Game Thread Game One: Ohio State 38, Youngstown St. 6 (final)

[EastFourteenth]

Let me know what you guys think about this. One of my 7 roomies here at tOSU is from Youngstown. He's a huge Buckeyes fan, went to Glendale in January...but come September 1, he will be wearing YSU gear, has the YSU fight song on his cellphone ringer, and will be generally rooting for YSU. Is this sports bigamy...or since it's just YSU, is it forgiveable.

 

[Telekinesis]

Let me know what you guys think about this. One of my 7 roomies here at tOSU is from Youngstown. He's a huge Buckeyes fan, went to Glendale in January...but come September 1, he will be wearing YSU gear, has the YSU fight song on his cellphone ringer, and will be generally rooting for YSU. Is this sports bigamy...or since it's just YSU, is it forgiveable.

He's just pulling for the team he connects with the most. That's where he's from, so he doesn't want to turn his back on the place that made him who he is. That's respectable and forgiveable. As big as Ohio sports fans usually are on the Buckeyes, you'll notice people pulling for Cincinnati or YSU or other local teams that they've been a part of during their youth.

This doesn't mean that they aren't tOSU fans, it just means that they believe in tradition as much as JT and our squad does. Although, I would say that this doesn't make them anywhere near the die-hard fans that a lot of us are for the Bucks, as a loss to one of these teams could really hurt us in the long run.

Just my take on it.

 

[penguinpower]

I am new to this board, but not new to Tressel Ball. I can give much insight into YSU football.

Coach always scheduled YSU games so that they would not interfere with Buckeyes games (only a handful of times I can remember this not happening).

Our band will probably play the tOSU fight song for the home fans out of respect (old college football tradition that is rarely practiced anymore)

Last year we played Penn State and held them scoreless for about 22 minutes of the first half. Then the flood gates opened with a 76 yd reverse by Tony Hunt.

We don't have the depth to compete for an entire game, however, it is really no different for tOSU with most of the MAC schools (they usually are not in it after half time). Most of the MAC schools refuse to play YSU because it usually costs them a W.

YSU was given a standing ovation by the PSU crowd because they were so suprised by how compteitive we kept the game. Coach Paterno is a class act, but he did excercise a fouth down conversion late in the 4th qtr after the game was all but over, which they ended up scoring. We were unable to move the ball on the PSU defense, and I have concerns that we may not even get a first down against the tOSU defense this year.

I-AA football has changed over the last 10 years. To be honest 10 years ago the it was difficult to find a QB that could square their shoulders with the line of scrimmage when throwing. Today it is much different. Today, you can't compete for a I-AA championship without legitimate 1A talent and nearly all of the QB's have the ability to square their shoulders when throwing on the run.

Last year Southern Illinois (in the gateway conference with YSU, and a team that we beat) beat Indiana University. New Hampshire beat Northwestern, and North Dakota State nearly beat Minnesota (the final score was 10-9). Finally,Northern Iowa nearly beat Iowa State (lost it on a last second field goal).

In addition, our running back last year signed with the Wasington Redskins and has been named player of the the day twice in training camp so far this year. We have a big hole to fill in this position.

I would have to say that most of the YSU fans (most) are big tOSU fans. They are making shirts in Y-town that are split right down the middle. Half tOSU and half YSU.

I am a YSU alum and, but a huge tOSU fan too! That is the beauty of the different levels of ball. Both have the opportunity to be champions of their respective level.

 

[Oh8ch]

Welcome to the board penguin.

Let me know what you guys think about this. One of my 7 roomies here at tOSU is from Youngstown. He's a huge Buckeyes fan, went to Glendale in January...but come September 1, he will be wearing YSU gear, has the YSU fight song on his cellphone ringer, and will be generally rooting for YSU. Is this sports bigamy...or since it's just YSU, is it forgiveable.

It's only YSU. No different than the parent of the fat kid rooting for him in the 100 yard dash at the school track meet.

Coach Paterno is a class act, but he did excercise a fouth down conversion late in the 4th qtr after the game was all but over,

That is pretty standard practice. So long as a coach is keeping the ball on the ground and running the clock it is kosher IMO.

We don't have the depth to compete for an entire game,

When Schlegel transfered from the Academy he commented that the talent level among starters between his conference and the Big Ten was not that dramatic. It was the bench strength that was so different. As games and seasons wore on they simply couldn't keep reloading.

Of course, the Ohio kids from YSU will also be pumping their full complement of adrenaline for as long as they can. Whereas it will be tough for OSU to take this too seriously.

All that combined, YSU might hang on into the second quarter - barring any bad breaks and depending on JTs play calling. Would not surprise me if he handicapped his own team by going pretty vanilla in this one. (More as a challenge to his players than a bone to YSU.)

 

[penguinpower]

OH8ch

I would have to agree with the handicap statement. I felt that Coach Tressel did the same thing to Penn State last year. For some reason he seemed to be hell bent on running the ball against their top ranked rush defense. It seemed he had to win the game the hard way.

I think that Coach Tressel will most likely use mass subs the entire game and "test" some of the untested talent.

As you know, Coach Tressel employs a dynamic offense. It is very simple in the begining of the year and develops as the season goes along until MEATCHICKEN where he opens it up.

tOSU is not going to show anything to scouts this early in the year, especially against YSU. I would expect a lot of simple running between the tackles and short passing to compliment the run.

 

[SanClementeBuck]

I appreciate Penguinpower's remarks. Seems to me the "Ohio factor" makes us all brothers, so to speak. My family has roots in NE Ohio that extend into yesterday's Youngstown, Struthers and Akron. I'm happy JT has elected to spread the $$ into YSU's program, and, I wouldn't take their team lightly.

 

[penguinpower]

SanClementeBuck,

I would have to agree with you on the "brothers" statement. I feel that I am just as much a tOSU fan as a Penguins fan.

We typically watch the Buckeyes in our tailgate lot at YSU before or after the games. The tailgate lot goes nuts when good things happen to the Buckeyes during game time.

Coach Tressel meant a lot to us at YSU and still does. For me, I became a true Buckeye fan when Tressel took over the program at tOSU.

Previous to Coach Tressel, I would be annoyed when would listen to post game press conferences and hear Buckeye players say "I did................" and "I", "I", "I".

As soon as Coach Tressel took over the players were saying "We did.........." and "We", and "We".

"We" is a Tressel trademark.

I told everyone that Coach would win a NC in 2-5 yrs and he did it in 2.

My opinion is that many people are under-estimating this year's Buckeye team. Coach typically wins with stong D and special teams.

The Buckeye's should have a stong D and Special teams should come around.

At YSU Coach Tressel always said that the most important play in a football game is the punt. He also said that Defense wins games, but special teams can win Championships.

When Coach Tressel was at Y-Town we played for the National Championship in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997,and 1999. We won the championship in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997.

All of the games were close and Special Teams were always remarkable.

 

[penguinpower]

YSU is no Boise State (Although we beat them in the 1994 NC game) when it comes to play calling. Expect straight forward run and then pass.

First ----RUSHING---- ----------PASSING---------- --TOTAL OFFENSE-- Return Penalty Turn-
Opponent Score Downs Number-Yards Attempts-Comp-Int Yards Plays Yards Yards Yards Overs
-------- ----- --/-- -------/------- --------/-------- --/-- --/-- ---/--- --/-- ---/--- --/--
SLIPPERY ROCK....... 51-21 18/16 41-237 / 37-88 19-13- 0 / 22-15- 0 187/194 60/59 424/282 108/80 50/20 0/2
MAINE............... 34-14 21/12 42-141 / 39-124 21-12- 2 / 17-11- 1 178/114 63/56 319/238 71/91 75/81 2/2
Penn State.......... 3-37 10/26 28-47 / 39-389 27-16- 2 / 32-14- 0 137/179 55/71 184/568 19/102 20/40 3/1
UC DAVIS............ 38-24 21/24 40-198 / 30-130 22-12- 0 / 46-29- 3 181/323 62/76 379/453 146/136 40/48 0/4
Missouri State...... 37-10 16/14 39-194 / 33-112 14- 8- 0 / 26-14- 3 150/106 53/59 344/218 143/135 46/51 0/3
INDIANA STATE....... 55-17 25/21 53-382 / 31-148 19-10- 0 / 42-23- 0 111/201 72/73 493/349 169/69 30/35 1/0
Western Illinois.... 35-28 19/23 38-333 / 37-119 21-13- 1 / 33-25- 0 130/309 59/70 463/428 10/71 51/15 1/2
UNI................. 23-31 23/20 38-192 / 33-134 30-17- 4 / 27-19- 1 208/291 68/60 400/425 64/117 60/21 5/3
Illinois State...... 27-13 24/9 55-345 / 23-18 17- 9- 1 / 31-10- 0 93/143 72/54 438/161 80/102 60/5 2/0
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS... 31-24 19/23 44-296 / 44-226 19-13- 0 / 24-12- 1 129/208 63/68 425/434 63/66 33/15 0/2
Western Kentucky.... 19-3 19/14 54-282 / 26-102 17- 7- 1 / 27-11- 2 83/102 71/53 365/204 0/97 88/25 1/2
JAMES MADISON....... 35-31 23/19 31-94 / 37-249 41-25- 0 / 24-14- 0 318/145 72/61 412/394 126/197 29/55 0/1
ILLINOIS STATE...... 28-21 21/19 43-219 / 37-186 21-11- 0 / 27-16- 4 146/189 64/64 365/375 61/177 27/50 1/4
Appalachian State... 24-49 18/27 35-172 / 52-353 29-15- 1 / 12-10- 0 160/164 64/64 332/517 70/103 25/65 1/2

Totals.............. 440-323 277/267 581-3132/498-2378 317-181-12/390-223-15 2211/2668 898/888 5343/5046 1130/1543 634/526 17/28

Note: Game totals are displayed in the format TEAM/OPPONENT for each category


[SIZE=-1]
3rd Down 4th Down Time of TOP Avg Avg Avg Punting
Opponent Conversions Conversions Possession Margin Yds/Rush Yds/Pass Yds/Play Number-Avg
-------- -------/------- -------/------- ------/------ ------- ----/---- ----/---- ----/---- --------/--------
SLIPPERY ROCK....... 9-13 / 5-12 1-1 / 0-1 30:04/ 29:56 0:08 5.8/2.4 9.8/8.8 7.1/4.8 3-40.0 / 4-33.5
MAINE............... 8-13 / 4-14 0-0 / 1-3 29:11/ 30:49 -1:38 3.4/3.2 8.5/6.7 5.1/4.2 4-36.0 / 6-38.7
Penn State.......... 3-13 / 4-11 0-0 / 0-0 31:40/ 28:20 3:20 1.7/10.0 5.1/5.6 3.3/8.0 8-39.2 / 2-32.5
UC DAVIS............ 7-14 / 8-14 0-0 / 2-2 29:40/ 30:20 0:40 4.9/4.3 8.2/7.0 6.1/6.0 6-41.5 / 3-43.3
Missouri State...... 3-11 / 3-14 0-0 / 1-2 30:30/ 29:30 1:00 5.0/3.4 10.7/4.1 6.5/3.7 5-40.2 / 6-43.5
INDIANA STATE....... 5-12 / 3-14 1-1 / 0-2 33:55/ 26:05 7:50 7.2/4.8 5.8/4.8 6.8/4.8 3-29.3 / 7-39.6
Western Illinois.... 7-12 / 3-12 0-0 / 2-3 28:45/ 31:15 -2:30 8.8/3.2 6.2/9.4 7.8/6.1 4-35.8 / 4-42.0
UNI................. 2-10 / 6-11 1-1 / 0-0 32:09/ 27:51 4:18 5.1/4.1 6.9/10.8 5.9/7.1 3-38.7 / 3-37.0
Illinois State...... 6-13 / 3-14 2-2 / 0-3 37:01/ 22:59 14:02 6.3/0.8 5.5/4.6 6.1/3.0 5-32.4 / 7-43.6
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS... 4-12 / 3-10 2-2 / 2-2 33:39/ 26:21 7:18 6.7/5.1 6.8/8.7 6.7/6.4 4-35.0 / 4-34.0
Western Kentucky.... 8-16 / 1-11 2-2 / 1-3 36:01/ 23:59 12:02 5.2/3.9 4.9/3.8 5.1/3.8 2-30.5 / 4-35.8
JAMES MADISON....... 7-12 / 6-11 0-0 / 1-3 30:38/ 29:22 1:16 3.0/6.7 7.8/6.0 5.7/6.5 3-36.3 / 2-42.5
ILLINOIS STATE...... 8-13 / 6-12 1-1 / 1-3 30:23/ 29:37 0:46 5.1/5.0 7.0/7.0 5.7/5.9 4-35.2 / 1-35.0
Appalachian State... 7-15 / 6-10 0-1 / 0-0 27:37/ 32:23 -4:46 4.9/6.8 5.5/13.7 5.2/8.1 6-39.0 / 2-36.0

Totals.............. 84-179/ 61-170 10-11 / 11-27 441:13/398:47 42:26 5.4/4.8 7.0/6.8 5.9/5.7 60-37.0 / 55-39.2

Note: Game totals are displayed in the format TEAM/OPPONENT for each category
[/SIZE]

 

[buckandguinfan]

I told everyone that Coach would win a NC in 2-5 yrs and he did it in 2.

I had pretty much that exact same feeling. I had the pleasure of saying "see, I told you so" quite a few times. I grew up in Struthers, am a YSU alum, and I'm a lifelong Buckeye fan. I've been living in the Columbus area for nearly 15 years and have always said that the Buckeyes needed Tressel. Of course, most people here never heard of him, and although some were disappointed by his hiring, I knew what we were getting. Having seen what he has done with the Penguins I always wondered what he would do with access to the best talent in the country. There was NEVER a doubt in my mind that he would bring a National Championship to Columbus. Of course, it was a bittersweet thing for us Y'town Buckeye fans to lose our great coach to our "other" favorite team.

As for the game I don't know what to think. Who do I root for? I guess I will root for YSU to make a respectable showing and for no injuries to either team. I also can't wait to see the '07 Buckeyes, as I am becoming more and more excited about this team. I don't think I am going to make it to the game because I will be, ironically, in Y'town Friday night into Saturday.

Go Bucks and 'Guins!

 

[Zurp]

Our band will probably play the tOSU fight song for the home fans out of respect (old college football tradition that is rarely practiced anymore)

I can't remember the last time I saw a visiting marching band in Ohio Stadium that DIDN'T play the Ohio State fight song. Of course, I haven't been able to hear the Michigan marching band for the past two years, as their sound has been drowned by the fans' boos.

I am a YSU alum and, but a huge tOSU fan too! That is the beauty of the different levels of ball. Both have the opportunity to be champions of their respective level.

This also answers the question someone else asked - I see no problem with rooting for both teams, and even rooting for Youngstown State in this game, and still consider yourself a "Buckeye fan." While it's blasphemous to root against Ohio State against any other Big Ten team, it isn't if you root for Miami Univ. or Akron or Toledo or whatever, as long as your reasoning is good. If you're rooting for the other team because you want to see Ohio State lose, you obviously aren't an Ohio State fan, and there's no discussion, anymore. But if you grew up in Youngstown, or you went to Youngstown State, and you're a Buckeye fan and a YSU fan, I see no problem with rooting for YSU. Same goes for Miami, Toledo, Ohio U, etc.

 

[Yertle]

You think Youngstown State is a real game? You're a loner.

The last time I checked, YSU is on our schedule. Dipshit.

Anyways, although I may be a "loner" in thinking that Tressel will actually play his first string to start the game, I'm hoping the backups can make it in for the second half. Those kinds of games are always great to watch early in the year. I'd love to see some of the freshmen play - especially on defense.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

You think Youngstown State is a real game? You're a loner.

Tell you what, smart guy...I have 100,000 vCash says that YSU plays us tougher than does Akron. We'll use the most obvious measure, the margin of final score. Deal?

 

[Oh8ch]

I told everyone that Coach would win a NC in 2-5 yrs and he did it in 2.

When Jim Tressel got the job that is the first thing I said also.

Well, now that I think about it, that must have been the second thing I said.

The first was: "Jim who?"

 

[EastFourteenth]

I can't remember the last time I saw a visiting marching band in Ohio Stadium that DIDN'T play the Ohio State fight song. Of course, I haven't been able to hear the Michigan marching band for the past two years, as their sound has been drowned by the fans' boos.



This also answers the question someone else asked - I see no problem with rooting for both teams, and even rooting for Youngstown State in this game, and still consider yourself a "Buckeye fan." While it's blasphemous to root against Ohio State against any other Big Ten team, it isn't if you root for Miami Univ. or Akron or Toledo or whatever, as long as your reasoning is good. If you're rooting for the other team because you want to see Ohio State lose, you obviously aren't an Ohio State fan, and there's no discussion, anymore. But if you grew up in Youngstown, or you went to Youngstown State, and you're a Buckeye fan and a YSU fan, I see no problem with rooting for YSU. Same goes for Miami, Toledo, Ohio U, etc.

I agree, I'm not too worried about it. But he's not just a Buckeye fan, he's Buckeye student. He's part of the university, which was why I brought it up.

Reminds me, during last season Michigan game there was kid in front of me wearing a Michigan shirt. I asked him if he realized he had bought a ticket in the student section....he said, "yeah, I've been to every game this year." To which I was confused....and then I asked if he was a student at tOSU....and he was. Needless to say I made sure to bump into him everytime the students went crazy when the Buckeyes scored.

 

[Flocka]

I agree, I'm not too worried about it. But he's not just a Buckeye fan, he's Buckeye student. He's part of the university, which was why I brought it up.

Reminds me, during last season Michigan game there was kid in front of me wearing a Michigan shirt. I asked him if he realized he had bought a ticket in the student section....he said, "yeah, I've been to every game this year." To which I was confused....and then I asked if he was a student at tOSU....and he was. Needless to say I made sure to bump into him everytime the students went crazy when the Buckeyes scored.

I don't think it's weird at all. I am going to UF next year, but rest assured I will be wearing scarlet and gray damn near every day. I guess the only difference is I have always despised the Gators. But, even if I liked the Gators, I would always root for the Buckeyes in a heads up match up. Let me reiterate though, I DESPISE THE GATORS.