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Ohio State Survives Minnesota, 28-14
Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The CFB #3 Ohio State Buckeyes B1G East (8-0, 4-0) took on the Golden Gophers B1G West (4-4, 1-3). Ohio State demolished Rutgers 49-7* in their previous game while Minnesota red zone offense lollygagged their way to a loss against Michigan 26-29 last week. Even without Minnesota’s Coach Jerry, for the Buckeyes, this was still a View to a Kill.
The Buckeyes utilized “just enough” defense and “barely enough” offense to defeat Minnesota 28-14. Although the Buckeye passing game was pretty meh, they used 114 yards rushing by Ezekiel Elliott and 65 yards rushing by Cardale Jones to salt the game away. A key to the game was OSU’s defense. They scored OSU’s 1st touchdown (Vonn Bell pick-6) held Minnesota to 33 net yards rushing.
The first half was pretty unimpressive from an Ohio State perspective. By unimpressive, I mean offensively. Neither team had scored until there were almost 5 minutes remaining in the half, when Vonn Bell slipped inside KJ Maye to make an interception and return it 16 yards for a touchdown. The Buckeyes did manage to put something together, with the defense forcing an ensuing Minnesota 3-and-out, then managing a 7 play, 77 yard drive to score a TD with Zeke skirting right end for the score. Make note that Ezekiel had a huge hole on the right side, and when he broke to the outside, he had great edge blocking to let him finish the play. The Buckeyes moved out to a 14-0 lead, which looked pretty good.
The Buckeyes had only 137 yards total offense in the first half; 88 passing and 49 rushing. Jones was 6-10 for the 88 yards, but 56 yards were to a nice play to Jalin Marshall. So, aside from that, he was 5-9 for 32 yards. That is something most of us could have done.
Ohio State showed some signs of life in the 3rd quarter, thanks to a continuing oppressive defense and managing to score a TD on a 6 yards Jones->Thomas pass. This was all Thomas; he broke free in the left corner and made a beautiful all-hands reception.
However, at the start of the 4th qtr, OSU had nothing on their first drive. Minnesota did, however, and put together a 10 play, 77 yard TD drive (Leidner pass to KJ Maye) to pull the Gophers within 7-21. The Buckeyes responded, sort of with a 57 yard drive that was highlighted by a beautiful 43 yard reception by Braxton Miller to get the ball to the 24 yard line. Unfortunately, OSU could not get a first down, nor for that matter, kick a field goal.
On the ensuing Minnesota drive, Ohio State survived consecutive bonehead plays; a ‘right between the numbers’ dropped INT by Tyvis Powell a 15 yard personal foul (late hit on Tyquan Lewis. If your first name bean with the letters “Ty” this was not a good series for you.
Minnesota’s next series resulted in a TD pass (Leidner=>Still) to bring the score to 21-14, OSU. The highlight, from a Minnesota perspective, was a 57 yard catch & run to KY Maye to get the ball to the OSU 14 yard line.
A botched Gopher onside kick gave OSU the ball at the Minnesota 39 yard line. On 3rd & 9, Warinner/Beck dialed up a QB draw trap that let Cardale rumble 38 yards to give OSU a 28-14 cushion.
The Buckeyes travel to Champaign , IL to play Bill Cubit’s (for now) Fighting Illini of Illinois, who curb stomped Purdue. I was surprised, too.
The post Ohio State Survives Minnesota, 28-14 appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The CFB #3 Ohio State Buckeyes B1G East (8-0, 4-0) took on the Golden Gophers B1G West (4-4, 1-3). Ohio State demolished Rutgers 49-7* in their previous game while Minnesota red zone offense lollygagged their way to a loss against Michigan 26-29 last week. Even without Minnesota’s Coach Jerry, for the Buckeyes, this was still a View to a Kill.
The Buckeyes utilized “just enough” defense and “barely enough” offense to defeat Minnesota 28-14. Although the Buckeye passing game was pretty meh, they used 114 yards rushing by Ezekiel Elliott and 65 yards rushing by Cardale Jones to salt the game away. A key to the game was OSU’s defense. They scored OSU’s 1st touchdown (Vonn Bell pick-6) held Minnesota to 33 net yards rushing.
The first half was pretty unimpressive from an Ohio State perspective. By unimpressive, I mean offensively. Neither team had scored until there were almost 5 minutes remaining in the half, when Vonn Bell slipped inside KJ Maye to make an interception and return it 16 yards for a touchdown. The Buckeyes did manage to put something together, with the defense forcing an ensuing Minnesota 3-and-out, then managing a 7 play, 77 yard drive to score a TD with Zeke skirting right end for the score. Make note that Ezekiel had a huge hole on the right side, and when he broke to the outside, he had great edge blocking to let him finish the play. The Buckeyes moved out to a 14-0 lead, which looked pretty good.
The Buckeyes had only 137 yards total offense in the first half; 88 passing and 49 rushing. Jones was 6-10 for the 88 yards, but 56 yards were to a nice play to Jalin Marshall. So, aside from that, he was 5-9 for 32 yards. That is something most of us could have done.
Ohio State showed some signs of life in the 3rd quarter, thanks to a continuing oppressive defense and managing to score a TD on a 6 yards Jones->Thomas pass. This was all Thomas; he broke free in the left corner and made a beautiful all-hands reception.
However, at the start of the 4th qtr, OSU had nothing on their first drive. Minnesota did, however, and put together a 10 play, 77 yard TD drive (Leidner pass to KJ Maye) to pull the Gophers within 7-21. The Buckeyes responded, sort of with a 57 yard drive that was highlighted by a beautiful 43 yard reception by Braxton Miller to get the ball to the 24 yard line. Unfortunately, OSU could not get a first down, nor for that matter, kick a field goal.
On the ensuing Minnesota drive, Ohio State survived consecutive bonehead plays; a ‘right between the numbers’ dropped INT by Tyvis Powell a 15 yard personal foul (late hit on Tyquan Lewis. If your first name bean with the letters “Ty” this was not a good series for you.
Minnesota’s next series resulted in a TD pass (Leidner=>Still) to bring the score to 21-14, OSU. The highlight, from a Minnesota perspective, was a 57 yard catch & run to KY Maye to get the ball to the OSU 14 yard line.
A botched Gopher onside kick gave OSU the ball at the Minnesota 39 yard line. On 3rd & 9, Warinner/Beck dialed up a QB draw trap that let Cardale rumble 38 yards to give OSU a 28-14 cushion.
The Buckeyes travel to Champaign , IL to play Bill Cubit’s (for now) Fighting Illini of Illinois, who curb stomped Purdue. I was surprised, too.
The post Ohio State Survives Minnesota, 28-14 appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...