Buckeyes clip Falcons Talons
Shannon Sommers via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
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The historical cathedral that is known as the Horseshoe in Columbus sits on the East bank of the Olentangy River. Several hours before the mini city comes to life employees start prepping for the mad rush of visitors come with the expectations of seeing greatness on the green turf that sports a large Block O and scarlet endzones spelling Ohio State Buckeyes.
Since April the football fans of the scarlet and gray have been eagerly awaiting the day to see the young team take the field to start the new college football season. Today was that day where Buckeye fans all over the world flocked to the majestic stadium the Chic Harley built.
Fans are filing into the concrete beauty to find their seats. The band starts to make their entrance as Buckeye fans young and old stand up, clapping while enjoying a timeless tradition that The best Damn Band in the Land commands.
Cheerleaders take their spots, some getting ready to hoist the large flags that spell out O -H-I-O when they go running out onto the field. Players are in the tunnel getting ready to follow the flow that makes over 100k fans erupt into utter happiness.
Fans start settling down while the band is going to their seats. Everyone including fans from the opponents team is now eagerly awaiting the coin toss.
“Ohio State wins the coin toss and elects to defer.” the head official says as the hysteria starts to build again. Buckeye fans start chanting/singing some anthem that has no words. Slowly it builds up as the Buckeyes line up ready to boot the football to their opponent.
Boom.
The 2016 college football season is officially under way as walk-on kicker Tyler Durbin now becomes a household name even if the head coach Urban Meyer didn’t remember it on Monday.
Bowling Green State University Falcons are the opponents for the first game of this new season. During the course of the week newspapers, blogs and podcasts have been researching to help Buckeye Nation understand who will be standing in the way for a possible victory.
The Falcons have a new head coach Mike Jinks on the sideline. Jinks is a football man through and through with all kinds of ties to the Great State of Texas.
This is Jinks first game, let alone visiting, in one of the most nostalgic arenas in college football. Trying to figure out how to beat a young mostly inexperienced team, in front of rabid fans, is a huge task (especially when your team is in the same situation).
Eric Glover-Williams raced down the field making a nice open field tackle grounding the Falcons at the eleven-yard line.
Bowling Green takes the field for their first offensive series. Buckeye fans are curiously wondering what kind of defense does our team have this season. They are only returning three starters on this side of the ball. Names like Joey Bosa, Darron Lee, Eli Apple, Joshua Perry, Tryvis Powell, Vonn Bell and Adolphus Washington are in the NFL meaning Buckeyes lost a ton of talent.
First play is a rush that gains four yards.
Second play Buckeyes broke up a screen attempt.
Third and six to go, Falcons attempt a pass but the ball squirts out as the receiver is getting tackled to the ground.
“After further review, the call on the field has been overturned. The receiver was down before the ball came out. Fourth down Bowling Green” the official tells the over 107k fans.
Ohio State makes the Falcons go three and out!! Defense looked good on the first series.
Bowling Green punts the ball to Ohio State. It a low kick and Dontre Wilson who is back to return the kick lets the ball bounce, finally ending its destination at the 42-yard line. Buckeyes first and ten.
J.T. Barrett leads the young offense onto the field for their first series together this season. Familiar questions surround the Buckeye offense as the defense. Having three returning starters what will we see on the field.
First play Barrett drops back to pass and he hits Noah Brown for eight yards. Barrett takes the next snap almost fumbles the hand off so he keeps it and runs forward gaining four yards.
First down Ohio State.
Barrett pitches the ball to Curtis Samuel on an option to the outside, Samuel has a nice spin move to gain five yards. Buckeyes are moving the ball with confidence looking good.
Second and five Barrett drops back throws the ball. Brandon Harris steps back making an athletic play to intercept the ball. Harris has the ball when he lands on his feet then proceeds to run 63 yards into the end zone. Barrett has just thrown a pick six.
J.T. has been very good during his career-limiting mistakes and turnovers so you know this situation is a rarity.
Bowling Green converts the extra point which gives the Falcon confidence David can slay Goliath on the opening weekend of the college football season.
Little did we know, that confidence would be ripped away quicker than when a fan wearing maize and blue watched Appalachian State pull off the greatest victory in college football history.
Ohio State went on a 21 point run. Barrett was spreading the ball around to his many Zone 6 weapons. Mike Weber along with Curtis Samuel was making their presence felt gashing the Falcons defense on the ground.
Bowling Green had two consecutive series getting down into the red zone. Buckeyes defense held strong only allowing a field goal to be scored on their second attempt down there. When the Falcons scored it narrowed the score 21-10 and you were left wondering if this year’s Buckeye defense would be a bend but don’t break style again.
Tracy Sprinkle was lost for the game with a knee injury (it was later reported its possible for the year with patella tendon issue). Donte Booker was seen on the sideline after he came off with an issue.
The Silver Bullets showed up after the field goal only allowing 95 yards for the Falcons. Buckeyes forced three turnovers (1 fumble, 2 INT, I Pick Six) in their strangle of the Falcons offense. Nick Bosa had a sack but seems he didn’t carry on big brothers tradition of the shrug.
For the game the Siver Bullets held the Falcons to 69 yards rushing with 175 yards through the air for three points.
Offensively Ohio State had a historic game, breaking the record of 718 yards in a game in 1930. They young Buckeyes had 776 combined yards (417 in the air, 359 on the ground).
There were at least eight true freshmen that seen playing time in the game. Demario McCall having the biggest impact for the true freshman by scoring two touchdowns (8 carries for 54 yards 1 TD, 1 catch for 36 yards 1 TD).
Nine different Buckeyes had receptions with five of them seeing the end zone. Barrett had thrown for 349 yards and six touchdowns (1 INT). He also rushed for 30 yards on six attempts with a touchdown.
Urban Meyer stated at his press conference on Monday he was worried about the Falcons speed. During the
Men of the Scarlet and Gray Podcast, the discussion Chip Minnich and I had with Thomas Schmeltz of the
Sentinel-Tribune was about this concern. I made the point best way to combat the speed of the Falcons was to score quick and often to cause Bowling Green to abandon their gameplan. The Buckeyes did just that.
There is still lots of work to do, it is only the first game of the season. A lot of young guys on the team which means mistakes were made (9 penalties for 66 yards and one turnover).
Going forward the penalties need some work along with protecting the ball better. Have to find a flaw besides any missed plays.
Buckeyes looked good just have to remember they will get better each game as the season wears on. That could become a huge problem for the Big Ten and those pesky Spartans and Wolverines in November.
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Buckeyes clip Falcons Talons appeared first on
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