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

[Bleed S & G]

This trend in ripping off helmets must end. I don't know if this one was called for a face mask or not, but I don't think so.

I knew it!! the camera angles with the dvr didnt support my shouting when they tossed him by the head, it looked like it may have been shoulder pads on tv.. those bastards!

 

[Jaxbuck]

Same as almost every game this year. Solid win with no serious injuries(yeah tell Small that) and plenty of things to work on.

My ONLY concern; minny being able to somewhat harrass and disrupt the 3 step drops and passing game early on. If scUM could do that for a whole game we would have a big problem.

 

[Best Buckeye]

Same as almost every game this year. Solid win with no serious injuries(yeah tell Small that) and plenty of things to work on.

My ONLY concern; minny being able to somewhat harrass and disrupt the 3 step drops and passing game early on. If scUM could do that for a whole game we would have a big problem.

What can you say about a shutout where the doctors used their scalpels with workmanlike precsion on offense, and the defense crushed them time after time, two 4th down stops and 3 interceptions.
BRAVO BRAVO and ENCORE!!!
JT will take scuM's rush and use it against them. He owns Carr and outcoaches him everytime.
At any rate well done Bucks.

 

[Steve19]

Same as almost every game this year. Solid win with no serious injuries(yeah tell Small that) and plenty of things to work on.

My ONLY concern; minny being able to somewhat harrass and disrupt the 3 step drops and passing game early on. If scUM could do that for a whole game we would have a big problem.

TSUN has a MUCH more impressive defensive line, so our guys will have to work on that. Remember, though, that our second string got a lot of time throughout the game yesterday and we will have an offensive strategy appropriate for TSUN.

TSUN is going to come into Columbus, try to run the ball down our throats and try to shut down our run completely. Listen to their talk and they think they can shut down anyone's offense, especially the run. We haven't really had to use the run to control the clock and ball this year. Seemed to me throughout the game that Ohio State was working on its smashmouth running game. It wasn't because we had a mismatch against Minny, they are equally good (or bad) against the run or the pass. I think Tressel will just be trying to give the team confidence in a lot of looks, so that he has the flexibility he needs to react to TSUN's game plan.

Yesterday, and everything from this point forward, is about Michigan.

 

[Best Buckeye]

I found this on ESPN . Chuckle , snort
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263010194

The Buckeyes, for the most part, were substantially under par on this day. It was another impressive performance by a defense that came in tied for the national lead in fewest points allowed (8.2 per game). Only two teams have scored more than seven against Ohio State this season.

if 44 points =under par I want to be there when there are at the top of their game.

 

[Bleed S & G]

44-0 is under par? granted we did play a tad sloppy but USC was the greatest offense that ever walked the planet last year and Brady is the next John Elway leading comeback after comeback lol.. let me be certaintly not the last to say fuck espn, forever and always.

I wont be satisfied until they say delusional buckeye fan is correct.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Gophers go quietly at Horseshoe
Sunday, October 29, 2006
By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

Troy Smith celebrates​

COLUMBUS - Even the blowout games - is there another kind? - are interesting at Ohio Stadium this year. Troy Smith fumbled, Chris Wells fumbled again, Aaron Pettrey had a PAT kick blocked and Malcolm Jenkins muffed a punt return.
And, oh yeah, Ohio State beat the snot out of another middle-of-the-road Big Ten team.
The top-ranked Buckeyes pancaked Minnesota, 44-0. It was Ohio State's first shutout since 2003 and the first time the Buckeyes won consecutive games by at least 40 points since 1996.
Ohio State's offense eventually got out of its own way and finished with 484 yards. The Buckeyes turned the ball over three times.
Thanks to a defense that has not allowed a score on a sudden change of possession this season, the outcome of the game never was in doubt. The OSU defense gave up just 47 yards rushing, while the Buckeys gained 266 on the ground.
"I enjoyed both," Head Coach Jim Tressel said. "Any time you hold Minnesota, who knows how to run the ball, to 47 yards, that's huge, and then whenever we rush for 200, I just think that's wonderful."
Tressel stressed having a big day on the ground all week to his players. There is a different theme each week.
Running back Antonio Pittman finished with 163 total yards, 116 on the ground and two touchdowns.
"Against Michigan, we won't be so lucky if we turn the ball over like that," Pittman said.
Minnesota, which has scored just two touchdowns the last three games, is a far cry from the Wolverines.
Ohio State's first drive looked easy.
The Buckeyes never had a third down and Pittman ran five times for 41 yards on the 57-yard drive. He scored on a 10-yard run and OSU led 7-0.
Minnesota answered with a three-and-out. The Buckeyes came back with a 42-yard field goal from Aaron Pettrey. The score was set up by a 30-yard throwback screen from Smith to Pittman.
Wells blew a chance to blow the game wide open early in the second quarter. He lost a fumble inside the Minnesota 10.
On OSU's next possession, Smith was pressured from the back side and had the ball stripped away. The Golden Gophers recovered at the OSU 38 and trailed only 10-0.
But senior defensive end Jay Richardson came up with a big play on fourth-and-1 at the OSU 29. Minnesota, rather than kick a tricky field goal on a windy day, went for it. Quarterback Bryan Cupito was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
"(Defensive Coordinator Jim Heacock) called the right blitz and I was fortunate to come free and get his legs," Richardson said. "That was a big play, momentum-wise, for us."
Minnesota's sideline looked lifeless. Smelling blood, Smith led the Buckeyes on a 10-play, 71-yard drive and Ohio State led, 17-0.
"When our defense has got them third down or fourth down, our crowd is - they're into it, and you can just feel the energy, and I'm sure that took a little emotion from the Golden Gophers," Tressel said.
Smith's TD pass that made it 17-0 was the prettiest touchdown of the afternoon.
On second-and-8 from the Minnesota 18, Smith took a shotgun snap, looked left to Ted Ginn Jr., scanned to Anthony Gonzalez in the middle of the field and then lobbed a perfect pass to Brian Robiskie in the right side of the end zone.
The Buckeye defense started the second half with a turnover. Antonio Smith picked off a Cupito pass and OSU had the ball at the Gopher 23. Three plays later, Troy Smith had a Heisman moment.
He tucked the ball around the left end, then cut back inside to the right. He put a shake-and-back move on linebacker Deon Hightower that left him standing inside the 15. Smith went untouched into the end zone. He finished with 183 yards in the air, 43 rushing and a touchdown each way.
The Buckeyes have now won each of their nine games by at least 17 points. It's the first time that's been done since 1973.
"Today, we faced an incredible team," Mason said. "We have had many problems ... it's hard to get past those problems and get better when you play a team like Ohio State. ... They're a very good football team; very, very good. Ohio State is skilled and they know what they're doing." Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

OSU REPORT
Sunday, October 29, 2006


ZWICK GETS IN - Fifth-year senior QB Justin Zwick (Massillon) played in Ohio State's final offensive drive of the game and had a strong series. Zwick completed 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards. He finished the drive with a 1-yard QB sneak and scored the final TD of the game. "Troy (Smith) jumped in the air higher than anyone when Justin scored," Head Coach Jim Tressel said. "It was good to see Stan White get in there. ... They've been here for five years and they've gone through some wonderful times, and some tough times. Any time someone gets a chance to have good things happen, it's exciting." Smith was the first player to greet Zwick at the sideline. Over the last year, the two QBs have turned a once distant relationship into a close one. "Justin's touchdown really touched me," Smith said. "It was one of those things he probably needs. ... You get a chance to get a breath of fresh air when something like that happens." WR Brian Hartline said when fans boo Zwick on the field, it has an effect on the rest of the team. "We hate when they start that booing crap with him," Hartline said. "It was exciting for him to get in there and play well."
DOTTING THE 'i' Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, an Ohio State alum, became the fifth honorary i-dotter in Ohio State Marching Band history on Saturday. Nicklaus, with 39 friends and family in attendance, dotted the "i' in "Script Ohio" at halftime. "I'm always a pretty emotional guy, and Ohio State has meant so much to my life," Nicklaus said. "It's like The Memorial Tournament, which means so much to me. It's great to be a part of this. ... This is only my second game this year, but I'll be back for Michigan, and hopefully Arizona." Nicklaus had 10 of his 19 grandchildren on the field to watch.
HURTING Three Ohio State players had concussions Saturday afternoon, but none were as serious as WR Ray Small. The 170-pounder from Glenville High School appeared to be unconscious after a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit he received from Minnesota's Dominic Jones. Small came to and was helped off the field. Senior co-captain Quinn Pitcock did not dress for the game. He suffered a concussion against Indiana, and Tressel kept the injury well hidden from the media. His absence was a surprise. WR Anthony Gonzalez caught a pass and was slammed to the grass near the OSU sideline. He caught three passes for 30 yards, but didn't play after the hit. Tressel said Pitcock and Gonzalez should be able to play next week, but was unsure of Small.
BUCKEYES RG T.J. Downing (GlenOak) played with his right foot heavily taped. He did not miss any playing time. ... Just before halftime, OSU's offense had 248 yards, 124 rushing, 124 passing. They finished last week with 270 of each. ... Opposing offenses had just 76 first downs in nine games. ... The 16-game winning streak is the longest in the nation and third longest in Buckeye history. OSU won 22 straight from 1967-69 and 19 in a row from 2002-03. ... The Buckeyes scored for the fifth time on their opening possession Saturday. It was an eight-play 57-yard drive. ... Smith has not thrown an interception in his last 120 attempts. ... The defense has held eight of nine opponents to one or less TDs this season. TODD PORTER

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Buckeyes playing against themselves
Sunday, October 29, 2006
By SCOTT BROWN

COLUMBUS - You think this is easy? You think it's easy beating Minnesota 44-0 at Ohio Stadium? You think it's a walk in the park smacking Indiana around 44-3?

Yep.
It isn't.
Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel is in waters that haven't been tread in Columbus too often. The Buckeyes blasted Minnesota, 44-0, Saturday afternoon and 105,443 people found a way to be entertained.
So did the Buckeyes.
Because they're not playing Minnesota. They're not playing Indiana. The next two weeks, they're not playing Illinois and Northwestern, either.
Top-ranked Ohio State is playing itself at this point.
Each Saturday isn't just about winning. It's about trying for perfection. It's about coaches complaining that right tackle Kirk Barton's first step is four inches inside of where his plant foot needs to be. Or that Ted Ginn Jr. ran past the cornerback 5 yards into his route instead of 8, thereby forcing the play to develop too quickly.
"We always compete against ourselves to get better," Tressel said. "I think if you can keep your focus on competing against yourself, you've got a chance. Then, of course, you study your opponent to see where they're vulnerable, and where you may be able to attack them.
"I think the name of the game is seeing if you can become the best you, you can be."
The you at OSU is the best in the country right now. This is the approach that Tressel has taken to keep his team focused.
And it's working. There aren't letdowns. The last four weeks, the Buckeyes have won by a combined 161-17, including 88-7 the last two weeks.
Tressel doesn't reveal too much about film grades, other than his players of the week. But a guess says the Buckeyes have higher film grades with each passing week, something that probably couldn't be said for any of Tressel's previous teams, including the 2002 national champions.
Let's face it, the Buckeyes didn't win games that year because they were the better team every week. They won games because they were talented, but they were lucky. They won games because Craig Krenzel could've been a astrophysicist.
They're winning this year because an astrophysicist couldn't find a weak link in this team.
"It is about that," said Buckeye wide receiver Brian Hartline, who led the team Saturday with four catches for 69 yards. "College football in general has evolved. You can't just win out any more and be at the top of the standings in any kind of poll.
"They talk about style points, and how many you beat an opponent by. This day and age, you have to try to blow teams out. We have to keep the shutouts going. We have to keep that 40-point barrier because our expectations are different. The goals are changing."
The goals are getting tougher.
Sure, Tressel can tell his team today, they won 44-0. But they turned the ball over four times. T.J. Downing had his right hand two inches inside of a defensive lineman's pads when the coaches want it an inch to the left.
That's a tough game to win.
Perfection in football is a carrot dangling on a never-ending stick.
"It has to be the focus," Hartline said of the little-things film review. "If you don't, you run out of things to try to correct. We're not perfect, and until we are, we're not going to be satisfied. We're going to play good teams in November, and hopefully the national championship. We have to find an edge to get there every week."
Last week's internal theme was being dominant offensively. Antonio Pittman finished with 116 yards and two touchdown. Chris Wells had 90 and a touchdown. He also fumbled. So did quarterback Troy Smith.
It was 44-0.
Perfect?
Far from it.
That might be the scary part about this football team. They think they can be perfect. Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

MorningJournal

OSU leaves no doubt

JASON LLOYD, Morning Journal Writer

10/29/2006

COLUMBUS -- Before the start of the season, when Ohio State was No. 1 despite having more of questions than answers, coach Jim Trestsel developed a slogan that has carried Ohio State to a perfect 9-0 start and an extended stay atop college football's rankings.


''Let there be no doubt.''

On a day USC, the best non-Big Ten team in the country, entered as double-digit favorites and lost to Oregon State, the Buckeyes again left no doubt yesterday with a crushing 44-0 win over Minnesota. It was the first shutout for the Buckeyes since a 20-0 win over Northwestern in 2003 and continued Ohio State's ability to bury opponents early.

Through nine games, the closest margin of victory has been 17 points -- and that came on the road against the No. 2 team in the country. For the season, Ohio State is beating opponents by an average score of 36-7.

''We can't have close games. We don't want anyone to pass us up at the end of the day, so we have to come out and dominate,'' said cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, who intercepted his fourth pass of the year yesterday and revealed Tressel's motto for the season. ''It's all about pride. As a defense, we don't want to give up any points or any yards.''

On this day, again, there was no doubt. Along with the shutout, the defense allowed just 182 yards of total offense to Minnesota, and it happened without defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, who missed yesterday's game with a concussion.

The Gophers ran up 578 yards last year on Ohio State's defense in the Metrodome, the second-most yards ever surrendered by Ohio State. Yesterday the defense gave up less than a third of that total.

''People doubted us early, talking about the defense,'' Jenkins said. ''We had confidence in ourselves, so we said ?Let there be no doubt.' We are legitimate and we can play with the best.''

He won't get much argument from the Gophers.

A fumble by Troy Smith -- one of three fumbles lost on the day for the Buckeyes -- gave Minnesota possession on the Ohio State 38-yard line in the second quarter. But the defense again surrendered nothing, jamming tailback Amir Pinnix for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the 29.

The Gophers had squandered one of their only scoring chances and Ohio State's defense again proved there is no doubt. Pinnix managed just 46 yards on the day on 14 carries and Gophers quarterback Bryan Cupito was held to 120 passing yards and threw three interceptions.

''I think a lot of coaches expected to see a drop-off because of the caliber of players they lost last year,'' Gophers coach Glen Mason said. ''But there has been no drop-off. We saw it today and so have the other teams that have played them this year ... They are a very good football team -- very, very good. I didn't need to play them to know that, though.''

On a gusty afternoon with swirling winds that hindered the passing game, Antonio Pittman rushed for 116 yards and two more touchdowns, giving him 10 for the season. Troy Smith threw just 21 passes, completing 14 for 183 yards and two touchdowns -- one passing and one rushing. His 21-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was his first of the season and made it 24-0.

But on a day Chris Wells fumbled again, Smith fumbled and Jenkins fumbled a punt, the real story was a defense that continues its surprising ability not to budge.

Just as the Buckeyes welcomed back defensive tackle David Patterson yesterday, they lost his partner, Pitcock, who has a team-leading seven sacks. Still, the defense never suffered. Minnesota registered just 10 first downs, was 4-of-14 on third downs and averaged 1.8 rushing yards per carry.

Over the last two weeks, against Indiana and Minnesota, the Buckeyes have outscored the opposition, 88-3.

Point taken ... there is no doubt.

''I think it starts up front with our veteran guys who do such a great job of leading,'' Tressel said of the defense. ''David Patterson and Quinn and Joel Penton and Jay Richardson ... They were the returning guys coming back and everyone was wondering how the rest of the group was going to be. What they've done is they've raised their own performance up and done a great job of leading those new guys.''

Those new guys don't seem so new anymore. And this defense doesn't seem so young anymore. Ohio State has now held three straight opponents under 200 yards of total offense.

Minnesota had one other great opportunity to score when Desi Steib recovered Jenkins' fumbled punt on the Ohio State 36 in the fourth quarter. Jenkins was returning punts because receiver Anthony Gonzalez was out with a concussion sustained in the first half.

After allowing one first down, OSU's defense took the ball back when Penton and freshman Ross Homan stuffed Cupito for no gain on another fourth-and-1, this time from the Ohio State 15-yard line and the Buckeyes leading, 37-0.

''I think the name of the game is seeing if you can become the best you can be,'' Tressel said.

In that regard, there is no doubt. And Michigan is now just three weeks away.

[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

The 'i' has been dotted; here's the 't'

By Kyle Nagel
Staff Writer

Sunday, October 29, 2006

COLUMBUS ? Thoughts and observations from Saturday's Minnesota-Ohio State football game at Ohio Stadium, as I wonder when Brent Musburger will be invited to dot the "i":
? Chris Wells needs to get with Kenny Rogers. Now that the Tigers pitcher has some time on his hands, he should consult Wells, the Ohio State freshman running back, about the art of sticky hands. Wells fumbled in the first quarter, his third fumble this season.
Which is too bad, because he is a major force when he's running with the ball.
? It was nice to see a gaggle of OSU employees rush the field between the first and second quarter to pick up the trash that the strong winds had blown onto the field.
Wait a sec, that wasn't trash. It was turf. The Ohio Stadium sod was coming up more than Tressel-to-Browns rumors.
? Brian Robiskie, the sophomore receiver, seems to have a keen "That ball is mine" mentality. On his second-quarter touchdown catch, after quarterback Troy Smith lobbed to the right side of the end zone, Robiskie reached out and snatched the ball quickly behind Minnesota's Jamal Harris.
Then he looked for the official immediately to hand off the ball. Classy.
? Minnesota was so concerned about keeping spirit up that it brought a whopping six cheerleaders, three male and three female. They were just a short patch away from OSU's legion of 20 cheerleaders.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

osu notes
Gophers coach tries to keep humor

Mason says Ohio State is big and skilled, and their only weakness is a bad field.


By Kyle Nagel
Staff Writer


Sunday, October 29, 2006


COLUMBUS ? After all of the losses on his team's schedule, Glen Mason can still laugh.
"How good are they?" said Mason, the Minnesota football coach, with a half-smile. "You're talking to the guy who was just shut out by Ohio State."
Indeed, Mason's Golden Gophers lost 44-0 to the top-ranked Buckeyes on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. They did so while gaining just 182 yards and totaling 10 first downs.
And afterward, the coach whose team dropped to 3-6 overall and 0-5 in the Big Ten Conference was amiable in describing what most knew before the game: Ohio State is pretty darn good.
"They're a very good football team," Mason said. "Very, very good. I didn't need to play them out here today to know that. You watch them play, they're very good. They're very skilled, they know what they're doing.
"If you asked me if they have a weakness? They have a lousy field."
Reporters chuckled.
"I haven't lost my humor," he said.
Patchy turf aside, Mason returned to serious when asked if there's anything one would notice when seeing the Buckeyes up close for the first time.
"They look bigger in person," he said. "It's hard to judge on film, but they're a big football team. Big up front, they got big linebackers, their wide receivers are big. They're thick."
And now the schedule before the gargantuan matchup between Ohio State and Michigan on Nov. 18 has thinned to two games. For OSU that means Illinois and Northwestern. For Michigan, it's Ball State and Indiana. Most anticipate a game between two 11-0 teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the polls.
All the reporters in the room knew Mason's team had played both, losing to Michigan 28-14 on Sept. 30. So, eventually the question came.
"I'm not gonna make that comparison," Mason said, smiling again. "You knew I wasn't. I would've been disappointed if you didn't ask, though. In fact, I was expecting that to be ... probably the first question."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

Ohio State 44 | Minnesota 0
Buckeyes' dominant defense keeps Gophers in the hole

Ohio State puts starters back on the field late to protect its first shutout since 2003.


By Doug Harris
Staff Writer

Sunday, October 29, 2006


COLUMBUS ? Minnesota may have been more beat up than the winning jalopy in a demolition-derby contest, but No. 1 Ohio State took no pity.
While traipsing to a 44-0 victory Saturday, the Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) began pulling their starters early in the fourth quarter ? and then put them back in to protect their first shutout since 2003.
Sophomore Malcolm Jenkins, who was returning punts for the first time, muffed one with 11:39 left at his own 36-yard line.
The Gophers (3-6, 0-5) passed up a field goal after reaching the 15, gambling on fourth-and-1. With their first string back in the game, the Buckeyes stopped quarterback Bryan Cupito for no gain.
"We talked about (the shutout) at halftime," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "That was a goal for these kids. We gave them an opportunity, and they responded."
Jenkins, the stellar cornerback, more than made amends for his gaffe, notching his fourth interception of the season. Teammates Antonio Smith and Jamario O'Neal also had picks.
"I think today we had a swagger about us," Jenkins said. "We were having fun, but at the same time, we were focused. We felt dominant coming in. And we did a good job executing, dominating up front and getting things done in the back."
As for that fumble, Jenkins admitted he should have called for a fair-catch. But it didn't dent his confidence.
"Ask anybody on this team, and they'll tell you that nine times out of 10, I won't fair-catch the ball. That's just me," he said. "I just took my eye off it too quick. It happens to everybody. You've just got to bounce back."
Smith update
Quarterback Troy Smith had his weekly Heisman highlight, freezing linebacker Deon Hightower with a juke en route to a 21-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.
It was his first rushing TD of the season after finishing with 11 last year. He was 14-of-21 passing for 183 yards with no interceptions and one score.
Injury trouble
Defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock missed the game after suffering a concussion last week against Indiana, and receiver Anthony Gonzalez watched the second half in a sweat suit after getting "banged up," in the words of coach Jim Tressel.
Both are expected back for next week's game at Illinois.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ToledoBlade

Full steam ahead: Buckeyes dismantle Gophers

By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER


COLUMBUS ? Winning can never become boring. It just can?t be so systematic, so predictably efficient, that it loses some of its luster. Right?

Top-ranked Ohio State is testing that odd theory. Yesterday the Buckeyes did away with Minnesota in such a methodical, organized, and thorough manner that at times it was anything but thrilling.

The 44-0 Big Ten victory was more like paint by the numbers ? a complete work of art at the end, but stroke by stroke it was a bit yawn-inducing getting to the finished product.

Ohio State defensive back Antonio Smith said the team continues to use internal forces to produce at the highest level. Yesterday that resulted in a shutout and the Buckeyes? 16th straight win, the longest streak in the nation.

?I wouldn?t say it gets routine at all ? we just challenge ourselves to go out there and surpass what we did the previous week,? Smith said. ?We?ve been doing pretty good, but the urge to do better is still there. Nobody thinks we?ve arrived, and nobody plays like it.?

Offensive lineman Alex Boone said maybe the Buckeyes have become a victim of their own expectations, and they are aware it?s a struggle to continually surpass their body of work, week after week, this season.

?We?re just firing on all cylinders right now,? Boone said. ?We just keep coming at you. In the Big Ten, every team is a battle, so it?s never as easy as it might look. Regardless of the score, the emotion and the excitement is definitely still there.?

While the Ohio State offense had moments of carelessness hidden in its six-touchdown performance, the Buckeyes? defense was machine-like in the way it manhandled the Gophers. Minnesota managed just 47 yards rushing and got repelled twice on short fourth-down plays.

?We always compete against ourselves to get better,? Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. ?I think the name of the game is seeing if you can become the best you can be.?

Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis said the defense, which has not allowed a point in the nine times it has been put in a precarious position following offensive turnovers this season, has conditioned itself to handle adversity.

?I just don?t think that we panic very much,? Laurinaitis said. ?We?ve had our backs to the wall before. Today, we were just trying to get a shutout, and I think getting one, that?s an important statement.?

The Buckeyes (9-0, 5-0) made it look easy on the game?s opening possession, benefiting from good field position following Ted Ginn Jr.?s 35-yard kick return. It took seven plays before Antonio Pittman eased through the left side untouched on a 10-yard touchdown run just four minutes into game. Aaron Pettrey hit a 42-yard field goal a short time later for a 10-0 lead.

Ohio State put its defense in a spot when Troy Smith was stripped as he rolled out, and Minnesota?s Neel Allen recovered at the OSU 38.

But the Buckeyes stuffed Amir Pinnix for no gain on fourth down at the 29 and then started a scoring march that ended when Smith lobbed a pass into the corner of the end zone that Brian Robiskie leaped and collected for a touchdown and a 17-0 advantage, and that was Ohio State?s halftime edge.

Antonio Smith?s interception in the first minute of the second half set the table for the Buckeyes again.

Minnesota quarterback Bryan Cupito got hit as he released the pass, putting a lot of air under the ball, and Smith retrieved the wounded duck and took it back to the 23-yard line of Minnesota (3-6, 0-5).

The Buckeyes? Smith then scrambled out of the pocket from the 21, froze Minnesota linebacker Deon Hightower with a jitterbug move in the middle of the field, and went in standing up for a touchdown and a 24-0 lead.

After Curtis Terry drilled Cupito and forced another bad throw, Jamario O?Neal intercepted the ball near the Minnesota 40. Brian Hartline had a 32-yard reception to get close, and then Pittman went the final 13 yards around right end for a 30-0 lead.

On the first series of the fourth quarter, Chris Wells punched through the middle for a three-yard touchdown and a 37-0 advantage, and Ohio State closed out the scoring with a one-yard run by backup quarterback Justin Zwick.

Contact Matt Markey at: [email protected] or 419-724-6510.

 

[BuckEyeDr]

I found this on ESPN . Chuckle , snort
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263010194

The Buckeyes, for the most part, were substantially under par on this day. It was another impressive performance by a defense that came in tied for the national lead in fewest points allowed (8.2 per game). Only two teams have scored more than seven against Ohio State this season.

if 44 points =under par I want to be there when there are at the top of their game.

I believe the under par comment was in reference to Jack dotting the I.
"substantially under par" meaning very good.