Game Thread Ohio 14, Ohio State 26 (Sept. 6)

[FWBuckeye]

A few initial postgame thoughts... Defense looked mostly good. A few holes in the coverage. Our d-line was getting great penetration. Some problems wrapping up and finishing tackles. Great job of grabbing turnovers. Overall a solid day on defense. Kicking game was noticeably off today, but I don't expect this to be a problem in the future. It's great to see Small get a punt return. You can definitely see noticeable improvement in him from last season, both receiving and in the return game. Now for the offense... definitely had some offensive line problems early. Boeckman was getting serious pressure and our run game was going nowhere. It seemed like we eventually wore them down due to their lack of depth and we were able to toss them around a little better in the second half. Herron looked teriffic in that TD drive. Saine looked good as well. Wells struggled early, but made some nice runs late. Boeckman had a really solid game. Good decision making and he was on target. He was also able to get some yards with his feet as well. Our receivers dropped a few passes they should have caught. Probably cost us some points early in the game. They still seem to be having a problem getting separation. Pryor had some nice scrambles in garbage time. It's unfortunate that Tressel didn't have the opportunity to give him more snaps throughout the game.

Defense was great, offense was sleepwalking. We're obviously a much different team on offense without Beanie. Hopefully he is healthy and ready to go next week against USC.

 

[MD Buckeye]

Great come back for the boys, I really lost my cool in this game (particularly since theirs someone I know I constantly make fun of since Michigan lost to App. State) I shouldn't have stopped believing.

What was nice is as soon as Saine come into the lineup you noticed an immediate spark in the offense. The punt return was amazing and got my whole family siked up. Great win today, who cares about our rank because we all know we will be #1 after next week.

What do you care? You aren't watching next week anyway.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Anyone else think Heather Dinich looks like Jimmy Clausen in drag?

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Big Ten

Going to the field: Ohio State 26, Ohio 14

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If there's one positive that comes out of Ohio State's subpar performance, it's that the defense is making plays again.

The nation's No. 1 total defense and scoring defense in 2007 had taken some heat for not forcing enough turnovers. The unit's takeaway skills today might have prevented a crushing upset loss.

After claiming its first lead since midway through the second quarter on a Brandon Saine touchdown run, superstar linebackers Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis teamed up to stop a promising Ohio drive. Freeman perfectly read Ohio quarterback Boo Jackson and tipped a pass with both hands. Laurinaitis dove for the interception at the Ohio State 35-yard line. The takeaways are making up for some spotty third-down defense.

Contd....

 

[pokey]

On the deep ball that went over his hands as he was falling away, it appeared that he pulled his arms back in as he was trying to extend. Not sure if that's an accurate interpretation of what I think I saw, but it looked like he was trying to protect his shoulder.

Robo and Hartline both had drops on balls they catch 99/100.

I hope that is all it is. And he will be fully healed by next week. His performance was an area of concern.

 

[Smooth Olaf]

I didn't like the way our receivers played at all.

On another down note, this game may have been a lot different if Ohio's receivers didn't drop all their balls, also. It seems to me that once Boo ran out of the pocket he missed some passes that our future opponents likely will complete.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

It is not on Boeckman. We really miss Beanie.

fify

 

[OregonBuckeye]

No more sideline to sideline option out of the shotgun please. It gets stopped behind the line every single time. Pryor is better out of the pistol and running when the play breaks down.

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Ohio University puts scare into No. 3 Ohio State - NCAA College Football Recap

Ohio University puts scare into No. 3 Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Beanie Wells didn't play. The Ohio Bobcats sure did.

Lightly regarded even in the Mid-American Conference, Ohio put a scare into No. 3 Ohio State before the Buckeyes righted things in the fourth quarter and went on to win 26-14 Saturday.

With star tailback Chris Wells sidelined by a foot injury, the Buckeyes (2-0) struggled to move the ball until Brandon Saine's short plunge on the third play of the final quarter finally put them on top and Ray Small added some breathing room with a late 69-yard punt return.

This was not the tuneup the Buckeyes needed before traveling next week to meet No. 1 Southern California.

Contd....

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Well we won and it was gross, but the score wont matter at the end of the season.

This isn't indicative of how we will play against USC. We played differently than how we played against YSU, so this was just a tough and bitter in-state lil brother trying to knock off Goliath.

We know what we need to work on, players and coaches both. We will do so and we will play harder, smarter and better next week.

Positives:
- Turnovers. We had 4 INT's and a fumble recovery.
- Excluding the botched extra point, our Special Teams looked great
- Boeckman is making smarter passes
- Fullbacks looked tough in the trenches
- Small is very impressive. He has come in at second most receiving yards 2 weeks in a row, and showed skills in the return department. So far, he has more catches than than Robo and Hartline.
- Penalties. We only had one (for five yards) in a game we were losing 3/4ths the way through.

Yes, I could list things to work on, but who really wants to focus just on the negatives? Lets enjoy the win and relax. Got plenty of time during the week to discuss changes at positions, play calls and tweaking to be done.

GO BUCKS!

I thought the turnovers were awesome by our D. But the O needs to do something more with those opportunties. Can't believe we forced 5 turnovers by Ohio and only won by 12. Wow.

As for TB, I thought his passes in general looked much sharper. A lot more zip on them. It should be clear to everyone that he has to play well if we are to win next week. But it still seemed that he was forcing sometimes. It appeared that he had outlets open often but was still locked onto his primary target. What did you guys think? The chemistry between TB and his WRs seemed a little off too??

 

[Buckeye_in_Cali]

Next week is going to be incredibly ugly, count on it. Uninspired play was only half the problem going on today, the rest is actual issues with blocking, blown coverage, no separation from the receivers. I've been holding my tongue all week, but can't do it any longer. USC by 3 TDs, just deal with it and move on - I'd still like to see them in a Rose Bowl.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Next week is going to be incredibly ugly, count on it. Uninspired play was only half the problem going on today, the rest is actual issues with blocking, blown coverage, no separation from the receivers. I've been holding my tongue all week, but can't do it any longer. USC by 3 TDs, just deal with it and move on - I'd still like to see them in a Rose Bowl.

LOOK OUT...THE SKY IS FALLLING! :)

 

[naptownbuck]

Robo and Hartline still cannot get any separation. Add Dane to the mix and we're stacked at #2 receivers, but there is no legit threat as a true #1 other than throwing the jump ball into triple coverage and hope Robo takes over with his hands and body control.

It is not on Boeckman. We really miss Ginn and Holmes.

It was kind of difficult to tell during the game just how many of those jumpballs were intentional or not. Yes they feel they have a favorable matchup with Robo going up, but some of those throws seemed late. And I think we are harping less about the Brians getting separation if they make a couple catches today that they are used to making. (and routine plays like the block Hartline missed to free up Robo)

TB, Robo and Hartline are what they are. It's going take flawless chemistry between the three, plus an addional game breaking threat whether it be Small or Dane, and of course Beanie to have a chance out west.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Game Balls:

Malcolm Jenkins. Kid did it all today. Played the pass well. Played the run well (and hit hard). Got a interception. All around GREAT day.

Ray Small. Welcome back young man.

Lawrence Wilson. Unlike Thad Gibson who played a bit undisciplined with his lanes in the pass rush/getting to the QB, Wilson got pressure and held his lane.

Game Goats:

Offensive Line. When we "needed" a drive we got one but that just makes me even more frustrated. Play every game like it's for the NC. Why? It essentially IS for the NC.

The Brians. I know some people don't think there is much difference (at least statistically) between them and the former duo we had...and he's right. With that said the biggest problem they have is lack of separation. They used to make up for that with blocking, routes, and HANDS.....much of that was missing along with the separation today.

Last, but not least, getting away from the run. After the Boom Herron drive where we punched it in I was not sure why he didn't come back, nor why after we got the turnover we were throwing and going into the shotgun. It was effective.....but maybe the "1st goat" is why....



All in all I think this will be a good learning tool for the team and I hope we see CONSISTENT INTENSITY...especially from the Oline.

I think you have to give Shawn Lane a game ball too...that fumble recovery wasn't only beautiful control, but also a huge momentum swing!

 

[Buckeye Chris]

Next week is going to be incredibly ugly, count on it. Uninspired play was only half the problem going on today, the rest is actual issues with blocking, blown coverage, no separation from the receivers. I've been holding my tongue all week, but can't do it any longer. USC by 3 TDs, just deal with it and move on - I'd still like to see them in a Rose Bowl.

Im not gonna admit defeat to USC, Beanie will be back which will give us an extra boost on offense. Trust me USC isnt like the SEC, we are more than capable of beating them. This game was just a wake up call for the boys.