Game Thread Game Nine: #1 tOSU 44, Minnesota 0 (10/28/06)

[osugrad21]

OZone

Football
The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
By John Porentas​

Get Your Money's Worth: In last Saturday's game against Indiana OSU middle linebacker James Laurinaitis drew a penalty flag for hitting a Hoosier ball carrier out of bounds. According to Laurinaitis, the hit was very much inadvertent.​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]James Laurinaitis [/FONT]

"I was trying to hold up, but I tripped over (fellow OSU linebacker) Curtis (Terry), said Laurinaitis.​

Trip or not, it was a late hit and earned a flag. Laurinaitis had no problem with the call, but felt like he didn't get his 15 yards worth on the play.​

"Coach told me that if I'm going to get a late hit penalty at least hit him," said Laurinaitis drawing a laugh from reporters.​

"You can see me jump and then kind of hold back. You have to play smarter than that. It was a late hit, they called it, and I'm not going to disagree with the refs. A late hit is a late hit."​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Antonio Pittman [/FONT]

Special Circumstances: There will be some special circumstances this weekend for the Minnesota game. For starters, legendary OSU golfer Jack Nicklaus will by dot the i in script Ohio at the game in honor of his contributions to the university through the years. It will also be homecoming for the Buckeyes, though that fact didn't seem to impress the Buckeyes a whole lot.​

"It's not like the dance for us or something," quipped OSU running back Antonio Pittman. "That's over with. This is a game."​

OSU offensive lineman Doug Datish didn't quite get the homecoming concept either, particularly since the game will actually be the second in a two-game home stand for the Buckeyes.​

"I don't get what homecoming is in college," said Datish.​

"I'm sure it's a big deal to some people. I always thought it was when you were coming home. This should be called home-staying this year. It's no different for me. It's another football game."​

Rooting Interest Defined: For the second time this season OSU running backs coach Dick Tressel will be on the sideline helping coach at team against an opponent that has one of his offspring on the other sideline. Against Cincinnati this year, Tressel's son Mike was an assistant with the Bearcats, and this week his son Luke is an assistant for the Golden Gophers coaching Minnesota's wide receivers.​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dick Tressel [/FONT]

Previous father/son matchups have made it tough for Dick Tressel's wife, Connie. Do you root for your husband on the OSU sideline, or for a son on the opposing sideline? According to Dick, her boys made it easy for her this year.​

"Both sons have told their mom that she's allowed to cheer for the Buckeyes because they can't be national champs and maybe we can," said Tressel.​

The family allegiance issue isn't limited just to Dick Tressel's immediate family. In Jim Tressel's house, some family members find it tough to root against cousins as well.​

"My daughter said before last year's game that she hoped that we would win and Minnesota's receivers would have a great game," said OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel.​

You may remember that that is exactly what happened last year in Minneapolis. Tressel said he has issued a family edict that he hopes will alter that outcome.​

"I told her this year she better not have the same wish, because they had a great game," Tressel said. "Luke is a good coach and a good recruiter."​

This Week's Message: It's been a weird game week around Columbus. Yes, everyone knows the Gophers are coming to town, and yes, everyone knows the next two opponents are Illinois and Northwestern. Those facts not withstanding, most of the talk and the buzz is centered on the last game on the schedule, a possible first-ever matchup between Ohio State and Michigan as the number one and number two teams in the country. Within the program, however, the players seem to be focused on Minnesota despite all the early Michigan hype.​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Doug Datish [/FONT]

"You guys are stoking the fire for November 18. Right now I don't care," OSU offensive lineman Doug Datish told reporters.​

"Minnesota is the main focus and if we don't win this game it doesn't matter what we do next week or the week after. It's something for you guys to talk about," Datish said.​

In keeping with OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel's theme-of-the-week approach, the Buckeyes have been reminded of some stats from last year's matchup with the Gophers this week.​

"Second most passing yards in 116 years of Ohio State history and second most total yards," said OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis of some of the things the OSU staff is reminding the Buckeyes of from last year's game.​

"The graduate assistants put it up in our lockers. It reminds you that you better be ready to go. We came into that game last year saying that if we stop the run we'll be all right and they put up over 400 yards throwing," Laurinaitis remembered.​

He also remembered that the Gophers ran effectively as well in that game.​

"I think they got us on the ground a lot, they cut us a lot. We always say that you can't make tackles when you're on the ground, and we had a lot of guys getting cut. We had some unexpected plays, we didn't really talk about the pass too much," said Laurinaitis.​

"We look back on that and realize that was the second-most passing yards in Ohio State history and the second-most total yards against us in Ohio State history. We have a constant reminder of that in our lockers."​

Time's Flying - This Year: Following the Minnesota game the regular-season schedule will be three-fourths complete. If it seems like it has gone by fast, you're not alone.​

"It's blowing by. It's going real quick," said tailback Antonio Pittman​

"I want it to slow down and then you don't. You just want to get to he season and be perfect and go to the national championship and get a ring and send the seniors out right," Pittman said.​

Success seems to speed up the time for Pittman. Lack of success has the opposite effect.​

"My longest season here was my freshman year," Pittman said.​

"We had a losing streak and were taking a lot of beatings. That seemed like the longest season I've ever played. It seemed like it never ended. Last year it went by real fast and this year I can't believe we're in the ninth game of the season already."​

 

[osugrad21]

Link

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Minnesota coach under fire from fans[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]BY JIM NAVEAU - Oct. 27, 2006[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]COLUMBUS ? Minnesota football coach Glen Mason must have felt like he was on the old Comedy Central Series ?Short Attention Span Theater,? but he wasn?t laughing.
Mason, who has coached the Gophers to six bowl games since 1999, heard chants of ?Fire Mason? during a 10-9 win over NCAA Division I-AA North Dakota State last week. A week earlier, he attributed considerable booing of his team by the student section at the Metrodome partly to too much alcohol.
That?s what a 3-5 start, going winless in four Big Ten games and being in charge during what is starting to look like an unraveling season will get you.
?If you?re worried about criticism, you probably shouldn?t be a major college football coach,? Mason said earlier this week on the Big Ten teleconference.
?This is my 10th year. Some of those people who might be in the stands were eight or nine years old when I came here and Minnesota wasn?t very good against anybody,? he said.
Minnesota is 61-55 with Mason as its coach, going into its game against Ohio State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. In the 10 seasons before he arrived, it won 38 games.
New England Patriots rookie running back Laurence Maroney, who led Minnesota in rushing last season, added some fuel to the fire on Wednesday when he said Mason ?overlooks? a lot of talented players and ?doesn?t give them a chance.?
Mason signed a contract extension earlier this year that runs through 2010.
NON-FOOTBALL INJURY: Ted Ginn Jr.?s broken toe came as he was on his way to a meeting last week, not on the football field, the junior wide receiver said Wednesday on a teleconference.
He played last Saturday against Indiana and caught five passes for 72 yards and will play on Saturday against Minnesota.
HIGH PRAISE: Mason called OSU quarterback Troy Smith the best player in the country and compared him to a former NFL great.
?The last time I looked at a player and thought he was the best player in the country, it was Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State,? he said.
TURNING POINT: The victory over their own offense in the preaseason jersey scrimmage might have been a defining moment for Ohio State?s inexperienced defense.
?It was a huge moment,? middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. ?It kind of gave us a little confidence. If we could compete with our offense, it kind of gave us a little sense of maybe we can do this. If we could stop our offense, maybe we were doing something right.?
FAULTY FOOTING: The new turf at Ohio State, which was installed two games ago, is showing signs of wear and tear already.
Some Ohio State players said it was slippery during last Saturday?s game against Indiana and coach Jim Tressel said earlier this week it ?wasn?t as good as we?d like.?
?But don't get me in trouble. I've got groundskeepers that work their rear ends off doing their best,? he said.
LEAVING HOME: Minnesota thought it had a verbal commitment from Laurinaitis after his junior season in high school in suburban Minneapolis, but he chose Ohio State when the offer from the Buckeyes came during his senior season.
Laurinaitis is the first Ohio State player from Minnesota since Sid Gillman in the 1930s.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

OHIO STATE VS. MINNESOTA
Practice helps OSU stay perfect

With starting units working against each other, Buckeyes get used to top competition
Friday, October 27, 2006Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus -- Some of the greatest Ohio State plays of the season, and some of the toughest matchups the Buckeyes have faced, no one has seen.
Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. working against cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Linebacker James Laurinaitis tracking running back Antonio Pittman. Center Doug Datish blocking defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock. Defensive end Vernon Gholston chasing quarterback Troy Smith.
Ohio State's first-team offense goes against Ohio State's first-team defense every week in practice, even this deep into the season. Not every team does that, but if you're looking for a reason why the Buckeye defense has surpassed expectations, facing the Heisman front-runner almost daily has to be part of the answer.
"This is the first place I've been where we do it all year long," Ohio State safeties coach Paul Haynes said. "It's a rare thing. It only helps us because we're going best against the best, and you don't see much better once you get out there on Saturday."
Most teams work their first-team offense against the second-string defense and vice versa. That can boost the confidence of the starters, if they can have their way with the backups, and it allows for better execution of the game plan that's being put in place. But Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he started putting the starters head-to-head at Youngstown State in 1989. Coincidence or not, he noticed that his teams were 14-20 his first three years with the Penguins, and then from 1989 to 1994, they were 70-13-2.
"We picked that up from Florida State," Tressel said. "We went down and visited their spring practice, and it was like a war. I came back to my guys and said, 'They're not bad, maybe we ought to take a little tip from them.'
"We've never backed away from it and we haven't, knock wood, gotten injuries. I think the thing is when you're going full speed and full intensity, I think there's less chance of injury."
The matchups between the Ohio State receivers and defensive backs can be especially electric, the defenders knowing if they can cover Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez, they can cover anyone.
"We get great practice against great players," OSU cornerbacks coach Tim Beckman said. "So if you're a senior defensive back that's trying to choose what school you want to go to, why wouldn't you come where you're playing against the best guys?"
Asked for season highlights from practice, neither Tressel nor Haynes could name one, because they say they happen all the time.
"There's a lot of things that happen really fast," Tressel said. "I know there's a lot of plays people would like to see, because of the speed at which it's going on.
"That's what we like about it. The guys are jawing the whole way, and they like going against one another. We don't go full tackle right now, like we do in the spring or preseason, but the speed is every bit the same."
It shouldn't be a surprise then that some players feel that the moment of truth for the defense came in the jersey scrimmage this fall, when going first team vs. first team, and second team vs. second team, the defense defeated the offense. Smith and Ginn and friends are a heck of a measuring stick.
"We were trying to do these things we were good at doing and we were kind of getting stuck in the mud a bit," Datish said of the offense that day. "It was frustrating, but at the same time, we were like, 'They're pretty good here.'
"I think we were good at offense at the time, and if we would have beaten them by 100 points, I'd have said, 'Wow, we need to score 1,000 a game to win this season.' But we didn't do that, and they're playing great."
The competition runs both ways. Tressel pointed out how much Smith has gained by working against defenders such as A.J. Hawk and Donte Whitner in previous years.
"Troy Smith, in five years, he's gone against some folks," Tressel said. "If he's fortunate enough to be in the NFL, he's seen a lot of those guys. Defensively, I think it's the same thing."
Michigan looms as a probable No. 1 vs. No. 2 game for the Buckeyes in 22 days. Before then, the first team facing the first team will give the No. 1 team in the country the best preparation possible.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4479

 

[osugrad21]

Link

A year of growth for Cupito
Nothing for Minnesota QB compares to becoming a father for the first time
BY KELSIE SMITH | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR
MINNEAPOLIS - In the time since McNicholas High graduate Bryan Cupito last played a football game in his home state of Ohio, the University of Minnesota quarterback has played in three bowl games, had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, earned a business degree and became a father.
Born in December, his daughter, Callie, is a 10-month-old reminder that, ultimately, what happens on the football field or in the classroom is relative.
Callie recently has begun to crawl, and the time Cupito used to spend with his Playstation has been monopolized by Callie's Baby Einstein DVDs. Those DVDs probably consume most Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, the time Cupito spends alone with his daughter while his girlfriend, Carly Mickelson, attends class.

OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1');
Cupito also is taking classes, two of them, both at night, as he begins working toward a master's degree in sports management.
"That," Cupito said of becoming a father, "is the biggest change in my life. Nothing compares to that."
Cupito has changed a great deal athletically as well. He redshirted in 2002, was the third-string quarterback and holder in 2003 and started 12 games in 2004.
He completed just 47 percent of his passes that season, for an average of 174.8 yards a game. Last season his completion rate increased to 59 percent.
He again is completing 59 percent of his passes this year for an average of 193.5 yards per game.
"Bryan really came of age a couple years ago against Alabama when he was hit late," coach Glen Mason said of the Gophers' 2004 bowl game. "We thought he was done for the game, and doctors weren't sure. He was really hurt, and we had problems because the backup quarterback couldn't throw the ball, and Bryan knew that.
"He hung in there with a brace on his leg and played extremely well. It probably helps guys rally around him, too. If one of your own is going out there and really sucking it up and getting out there, you really feel you can't let him down."
Cupito has a history of playing through pain. Against Ohio State last year, he played with a brace on his left (non-throwing) shoulder because of an injury he suffered two weeks earlier against Michigan, a game that left him battered on the sidelines with two injured shoulders and a concussion.
Despite the sore shoulder, which led to arthroscopic surgery in April, Cupito completed 26 of 35 passes for a career-high 396 yards and one touchdown in the Gophers' 45-31 loss to the Buckeyes.
Sophomore safety and Columbus native Dominic Jones said Cupito's grit contributes to his leadership.
"Any time a quarterback gets hit, any time he gets sacked and gets up, time and time again, you have to respect that," Jones said. "Any time (an injured player) can go ahead and strap it up and perform well, I definitely respect that. ... 'Coop' leads by example. He'll say something little here and there, but he's definitely a leader."
Cupito said he's been looking forward to Saturday for quite some time - even if it means putting his 3-5 Gophers - who last week won 10-9 over Division I-AA North Dakota State - against the 8-0 Buckeyes.
"I've been waiting for this game since I got here," Cupito said. "Last year, I finally had the chance to play them again, and I'm just excited to go there (and play) for the first time.
"All my family is coming, my friends are coming, so I'm excited. ... We just have to play well, and hopefully we have a chance to stay in the game."

 

[Steve19]

Uh, Bryan, just don't count on Ohio State not turning up the heat a little bit more than you hoped...

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Scouting in Week 10

... Buckeyes
Ohio State gets defensive tackle David Patterson back after two weeks off (knee surgery) but would be wise to play it safe with him and Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn revealed this week that he played against Indiana with a fractured pinkie toe. If Ginn's injury doesn't scare Jim Tressel into getting Troy Smith off the field earlier than he has in the last two blowouts, nothing will.
... Gophers
Funny how things work out. When Jim Tressel beat out Glen Mason for the OSU job in 2001, some were upset the Buckeyes didn't go with the more charismatic Mason. Now the Minnesota student body wants Mason fired, figuring he's had enough time to build a program. Never mind he's taken the Gophers to six bowls in the last seven years or most high school prospects think Minneapolis is part of the Arctic Circle. The loss of three offensive linemen and two 1,000-yard backs has been too tough to overcome.

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Keys to victory in Week 10

Buckeyes
1. Focus on Exhibit 1-AA
Two Big Ten teams, Indiana and Northwestern, have lost to I-AA teams this season. The Gophers came within a blocked field goal on the last snap of losing to I-AA North Dakota State last weekend. OSU should put itself in the shoes of the Hoosiers, Wildcats and Gophers and imagine how embarrassing it would be to lose to someone you would normally scrape off your heels. Probably like it would feel if they lost to Minnesota, a 27-point dog on Saturday. The Buckeyes need to stomp on these rodents (nothing personal) and remove any threat of a ticklish situation.
2. Don't give Cupito room to gloatMinnesota quarterback and Cincinnati McNicholas product Bryan Cupito was the best quarterback on the field in the 2002 Ohio All-Star Classic -- yes, better than Justin Zwick -- and has good reason to harbor resentment for being snubbed by the Buckeyes. He'd love nothing more than to ruin OSU's season. He almost led an upset last season, throwing for 396 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota's running attack isn't nearly as potent this season, so there's no excuse for OSU's suddenly blitz-happy defense not to make life difficult for the Ohio transplant.
Gophers
1. Turn back the clock
Minnesota coach Glen Mason has beaten his alma mater only once in seven tries, but it was a doozy. The Buckeyes were unbeaten and ranked fifth in the country on Homecoming in 2000 when they were stunned by the Gophers, 29-17. Hmmm. OSU is unbeaten, and again it's Homecoming. Mason's bunch is just dangerous enough to be taken semi-seriously. A big question is whether a rebuilt offensive line can give Minnesota's skill people enough time and room to operate.
2. Lull the Bucks to sleep
That might be the only way to keep Ohio State from reaching its season average (34.9 ppg). Minnesota has won 35 straight games when holding an opponent to 20 or fewer points, dating back to 1999. That's the challenge for a team that ranks 97th nationally in total defense, 96th in rushing defense and 102nd in passing efficiency. Oh, and Minnesota lost its best corner, Trumaine Banks, to a broken arm two weeks ago. Another bad omen: The Gophers held OSU to 20 points in 1999 and still didn't win.

 

[osugrad21]

Blade

THE GOPHER: Ohio State's only Minnesota native on the field tomorrow will be linebacker James Laurinaitis, and he won't be hard to find. Laurinaitis leads the Buckeyes with 64 tackles, and his four interceptions also are tops on the team. Although he was the most prized recruit in his home state as a high school senior, Laurinaitis stopped considering other schools once he visited the Buckeyes. "When I came on my visit here, I just knew. It sounds clich, but when I got here, I just knew that this is where I should be," Laurinaitis said. "I had a tremendous opportunity to learn behind three tremendous guys (2005 senior linebackers A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, and Anthony Schlegel)." The four interceptions by Laurinaitis this year are the most by an Ohio State linebacker since Andy Katzenmoyer had four in the 1996 season. The school record for a linebacker is six interceptions, set by Chris Spielman in 1986. Laurinaitis from Hamel, Minn., had two tackles against the Gophers in last season's game at the Metrodome. PITTMAN ROLLING: Junior tailback Antonio Pittman had his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season last weekend against Indiana. Pittman leads the Buckeyes with 778 yards on 142 carries and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 97.2 yards per game. Pittman rushed for 1,331 yards last year, and if he remains healthy, should become the first Ohio State running back since Eddie George (1994-95) to put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. The back-to-back grand club is pretty exclusive, with just George, Archie Griffin (1973-74-75), Tim Spencer (1981-82), and Keith Byars (1983-84). "I think the people outside of Columbus are starting to come around and starting to see the spark he brings to our offense," Ohio State running backs coach Dick Tressel said. "Whether it be something like the screen pass last week where all of a sudden we were backed up and we tossed it out to him and we got 20 yards. I think those kinds of things are recognized internally. I don't think he will be under the radar if he keeps putting up these kinds of numbers." CLUTCH TIME: Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez caught four passes in last weekend's win over Indiana - all four went for first downs. Gonzalez has 38 pass receptions this season, and 33 of those have gone for first downs. He has six touchdown receptions and leads the Buckeyes in receiving yardage with 591 yards.

 

[martinss01]

Ohio State's first-team offense goes against Ohio State's first-team defense every week in practice, even this deep into the season.

it amazes me that there are so few schools who do this. it seems like a natural thing to do. i prefer to practice the way i play. the guy i go up against in practice, if i had my way would always be better than me. i want someone who is going to push me every step of the way and take advantage of every mistake i make. a gimme or a false sense of accomplishment isn't helpful.

 

[Mike80]

Imagine this, it's gonna rain all day. Here is the current radar.

I'm assuming that the tarp is out on the field....

http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/centgrtlakes_loop.php


Judging from where the area of low pressure is going, I'm glad we are having this storm in October instead of January. We'd be up to our arse in snow/ice....

 

[JXC]

Imagine this, it's gonna rain all day. Here is the current radar.

I'm assuming that the tarp is out on the field....

http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/centgrtlakes_loop.php


Judging from where the area of low pressure is going, I'm glad we are having this storm in October instead of January. We'd be up to our arse in snow/ice....

It'll be interesting to see when exactly the rain stops tomorrow. Obviously we don't need rain at all during tomorrow's game, it can only bring bad things with it. Right now weather.com just says AM showers tomorrow...but that radar looks pretty nasty, and right now doesn't look like it's moving fast enough to be out of here in time. One thing i've noticed about the weather channel is they like to look at their models and never take a look at the current radar to forcast the chance of rain.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

The only reason that Cupito threw for so much yardage was that Youboty was hurt and they kept successfuly throwing deep on him. That won't happen this time...not on Jenkins or Yao.

 

[Mike80]

It'll be interesting to see when exactly the rain stops tomorrow. Obviously we don't need rain at all during tomorrow's game, it can only bring bad things with it. Right now weather.com just says AM showers tomorrow...but that radar looks pretty nasty, and right now doesn't look like it's moving fast enough to be out of here in time. One thing i've noticed about the weather channel is they like to look at their models and never take a look at the current radar to forcast the chance of rain.

Pretty much.

That's why I don't go there anymore

It's NOAA.gov for me. Or WeatherUnderground if NOAA is down.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

i'm actually hoping that the conditions tomorrow are downright horrible. what worries me most about the michigan game is one played in rain and moderate-to-heavy win. as the penn state game revealed, the offense is dramatically different when the vertical game is limited. ohio state must be able to spread the field vertically if it's going to distance itself from scum. watching the front seven from tsun, there is little doubt that it is the best in the nation. though i think that our offensive line and running backs (troy, of course, included) are excellent, i don't see much of a rushing threat (that is, more than 100 ground yards) unless passing gains of 15 yards or more are readily available. not having the downfield pass available at will should make the game much closer than we'd want to see it.

so, poor weather tomorrow should give our offense some very valuable experience. sure, such weather might narrow the victory margin tomorrow, but i see the reward as well worth the risk.

 

[sandgk]

If the weather is indeed on the poor side tomorrow then it is time once again for sure hands and ball hawks on defense to stand tall.
(Wouldn't hurt if the Buckeyes simply ground out a ball control game with the stable of backs available. Thus leaving Smith to find receivers on a limited number of plays).
I still think they will beat the spread, no matter what.