Michael Smith
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Ohio State 28 – Minnesota 14; Game Review
Michael Smith via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
(Taylor Decker surveys his domain; we’re just part of it…)
Hello everyone, and welcome as I review this past Saturday night’s win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, with Ohio State beating a 28-14 scrappy Minnesota team. Coming off an extremely heartbreaking loss to Michigan the week before and losing their head coach due to health reasons, the Gophers fought hard all night.
However, yet again, with Cardale Jones as the starting QB, Ohio State struggled to score points. The 1st quarter was like most for Ohio State this year. Very slow and no points. It marked the 4th time this season Ohio State ending the 1st quarter without scoring a single point. Ohio State didn’t get on the score board until half way through the 2nd quarter when safety Vonn Bell intercepted a Mitch Leidner pass at the 16 yard line and dashed his way for the game’s 1st touchdown. A targeting penalty almost negated the great play by Bell. However, the call was overturned on replay and Ohio State got the touchdown.
Despite Ohio State’s offensive struggles, their defense was up to the task, as Minnesota never really threatened to score in the the 1st half. Minnesota’s only chance was a very long 50 yard FG attempt by Ryan Santoso, which missed badly.
Now, I interrupt this review for a personal rant:
I fully realize the NCAA wants to make football safer for everyone and with the mounting concussions and media attention to them something had to be done to keep the players safe. That being said, this targeting rule has to go. It effects way too many games now, and kids are being thrown out of games for hits that don’t even look that bad.
The refs are throwing flags and calling targeting on anything thats even close to hit to the head area knowing the play will be reviewed. That’s not what this rule was meant to do. I realize players need to be protected, but this rule is a bad one and needs to be changed.
Now back to the review!
Ohio State’s best drive came late in the 2nd quarter and it was Cardale Jones who had the best offensive play, in my opinion, all night. Facing 3rd and 18 deep in their own territory, Jones ran a QB draw that gained 19 yards, a 1st down, and a much needed spark to the Buckeye offense. A few plays later and Zeke Elliot found the end zone, with some great blocking, to put Ohio State up 14-0 going into half time.
That play might be my favorite this year. “Why?” do you ask? Look at how beautiful the blocking was on that play. You had Taylor Decker, the human wrecking ball, pulling out getting a great block. Then you had the WRs (Samuel and Thomas) getting key blocks to let Elliot score the touchdown. Everything was perfect on that play.
I’m really going to miss Taylor Decker when he leaves. He is going down as one of my favorite Buckeyes of all time. I’m convinced the song “Wrecking Ball” was actually written for him
“He’s blocking like a wrecking ball….blocking the why I love..All he does is break your walls…..He wrecks you….ohhhhh, he wrecks you!”
(Did I sing that out loud?)
Ohio State made it 21-0 early in the 3rd quarter on a great drive and nice pass and catch by Jones to Michael Thomas. Ohio State’s offense then became very plain and didn’t do much. They did have a turnover in the red zone that prevented a possible score that would have put the game out of reach for Minnesota. Ohio State’s defense started to tire a little tired and Minnesota scored 2 fourth quarter touchdowns to get back in the game at 21-14.
Late in the 4th facing 3rd down and 9 from the Minnesota 38, Cardale Jones made a great fake to Elliott and raced 38 yards for the game’s final score, making the final 28-14.
It wasn’t a thing of beauty, that’s for sure, but Ohio State did enough again to win. Minnesota’s team is a scrappy bunch, they play hard, and don’t back down. I give them a lot of credit.
Ohio State now must travel to Champaign to take on Illinois this week. I will have the preview to that game up soon!
Till then, chill!
The post Ohio State 28 – Minnesota 14; Game Review appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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Michael Smith via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
(Taylor Decker surveys his domain; we’re just part of it…)
Hello everyone, and welcome as I review this past Saturday night’s win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, with Ohio State beating a 28-14 scrappy Minnesota team. Coming off an extremely heartbreaking loss to Michigan the week before and losing their head coach due to health reasons, the Gophers fought hard all night.
However, yet again, with Cardale Jones as the starting QB, Ohio State struggled to score points. The 1st quarter was like most for Ohio State this year. Very slow and no points. It marked the 4th time this season Ohio State ending the 1st quarter without scoring a single point. Ohio State didn’t get on the score board until half way through the 2nd quarter when safety Vonn Bell intercepted a Mitch Leidner pass at the 16 yard line and dashed his way for the game’s 1st touchdown. A targeting penalty almost negated the great play by Bell. However, the call was overturned on replay and Ohio State got the touchdown.
Despite Ohio State’s offensive struggles, their defense was up to the task, as Minnesota never really threatened to score in the the 1st half. Minnesota’s only chance was a very long 50 yard FG attempt by Ryan Santoso, which missed badly.
Now, I interrupt this review for a personal rant:
I fully realize the NCAA wants to make football safer for everyone and with the mounting concussions and media attention to them something had to be done to keep the players safe. That being said, this targeting rule has to go. It effects way too many games now, and kids are being thrown out of games for hits that don’t even look that bad.
The refs are throwing flags and calling targeting on anything thats even close to hit to the head area knowing the play will be reviewed. That’s not what this rule was meant to do. I realize players need to be protected, but this rule is a bad one and needs to be changed.
Now back to the review!
Ohio State’s best drive came late in the 2nd quarter and it was Cardale Jones who had the best offensive play, in my opinion, all night. Facing 3rd and 18 deep in their own territory, Jones ran a QB draw that gained 19 yards, a 1st down, and a much needed spark to the Buckeye offense. A few plays later and Zeke Elliot found the end zone, with some great blocking, to put Ohio State up 14-0 going into half time.
That play might be my favorite this year. “Why?” do you ask? Look at how beautiful the blocking was on that play. You had Taylor Decker, the human wrecking ball, pulling out getting a great block. Then you had the WRs (Samuel and Thomas) getting key blocks to let Elliot score the touchdown. Everything was perfect on that play.
I’m really going to miss Taylor Decker when he leaves. He is going down as one of my favorite Buckeyes of all time. I’m convinced the song “Wrecking Ball” was actually written for him
“He’s blocking like a wrecking ball….blocking the why I love..All he does is break your walls…..He wrecks you….ohhhhh, he wrecks you!”
(Did I sing that out loud?)
Ohio State made it 21-0 early in the 3rd quarter on a great drive and nice pass and catch by Jones to Michael Thomas. Ohio State’s offense then became very plain and didn’t do much. They did have a turnover in the red zone that prevented a possible score that would have put the game out of reach for Minnesota. Ohio State’s defense started to tire a little tired and Minnesota scored 2 fourth quarter touchdowns to get back in the game at 21-14.
Late in the 4th facing 3rd down and 9 from the Minnesota 38, Cardale Jones made a great fake to Elliott and raced 38 yards for the game’s final score, making the final 28-14.
It wasn’t a thing of beauty, that’s for sure, but Ohio State did enough again to win. Minnesota’s team is a scrappy bunch, they play hard, and don’t back down. I give them a lot of credit.
Ohio State now must travel to Champaign to take on Illinois this week. I will have the preview to that game up soon!
Till then, chill!
The post Ohio State 28 – Minnesota 14; Game Review appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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