jcollingsworth
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tBBC: OSU – RUTGERS POST GAME ANALYSIS
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Allow me to start by saying as I predicted in the pregame analysis the Buckeyes will win big. They did – 49-7.
The Buckeyes (Offensively)
The Ohio State University for the first time this season (now 8-0) looked like the governing team that the voters in the preseason projected in making them the unanimous # 1 team in the nation. As expected they dominated on both sides of the field against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a commanding and convincing 49-7 romp.
J.T. Barrett was the starter, his first of the season, oiling the offense that overwhelmed the Scarlet Knights. He passed for 14-of-18 for 223 yards and 3 TD’s – no interceptions – adding another 101 yards and 2 TD’s on the ground. His offensive production amassed 528 yards.
Ezekiel would be his normal “I’ll carry the load” self as he pounded out 142 yards and 2 TD’s. This would be his 12th straight game of 100+ yards.
Two of the most poignant plays of the game would be in the 2nd Quarter the 50 yard-pass from J.T. to Mike Thomas. I also feel in the 3rd J.T. to Curtis Samuel for a 30 yard TD simply changed everything.
Arguably whatever blemishes there may have been – offensively – it’s swept under the rug. Who remembers? This side of the ball’s effort was commendable.
Though they initially started slow; this clearly was a display that this team needed to wind up the apparatus for November.
The Scarlet Knights (Offensively)
The Scarlet Knights started off well. Paul James’s first play of the game – a plow for 5-yards didn’t sit well for Buckeye Nation. Then that 2nd play to Leonte Carroo was enough to shove the natural paranoia that Buckeye Fans have into full gear. But the truth (and talent) shall equalize all.
Rutgers initial march downfield – in the Red Zone – a respectable statistic – scoring a TD 65% of the time (13 out of 17) just would not be this moment.
Chris Laviano would throw for 117 yards out of 20 attempts with 10 completions. Hayden Rettig would come in the 4th to deliver the Silver Knights lone TD as his numbers panned out as such: 7 attempts with 3 completions for 72 yards & their solo TD.
No run game was established. Paul James would be the leading rusher with 56 yards and Robert Martin would add another 43. Their high-powered offense simply could not produce. It would not be a Scarlet Knight night.
The Buckeyes (Defensively)
The Buckeyes simply overpowered. The opening drive was suspect, but they gathered themselves and stepped up. The realization of who was the better team did not fall short in the psyche of this Defensive unit.
Everyone stepped up. Joey Bosa was the player we expect – the future NFL 1st rounder. Conley’s pick in the 2nd only showed what was in transition.
To me though – I see the Defensive “star” of this game to be Luke Fickell. He managed his troops, letting them know of their superiority, never allowing them to step back with a big play to be the bloated-heads they can be. Coach Fickell kept his unit focused.
Job well done Coach.
The Scarlet Knights (Defensively)
I am not certain there were any outstanding or at least consistent play on the Defense for Rutgers. Their season started with 6 players dismissed for various infractions. Three of those were starters, or potential starters, and defensive backs: Barnwell, Boggs, and Peele. This has harmed them immensely.
It was best detailed by Rutgers Safety on their journey for the night: “It’s tougher because you’re really not sure what they’re doing on their side, but we just have to prepare like both of them will play.” The Buckeyes would fool them consistently.
Final Conclusion
This is in fact the statement game that the Buckeyes needed. So much has generated on them getting their act together to portray the team that the voters of the preseason poll predicted. They often are on spot too – just as Vegas are with the odds. This team is good. They are deserving of the # 1 ranking – contrary to the mumbling(s) in the press. They proved it in their 49-7 victory tonight against Rutgers; though much will be said that such a team (Rutgers) was not such a stretch for the Buckeyes to extend their prowess. Such analogies short-change the Rutgers program which beat IN – whom gave the Buckeyes a scare. It is to say they were less of a team than NIU. None of this is true – certainly on paper anyway.
This was a huge victory for the Buckeyes. It was needed. Coming into November we shall see the team of old. The Buckeyes are no longer looking over their shoulders or second guessing themselves. They know they are #1. That attitude alone generates a power that will often deliver the goods. And stop the nonsense we witnessed against NIU & IN.
The post tBBC: OSU – RUTGERS POST GAME ANALYSIS appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Allow me to start by saying as I predicted in the pregame analysis the Buckeyes will win big. They did – 49-7.
The Buckeyes (Offensively)
The Ohio State University for the first time this season (now 8-0) looked like the governing team that the voters in the preseason projected in making them the unanimous # 1 team in the nation. As expected they dominated on both sides of the field against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a commanding and convincing 49-7 romp.
J.T. Barrett was the starter, his first of the season, oiling the offense that overwhelmed the Scarlet Knights. He passed for 14-of-18 for 223 yards and 3 TD’s – no interceptions – adding another 101 yards and 2 TD’s on the ground. His offensive production amassed 528 yards.
Ezekiel would be his normal “I’ll carry the load” self as he pounded out 142 yards and 2 TD’s. This would be his 12th straight game of 100+ yards.
Two of the most poignant plays of the game would be in the 2nd Quarter the 50 yard-pass from J.T. to Mike Thomas. I also feel in the 3rd J.T. to Curtis Samuel for a 30 yard TD simply changed everything.
Arguably whatever blemishes there may have been – offensively – it’s swept under the rug. Who remembers? This side of the ball’s effort was commendable.
Though they initially started slow; this clearly was a display that this team needed to wind up the apparatus for November.
The Scarlet Knights (Offensively)
The Scarlet Knights started off well. Paul James’s first play of the game – a plow for 5-yards didn’t sit well for Buckeye Nation. Then that 2nd play to Leonte Carroo was enough to shove the natural paranoia that Buckeye Fans have into full gear. But the truth (and talent) shall equalize all.
Rutgers initial march downfield – in the Red Zone – a respectable statistic – scoring a TD 65% of the time (13 out of 17) just would not be this moment.
Chris Laviano would throw for 117 yards out of 20 attempts with 10 completions. Hayden Rettig would come in the 4th to deliver the Silver Knights lone TD as his numbers panned out as such: 7 attempts with 3 completions for 72 yards & their solo TD.
No run game was established. Paul James would be the leading rusher with 56 yards and Robert Martin would add another 43. Their high-powered offense simply could not produce. It would not be a Scarlet Knight night.
The Buckeyes (Defensively)
The Buckeyes simply overpowered. The opening drive was suspect, but they gathered themselves and stepped up. The realization of who was the better team did not fall short in the psyche of this Defensive unit.
Everyone stepped up. Joey Bosa was the player we expect – the future NFL 1st rounder. Conley’s pick in the 2nd only showed what was in transition.
To me though – I see the Defensive “star” of this game to be Luke Fickell. He managed his troops, letting them know of their superiority, never allowing them to step back with a big play to be the bloated-heads they can be. Coach Fickell kept his unit focused.
Job well done Coach.
The Scarlet Knights (Defensively)
I am not certain there were any outstanding or at least consistent play on the Defense for Rutgers. Their season started with 6 players dismissed for various infractions. Three of those were starters, or potential starters, and defensive backs: Barnwell, Boggs, and Peele. This has harmed them immensely.
It was best detailed by Rutgers Safety on their journey for the night: “It’s tougher because you’re really not sure what they’re doing on their side, but we just have to prepare like both of them will play.” The Buckeyes would fool them consistently.
Final Conclusion
This is in fact the statement game that the Buckeyes needed. So much has generated on them getting their act together to portray the team that the voters of the preseason poll predicted. They often are on spot too – just as Vegas are with the odds. This team is good. They are deserving of the # 1 ranking – contrary to the mumbling(s) in the press. They proved it in their 49-7 victory tonight against Rutgers; though much will be said that such a team (Rutgers) was not such a stretch for the Buckeyes to extend their prowess. Such analogies short-change the Rutgers program which beat IN – whom gave the Buckeyes a scare. It is to say they were less of a team than NIU. None of this is true – certainly on paper anyway.
This was a huge victory for the Buckeyes. It was needed. Coming into November we shall see the team of old. The Buckeyes are no longer looking over their shoulders or second guessing themselves. They know they are #1. That attitude alone generates a power that will often deliver the goods. And stop the nonsense we witnessed against NIU & IN.
The post tBBC: OSU – RUTGERS POST GAME ANALYSIS appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...