Best combination
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Jim Tressel can't remember calling consecutive reverses at any point in his coaching career. However, after Anthony Gonzalez ran 29 yards on a reverse on Ohio State's first offensive play of the third quarter, Tressel called for a Ted Ginn Jr. reverse on the next play, and it gained 16 yards. It was the second carry of the season for each player.
The entire huddle, including quarterback Troy Smith, was stunned. Tackle Kirk Barton said Smith was so shocked, he said a naughty word.
Said Ginn, "Troy was like, 'What? It's another reverse.' We just hit them once, and we came right back and got what, 20 yards?"
Best hits
It turned out 260-pound Michigan State running back Jehuu Caulcrick was no match for 244-pound James Laurinaitis or 234-pound Curtis Terry. Both Ohio State linebackers stood up the Spartans back and held their ground on solo hits as part of the Buckeyes' complete shutdown of the Spartan offense.
"I'll tell you, it hurts when it happens," Laurinaitis said of his stop. "He's a big guy, and you saw guys getting after him. Curtis Terry did a great job standing him up, too. You don't want them to get rolling because then they get confidence and try to run you over all game."
There was no chance of that happening Saturday.
Best read
The Buckeyes forced just one turnover Saturday, but it was one that made sure Michigan State lost all hope even before halftime. After Ginn's punt return for a touchdown gave OSU a 17-0 lead, Marcus Freeman intercepted Drew Stanton on the Spartans' next drive and set up a final Buckeyes touchdown drive before the half. Ohio State's nickel linebacker, who earns his time with his pass coverage, sniffed out a screen and made a diving catch at the 39-yard line.
"When you see two linemen come out real fast, you know the screen is coming," Freeman said. "And I was able to get there before the ball got there."
Best shuck
Quarterback Troy Smith showed his strength again, shaking off a sack attempt from defensive end Ervin Baldwin before firing his second touchdown pass of the game, this one 7 yards to Brian Robiskie. Smith has done it repeatedly this season, either breaking tackles in the backfield or refusing to go down even when he is sacked, forcing the official to whistle the play dead with Smith still on his feet.
It's moments like those when Smith's work in the weight room pays off.
Said Smith, "Any time you get into a situation where you just have to use sheer strength or your God-given talent, that's when [that work] comes out."
Best celebration
You may have missed it, but linemen have fun, too. We've all seen the Ohio State receivers leap into the air to bump their bodies together after a touchdown. Smith gets in on that as well. Of course, guys like Gonzalez and Ginn get some air under them when they jump. After Ohio State's first touchdown, a 2-yard Antonio Pittman run, 305-pound T.J. Downing and 325-pound Alex Boone had their own midair collision.
As they were running to the sideline, Downing motioned to Boone, and they jumped together - each getting about 6 inches off the ground. After they hit, Downing tumbled to the ground. But they did it. They don't score the points, but they earn their celebrations as well.
- Doug Lesmerises
