Drue Chrisman Delivering Touchdowns For the Buckeyes This Season
Punter Drue Chrisman has never scored a point in his Buckeye career, but Ohio State wouldn’t be averaging 46 points per game without him.
That might sound like an odd thing to read, given that Chrisman is the guy who takes the field only after the OSU offense has failed.
When you look at what happens
after he punts, however, the picture becomes a bit clearer.
Four times this season, Chrisman has pinned the opponent inside the 10-yard line, and every ensuing possession for the Buckeyes has led to a touchdown.
Why? Because when an offense is backed up against this Ohio State defense, they’re trying to be as safe as they can with the football. They are also trying to get out of their own end zone. That usually means running the ball forward in an effort to avoid a safety. Dropping back isn’t always a wise move against this Ohio State pass rush.
The first three times this season an opponent was pinned inside the 10-yard line they went three-and-out. Those punts put Ohio State at midfield each time, which isn’t all that far for this offense to have to go.
Last week, Indiana became the first team to get a first down against the Buckeyes after being backed up. Their drive only went 18 yards, however, and the ensuing punt put Ohio State at their own 37-yard line. Six plays later, the Buckeyes were in the end zone.
And according to head coach Ryan Day, this is all part of the plan.
“We have something we call ‘The Plan to Win,'” he explained. “In The Plan to Win, one of the things we talk about is that when the offense gets the ball on the 25-yard line after a touchback or a kickoff return, our number one job is to get the ball to midfield. Obviously we want to score, but it doesn’t always work that way. We have to get at least two first downs. If we do that, we’re jogging the best punter in America out there. He’s really good at pinning them inside the 10.
“If we get them inside the 10, put the best defense out there, looking to get a three-and-out or get them off the field before they get past the 20. At that point we send the punt blocker, punt returner out and get the ball around midfield. Now it’s the offense’s turn to go score. That’s what you’re talking about. That literally is the plan to win.”
Entire article:
https://theozone.net/2019/09/drue-chrisman-delivering-buckeyes-season/