Wow.
It's hard to find the right words to describe the game. It's a game that is going to live on for a very long time in Trojan lore.
Here's what I took from the game:
Ohio State Buckeyes:
- The Buckeye Defense is to be respected. You guys were huge on the lines especially, effectively neutralizing our offensive line strengths.
In a huge contrast to last year, where our guys said they knew everything you were going to do, this year was different. Byers, a big veteran of the USC offensive line, said after the game: "We spent all night trying to adjust to what they were doing up front... They didn't come with the stuff we practiced against."
It seems that you guys took a lot from the last game and changed things up, and it kept our offensive line on their heels. You guys were running really some complex and confusing formations on defense. You kept our running game contained for nearly the entire game. Clearly the gameplan was solid. That you guys managed to track our guys even going to the outside was incredible -- I don't remember seeing guys like Laurinaitis doing that last year. I think you guys have an incredible strength in your front seven (or eight as was often the case in this game). On that note Rolle was incredible, he was really a force to be reckoned with out there, he just played with a ton of heart.
- Jim Tressel is a hell of a coach. From the last two games between our squads, I've really gotten into Buckeye football and it's been an absolute pleasure to listen to "The Senator." It's clear that his team was fired up going into this game and your gameplan was phenomenal. It was really awesome to see The Vest at work.
- Posey is a huge threat. Hell, the vertical leap that guy had was enough to make this point for me. The guy is going to make a ton of highlight reels and should scare any secondary. "Pryor to Posey" is going to be on repeat from now to the end of the season.
- Terelle Pryor has a ways to go yet. I think at this point the comments about Pryor's passing game are justified, and though he's improved, he still has a lot to work on in this area. In the game I saw a lot of Pryor's throws coming from off his back foot, and he was often throwing high to his receivers. He was staring down receivers a lot (often Posey, if I'm not mistaken) and seemed to miss a few open guys due to his lack of vision. What I was surprised about most of all was how timid he seemed with the option, and I expected to see him run the ball a lot more. He seemed really tightly wound as well, and couldn't remain composed and lead his team to a victory. I know that breakthrough game is just around the corner and it's going to be great to watch him mature and showcase his talents. The guy is an incredible specimen and imposing just as he towers over guys behind the line. Hopefully Tressel and your program find a way to relax him and cut him loose.
- Buckeye Fans are incredible. 106,000+, a record crowd at the Horseshoe. Really amazing stuff, and wow was it loud. Listening to Coach Pete Carroll on the radio after the game, you could tell his voice was completely gone just trying to be heard over the roar from the stadium. The fans were really the X-factor in this game, making things very difficult on the USC offensive line, which was already given a lot of trouble with the unexpected schemes from the Buckeye defense. That combination was almost lethal last night. It was truly an awesome thing to behold.
Now from the USC side:
- Our special teams are going to kill us. I was worried going into this game about our special teams, most specifically the punting game. In the San Jose St game I saw our punting team unable to get much yardage (a paltry 34 yards a kick) and the field position was able to give San Jose St their score in that game. My worst fears were realized as we were constantly pinned within the 20 in the first half, and the Buckeye offense was always starting their drives at midfield or in Trojan territory. I nearly had a heart-attack when the ball flew through O'Malley's hands and through the end zone for a safety. I cursed when the field goal attempt bounced off the center bar, praying that those 3 points wouldn't be the difference in the game.
- The USC defense is the immovable object. The performance by our defense after the first quarter was simply incredible. In the first quarter, the Buckeyes gained a net 138 yards of offense. Then the Trojan defense buckled down. In the next three quarters, the Buckeyes could only gain 12 yards, 69 yards, and 9 yards respectively. Considering the field position situation, holding the Buckeyes to 3 points in that second half was nothing short of amazing. After losing a ton of guys to the NFL, including the all-star linebacker tandem, it was awesome to see these guys step up. Following that...
- Taylor Mays is the Big Deuce. He proved it out on the field with a team-leading 8 tackles, including a huge stop on Pryor, though I cringed on that play when I saw a Trojan roll into his knee. I'm glad he was able to come back out and do his thing, even if he was a little less than 100%. His presence in the defense can't be understated... though it was his missed assignment that allowed a big Buckeye gain, he more than made up for it the rest of the game. It was awesome to watch him work. He's listed as "Probable" for next week's game, but no matter what I hope he takes it easy because I wouldn't want him to do anything career-threatening. As it is I am SO glad he came back for this season.
- Barkley proved himself. Obviously this is going to be unpopular here, and I've seen a lot of statements trying to cut the kid down. Going into this game, everyone knew that Barkley's job was to manage the game and use the talent around him. He passed that test with flying colors. In the most hostile environment any Trojan on this team has faced, Barkley was calm and composed in the face of adversity, engineering a fantastic drive in under 50 seconds to set up the tying field goal before the half, and then of course "The Drive." After a sack due to a missed block by McKnight, 2nd and long... well, you know how it goes from there. Huge runs by McKnight, great passes by Barkley to McKnight and then the clutch throw to tight-end Anthony McCoy. He had some other moments, including some incredible throws that indicated his talent... a defender in his face, Barkley throwing off his back foot, across the field with the right amount of power and touch to put it in a place where only D-Will could get it. A beautiful throw into the end zone that was a half-foot's width away from being a TD.
That said, it wasn't a dominating performance by Barkley, but then again it didn't have to be, and shouldn't have been. He was tasked with leading the offense and managing it, not taking the game on his shoulders. But hell, one of them was injured, and he still managed those clutch throws.
There was Barkley, a true freshman in his first road game. In a game with a Ohio State record attendance, over 106,000 fans, screaming at him, a wall of noise backing up the formidable Ohio State defense. Constantly pinned behind the 20, deep in their own territory, for most of the second half. But he didn't buckle, and I daresay he showed more poise even than Pryor. He took care of the ball, did what was asked, and came through in the moments we most needed him. It was a heavy task for a true freshman, in his first road game ever, to walk into the largest crowd Ohio State has ever produced and walk out with a victory over a Top 10 Buckeye team.
And then of course the great quote: "We're Trojans. That's what we do." And indeed Barkley is a Trojan, and despite the early quarterback controversy, I think every Trojan fan is damn happy to have him leading our team for the next three years (and hopefully more!)
Moving on from Barkley, who I'm sure you're all sick to death of, I just want to make one more point.
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What I saw from Ohio State in this game was unbelievable talent, ferocity, and a will to win and earn respect. While they didn't win, every Trojan I know and I think anybody who watched the game has to have tremendous respect for the game the Buckeyes played, and for the team they are. It's a program with a deep history and rich tradition, and this team lived up to that and will continue to do so. I think the quote definitely applies: "It's a good day to be a Buckeye."
What I've seen on this board has been very impressive, and it's one of my favorite sports boards on the internet. You guys are passionate and great fans. You're fans who won't accept this defeat and shouldn't -- the great teams all demand victory. At the same time, I'm glad the "fire Tressel" crap isn't around on this forum, as it is in some other places. :) It's a smarter board to be sure.
Finally, I'm proud of these two fantastic programs for scheduling these games and giving us all great games to watch as well as, and more importantly, a way to test themselves and prove themselves against the best. That's what makes champions, and it's the only way to get better. What's more, it's the only way to compete. Only the proud programs, those with confidence in their abilities and their tradition seek out the best. Even if USC had lost this game, I would have felt proud for the Trojans to play it. It's far more honorable to put it on the line and truly go out to prove it against the best. Meanwhile a team down south has yet to even start playing BCS teams.
Great game Buckeyes. I hope to see you guys win out, and I'll be around (if you let me stay :tongue2:), watching the team grow and most likely dominate the Big Ten. With that defense I just don't see how you won't.
