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

[osugrad21]

OZone

Football
The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
By John Porentas ​

Keeping His Head Up: It wasn't a great day for OSU freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor passed for just 97 yards and rushed for a net of 27, 22 of those coming on one play. He was sacked three times as the OSU offense was unable to score a touchdown against Purdue. Despite the frustrating day, Pryor wasn't hanging his head.​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Terrelle Pryor[/FONT]

"The bright side is we came out with a win. That's all that matters. We're 6-1, 3-0 in the Big Ten, that's all that matters right now," said Pryor.​

When a reporter suggested that the Buckeyes may have won but didn't exactly score many style points Pryor shrugged off the comment.​

"The hell with it," retorted Pryor.​

"We came out with the win and that's all we want. Come next week I'll pressure myself to do even better and maybe I'll come out with a big smile on my face and we'll be ready to go."​

Pryor was happy with the win, but was obviously less-than thrilled with the overall performance of the offense.​

"It was frustrating," Pryor said.​

"We just need to get things clicking. We need to start executing on offense. We need to start getting things done. We need to start moving the ball. We need to start helping the defense out.

Cont...​

 

[osugrad21]

OZone

Football
Buckeyes Horrible and Great in Win over Purdue
By John Porentas ​

OSU football fans seem to come in just two flavors: cup half full or cup half empty. The No. 11 Buckeyes (6-1, 3-0) made both groups happy with a defensive performance that gave the half-full group plenty to talk about and an offensive performance that left the half-empty cadre simply buzzing in their 16-3 win over Purdue (2-4, 0-2) in Ohio Stadium.​

There's two versions of what happened in Ohio Stadium yesterday below, one for each group. Read the one that applies to you, and when you're done, if you're curious about how the other half lives, read the other one too.​

Half-Full, Read On: OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock came up with his most aggressive game plan of the season against Purdue's spread offense, for the most part ignoring the zone defenses the Buckeyes have played in the secondary most the season and playing lots and lots of man to man defense on the Boilermaker receiver corps.​

"A lot," said OSU corner Malcolm Jenkins when asked how much man to man defense the Buckeyes played in the secondary.​

The Buckeye secondary kept Purdue's receivers blanketed deep. The linebackers, meanwhile, took away the intermediate routes. That doesn't leave much in the way of open receivers for a team that likes to throw it around.

Cont...​

 

[osugrad21]

OZone Photo Gallery

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

The Mailbox: Comeback win didn't exactly put happy faces on critical OSU fans

Sunday, October 12, 2008 3:51 AM
By Ray Stein





Ray: Congrats to OSU on yet another comeback against a weaker opponent. I love the way our offense always scores on the first series, then plays for field goals the rest of the game until a last-second touchdown is needed -- hence, Tressel ball. I have an idea that might cure OSU fans of heart attacks: Let's hire Missouri's offensive coordinator and Vanderbilt's defensive coordinator. The head coach is only as good as his assistant coaches, and I believe Ohio State has the worst assistants in the country.
OSU needs to quit playing on their heels and start attacking and going for the kill. Nice guys finish last.
-- Dan McGovern, Columbus
Dan: I agree that Ohio State needs to get more aggressive -- all over the field. I'm not so sure, however, that Mizzou and Vandy are going to welcome any raiding parties.
Ray: The decision to play Terrelle Pryor over Todd Boeckman is a little more nuanced than a difference in mobility. Pryor is more mobile and is unquestionably the bigger difference-maker.
However, if Boeckman (and Pryor for that matter) were throwing to a receiving corps who ran disciplined routes, had the desire and ability to generate separation and consistently caught the ball, Boeckman and Pryor would both be more effective.
Equally compelling, an offensive scheme that generates points is a difference-maker. While probably good enough to win the Big Ten, putting up three points or fewer on half of your red-zone opportunities won't win a national championship.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Newark

OSU Notebook

By JON SPENCER ? NNCO ? October 12, 2008

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State's misadventures inside the red zone continue to stick out like Beanie Wells' sore big toe.
In Saturday's underwhelming 16-3 win against Purdue, the Buckeyes twice failed to score touchdowns in first-and-goal situations, settling for field goals both times.
Ohio State has now scored on 18 of 20 red zone opportunities, but only eight touchdowns.
So what can the Buckeyes do to be more productive?
"Score touchdowns," coach Jim Tressel said. "I hate to say that. We had first-and-goal twice on the 9 and didn't get in. Not that that's the easiest place to get in from, but we have to be able to gain a little bit more on first down. You've got to know the field has shrunk and they're going to be coming harder and you've got to break some tackles. We just didn't get that done."
Saving the offense once it stalls inside the 20 have been the special teams. OSU is 10 for 11 in field goals in those situations.
Unfortunately, field goals weren't even guaranteed Saturday. Ryan Pretorius hooked one from 38 yards and the Buckeyes botched a fake try from the Purdue 36 when they were flagged for delay of game. Punter A.J. Trapasso, inserted for regular snapper Jon Thoma, rolled right with the snap before the play was blown dead.
Pretorius is 13-of-17 this season, including two Saturday. He missed five field goals all of last season. Aaron Pettrey, who handles kickoffs but lost three-point duties last season to Pretorius, was given a chance Saturday after the Pretorius miss and nailed it from 49 yards. He also made his only other attempt this season, a 54-yarder.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Newark

O-line shoulders little other than blame for OSU's low output

By JOSH HACHAT ? Sports Writer ? October 12, 2008

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State junior tight end Jake Ballard wasn't about to hold back, not after a performance like that.
Mired in the same doldrums that have plagued the offensive line all year, the No. 12 Buckeyes gained just 222 total yards and had no offensive touchdowns Saturday in an ugly 16-3 win against Purdue at Ohio Stadium.
Most of the struggles started up front, where a small and undersized Boilermaker defense controlled the bigger and stronger Buckeye line.
"Right now, we're not performing," Ballard said. "We're not performing like we can. Our whole line is back, and there's no reason why our line and our tight ends can't open up holes for the best running back in the country.
"(Chris) Beanie Wells is the best running back in the nation, and we need to open up holes. He can't do it by himself and we need to give him a chance to run the ball."
That certainly didn't happen Saturday, which likely will lead to more criticism of the offensive line.
It seemingly reached a boiling point in a lackluster performance against USC a month ago, but recent improvements were washed away by Saturday's dismal performance up front.
Other than a few sporadic bursts, the line couldn't free Wells for a big game -- he finished with 22 carries for 94 yards -- and Terrelle Pryor was sacked three times and pressured throughout.
Clearly, it wasn't a performance to be remembered.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Newark

No answers for OSU offense's absence

By Jon Spencer ? October 12, 2008

Ohio State cornerback Chimdi Chekwa snickered when told Saturday that Michigan had lost at home to the Rockets. Not the Houston Rockets, who at least boast some millionaire athletes. The Toledo Rockets.

"I don't know what to say about that," Chekwa said, stifling a belly laugh.
Good thing. Less said the better. The Buckeyes weren't exactly in a position to brag after their offense rang up as many touchdowns as their defense -- that would be zero -- in an unexpected 16-3 slugfest with Purdue.
The Boilermakers came in with the Big Ten's most balanced defense -- worst against the run and worst against the pass. You'd think that would have come up at least once or twice in conversation when Beanie Wells and Terrelle Pryor were huddling up with their cohorts.
"You could see it watching the film," Wells said, referring to what OSU should have been able to exploit. "It's all on us. We didn't execute the way we should have."
Wells, admitting to fatigue from a bout with the flu, quickly grew weary of questions to which he had no answer.
Why can't the Buckeyes, stopped twice inside the 10-yard line, score touchdowns in the red zone?
Shrug.
Why are the Buckeyes ranked last in the Big Ten in pass offense?
Sigh.
What can the Buckeyes do to correct their problems?
Blank stare.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Blade

Article published Sunday, October 12, 2008
BUCKEYES NOTEBOOK
Tiller not shedding tear for last trip to Columbus



COLUMBUS - There's no farewell tour for Joe Tiller, no emotional good-byes, no gifts of rocking chairs and lap blankets. In his final season before retirement, the Purdue head coach is just going to work and trying to win football games. Tiller, the Toledo native and Rogers High graduate, made his final visit to Ohio Stadium yesterday, but he wanted nothing to do with any syrupy soliloquies. Tiller insisted that the full focus of attention center on his team playing the 12th-ranked Buckeyes. "Knowing I'm from Ohio, there's no sentimental special feeling for me going to Ohio State's stadium to play, even though it's my last time there," Tiller said. The Boilermakers (2-4, 0-2) came up on the lean side of 16-3 score in Tiller's final game here, but he took some solace from the way the battle was waged. "There was a high energy and a high intensity level. We were well-prepared and played well," Tiller said. "We played as well as we could. They were strong and they have a lot of speed. They have a physical secondary and have the most athletic linebackers who can run." Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Tiller, who became Purdue's all-time winningest coach earlier this season, is a guy he will miss playing against. "Joe Tiller coming into Ohio Stadium for the last time, and Joe's an Ohio native, and the winningest coach in the history of Purdue, and just one of the great guys to ever coach the game," Tressel said. "Ten of the last 11 years he's taken the Boilermakers to a bowl game, and he's just done extraordinary things there." Former Ohio State coach John Cooper said Tiller's impact at Purdue likely won't be fully understood for a while. Tiller is credited with bringing the spread offense to the Big Ten.
Cont...

 

[jimotis4heisman]

Rewatched Beanie's 24 yard run and noticed Brewster pancake a DT. It would've made Pace proud.

uh no. pace in college would have gotten up and escorted his tailback down the sidelines burying a db. pace and stringer were the two best olineman ive seen in the last 25 years..

 

[Best Buckeye]

Newark, Why can't the Buckeyes, stopped twice inside the 10-yard line, score touchdowns in the red zone?
Shrug.
Why are the Buckeyes ranked last in the Big Ten in pass offense?
Sigh.
What can the Buckeyes do to correct their problems?
Blank stare.

This part of that article sounds like my thoughts. as usual I will do what I always do. Trust the coaches and the players and support MY Buckeyes to the last breath I take.
When I bought into being a Buckeye fan it was for better or worse, for richer or richer, till death do us part.

I do not look at them as pros or objects to to be simply admired or scorned. I look at them as members of the Buckeye team. My Team.
Sure I know that they have weaknesses this year far surpassing most of our recent teams and I know that some of it is talent or athleticism, and that some of it is team chemistry or the lack of it.
And I also realize that most of it isn't going to be fixed this year but in a sense meh'. I still see us winning the B10 and have confidence that we can win them all.
Penn State and MSU look pretty good this year so we are going to have to play smart, hard , and more importantly as a team.

On the radio yesterday Earle was saying pretty much the same thing as we do and even more . He said that if we can change QB's we can sure change linemen too on both sides if they don't improve and if a player doesn't then make a move.
So we here on BP are not alone in our thinking and by this time of the season everyone who watches college football knows what problems we have and just how good of a team we have.

So what I am going to do is not worry about it. I am going to sit back and relax and watch MY team play football.
And root as hard as I can for them.
And have my emotions rise and fall with each play.
And enjoy watching our running backs plow ahead and marvel at the ability they show.
and even more;
watch the players grow in their abilities.
Golly who could not have marveled at the play of Michael Jenkins yesterday, or thrilled when Sabino ran that blocked punt in for a TD. imagine how big a thrill that was for him, we only dream of being able to do that. Is that a 'give a left nut" kind of thing we wish for or is that just me.

Sorry about the talent level of my writing but it is from my heart.

GO BUCKEYES

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

i have seen nothing this year which leads me to believe that we can beat Penn State

I agree with that. My point was in regards of the hypothetical situation of a one loss Ohio State team vs a two loss team. I guess we should just cross that bridge if we get to it.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

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.

4-6 35 yards long 14 9-52 avg 5.8 long 21
0-2 0 long 0 5-37 7.4 avg 23
7-9 52 long 15 11-40 3.6 13
10-16 139 39 14-66 4.7 18
8-13 70 22 8-97 12.1 38
13-19 144 27 15-20 1.3 11
10-14 97 22 14-27 1.8 22

sacked 12 times



id like to see how many throws have been attempted and completed over 12 yards down the field. (the actual throw not including rac yardage)

 

[BayBuck]

thats what 112 ypg since hes taken over as the full time starter?

When this team reverts to the kind of Tresselball they're playing now, it's wins, not yardage, that make up the key stat for our QB. Krenzel passed for 152 yards or less 8 times in '02 as a first-year starter (with an identical QB rating to Terrelle's so far), but it was enough to get the job done.

 

[BrutusMaximus]

The O-line is underperforming like you cant belive. They are big, but seem very slow. The play calling is sad. We dont throw the ball down field, and we get down to their 30, and run Mo Wells up the middle twice.....explain that one to me. I dont know if Tress is holding back right now because Pryor is young, and doesnt want him to make mistakes or what, but the kid is a ridiculous talent, and needs to be able to go make plays.

 

[osugrad21]

The O-line is underperforming like you cant belive. They are big, but seem very slow. The play calling is sad. We dont throw the ball down field, and we get down to their 30, and run Mo Wells up the middle twice.....explain that one to me. I dont know if Tress is holding back right now because Pryor is young, and doesnt want him to make mistakes or what, but the kid is a ridiculous talent, and needs to be able to go make plays.

I'm agreeing...the OL play was inexcusable yesterday and I saw things that I never thought Id see from tOSU lineman. 100% lack of effort at times.

I disagree about throwing the ball deep but only in semantics not concept...it doesn't have to be deep to stretch the field. Florida stretched the field all night and killed LSU underneath. They had Tebow on the move and forced a defensive player to make a choice...the QB had a single read. If the defender does A you throw it here, if he does B, you throw it here...if he stands still and you see open field, tuck it and run like hell.