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LGHL Ohio State lands a transfer long snapper, men’s hoops will play in CBS Sports Classic afterall
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- 0 Replies
Ohio State lands a transfer long snapper, men’s hoops will play in CBS Sports Classic afterall
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
X | @gmarionmills
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Ohio State lands transfer portal long snapper Grant Mills
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Ryan Day reveals the biggest mistake OSU fans make when they meet him
Lori Schmidt, The Columbus Dispatch
“You Could Feel That Confidence”: Team Synergy Fueled Ohio State’s Blowout Wins Over Tennessee and Oregon in the College Football Playoff
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
Spring Rewind: Evaluating Ohio State wide receivers coming out of spring
Austin Ward, Dotting The Eyes
Austin Siereveld “going to be a starter” Ohio State offensive line: what that means
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Where draft experts have Buckeyes landing in too-early 2026 NFL Draft big boards, mock drafts
Spencer Holbrook, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes to Play North Carolina in 2025 CBS Sports Classic
Ohio State Athletics
What change to CBS Sports Classic field means for the Ohio State men
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Lacrosse: No. 5 Buckeyes Defeat No. 17 Rutgers to Advance to B1G Tournament Title Game
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: No. 5 Seed Buckeyes Ready for Buffalo in NCAA Opening on Saturday
Ohio State Athletics
Athletics & Alumni Association Unite for Exciting New Varsity O
Ohio State Athletics
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
X | @gmarionmills
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ohio State lands transfer portal long snapper Grant Mills
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
BUCKEYE BOUND@OhioStateFB @ryandaytime @theGunnerDaniel pic.twitter.com/op0sE1GjYC
— Grant Mills (@gmarionmills) May 1, 2025
Ryan Day reveals the biggest mistake OSU fans make when they meet him
Lori Schmidt, The Columbus Dispatch
“You Could Feel That Confidence”: Team Synergy Fueled Ohio State’s Blowout Wins Over Tennessee and Oregon in the College Football Playoff
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
Spring Rewind: Evaluating Ohio State wide receivers coming out of spring
Austin Ward, Dotting The Eyes
Austin Siereveld “going to be a starter” Ohio State offensive line: what that means
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Where draft experts have Buckeyes landing in too-early 2026 NFL Draft big boards, mock drafts
Spencer Holbrook, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes to Play North Carolina in 2025 CBS Sports Classic
Ohio State Athletics
What change to CBS Sports Classic field means for the Ohio State men
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Men’s Lacrosse: No. 5 Buckeyes Defeat No. 17 Rutgers to Advance to B1G Tournament Title Game
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: No. 5 Seed Buckeyes Ready for Buffalo in NCAA Opening on Saturday
Ohio State Athletics
Athletics & Alumni Association Unite for Exciting New Varsity O
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
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LGHL Ohio State offers talented 2028 defensive lineman, will receive official visit from 2026 edge rusher
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- 0 Replies
Ohio State offers talented 2028 defensive lineman, will receive official visit from 2026 edge rusher
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes sent out another new offer to a big time 2028 defensive lineman with college ready size.
Spending time all over the country this week, the Buckeyes are searching for the right fits in their 2026 class and beyond. Turning over every stone and offering new players seemingly each day, there’s never a down time for these coaches, and that in large part is why they continue to see success.
Sure to be more names earning offers and major visits in the weeks to come, there’s plenty to look forward to as the summer months approach quickly.
Spending time in the Chicago area on Thursday, Ohio State sent out a handful of offers to more of the top rising prospects in a region that’s always producing elite talent. Like any other major Midwest city, Ohio State’s coaching staff keeps tabs on the regional targets and certainly these new names will be ones to watch for the long haul.
Another new name to the offer list, 6-foot-5, 355 pound defensive lineman Caleb Tucker got the nod from Ohio State this week, and that makes for another Larry Johnson target to monitor as he shared the latest update in his recruitment.
Just a high school freshman, Tucker’s size is already what you’d expect from a college athlete so it’s no surprise to see nearly 20 offers to his name, but with three seasons still to improve in his game and develop physically, it’s exciting to see just how high his stock can rise when all is said and done. Unranked right now, that’s sure to change when the 2028 rankings are updated.
Schools such as Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, and others are already in the fold, but seeing Ohio State also take notice should help continue his rise as other top suitors take notice. From here, the Buckeyes will look to get him on campus in the early summer weeks as they plan to host all of their top recruits and as these visits tend to go, Ohio State tends to have these prospects leaving nothing short of impressed with all their program has to offer.
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Holding the fifth-ranked recruiting class in the country with only 11 current commits shows just how highly ranked Ohio State’s average pledge is. With zero commits along the defensive line though, this fits the mold of the last couple of cycles as Larry Johnson tends to work a little longer than some of the other positions.
Not a worry by any means right now, Ohio State is in great position for several top players along the defensive front, and these upcoming summer visits should lead to much more traction for this class as a whole when it comes to both edge rushers and interior guys.
More names to follow suit, the Buckeyes did receive positive news on Thursday that Jake Kruel has already slotted Columbus as one of his official visits he will take in the near future.
The No. 31 player nationally and forth best edge rusher in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Kruel’s ranking fits considering he holds 50 offers to his name and from every top program in the country. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Jake’s got some size to add to his frame before getting to the next level, but with his speed, length, and ability to bend make him such a highly-touted player and worthy of the four-star status.
Set to see a few schools now, Ohio State will be one of his stops for sure, but he too will also see the likes of Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. Rarely does a visit not go very well for the Buckeyes and this should be the same story when Kruel comes to town.
Leaving the Tar Heels after just one year, Mills will have multiple seasons of eligibility for Ohio State backing a unit that is often called upon. It may not be the most exciting addition, but clearly it’s a welcomed new member.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes sent out another new offer to a big time 2028 defensive lineman with college ready size.
Spending time all over the country this week, the Buckeyes are searching for the right fits in their 2026 class and beyond. Turning over every stone and offering new players seemingly each day, there’s never a down time for these coaches, and that in large part is why they continue to see success.
Sure to be more names earning offers and major visits in the weeks to come, there’s plenty to look forward to as the summer months approach quickly.
Buckeyes offer class of 2028 Illinois native
Spending time in the Chicago area on Thursday, Ohio State sent out a handful of offers to more of the top rising prospects in a region that’s always producing elite talent. Like any other major Midwest city, Ohio State’s coaching staff keeps tabs on the regional targets and certainly these new names will be ones to watch for the long haul.
Another new name to the offer list, 6-foot-5, 355 pound defensive lineman Caleb Tucker got the nod from Ohio State this week, and that makes for another Larry Johnson target to monitor as he shared the latest update in his recruitment.
Just a high school freshman, Tucker’s size is already what you’d expect from a college athlete so it’s no surprise to see nearly 20 offers to his name, but with three seasons still to improve in his game and develop physically, it’s exciting to see just how high his stock can rise when all is said and done. Unranked right now, that’s sure to change when the 2028 rankings are updated.
Schools such as Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, and others are already in the fold, but seeing Ohio State also take notice should help continue his rise as other top suitors take notice. From here, the Buckeyes will look to get him on campus in the early summer weeks as they plan to host all of their top recruits and as these visits tend to go, Ohio State tends to have these prospects leaving nothing short of impressed with all their program has to offer.
Login to view embedded media
2026 edge rusher locks in Ohio State official visit
Holding the fifth-ranked recruiting class in the country with only 11 current commits shows just how highly ranked Ohio State’s average pledge is. With zero commits along the defensive line though, this fits the mold of the last couple of cycles as Larry Johnson tends to work a little longer than some of the other positions.
Not a worry by any means right now, Ohio State is in great position for several top players along the defensive front, and these upcoming summer visits should lead to much more traction for this class as a whole when it comes to both edge rushers and interior guys.
More names to follow suit, the Buckeyes did receive positive news on Thursday that Jake Kruel has already slotted Columbus as one of his official visits he will take in the near future.
The No. 31 player nationally and forth best edge rusher in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Kruel’s ranking fits considering he holds 50 offers to his name and from every top program in the country. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Jake’s got some size to add to his frame before getting to the next level, but with his speed, length, and ability to bend make him such a highly-touted player and worthy of the four-star status.
Set to see a few schools now, Ohio State will be one of his stops for sure, but he too will also see the likes of Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. Rarely does a visit not go very well for the Buckeyes and this should be the same story when Kruel comes to town.
NEWS Elite EDGE Jake Kreul has locked in official visits to Colorado, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas, @Hayesfawcett3 reports
Kreul ranks No. 36 NATL. (No. 6 EDGE) in the 2026 class.
Read: https://t.co/XMgLyTNYRS pic.twitter.com/3zlSWOQHnF
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 1, 2025
Quick Hits
- Thursday proved that Ohio State is not quite finished adding to the current roster when they added the new commitment of long-snapper Grant Mills. A transfer from North Carolina, this is now the second UNC player to make the move to Columbus, and now the Buckeyes have added depth to a special teams unit that is always important.
Leaving the Tar Heels after just one year, Mills will have multiple seasons of eligibility for Ohio State backing a unit that is often called upon. It may not be the most exciting addition, but clearly it’s a welcomed new member.
BUCKEYE BOUND
— Grant Mills (@gmarionmills) May 1, 2025
Continue reading...
LGHL The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
- News
- 0 Replies
The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
In this edition of a random Ohio State football bowl victory we’ll dive into the 2011 Sugar Bowl. Even though it was vacated, Buckeye fans will never forget the battle against Arkansas.
For the longest time Ohio State couldn’t shake the criticism that they couldn’t beat a team from the SEC. Funny how the narrative has changed in the last 15 years, as now the Buckeyes hold big wins over Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
Back in 2010, things were a lot different, as scars from losses in the BCS National Championship Game to Florida and LSU in back-to-back years were still fresh. Entering the 2010 season, Ohio State was 0-9 in bowl games against SEC teams. Their last win against an SEC team came all the way back in 1988 against LSU, and even that victory was vacated.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25977441/95523568.jpg "Rose Bowl - Ohio State v Oregon")
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Expectations were high in Columbus for the Buckeyes after Jim Tressel’s team capped off their 2009 season with a 26-17 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl to finish the season 11-2. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was returning to Ohio State, leading to the Buckeyes entering the season ranked number two in the country.
In their second game of the season, Ohio State and No. 12 Miami squared off in a marquee game at Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning 36-24.
The national championship hopes of the Buckeyes took a major hit in October when they suffered their first loss of the season, falling 31-18 to Wisconsin in Madison. Ohio State would rally to finish the regular season with just the one setback, closing out their schedule with a 20-17 win at Iowa, followed by a 37-7 thumping of Michigan at home.
With an 11-1 record, the Buckeyes were primed to play in another BCS bowl.
When the bowl games were set in early December, it was announced that Ohio State would take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. New Orleans hadn’t been especially kind to the Buckeyes in the past, as not only were they just 1-3 in past Sugar Bowl appearances, Ohio State also lost the BCS National Championship Game to LSU in New Orleans.
The matchup with the Razorbacks would be the first between the two programs, and it remains the only time the teams have squared off.
As if Ohio State didn’t have enough to deal with heading into the game with their poor history against SEC teams, just before Christmas there was even more to worry about. Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas were all found to have traded autographs for tattoos.
Despite the infractions, the players were allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl, as instead they would be punished by being suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino had the Razorback football program on the rise entering the 2010 season. In 2009, Petrino’s squad finished the season with an overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl to finish 8-5. Expectations were even higher entering his third season in Fayetteville, with the Razorbacks ranked 17th to start the year.
Both of the losses Arkansas suffered in the season came to top-10 teams. In September, Alabama escaped Fayetteville with a 24-20 win, and a month later the Razorbacks lost a wild game to seventh-ranked Auburn 65-43 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Arkansas closed out the regular season with a 38-31 win in double overtime at No. 22 Mississippi State, followed by a 31-23 win in Little Rock over LSU, who was ranked sixth at the time.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25977442/107927991.jpg "Allstate Sugar Bowl - Ohio State v Arkansas")
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
What was scariest about the Arkansas team entering this game was their offense. Ryan Mallett started his college career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas back in the day when there was no transfer portal and players had to sit out a year when they changed schools.
Mallett did suit up once against the Buckeyes, but only threw three passes in the 2007 game against Ohio State. In the 2010 regular season, Mallett threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with a group that saw five receivers catch at least 30 passes.
Ohio State didn’t take long to get going after Arkansas’ first possession where Mallett threw three incomplete passes before the Razorbacks punted. Pryor was on his way into the end zone on a rush from over 30 yards out before he fumbled at the three-yard-line.
Luckily for Ohio State wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher jumped on the football in the end zone to give the Buckeyes the early lead. Arkansas would find their bearings and respond within two minutes when Mallett found receiver Joe Adams for a nine yard touchdown to tie the score.
The Buckeyes would strike back just over two minutes when Dan Herron rushed for a nine-yard score. The touchdown would kick off a 21-0 run by Ohio State, with Sanzenbacher hauling in a 15-yard touchdown reception at the 9:53 mark of the second quarter, followed by a DeVier Posey 43-yard touchdown catch two minutes before halftime. Arkansas would put three points on the scoreboard before halftime when Zach Hocker hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Hocker would score the first points of the second half just over five minutes into the third quarter when his 46-yard kick went through the uprights. Ohio State would match the score when Devin Barclay hit from the same distance at 4:10 of the quarter. The field goal would be the last points the Buckeyes would put on the scoreboard, but at the time Ohio State fans had to be feeling good with an 18-point lead.
The good vibes wouldn’t last too long, though. Mallett found Jarius Wright from 22 yards out, followed by adding a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 31-21 with 58 seconds left in the quarter.
Buckeye Nation would get even more nervous early in the fourth quarter when Jake Bequette tackled running back Dan Herron in the end zone for a safety to make it a one-score game. Hocker would connect on his third field goal of the night just three minutes later to make it a 31-26 game.
By this time the Buckeyes were on their heels and it looked like they were on the verge of choking away the game. Things got even worse when Herron was stopped on fourth down at Ohio State’s 37 with just under six minutes to go.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25977443/107873187.jpg "Allstate Sugar Bowl - Ohio State v Arkansas")
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Even though momentum was clearly on the side of the Razorbacks, Arkansas wasted their great field position on the next drive, losing seven yards and being forced to punt. While Ohio State was able to bleed about three minutes off the clock when they got the football, Ben Buchanan’s punt was blocked by the Razorbacks, giving Arkansas the football inside the Buckeye 20.
After throwing an incompletion on first down, Mallett’s next pass was intercepted by Solomon Thomas of all people to seal the game for Ohio State and finally earn the Buckeyes a win against a team from the SEC.
The Sugar Bowl win was the last good feeling for Ohio State football for a while. In late May, Jim Tressel resigned, leading to co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell being named interim head coach for the 2011 season. Pryor would never play another snap for the Buckeyes, instead opting to enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft.
At least with Pryor having moved on, Braxton Miller was able to see the field earlier than he had anticipated, setting the table for him to lead Ohio State at quarterback during Urban Meyer’s first two years as head coach. The Buckeyes would finish the 2011 season 6-7 under Fickell, losing the Gator Bowl to Florida.
Arkansas would have a more enjoyable 2011 season than Ohio State did, posting an 11-2 season that was capped off with a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. The Razorbacks would run into controversy of their own following the 2011 season when Bobby Petrino’s motorcycle ride with a former Arkansas volleyball player that he hired for a position within the football program went wrong.
Who can ever forget the road rash/neck brace photos of Petrino just days following the crash? Since Petrino’s firing, Arkansas has failed to win more than nine games in a season.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
In this edition of a random Ohio State football bowl victory we’ll dive into the 2011 Sugar Bowl. Even though it was vacated, Buckeye fans will never forget the battle against Arkansas.
For the longest time Ohio State couldn’t shake the criticism that they couldn’t beat a team from the SEC. Funny how the narrative has changed in the last 15 years, as now the Buckeyes hold big wins over Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
Back in 2010, things were a lot different, as scars from losses in the BCS National Championship Game to Florida and LSU in back-to-back years were still fresh. Entering the 2010 season, Ohio State was 0-9 in bowl games against SEC teams. Their last win against an SEC team came all the way back in 1988 against LSU, and even that victory was vacated.
Expectations were high in Columbus for the Buckeyes after Jim Tressel’s team capped off their 2009 season with a 26-17 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl to finish the season 11-2. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was returning to Ohio State, leading to the Buckeyes entering the season ranked number two in the country.
In their second game of the season, Ohio State and No. 12 Miami squared off in a marquee game at Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning 36-24.
The national championship hopes of the Buckeyes took a major hit in October when they suffered their first loss of the season, falling 31-18 to Wisconsin in Madison. Ohio State would rally to finish the regular season with just the one setback, closing out their schedule with a 20-17 win at Iowa, followed by a 37-7 thumping of Michigan at home.
With an 11-1 record, the Buckeyes were primed to play in another BCS bowl.
When the bowl games were set in early December, it was announced that Ohio State would take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. New Orleans hadn’t been especially kind to the Buckeyes in the past, as not only were they just 1-3 in past Sugar Bowl appearances, Ohio State also lost the BCS National Championship Game to LSU in New Orleans.
The matchup with the Razorbacks would be the first between the two programs, and it remains the only time the teams have squared off.
As if Ohio State didn’t have enough to deal with heading into the game with their poor history against SEC teams, just before Christmas there was even more to worry about. Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas were all found to have traded autographs for tattoos.
Despite the infractions, the players were allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl, as instead they would be punished by being suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino had the Razorback football program on the rise entering the 2010 season. In 2009, Petrino’s squad finished the season with an overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl to finish 8-5. Expectations were even higher entering his third season in Fayetteville, with the Razorbacks ranked 17th to start the year.
Both of the losses Arkansas suffered in the season came to top-10 teams. In September, Alabama escaped Fayetteville with a 24-20 win, and a month later the Razorbacks lost a wild game to seventh-ranked Auburn 65-43 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Arkansas closed out the regular season with a 38-31 win in double overtime at No. 22 Mississippi State, followed by a 31-23 win in Little Rock over LSU, who was ranked sixth at the time.
What was scariest about the Arkansas team entering this game was their offense. Ryan Mallett started his college career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas back in the day when there was no transfer portal and players had to sit out a year when they changed schools.
Mallett did suit up once against the Buckeyes, but only threw three passes in the 2007 game against Ohio State. In the 2010 regular season, Mallett threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with a group that saw five receivers catch at least 30 passes.
Ohio State didn’t take long to get going after Arkansas’ first possession where Mallett threw three incomplete passes before the Razorbacks punted. Pryor was on his way into the end zone on a rush from over 30 yards out before he fumbled at the three-yard-line.
Luckily for Ohio State wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher jumped on the football in the end zone to give the Buckeyes the early lead. Arkansas would find their bearings and respond within two minutes when Mallett found receiver Joe Adams for a nine yard touchdown to tie the score.
The Buckeyes would strike back just over two minutes when Dan Herron rushed for a nine-yard score. The touchdown would kick off a 21-0 run by Ohio State, with Sanzenbacher hauling in a 15-yard touchdown reception at the 9:53 mark of the second quarter, followed by a DeVier Posey 43-yard touchdown catch two minutes before halftime. Arkansas would put three points on the scoreboard before halftime when Zach Hocker hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Hocker would score the first points of the second half just over five minutes into the third quarter when his 46-yard kick went through the uprights. Ohio State would match the score when Devin Barclay hit from the same distance at 4:10 of the quarter. The field goal would be the last points the Buckeyes would put on the scoreboard, but at the time Ohio State fans had to be feeling good with an 18-point lead.
The good vibes wouldn’t last too long, though. Mallett found Jarius Wright from 22 yards out, followed by adding a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 31-21 with 58 seconds left in the quarter.
Buckeye Nation would get even more nervous early in the fourth quarter when Jake Bequette tackled running back Dan Herron in the end zone for a safety to make it a one-score game. Hocker would connect on his third field goal of the night just three minutes later to make it a 31-26 game.
By this time the Buckeyes were on their heels and it looked like they were on the verge of choking away the game. Things got even worse when Herron was stopped on fourth down at Ohio State’s 37 with just under six minutes to go.
Even though momentum was clearly on the side of the Razorbacks, Arkansas wasted their great field position on the next drive, losing seven yards and being forced to punt. While Ohio State was able to bleed about three minutes off the clock when they got the football, Ben Buchanan’s punt was blocked by the Razorbacks, giving Arkansas the football inside the Buckeye 20.
After throwing an incompletion on first down, Mallett’s next pass was intercepted by Solomon Thomas of all people to seal the game for Ohio State and finally earn the Buckeyes a win against a team from the SEC.
The Sugar Bowl win was the last good feeling for Ohio State football for a while. In late May, Jim Tressel resigned, leading to co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell being named interim head coach for the 2011 season. Pryor would never play another snap for the Buckeyes, instead opting to enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft.
At least with Pryor having moved on, Braxton Miller was able to see the field earlier than he had anticipated, setting the table for him to lead Ohio State at quarterback during Urban Meyer’s first two years as head coach. The Buckeyes would finish the 2011 season 6-7 under Fickell, losing the Gator Bowl to Florida.
Arkansas would have a more enjoyable 2011 season than Ohio State did, posting an 11-2 season that was capped off with a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. The Razorbacks would run into controversy of their own following the 2011 season when Bobby Petrino’s motorcycle ride with a former Arkansas volleyball player that he hired for a position within the football program went wrong.
Who can ever forget the road rash/neck brace photos of Petrino just days following the crash? Since Petrino’s firing, Arkansas has failed to win more than nine games in a season.
Continue reading...
