Game Thread Game Two: Ohio State 20, Akron 2 (Final)

[sandgk]

After gaining 34 yards on their opening drive, Akron lost seven yards over their next nine drives. Let me say that again...Akron's total offense over their second through tenth possessions was a negative seven yards. Oh yeah, 13 straight 3-and-outs.

Yeah, it was Akron, but that was still impressive. If we play anywhere near that well statistically at Washington, we're in good shape.

That reminds me of one of funnier and recurring exchanges in the stands yesterday.

For some reason the scoreboard was not showing the negative rush - just a blank space.

The number of times fans in the stands around me asked, "Why does Akron have less total yards than their passing total?" - roughly nine.

Same answer by me each time - they have negative rushing yards, so their net is less than their pass total.

Follow-up question (I kid you not) "How many negative yards rushing does Akron have?"

Answer: "Well, you take the net yards and subtract the pass yards, that negative difference is the negative rush yards for Akron."

 

[lvbuckeye]

One really nice thing that just hit me...since losing in Happy Valley in October '05, the Bucks are 21-1. Not too shabby.

since the Purdue loss in '04, we're 23-3, with the losses only coming to the National Champs-twice- and the #3 team in the nation, which for all intents and purposes was undefeated...

 

[Zurp]

Against YSU, it seemed that the quarterbacks didn't have much time, as well as the running backs having to fight just to get back to the line of scrimmage. Against Akron, I think the quarterbacks had more time, typically, but the running backs still were struggling.

It looked like running up the middle was just a mess. The outside runs seemed to be more successful.

Yertle's guess was the the outside runs, the linemen just need to get in the way. They just need to know where to block. But the inside runs, it's more of an issue of strength. The theory suggests that Ohio State's linemen know what they're doing, but they don't have the size or strength to push the defense out of the way.

I thought the theory made sense. Anyone know how accurate it is, or whether it truly pretains to Ohio State?

 

[bukIpower]

well our interior line boasts 3 lineman over 300 pounds with one of them being near 350 so I doubt Strength and size is the problem. I think the inside runs are more an issue about speed and leg drive. You have to get to your man fast on inside runs because there's so many people to be moved out of the way. We do a lot of trapping and pulling so I think the problem is the other teams lines have been smaller and quicker so they've been just fly'n into the vacant spots left by the pulling gaurd/tackle.

Strength is not an issue trust me....

 

[Dryden]

Yertle's guess was the the outside runs, the linemen just need to get in the way. They just need to know where to block. But the inside runs, it's more of an issue of strength. The theory suggests that Ohio State's linemen know what they're doing, but they don't have the size or strength to push the defense out of the way.

I thought the theory made sense. Anyone know how accurate it is, or whether it truly pretains to Ohio State?

Both teams have stuffed the box to take away the run. 5 guys pushing 7+ guys isn't a problem with strength, it's one of numbers. When we line up in the I with Dionte, we run. Everybody in the stadium knows it. The holes are usually penetrated before Dionte even gets up to the line. You might actually construe the fact that we get 0-yards on those carries a positive, because they're systematically blown up, every time, and with inferior athletes on our line we'd be losing yards in chunks (think Notre Dame, here).

We need to come out passing against Washington.

 

[sandgk]

I was always under the impression that Ohio State, since JT came to town, has been pretty much a zone blocking team.

That puts a premium on the Running Backs having really good eyes for the right gap, the location of which gap varies each time a given play is run.

Those holes might very well be there, but the backs have not been finding them early thus far.

Now, the good news is that this trend of early lean rushing does not have to translate into a poor result. Look back at the rushing totals for last years games and you can see that, even with a more experienced back (AP) the rushing took off later in the year.

 

[Deety]

When we line up in the I with Dionte, we run. Everybody in the stadium knows it.

Until suddenly they don't... but shh... we're just past game two.

Every season we seem to establish tendencies that unravel at key points as the season. I like the way Coach Tressel cracks open the playbook a little at a time approaching The Game. There will always be surprises...

 

[Taosman]

You know the Statue of Liberty play is now in the playbook! :tongue2:

 

[Dryden]

I was always under the impression that Ohio State, since JT came to town, has been pretty much a zone blocking team.

That puts a premium on the Running Backs having really good eyes for the right gap, the location of which gap varies each time a given play is run.

Those holes might very well be there, but the backs have not been finding them early thus far.

Now, the good news is that this trend of early lean rushing does not have to translate into a poor result. Look back at the rushing totals for last years games and you can see that, even with a more experienced back (AP) the rushing took off later in the year.

Add to that: Chris Wells was mostly non-contact this year, with injuries during camps. He's got some rust to shake off. YSU and Akron are his preseason scrimmages.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Against YSU, it seemed that the quarterbacks didn't have much time, as well as the running backs having to fight just to get back to the line of scrimmage. Against Akron, I think the quarterbacks had more time, typically, but the running backs still were struggling.

It looked like running up the middle was just a mess. The outside runs seemed to be more successful.

Yertle's guess was the the outside runs, the linemen just need to get in the way. They just need to know where to block. But the inside runs, it's more of an issue of strength. The theory suggests that Ohio State's linemen know what they're doing, but they don't have the size or strength to push the defense out of the way.

I thought the theory made sense. Anyone know how accurate it is, or whether it truly pretains to Ohio State?

Its not a lack of size or strength.

From what I can see its a series of things. One play the back misses a whole or trips over someone when a huge hole is there. The next time one OL misses a run side block or doesn't seal off the backside. Also what none of us know is how often the new QB is putting us in a bad play vs the defense.

After rewatching both games a few times I honestly think its a youth thing thats gone on too long. The talent is there, they just have to get 11 guys doing the right thing at the right time consistently imo.

 

[Buckeyecty4]

Your right.. you watch the game a couple times.. and it isnt the same thing every play, but it's some thing...

One play you'll see the TE not block his man.. the next play it's the RB reading the hole wrong.. next play it's Rehring not moving quick enough on the pull, and running into the RB... next play it's Dionte Johnson getting in the way.. next play it's the Cordle and Person running straight to the second level to go after LBs when the DTs in front of them are left unblocked..

And it's not even the same linemen each time... Boone and Barton are making dumb errors as well.. either getting lazy with technique and gettin beat straight up, or pulling the ol Florida routine.. of standing there confused, waiting for someone to block while another guy runs past them and blows up the play

I think I'd be more confident if it was just a player or two making all the mistakes.. or if the mistake was the same each time... instead it's all types of errors ranging from fullback play to penalties to poor line calls..

 

[lvbuckeye]

You know the Statue of Liberty play is now in the playbook! :tongue2:

yeah, especially considering the fact that we ran it twice, including once for 26 yards in the final scoring drive in The Game last year.

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

OSU PRIMER
Sunday, September 9, 2007


SETTING THE SCENE

Anxious moments early

Mired in wet, muggy weather before an anxious crowd of 104,317 with a baseball score up on the board - Ohio State 3, Akron 2 - no one knew what to make of Saturday's first half. Boos even broke out when Ohio State, nursing its slim lead, ran the ball on a third-and-21 from its own 18 with 4:20 left in first half. Ohio State fans eventually got to cheer when the Buckeyes pulled away, but talk of increased urgency was heard from a captain in their locker room afterward.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

BUCKEYE NOTEBOOK
Sunday, September 9, 2007


LUCKY BREAK Sophomore WR Brian Hartline (GlenOak) was sure he broke his arm on a second quarter punt return that he fumbled. Akron's Yamari Dixon delivered a direct shot to Hartline's arm, knocking the ball loose and immediately causing "throbbing" pain for the GlenOak graduate. Hartline said the arm "looked like it had bone sticking out." But X-rays soon revealed no serious damage, and after putting additional padding over the injury, Hartline returned. His three catches on OSU's first drive of the second half helped set up a field goal.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Akron laments missed chances
Sunday, September 9, 2007
By Chris Beaven
Repository sports writer

COLUMBUS They had the nation's 12th-ranked college football team frustrated, its crowd restless.

But in the end, it was the Akron Zips leaving Ohio Stadium frustrated Saturday after Ohio State's 20-2 win. The Buckeyes overcame a 2-0 deficit after one quarter and scored 17 second-half points to pull away.


Cont...