from Howard on another play that seemed to have an early arriving defender. His subsequent tip was intercepted, depriving Ohio State of a chance to score points.
Finish Stronger
Indiana tacked on a cosmetic touchdown in the fourth quarter on a drive marred by passive defending by Ohio State. Jim Knowles used some backups on the drive, but he also didn’t mix things up on passing downs, going back to the old rush-four-guys-straight-ahead method. That allowed the Hoosiers to give Rourke time to pick out his receivers.
Despite the touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion not mattering much, it was a bit annoying.
Too Unselfish?
Henderson busted a big run on the first play after Indiana’s failed onside kick. Rather than scoring, the running back slid down inside the 5-yard line. At that point, the Buckeyes led by two scores with little time left. Scoring would have put the Buckeyes up three scores, which would have made an Indiana comeback exceedingly unlikely. Two plays later, Howard scored anyway.
Henderson might as well have added the touchdown to his own total and added an exclamation point to the game’s highlight reel. Also, he was my pick to click on the Silver Bullets Podcast, so I’m taking it personally, even though he ‘clicked’ anyway.
That’s what had me reaching for the Tums on Saturday. What stood out to you?
Obviously, the game went well overall. After a slow start, the Buckeyes dominated. Howard was accurate, the offensive line held up well, and the defense racked up five sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Buckeyes even returned a punt for a touchdown, which is a rarity not seen since a game 10 years ago against Indiana.
Hate Week is here! Next up is The Game at noon on Saturday. Ohio State would book a trip to Indianapolis for a rematch with Oregon with a win over That Team Up North.
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Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Winning by 23 points against the No. 5 team in the country is good (really good), but it could have been better.
It’s understandable if many Ohio State fans felt a bit edgy about undefeated No. 5 Indiana coming into Ohio Stadium and facing a Buckeye team that lost another key offensive lineman during the week. Easy schedule or not, the Hoosiers had handled their business with ease and were playing football with a swagger perhaps never seen in our lifetimes.
In the end, the Buckeyes started slowly (again) but settled into the game and dominated most of it, winning 38-15.
Still, it was a close game for quite a while. As such, here are the things that gave me heartburn and an upset stomach when the Buckeyes hosted Indiana.
Starting Conservatively
The Buckeyes got the ball first and quickly went three-and-out on their first possession. A short Quinshon Judkins run was followed by a swing pass to Judkins for two yards and a checkdown pass to Emeka Egbuka for three more, leading to a punt.
The conservative play calling isn’t too surprising, given the Ohio State staff likely wanted to see how the offensive line would hold up before putting Will Howard in harm’s way. Still, it was a gift to the Indiana defense and helped the Hoosiers maintain their belief they could pull off the upset early in the game.
Enough is Enough
It may sound harsh, but I’m going to say it anyway: I’ve seen quite enough of Davison Igbinosun on the football field for Ohio State. Igbinosun committed pass interference not once, but twice on the opening Indiana drive, showing early that he has learned absolutely nothing all season long.
Whether he’s wearing gloves, mittens, or his lucky underwear, the man just can’t stop grabbing, clutching, and roughing up receivers with the ball in the air. Despite having good coverage on many of the plays ending in him drawing a flag, he doesn’t trust it, doesn’t locate the ball, and doesn’t make the play he’s in position to make.
He got another such penalty in the fourth quarter, making for one of the worst hat tricks you’ll see. Igbinosun’s failure to develop his game and eliminate these penalties is certainly on him, but it’s also on the coaching staff for not correcting it or replacing him. We hear a lot about Ohio State’s “next man up mentality,” so let’s see if the next man up can cover as well as Igbinosun but without giving up free first downs.
Third Downs Were Too Easy
Ohio State’s defense struggled mightily on third down early in the game. Indiana converted all three third downs on its opening drive, needing nine, six, and two yards to extend the possession. After converting a third-and-1 on their second possession, the Hoosiers got themselves in trouble on another third-and-1 with a false start penalty.
The Buckeyes sacked Kurtis Rourke on the ensuing third-and-6 for a loss of 11 yards and, for the most part, that stopped the bleeding on third downs for the OSU defense. Indiana finished with six conversions on 14 third downs in total, meaning after going 4-for-4, the Hoosiers converted only twice on their final 10.
Block in the “Back”
Howard’s completion to TreVeyon Henderson was called back for a block in the back penalty on Carson Hinzman downfield on a play that happens dozens of times and doesn’t get called. Hinzman’s defender dipped his shoulder, and the lineman still managed to get almost entirely side instead of back, but the flag flew.
Later in the game, there was another one called on Donovan Jackson. Again, the defender dipped the shoulder when he felt the big man coming, and the flag flew anyway for the second time. Similar types of blocks on Indiana weren’t treated the same, as the Hoosiers were flagged just three times all day and all of them were either obvious pre-snap penalties (false start and a delay of game) or a late onside kickoff that went out of bounds.
The Buckeyes are ranked 134th (last) in the country in opposition penalty yards per game, entering the matchup with Indiana with a 25.5 yards-per-game average in that department. Indiana was called for 15 yards worth of penalties, so that disparity will worsen. It’s amazing that a team as good as Ohio State can do the things it does without anyone holding or interfering with receivers. More on that below.
Minimizing Chances
Chip Kelly and Ryan Day are widely known as good play-callers. Yet there’s an area where there have been too many mistakes made from the sideline or coaching box this season, and they’re almost always in short-yardage situations.
Ohio State drove down the field after Indiana’s touchdown opened the scoring, pushing inside the Hoosiers’ 5-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-1 at the Indiana 2-yard line, Kelly had Howard take the snap in the shotgun, several yards behind the line of scrimmage. A quarterback sneak from under center would likely be a successful play in that situation, or at least a handoff closer to the line might allow Judkins or Henderson to leap at the line for a first down (or a touchdown).
Instead, Judkins was met in the backfield and the play ended in no gain at the line of scrimmage, handing the ball back to Indiana. To his credit, Kelly changed things up in subsequent similar situations in the game — to great success.
Not Calling It Both Ways
While pass interference was something the Big Ten officials could clearly see when Igbinosun was committing it, they seemed to struggle to recognize the same behavior by Indiana, even when it was obvious.
Jeremiah Smith was hit early in the end zone on the possession that followed Ty Hamilton’s recovery of a fumble Cody Simon forced. Bennett Christian was outright tackled downfield as well. Neither drew a flag, and a couple of plays later, Jelani Thurman couldn’t handle a pass from Howard on another play that seemed to have an early arriving defender. His subsequent tip was intercepted, depriving Ohio State of a chance to score points.
Finish Stronger
Indiana tacked on a cosmetic touchdown in the fourth quarter on a drive marred by passive defending by Ohio State. Jim Knowles used some backups on the drive, but he also didn’t mix things up on passing downs, going back to the old rush-four-guys-straight-ahead method. That allowed the Hoosiers to give Rourke time to pick out his receivers.
Despite the touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion not mattering much, it was a bit annoying.
Too Unselfish?
Henderson busted a big run on the first play after Indiana’s failed onside kick. Rather than scoring, the running back slid down inside the 5-yard line. At that point, the Buckeyes led by two scores with little time left. Scoring would have put the Buckeyes up three scores, which would have made an Indiana comeback exceedingly unlikely. Two plays later, Howard scored anyway.
Henderson might as well have added the touchdown to his own total and added an exclamation point to the game’s highlight reel. Also, he was my pick to click on the Silver Bullets Podcast, so I’m taking it personally, even though he ‘clicked’ anyway.
That’s what had me reaching for the Tums on Saturday. What stood out to you?
Obviously, the game went well overall. After a slow start, the Buckeyes dominated. Howard was accurate, the offensive line held up well, and the defense racked up five sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Buckeyes even returned a punt for a touchdown, which is a rarity not seen since a game 10 years ago against Indiana.
Hate Week is here! Next up is The Game at noon on Saturday. Ohio State would book a trip to Indianapolis for a rematch with Oregon with a win over That Team Up North.
Continue reading...