Game Thread Ohio State 16, Purdue 3 (Oct. 11th)

[Fungo Squiggly]

Exasperating offense. Oof. Not the step that I was hoping for coming off of the final drive against Wisconsin. Disappointing to say the least. Most everything I want to say has already been covered as far as tentativeness and over-thinking by Pryor and some head-scratching and forehead-slapping play-calling. :p

Fine job by the defense, although I'm not surprised by that. If the D can hold last year's Purdue offense (which is this year's O + Dorien Bryant + Dustin Keller + Jaycen Taylor + Selwyn Lymon + a better O-line) to 7 points, then surely they can shutdown this year's installment. Purdue just doesn't have the athletes to really exploit the edge and didn't quite have enough whatever to spend the entire day working up the middle. The gut was open quite a bit, especially on that first drive in the 2nd half, but it was shut back down for a couple plays and Purdue then ignored it for awhile.

Lots of "almost intercepted"s again. Jenkins and Chekwa both jumped routes and had chance to take it back. Laurinaitis cut across a guy sitting in the zone with a nice breakup. Washington and Russell both had passes hit their hand. Hopefully one or two of those will turn into picks against PSU. Still nice to see guys getting around receivers to knock passes down.

Beanie's foot still seems to be a mess. When he starts to lose his balance, thinking mostly of the inside handoff late in the game, it almost seems like he is afraid to try to get it back. I noticed a similar thing when he got his feet tangled with the back of Smith on the run to the left in the second half. I really wonder just how much damage is in their and it really makes me appreciate the pain he's got to be feeling every play.

I thought Denlinger played a nice game. He blew up a couple of those inside runs in the 2nd half. Nice to see him back.

Rob Rose

great play by Rose....

Can anyone think of another time where a lineman has batted down a pass this season? I cannot recall one (I'm not including wilson's tip/pick against YSU since that was a play where he dropped back for the screen.) Not only are they not getting to the quarterback, but they aren't doing a very good job shutting down the passing lanes or getting their hands up.

I'm not sure why that is. I'm no expert on d-line technique, but it seems like every lineman on every play has their hands firmly implanted on the blocker's chest which seems to be keeping them from getting their hands up to block passes or get their arms out to grab runners. No idea if this is accurate or totally off-base.

 

[OCBucksFan]

It was ugly, but I'll take it. Much the same way Buckyle thinks about Trons Momma.

 

[generaladm]

These are the thoughts I've been having since watching the game live (just started second viewing).

Malcom Jenkins was player of the game, by far. He just flat out came to play. Love the hustle on the punt block. Not only did he make a great play to take the ball off the kicker's foot, but once he made the block, he immediately started to look for the ball. Once he realized Sabino had it, he went straight for the block on a guy who had almost no shot at making a play. Did a great job on Orton. The one play where Orton outplayed him, MJ was close to having a pick. The only bad thing you can say about him is he's out of eligibility.

Chekwa had a great day, which is becoming status quo for him. Great in coverage, great tackler; would be a #1 on most teams. Hines continues to impress. He will be a starter at safety, as soon as Russell and Coleman are gone. I like having him on the field because he puts out the effort that the entire team should have. Homan is looking like the team's best LB. Gibson had a good day, he's a half-step off from being a one man wrecking crew. Hopefully, he will get that half step in the near future. The D overall took a big step forward today. They increased pressure, flew to the ball, and had very few mistakes.

Here's the thing I can't get out of my mind: Pryor is trying to play like Troy Smith 06. For OSU to have a chance to win out, he needs to play like Troy Smith 04/05. I'm all for TP to make the effort to be a polished passer, but he has two and a half years to accomplish that. I'm just to half time of my rewatch, and he's really looked quite good, except for a couple of unnecessary sacks. The bigger problem is with the OL and WRs. On the plays where he was protected and the WRs made the plays they were supposed to, he was fine. Posey could have had a TD if he had fought for the ball, although the defender made a nice play. Plays like that combined with the drops and O-line meltdowns made TP look shaky, but I don't think he played as poorly as I first thought. [Jenkins just made another play] People have been saying that TP will show his inexperience, and today was the day. What he needs to do to get thru games like this is take whatever yardage is available. On 8 out of 10 plays, he can gain 5+ yards just by running to open space. Those yards will add up, and positive yards beget positive yards. Every time he burns a defender by making a quick decision to tuck and run, he will gain an advantage by forcing the defense to play with fear. That's what Troy did before he became Mr. Heisman. Right now, TP is trying to make Heisman plays. What he needs to realize is that those plays are set up by making all the little plays. Pick up the easy yards, move the chains, and the big opportunities will present themselves.

Even though the Buckeyes dominated the entire game, this performance didn't do anything to calm my nerves about the rest of the sched. There are still far too many mental mistakes, considering the experience level, and the point of the season. The O-line and WRs are due for another visit from Tressel in practice. There's simply no excuse for the lack of effort/focus. At the risk of incurring JXC's wrath, we cannot play like this against MSU or PSU and expect to win. That being said, if we're going to make those mistakes, it's better we did them against Purdue. For next week: Defense, take what you did today, and build on it. Best performance of the season. RBs, get healthy. O-line, get your collective heads out of your collective asses. WRs, catch the damn ball. TP, take the easy five yards. Every time.

A quick note on the debate on whether this year's team could/should make the NC game. I don't think it will happen. Unless we make some dramatic improvements, I don't think we deserve it. But, I'll point out one thing: at this point, OSU has a much better chance of making the top two than they did last year when they were ranked 7th after they played their last game of the regular season. Everyone has said that there can't be a similar top team collapse again, but today's results don't help that argument a bit. After the USC loss, there was a snowball's chance. That chance has improved every week, thus far. I'll be perfectly happy with a Rose Bowl (though that's certainly not a given), but the door to the NC is very much ajar.

[Jenkins just made another play]

 

[craigblitz]

I...O...

- Bar Stocked- Check
- Ribs Smok'n - Check
- Chips and snacks - Check
- Victory Cigars - Check
- OSU putting that a$$ Whooping on the Boilers - CHECK

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Buckeyes get a win, but not a passing grade in lackluster 16-3 victory over Purdue

by Doug Lesmerises Saturday October 11, 2008, 10:39 PM

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerOSU's Nader Abdallah revels in his fourth-quarter sack of Purdue QB Curtis Painter Saturday. The Buckeyes allowed just 297 yards in offense to the Boilermakers and scored a special teams touchdown in claiming a 16-3 victory.
COLUMBUS -- Beanie Wells is a hungry man surrendering his spot in the buffet line and shoving Terrelle Pryor toward the prime rib. Pryor, Ohio State's freshman quarterback, threw for 97 yards in the Buckeyes' 16-3 victory over Purdue on Saturday in which neither team scored an offensive touchdown. Wells, the burly, 240-pound back who has spent his career claiming he'd carry every play if he could, is among those arguing that Ohio State needs to develop a passing game.
Call that a stiff-arm to the old game plan.
"We've got to pass the ball," Wells said. "Me being a running back, you wouldn't expect me to say that. But that's the truth. We've got to pass the ball."
Facing the Big Ten's worst defense -- with the Boilermakers at the bottom statistically against the pass, run and overall -- the No. 12 Buckeyes (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) found a lot of defenders can answer a multiple-choice quiz when there's only once choice. Pryor attempted just 14 passes, completing 10, for no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

The bests from OSU-Purdue

by Joe Maxse Saturday October 11, 2008, 9:47 PM

Amy Sancetta/Associated PressOSU's Malcolm Jenkins gets the ball and a good part of punter Chris Summers' leg in blocking Summer's first-quarter punt Saturday. Etienne Sabino recovered the ball and scored on the return to give OSU a 7-0 lead.
Best combination block Senior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins never gave Purdue punter Chris Summers a chance in the first quarter. Breaking through from Summers' left, Jenkins swatted the ball off the kicker's foot into the turf.
The ball took one true bounce and freshman Etienne Sabino was there to haul in the high carom and waltz 20 yards to the end zone.
"I didn't get touched at all," said Jenkins, who also had an interception. "We knew we planned to call a block and they didn't expect it. They usually run to the line and snap it quick. They didn't have time to scan the field and see who's coming. I came off the edge to block it."
Best freshman moment
While Jenkins did all the dirty work, Sabino got all the glory as he scored his first collegiate touchdown. The true freshman linebacker said he had not scored a defensive touchdown since a fumble return as a high school junior in Sunny Isles, Fla.
"I heard the block, but didn't know who blocked it," said Sabino. "I happened to look up and the ball was in the air and it fell in my hands and I took off for the end zone. It was crazy and loud. Players are running up to you and you don't know what's happening. We joke around about all these dances I wanted to do. But that went out the window."
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

What PD reporters will remember from OSU-Purdue

by Staff reports Saturday October 11, 2008, 9:41 PM

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerEtienne Sabino cruises across the goal line with the only Ohio State touchdown of Saturday's victory, following a blocked punt by Malcolm Jenkins.
I'm taking two moments, a start and a finish. In the final minutes before kickoff, coaches heading to the press box are given elevator priority, but I squeezed in with the Purdue coaches because I was headed to the same floor. Left waiting on the outside, according to those in the elevator, was John Glenn. He can get into space, but not to his suite.
That started an astronaut discussion, with a Boilermakers coach proudly claiming Neil Armstrong as a Purdue grad, though another Ohioan in the elevator claimed him as a state native.
"See, it's nice when we can share things," said the Boilermaker.
Then after the game ...
Maybe Jim Tressel seeks out the guys who scored touchdowns after every game and I never noticed. Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe it was a final gesture to congratulate Etienne Sabino, who had returned a blocked punt for a score.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Tressel, Buckeyes not doing Pryor any favors by turning freshman into a solo act at QB

by Bud Shaw Saturday October 11, 2008, 9:29 PM


It's one thing to give Terrelle Pryor the reins, something completely different to make him the Lone Ranger.
The help Ohio State needs with tougher road games ahead, and Penn State under the lights at home, begins with an offensive line that struggled to discourage the Big Ten's worst defense Saturday.
But it hardly ends there. The Buckeyes are likely going to need Todd Boeckman, too. Heresy, I know, but a plausible alternative until Pryor learns to trust his eyes, throws at least a few passes before the receiver makes his cut and stops running into sacks.
The Buckeyes don't beat Penn State with the pass offense they put on display Saturday. In fact, Troy saw the tapes and sends word it wants another crack at them.
Since the same issues troubled Boeckman -- or he would've held on to his job longer -- it's not surprising a freshman quarterback would suffer similar gaffes.

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerTerrelle Pryor (2) finds little room to roam as he is chased down by Purdue's Joe Holland (30) and Dwight McLean (22) during the third quarter of Saturday's game at Ohio Stadium.
But what was apparent last week, except for the opening and closing drives against Wisconsin, became even clearer on a day when Ohio State couldn't manage an offensive touchdown in a 16-3 win over Purdue. The Big Ten isn't much, but even in this "B" movie of a conference where an average talent like Purdue's Curtis Painter can vault into the 10,000 yard passing club as only the fourth QB to do so, Pryor is going to spend some time dragged through town tied behind his horse. Can't Boeckman at least attempt a rescue as Tonto?
Purdue sacked Pryor three times. He rushed 14 times for 50 yards. The Buckeyes needed a blocked punt to score their only touchdown.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Without an offensive TD, Bucks dismiss Purdue

by Joe Maxse Saturday October 11, 2008, 6:38 PM

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerChris Wells found enough room on this run to gain an Ohio State first down Saturday, but the OSU offense never managed to cross the goal line against Purdue.
COLUMBUS -- It was not always pretty, but Ohio State defeated Purdue, 16-3, on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. The 12th-ranked Buckeyes (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) won their fourth in a row, but did it without scoring a touchdown on offense. Three field goals and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown supplied OSU's points.
The unranked Boilermakers (2-4, 0-2) lost their third straight. However, they held the OSU offense in check for the most part.
The Ohio State defense did its part as Purdue managed a long field goal for its only points.

The Buckeyes opened the scoring when senior defensive back Malcolm Jenkins broke in on Purdue punter Chris Summers and blocked his kick. OSU freshman Etienne Sabino caught the ball off one high bounce and ran untouched 20 yards for the touchdown just 3:19 into the game.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Buckeyes blame O-line for problems



Sunday, October 12, 2008

COLUMBUS ? If you need to blame somebody for Ohio State's abysmal offense, Steve Rehring says put it all on the line.
"I don't think we've played as well as we can as an offensive line at any time this year," the lineman said after Ohio State's sleep-inducing 16-3 win over Purdue on Saturday. "We haven't had a game where all of us played our best."
Not many would argue with him.
The Buckeyes didn't throw the ball very well (just 97 yards) or run it when they needed to (125 yards). As a result, the offense only supplied three field goals to the victory. Special teams supplied the only touchdown.
Coach Jim Tressel certainly isn't happy with the line's play. Maybe that's why he has designated himself as the "assistant offensive line coach" and has spent extra time with the unit the past few weeks at practice.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Ocker: OSU's ho-hum performance Buckeyes might have beaten Boilermakers, but offense played hit-and-miss game
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 07:44 a.m. EDT, Oct 12, 2008

COLUMBUS: Ohio State's dreary 16-3 win over Purdue on Saturday was evocative of a bad spring practice game. But it was hard to tell what the Buckeyes were rehearsing, unless it was field-goal kicking.
The Boilermakers didn't figure to be a challenging opponent, and Ohio State never was in danger of losing. But that was hardly the point. This was the sort of game in which powerful teams run away and hide in the first half, so the head coach can replace his headset with an iPod in the third quarter and listen to Music of Your Lifeor John Phillip Sousa marches.
Not so the Buckeyes, whose only touchdown was scored by offensive stranger Etienne Sabino, a freshman backup linebacker, who picked up a punt blocked by Malcom Jenkins and ran 20 yards unimpeded to the end zone with 11:41 to play in the first quarter.
After that, Ohio State occupied its time with various failed drives ? failed, if touchdowns were the objective ? that brought home this salient point: Even a superb running back like Beanie Wells can be rendered ineffective unless the line blocks.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Defense rises up for Ohio State
Buckeyes offense a no-show vs. Purdue
Sunday, October 12, 2008
By TODD PORTER
[email protected]

COLUMBUS On a sleepy fall Saturday, Ohio State's offense could have taken a day off against Purdue. Then again, maybe it did?

The Buckeyes failed to score an offensive touchdown and struggled mightily on offense as Ohio State not only continued to search for an identity, but also a rhythm and momentum.

Despite OSU's shortcomings on offense, Purdue was mediocre enough to let the Buckeyes off the hook with a 16-3 Ohio State win. The 12th-ranked team in the country managed 222 yards on offense, converted just 4-of-14 third downs and threw for 97 yards against the worst defense in the Big Ten.

Long after Buckeye fans filtered out of a ho-hum stadium, OSU offensive players looked like they had just lost a game at home. They didn't help win it.

"Because we know we didn't play anywhere near where we can," tight end Jake Ballard said. "Offensive line, tight ends, receivers, everybody is down because we know wedidn't play to where we're capable of."

Perhaps, though, Ohio State should be content with just winning.

Especially on a day when Michigan lost to one-win Toledo in the Big House and Illinois lost to conference afterthought Minnesota at home.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

Where's OSU's line? Tressel, Jenkins issuing challenges
Sunday, October 12, 2008
BY TODD PORTER
[email protected]

COLUMBUS Was anyone really concerned that Purdue was going to pull off an upset Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium?

While the Buckeyes offense still seems stuck, the Boilermakers never really threatened and didn't crack Ohio State's 30-yard line until the final seconds of the game. And Purdue has lost 17 straight games to ranked opponents and hasn't left Columbus with a win in 20 years.

Terrelle Pryor wasn't even born then.

What is becoming more of a concern is OSU's offensive line, and cornerback and team captain Malcolm Jenkins didn't shy away from challenging his offensive teammates. Particularly on the offensive line.

Head Coach Jim Tressel mentioned the line a couple of times in his postgame news conference, and he wasn't complimenting them. Ohio State's offense failed to score a touchdown on two first-and-goal situations at Purdue's 9.

"They're missing a block here and there," Jenkins said. "Defensively, we feel like if our offense gets us 9 points, we should win the game. If we don't, that's on us."

Purdue's spread offense has, in the past, lit up scoreboards and gained plenty of yards. Quarterback Curtis Painter, as a testament to past productivity, went over the 10,000-yard passing mark for his career at Purdue.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

OSU Primer
Sunday, October 12, 2008


PLAYER OF THE GAME

Malcolm Jenkins

Jenkins blocked a punt, intercepted a pass, broke up another, and dropped what likely would have been a pick-six interception. Yeah, that's a day at the office. Jenkins' blocked punt in the first quarter set up the only touchdown of the day.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Big block, big return

Etienne Sabino has never scored the only touchdown in a game ... and come out on the winning end of things. The true freshman picked up Jenkins' blocked punt at the Purdue 20-yard line and sprinted to the end zone for the only TD.

WHY OHIO STATE WON

Is Purdue that bad?
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Blade

Article published Sunday, October 12, 2008
OSU boots Purdue
Buckeyes use 4 field goals, defense to gain win
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
COLUMBUS - The plan was not to come out against Purdue yesterday and try and kick the Boilermakers into submission. No such strategy exists in college football. But in Ohio State's 16-3 Big Ten win, the only time the ball crossed the goal line after about the first three minutes of the game was when it recoiled off the shoe of a soccer-style kicker. The Buckeyes played dominant defense, got a special teams score and a trio of field goals, but never worked through the gear box offensively. For the second time this season, No. 12-ranked Ohio State went without an offensive touchdown. "It was terrible," Ohio State freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor said about the Buckeyes' performance, which netted just 222 yards. "Our defense was battling them the whole game, but on offense - we just played bad." Of Ohio State's 12 possessions in the game, six ended in punts, four in field goal tries, and two were stopped by the clock. The game's only touchdown came on Purdue's first series when Ohio State defensive back Malcolm Jenkins poured in and smothered a punt attempt by Purdue's Chris Summers. Buckeyes freshman linebacker Etienne Sabino picked the ball up on the run and went 20 yards for the score. With an extra point added by Ryan Pretorius, Ohio State led 7-0 just under four minutes into the game. But that was it as far as end zone escapades for the Buckeyes. They had drives stall at the Purdue 5 and 7 yard lines, and Pryor, making his fourth straight start for Ohio State, was beyond glum after completing 10-of-14 passes for just 97 yards and finishing with 27 net yards rushing on 14 carries. He was sacked three times. "We didn't move the ball at all," he said. "Everything went wrong. We've got to start clicking right now. But the bright side is our defense was on them all day, and we're 6-1 and 3-0 in the Big Ten."
Cont...