QB Play
There is a rating the QB article (
image) on the Buckeyextra site. And I find I disagree with some of what it says. Assessing the QB play is complicated by these three factors:
- Two of the three QBs saw play behind both Offensive lines, the third, (Boeckman) only saw play behind the Scarlet O-line ...
- The two QBs seeing play on both Scarlet and Gray had their best frames when facing the Scarlet Defensive line (I disagree with the
Dispatch's summary in this regard more than any other).
- The Gray Offense clearly had the better running game threat for most of the game.
Whose on First?
To really understand the relative merits of the three QBs it would have been helpful to see Boeckman get the opportunity to play under the Gray Center, facing the Scarlet D-Line, with the benefit of a better running game threat.
Whether it was more the lack of running game on Scarlet, a more difficult match-up of O-line to D-line favoring Gray (for whom Wilson, Larimore and the LB Corps had productive games) there is no doubt in my mind that the Scarlet O vs Gray D was a tougher row to hoe. I favor the position that Boeckman, with Maurice Wells in the backfield, in a Gray shirt would have yielded a similar or better drive than the go-ahead drive Schoenhoft engineered in the 4th quarter.
Overall there is little doubt that Boeckman had the more productive day wearing a Scarlet jersey under center.
When wearing Gray Schoenhoft was decidedly more productive and/or less prone to error than Henton. Schoenhoft's run while wearing Gray in the second half was generally the most productive of any QB in any color.
Some might point to Todd's late 4th quarter fumble as balancing against the errors of Schoenhoft and Henton. I'd counter that was on what all agree was a busted play, from a busted play call when a FG would have handily won the game. (Huge credit to Grant on the fumble, but c'mon, pass play with less than 20 ticks and the team is well within your kicker's range?)
Right now I'd rank the QBs Todd> Robbie **** Henton (because Henton's errors were more numerous, while Todd's passing stats were deflated by several long drops). Worth noting that some of Henton's most impressive runs came on third and long (which with his deep drop became third and very long). Troy-like in all respects except converting for a first down.
Offensive Line Play
Enormously difficult to gauge - the two split lines were already thinned by injury before being divided by draft. Put Cordle in Scarlet maybe this is a very different day on the ground.
Running Game
As the line goes, so does the running game? Gray clearly showed more of a threat in the ground game, which helps keep the D-line a little more honest. (Which helps a thin O-line give an extra tick on the clock before the pocket collapses). Not knocking the Scarlet running backs, but Maurice Wells was more productive than them till the 4th quarter.
Defensive Play
Defenses always have the upper hand in games like this, especially with the depleted O-lines. Still, it was
very encouraging to see how dominating the split D-lines were against the split and weakened O-lines. (I say that because our split O-lines are not so far below some D-1A 1st string lines).
D-line - there is clearly depth and very productive (disruptive) depth across the D-lines. Gray gets the loudest plaudits from my seat. Wilson, Larimore and the rest of Gray D-line often gave Scarlet QBs 3 ticks to make that decision to tuck, run or throw. Scarlet's group was keyed on the play of Gholston, Worthington and Rose.
Tip of the hat to Barrow who played Henton's pass into his own hands off the tip at the line. Nod to Larimore for the blocked PAT.
LB Corps - Need I say more than this? The game was bookended by turnovers returned for scores by Freeman and Grant. OK, well the inability for either team (particularly Scarlet) to muster a consistent running game flowed from the aggressive run-stuffing and the stretching out of sweeps by the LBs. It did not seem to matter which LB was playing where or when.
Sum and substance, the LB Depth is beyond embarrassing, it is frankly unfair.
DB Play - Generally sound. Even the best corner for instance isn't going to win on each pass play. What was particularly good to see was the play of the younger DBs (Chekwa, Evege for instance to name two). Depth is there and this was a group that played without injured 2006 starter Anderson Russell.
For the safeties Moeller got away with a close call that robbed Robiskie of a TD catch (which would also have boosted Henton's passing totals and score sheet). Still, it was good to see Tyler being aggressive in such a position.
WR Play - Robiskie impressed, very good use of his body and route running. Most pleasant surprise without a doubt was Lyons who had to have caught the coaches eyes with his catches and, more importantly, his work after the catch.
Most Enthusiastic Fan Award?
I was lucky enough to be seated two rows up from AA at the 50 yard line. Great view, optimum. A couple of rows behind me was Dexter Larimore's uncle (I think). Each time Gray was on D you could hear him urging "Dex" to get to that QB or RB. As you might imagine he spent a good deal of time on his cell following Dexter's block of Scarlet's PAT attempt after the first TD of the day.