Brett Ludwiczak
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Putting a Blue Jackets spin on Ohio State’s 38-7 win over Michigan State
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Saturday night saw Ohio State pull away from the Spartans in East Lansing.
Michigan State has been where two owners of Ohio professional sports teams earned college degrees. Not only is current Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert a Michigan State alum, the founder of the Columbus Blue Jackets also attended the university in East Lansing. After serving in World War II, John H. McConnell earned a degree from Michigan State in 1949 before founding Worthington Industries.
With the Blue Jackets currently in the midst of their preseason schedule ahead of their season opener in a couple of weeks, along with McConnell’s Michigan State connection, today feels like a perfect time to put a Blue Jackets/hockey spin on last night’s 38-7 win by Ohio State over the Spartans in East Lansing. The game was not only the first road game of the season for the Buckeyes, but it was also their first Big Ten game of the season. For today’s recap, we’ll use some past slogans from the time, along with some other items from the franchise history and a bit of hockey lingo.
For two seasons starting in 2002, “Ignite the Night” was a slogan of the Blue Jackets. One player who certainly shined last night was wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The freshman wasn’t bothered by playing his first collegiate game in enemy territory, breaking the game open with two touchdowns in the second quarter. The first touchdown from Smith was a 19-yard run in the middle of the second quarter to give Ohio State a 17-7 lead. Smith found the end zone again with 29 seconds left in the first half on a pass from Devin Brown to send the Buckeyes into halftime on a high note.
Smith has now not only scored in each of his four games in the scarlet and gray, he has caught at least three passes for 70 yards in each of his first four college contests. Since Smith arrived at Ohio State, expectations have been through the roof for the phenomenal freshman, and so far Smith has had no problem delivering on the hype. Even though quarterback Will Howard has spread the football around to wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate as well, it looks obvious that Smith has been Howard’s favorite target, and it’s easy to see why with the talent and ability Smith has shown through four games.
What I am hoping to see if both teams make the playoff is a matchup between the Buckeyes and Alabama just so we can see Smith and Crimson Tide receiver Ryan Williams in a battle of true freshmen who could be playing in the NFL right now.
The Ohio State defense features a bunch of guys who are always buzzing around the football. The performance of the defense wasn’t perfect last night, but it still was really good. Even though Michigan State was able to gain some yardage on the Buckeyes, Ohio State forced the Spartans into turnovers at critical times.
The first big play for the unit wasn’t technically a turnover. Early in the first quarter, Aidan Chiles had Michigan State driving when head coach Jonathan Smith decided to try his luck on fourth down with the Spartans in field goal range. The gamble didn’t pay off with the defense standing Chiles up at the line, not allowing him to gain the short yardage needed to move the chains. While the result might have still seen Ohio State win handily if they kicked the field goal, in that situation early in the game against a team like the Buckeyes, you have to put some points on the board.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25649306/2174612048.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 28 Ohio State at Michigan State")
Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The decision to not take the easy points loomed larger in the second quarter when Michigan State again failed to capitalize when they had the ball deep in Ohio State territory. This time Jack Velling had just taken the football inside the Buckeye red zone when he was stripped of the football, allowing Sonny Styles to recover the fumble.
The turnover that broke Michigan State’s back was the fumble by Aidan Chiles late in the second quarter. The Spartans were again threatening to score before Chiles’ mistake, which Jack Sawyer pounced on. Ohio State wouldn’t have the football for long, punting after going three-and-out. The damage was done though, as the Spartans were rattled by wasting a third scoring chance. Against a team like the Buckeyes, you can’t be so frivolous when you are able to drive the ball deep into their territory like Michigan State was at times in the first half.
Another slogan of the Blue Jackets has been “Carry the Flag”, which was prominent from 2007 until 2011. Will Howard has been doing just that in his short time as Ohio State quarterback. You could argue this was Howard’s best game so far as a Buckeye, especially since it was the first against an opponent with a little bit of a pulse. Howard finished with 244 yards passing, two passing touchdowns, as well as a rushing score. Even though he did throw an interception, Howard always seems to make the right throw.
During the offseason, it felt like Ohio State was between Howard and Cam Ward when it came to replacing Kyle McCord. Ward ended up at Miami and has been great for the undefeated Hurricanes so far. I still think the Buckeyes made the right move bringing in Howard since he has been nearly flawless running the offense of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly. You can see with each game his confidence in Egbuka, Smith, and Carnell Tate growing. Howard will only be in Columbus for a year but he has a chance to carry his flag and plant it as a Buckeye legend if he can lead the team to a national title in the first year of the expanded playoff.
This will be a bit of a loose translation since football doesn’t have lines like hockey. A plumber or grinder is hockey speak for a third or fourth liner who isn’t on the ice a lot but gives a lot of energy when they are called on. Heading into this game I was worried about the production from the tight end position after Cade Stover graduated and is now in the NFL.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25649308/2174611953.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 28 Ohio State at Michigan State")
Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Gee Scott Jr. calmed some of my nerves with some good play last night, including his first touchdown catch of the season. I was hoping we’d see a player step up in conference play. Scott was up to the challenge and his ability to catch the football in the red zone gives opposing defenses another threat to have to be aware of in that area.
Scott’s touchdown also helped to take some attention away from a stupid unnecessary roughness penalty from Ohio transfer Will Kacmarek early in the game that stalled a drive and made Ohio State settle for a field goal on their first drive. The Buckeyes don’t need a lot from their tight ends, they just need them to play smart and get under their opponent's skin, much like you’d see from some of the lower lines on the ice.
The running styles of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are so fun to watch. Of course, it can also be worrisome at times since with such physical running backs you never know what type of contact is going to sideline them. Judkins and Henderson are physical runners who also have outstanding speed. When they assert their power it can be demoralizing for a defense since they think they have their backs wrapped up only to be bullied and left in the dust.
The addition of Judkins has been brilliant since Henderson has had some injury issues in the past. Also, the extra games that might be seen this year also require more bodies at running back. Day knew this so all he did was go out and bring in one of the best backs in the country.
The duo wasn’t even asked to do all that much in East Lansing, only carrying the football a combined 18 times since Howard had the passing game rolling. The dynamic duo will definitely need to be fresh over the next two games since the Buckeyes host Iowa next week before the titanic clash at Oregon.
Now let’s show our respects to Boomer, the short-lived mascot of the Blue Jackets we will never forget!
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Saturday night saw Ohio State pull away from the Spartans in East Lansing.
Michigan State has been where two owners of Ohio professional sports teams earned college degrees. Not only is current Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert a Michigan State alum, the founder of the Columbus Blue Jackets also attended the university in East Lansing. After serving in World War II, John H. McConnell earned a degree from Michigan State in 1949 before founding Worthington Industries.
With the Blue Jackets currently in the midst of their preseason schedule ahead of their season opener in a couple of weeks, along with McConnell’s Michigan State connection, today feels like a perfect time to put a Blue Jackets/hockey spin on last night’s 38-7 win by Ohio State over the Spartans in East Lansing. The game was not only the first road game of the season for the Buckeyes, but it was also their first Big Ten game of the season. For today’s recap, we’ll use some past slogans from the time, along with some other items from the franchise history and a bit of hockey lingo.
Ignite The Night
For two seasons starting in 2002, “Ignite the Night” was a slogan of the Blue Jackets. One player who certainly shined last night was wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The freshman wasn’t bothered by playing his first collegiate game in enemy territory, breaking the game open with two touchdowns in the second quarter. The first touchdown from Smith was a 19-yard run in the middle of the second quarter to give Ohio State a 17-7 lead. Smith found the end zone again with 29 seconds left in the first half on a pass from Devin Brown to send the Buckeyes into halftime on a high note.
Smith has now not only scored in each of his four games in the scarlet and gray, he has caught at least three passes for 70 yards in each of his first four college contests. Since Smith arrived at Ohio State, expectations have been through the roof for the phenomenal freshman, and so far Smith has had no problem delivering on the hype. Even though quarterback Will Howard has spread the football around to wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate as well, it looks obvious that Smith has been Howard’s favorite target, and it’s easy to see why with the talent and ability Smith has shown through four games.
What I am hoping to see if both teams make the playoff is a matchup between the Buckeyes and Alabama just so we can see Smith and Crimson Tide receiver Ryan Williams in a battle of true freshmen who could be playing in the NFL right now.
Stingers
The Ohio State defense features a bunch of guys who are always buzzing around the football. The performance of the defense wasn’t perfect last night, but it still was really good. Even though Michigan State was able to gain some yardage on the Buckeyes, Ohio State forced the Spartans into turnovers at critical times.
The first big play for the unit wasn’t technically a turnover. Early in the first quarter, Aidan Chiles had Michigan State driving when head coach Jonathan Smith decided to try his luck on fourth down with the Spartans in field goal range. The gamble didn’t pay off with the defense standing Chiles up at the line, not allowing him to gain the short yardage needed to move the chains. While the result might have still seen Ohio State win handily if they kicked the field goal, in that situation early in the game against a team like the Buckeyes, you have to put some points on the board.
The decision to not take the easy points loomed larger in the second quarter when Michigan State again failed to capitalize when they had the ball deep in Ohio State territory. This time Jack Velling had just taken the football inside the Buckeye red zone when he was stripped of the football, allowing Sonny Styles to recover the fumble.
The turnover that broke Michigan State’s back was the fumble by Aidan Chiles late in the second quarter. The Spartans were again threatening to score before Chiles’ mistake, which Jack Sawyer pounced on. Ohio State wouldn’t have the football for long, punting after going three-and-out. The damage was done though, as the Spartans were rattled by wasting a third scoring chance. Against a team like the Buckeyes, you can’t be so frivolous when you are able to drive the ball deep into their territory like Michigan State was at times in the first half.
Carry the Flag
Another slogan of the Blue Jackets has been “Carry the Flag”, which was prominent from 2007 until 2011. Will Howard has been doing just that in his short time as Ohio State quarterback. You could argue this was Howard’s best game so far as a Buckeye, especially since it was the first against an opponent with a little bit of a pulse. Howard finished with 244 yards passing, two passing touchdowns, as well as a rushing score. Even though he did throw an interception, Howard always seems to make the right throw.
During the offseason, it felt like Ohio State was between Howard and Cam Ward when it came to replacing Kyle McCord. Ward ended up at Miami and has been great for the undefeated Hurricanes so far. I still think the Buckeyes made the right move bringing in Howard since he has been nearly flawless running the offense of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly. You can see with each game his confidence in Egbuka, Smith, and Carnell Tate growing. Howard will only be in Columbus for a year but he has a chance to carry his flag and plant it as a Buckeye legend if he can lead the team to a national title in the first year of the expanded playoff.
Plumber/Grinder
This will be a bit of a loose translation since football doesn’t have lines like hockey. A plumber or grinder is hockey speak for a third or fourth liner who isn’t on the ice a lot but gives a lot of energy when they are called on. Heading into this game I was worried about the production from the tight end position after Cade Stover graduated and is now in the NFL.
Gee Scott Jr. calmed some of my nerves with some good play last night, including his first touchdown catch of the season. I was hoping we’d see a player step up in conference play. Scott was up to the challenge and his ability to catch the football in the red zone gives opposing defenses another threat to have to be aware of in that area.
Scott’s touchdown also helped to take some attention away from a stupid unnecessary roughness penalty from Ohio transfer Will Kacmarek early in the game that stalled a drive and made Ohio State settle for a field goal on their first drive. The Buckeyes don’t need a lot from their tight ends, they just need them to play smart and get under their opponent's skin, much like you’d see from some of the lower lines on the ice.
Boomer(s)
The running styles of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are so fun to watch. Of course, it can also be worrisome at times since with such physical running backs you never know what type of contact is going to sideline them. Judkins and Henderson are physical runners who also have outstanding speed. When they assert their power it can be demoralizing for a defense since they think they have their backs wrapped up only to be bullied and left in the dust.
The addition of Judkins has been brilliant since Henderson has had some injury issues in the past. Also, the extra games that might be seen this year also require more bodies at running back. Day knew this so all he did was go out and bring in one of the best backs in the country.
The duo wasn’t even asked to do all that much in East Lansing, only carrying the football a combined 18 times since Howard had the passing game rolling. The dynamic duo will definitely need to be fresh over the next two games since the Buckeyes host Iowa next week before the titanic clash at Oregon.
Now let’s show our respects to Boomer, the short-lived mascot of the Blue Jackets we will never forget!
Continue reading...