Game Thread Game Two: Texas 25, Ohio State 22 (final)

[powerlifter]

i'm pretty sure that if TG2's 3 touches hadn't gone for 0 (dropped pass right in his hands), 0 (dropped pass, just a tiny bit behind him, which he should have caught and not started bitching at the QB about) and minus-whatever yards (defense busted up an end-around, and Teddy gave ground) he would have gotten a few more touches... you are only going to get so many chances to be productive before your window of opportunity gets slammed shut...

as an aside, though he ran out of gas, i am now a solid Tony Pittman fan... that kid left it ALL out there on the field... i think it's too bad Tressel didn't give Maurice Wells at least a shot out there... he's very fast, and maybe could have gotten something going... i hope we see a steady dose of those two against San Diego State...

If 3 fuck ups is your ticket to the bench..Boeckman would have got playing time tonight. Plain and simple. Ginn is the first player I think of when I think "big play",and when you can't score from inside the 30. You need to get ginn the ball and hope he can take about a 60 yard scamper.

I couldn't believe they didnt run him out of the backfield. Ohio state ran a totally predictable offense tonight,and it showed. Ohio state was outcoached. I don't think they played a horrible game. They just didn't convert....a few mishaps is the players fault...sooner or later the coachs need to open the playbook up and make the defense think...

 

[powerlifter]

Troy threw several ill-advised passes, that by all rights should have been picked off... at least three hit a defender, who couldn't reel it in... i think that despite the lack of TDs from Justin, he was better than Troy in this game... it wasn't Justin's fault that TG2, Gonzo, Hamby, et all dropped so many passes that hit them in the hands... i think that Tressel's rationale was that it was better to have a dropped pass than a possible interception...

at least HALF of JZ's incompletions were drops...

I agree with this totally. Smith did make a nice td pass,but a lot of his passes were lackluster. A lot of people ride his horse mostly because he has mobilty to add to the game. If that ball gets picked game over. If smith stands there while a lb that wasnt even blitzing and gets sacked for a safety...oh wait that did happen...

 

[lvbuckeye]

while i agree that 3 bad plays from TG2 should not be enough to get him time on the bench, the coaches are only going to call your number so many times if you are not getting the desired results... as a returner, TG2 was great, but as a WR he was clearly outplayed by Holmes, Gonzo (despite his drop) and Roy Hall... now it must be noted that the Horns were rolling coverage over on Teddy, and when you are getting doubled every play, you aren't going to see the ball that much...

i WILL unequivically state that it was an absolute WASTE to line up in the shot-Ginn without ever throwing him a bubble screen... oh, wait... they did that twice, and he dropped the ball both times...

see, it goes round and round... he couldn't get open down the field (though Santonio could be the best route runner we've ever seen at Ohio State, he wasn't doubled), and when the coaches called the designed plays for him, he couldn't or didn't produce...

which brings us back to the question: how many 3-and-outs does it take before the coaches call someone else's number? he's not like a RB... you have to get him the ball in space... he would have gotten killed by those big motherfuckers on Texas' line if you just tried to hand the ball off to him...

i dunno...back to the drawing board, i guess... i think the O-staff abandoned the original gameplan a little too early... why don't they script the first 12 plays or so to see how the D will react? or maybe they do, but i doubt it, since our O NEVER seems to adjust the way the D does... i just don't see that type of sophistication from this Offensive staff... they fly by the seat of their pants, and it shows...

 

[ScriptOhio]

This game promises to be one of the greatest game play this year.

2006, will be even bigger!

The countdown begins, and now that we've got one under our belt, lets see if nexts game is anything like this years. I posted this in the wrong thread, so sorry for making this post again. but, seriously want to welcome ya'll to my home...Texas, even though I'm not in Texas.

Sorry for the re-post.


I'm sure next years game will be even bigger than tonights, and when y'all get down to Austin, which y'all will love! Make sure to head to Schultz's beer garden, and stop be the County Line for some BBQ. Check out 6th street, try not to get too trashed! Cast some shade while your looking at the 50,000 sexy female co-eds. Hit up Trudy's North Star for some seriously good hot sauce, and finally.... when all is sad and done, dispite who wins, enjoy the tried and true, one - of - a - kind TEXAS HOSPITALITY.

From one Texan to the folks on this forum, let me officially welcome to the state of TEXAS. May the Eyes of Texas Look Upon You.

<!-- / message -->

Fantastic, can you get me two tickets for the game?

 

[ScriptOhio]

SI: Buckeyes Bemoan Lost Opportunities

Buckeyes bemoan lost opportunities

Justin Zwick walks off the field after committing the game-sealing fumble.


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- In a quiet dressing room after Saturday night's 25-22 loss to No. 2 Texas, Ohio State's players were at a loss for words.
"I'll probably think about this game the rest of my life," offensive lineman Rob Sims said. "Our goal was to win the national championship. That's remote now."
People will remember that Josh Huston kicked five field goals to tie the school record. They also will remember that the fourth-ranked Buckeyes continually squandered prime opportunities after Texas turnovers.
"We let ourselves down, we let our defense down," center Nick Mangold said. "We had so many chances and didn't do what we needed to win the game."
The Buckeyes forced three turnovers -- taking possession at the Texas 19, the 30 and the 23 -- and never scored a touchdown. The three field goals loomed especially large when Texas quarterback Vince Young led a late drive that resulted in Limas Sweed's 24-yard touchdown with 2:37 left for the go-ahead touchdown.
Justin Zwick started at quarterback for the Buckeyes and led the offense to three points on the six series he played. Troy Smith also led Ohio State on six series, guiding the way to the Buckeyes' first 19 points.
Zwick completed 9-of-15 passes for 66 yards and Smith was 5-of-11 for 78 yards. With Ohio State trailing 23-22 and 2 1/2 minutes left, Zwick lost a fumble that erased the Buckeyes' last chance.
Coach Jim Tressel said he didn't have a good reason for why -- after Smith had led Ohio State on five consecutive scoring drives -- that he replaced Smith with Zwick.
"We had discussions throughout the course of the whole evening as to who would have opportunities and I can't give you a particular reason for it," Tressel said of his decision to put Zwick back in. "We just thought at that moment it was the best thing to do."
Asked about Ohio State's two-headed quarterback situation, Smith declined to offer his opinion.
"I can't make decisions like that," he said.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/ncaa/09/11/bc.fbc.t25.ohiostdr.ap/index.html

 

[HabaneroBuck]

As was said, Ted did not get open. And you can see when he has the ball that he is still a little confused about what to do with it, like he was against Miami. He could have popped that kickoff return for a possible touchdown if he just accelerates to the outside and avoids the kicker. Instead, he slowed and tried feably to cut back. It is as if there is some voice in his head telling him to sprinkle some sugar on every play.

Another problem were the play calls when Troy Smith was in the game. What is up with the herky-jerky running motion out of the snap on EVERY single play? Why didn't he just sit back and pass out the pocket like he is able? The WR's really didn't see the ball come their way from Troy except for the TD throw (which was a thing of beauty) and the dropped pass to Ginn. Everything else looked unscripted and playground.

 

[default]

I'm late on all this I realize. man, i can't believe this thing is spreading almost 4,000 posts, whatever. Un-freakin-believable game on both sides........Seriously. No one deserved to lose. I can honestly say I'd feel the same if we had lost; Ohio State is that tough. What a game. I can't believe its finally over. Regardless of the final score, congrats to both teams for a ridiculous effort on all sides of the ball. Thats' really all I can say. So great to come out of here with a win, but Man, did tOSU ever take it to us to get there. Job well done; Huge congratulations, and goo luck the rest of the season Buckeyes, its been One for the Ages. Hoook'em!!!

 

[stxbuck]

Honestly, it annoys me a lot more to see a loss like this that can be pretty much pinned to the offensive side of the ball. As a coaching staff at the HS I coach at, we constantly preach football is a team game and there is enough credit and blame to spread around on both sides of the ball. That said, I cannot imagine what is going thru the minds of our D to play their hearts out and see the O continually shoot themselves in the foot. You accept it and move on, but thoughts linger in the back of your mind...

 

[VprHis]

Hey, folks... consider this somewhat of a disconnected comment, but Troy's TD pass to 'Tone... was that a beautiful throw or what? Perfect spiral, right over the outside shoulder (OK maybe it could have been a bit more to the outside)... who cares. It were purty. :)

 

[LordJeffBuck]

Hey, folks... consider this somewhat of a disconnected comment, but Troy's TD pass to 'Tone... was that a beautiful throw or what? Perfect spiral, right over the outside shoulder (OK maybe it could have been a bit more to the outside)... who cares. It were purty.

Agreed - the offensive highlight for OSU, by far. What was so frustrating was that Troy looked so stellar on that play (shades of Michigan), and so mediocre the rest of the game (more like Purdue). Let's hope that it was rust, first-game jitters, etc. and that TS finds his game for the remainder of the season.

 

[BrutusMaximus]

Not taking anything away from Texas here. They really impressed me last night. However, I honestly believe that if Troy doesnt get suspended for 2 games..........we win this game by a couple TD's. You could tell he was cold and rusty last night. Justin did not play a BAD game, but with the normal Tressel ball playcalling, Smith is a much more effective weapon.

Anyway, "What Ifs" never get us anywhere. We got beat. Texas' D is what impressed me most. They are fast. DB's are good. Of course Vince is one hell of an athelete. That is a given. I seriously think that the pass coverage we ran against him was awful. The receivers were so far open, I think I could have completed passes to them. We lose 2 points on that busted safety on the kickoff return. We lose 3 by giving them a 15 yard penalty on the kick before half, lettin them go down and kick a field goal. Hamby drops a TD, lose 7 more. That is 12 points. Ballgame. Not to mention the fact that we get 2 turnovers down in their territory, only get 6 points out of it.

I am sure this has all been said 50 times, but I just wanted to vent a bit. Having a night to think about it kinda gets everything in perspective.

 

[GoBucks89]

Some thoughts on the game:

1. Obviously our Red Zone offense is a work in progress. Several of us commented on that after the Miami game, and it appears to be the weakness of the team. I hope we make lots of progress on this front or it could be a long season.

2. I thought that the weakness of Texas would be their WR's. Before the game I kept saying "who is Vince going to throw to?" But in the end, their inexperienced WR's made the plays they needed to make, especially on that last TD. On the other hand, our ultra-experienced senior tight end coudn't make a routine catch on a play he has probably run a hundred times in practice. Prior to the start of the season I was thinking the injuries to Nicol and Frost wouldn't make a difference because we hardly ever throw to the tight end. Well, I guess I was wrong. And like many others on this board, I am wondering what happened to Gonzo in the second half. Oh well.

3. Ginn made a bad move on the KO return when he tried to cut inside. If he cuts outside he beats #7 and then he only has to put a move on the kicker and he goes all the way. Bad field vision, Ted. Also, I thought he had a case of the nerves all night and that's why he dropped those two passes.

4. Texas should be ranked #1. How much do you want to bet that a few voters will switch their #1 votes over to Texas and away from those SoCal slackers who never play anyone? Just curious.

5. Well done, Horns. I can't wait for our rematch in the Rose Bowl. ND will beat USC, Purdue will beat ND, and the SEC teams will take care of each other. Va Tech will lose a couple in the ACC. FSU will choke against Florida. See you in Pasadena!

6. JT is still the man and he will definitely settle on one guy at QB.

7. scUM still sucks!!!

 

[akronbuck]

a great game and V. Young is a 6'5 M. Vick. He can do it all and then some

I could cry about the qb playing or the play calling but, at least the buckeyes proved there one of the best teams in the country period and Texas might be good enough to beat USC.

Ohoi state defense played a great game, Texas could have scored 60 points

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter played the games of their lives.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

I simply do not have much to say except.....ouch.

We simply were beat last night........take it for what it's worth.

We've still got an opportunity for a fantastic season.

You live to fight another day..............