Brett Ludwiczak
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You’re Nuts: What is the most heroic performance you’ve seen from a Buckeye?
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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
There are times when a player puts a team on his back and wills them to victory. It could be either from a player performing at such a high level they bring up their teammates, or they might be fighting through personal or physical issues and their presence inspires their teammates, much like Willis Reed did for the New York Knicks when he hobbled out for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals.
Today we want to know about some heroic performances by Ohio State players over the years. When we say heroic it doesn’t necessarily mean a player was physically injured like Reed was in the NBA Finals. Maybe it was a Buckeye who was playing out of his mind in a game, which resulted in Ohio State winning an important game. What are some performances by the Buckeyes that will live forever in Ohio State lore?
Games at Penn State are never easy for Ohio State. The Buckeyes entered the late October contest in State College undefeated and ranked second in the country. Ohio State took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter but the Nittany Lions fought back and took a 21-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. On the next drive, the Buckeyes regained the lead in just three plays when TreVeyon Henderson scampered 41 yards for a score.
With Ohio State holding a 23-21 lead, J.T. Tuimoloau really put his stamp on the game. The five-star defensive end had already been a handful for the Nittany Lions throughout the game prior to the drive, as earlier in the game he tipped a pass that ended up being intercepted by teammate Zach Harrison. Then on the second play of Penn State’s drive after Ohio State regained the lead, Tuimoloau sacked quarterback Sean Clifford while forcing a fumble and recovering the football. On the very next play, C.J. Stroud found Cade Stover for a 24-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 30-21.
Following a Penn State field goal, the Buckeyes would again find the end zone to restore their two-score lead with less than three minutes to go. Tuimoloau still had one more trick up his sleeve, as on his next defensive snap he leaped to pick off Clifford and return the interception 14 yards for a score. When it was all said and done, Tuimoloau finished with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown.
How good was Tuimoloau on that day in State College? The Seattle product was just the second FBS player since 2000 with two interceptions, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a game. What we saw from Tuimoloau back in 2022 against Penn State is not only in the conversation as one of the best defensive performances in a game by a player in Buckeye history, it is one of the most dominant defensive performances in a game in college football history.
What makes Tuimoloau’s historic game even more memorable is it came in a game where Ohio State was on the ropes. Penn State had all the momentum after taking the lead in the fourth quarter and the tide was turned with Tuimoloau’s efforts. Had it not been for Tuimoloau, the Buckeyes might have not gone on to win the game and make the College Football Playoff. Tuimoloau set the bar very high for the best individual defensive performance in a game in school history.
It’s funny, when Brett suggested this week’s topic, I immediately thought of J.T. over Penn State... little did I know that he also was thinking of J.T. against the Nits. The only thing is that we had different J.T.s in. mind; he went with Jaylahn and I went with Joe Thomas.
Midway through the third quarter of the Buckeyes’ 2017 game in Columbus, the visiting Nittany Lions led by 15, but with the ball in J.T. Barrett’s hands, the OSU offense was essentially perfect in the final quarter. Barrett went 13-for-13 for 170 yards in the final frame — including three touchdowns. The Bucks outscored PSU 19-3 in the final quarter to win 39-38.
On the day, Barrett was 33-of-39 for 318 yards passing and 4 TDs; he had an additional 95 yards on the ground. Decked out in those odd, all-gray uniforms, Barrett led a team that was looking to avoid losses to the Lions in consecutive years — something that has never happened in the history of this rivalry.
To me, this game is the peak of Barrett’s career. While he might never be considered amongst the best quarterbacks in Ohio State history, I think it is difficult to argue against him being one of the greatest. To me, the best is about athleticism, skills, physical dominance, etc. But greatest takes into account so much more: wins, leadership, record vs. your rival, the totality of your career.
J.T. Barrett left an inarguably massive mark on the Ohio State football program and his legacy should never be forgotten. He might not have been Superman, but he was a more than capable Clark Kent; under the radar, stepping up when he was called upon, and being the right kind of hero when his team needed him the most.
There is no doubt that this is The J.T. Barrett Game!
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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
There are times when a player puts a team on his back and wills them to victory. It could be either from a player performing at such a high level they bring up their teammates, or they might be fighting through personal or physical issues and their presence inspires their teammates, much like Willis Reed did for the New York Knicks when he hobbled out for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals.
Today we want to know about some heroic performances by Ohio State players over the years. When we say heroic it doesn’t necessarily mean a player was physically injured like Reed was in the NBA Finals. Maybe it was a Buckeye who was playing out of his mind in a game, which resulted in Ohio State winning an important game. What are some performances by the Buckeyes that will live forever in Ohio State lore?
Today’s question: What is the most heroic performance you have seen from a Buckeye?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: J.T. Tuimoloau against Penn State in 2022
Games at Penn State are never easy for Ohio State. The Buckeyes entered the late October contest in State College undefeated and ranked second in the country. Ohio State took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter but the Nittany Lions fought back and took a 21-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. On the next drive, the Buckeyes regained the lead in just three plays when TreVeyon Henderson scampered 41 yards for a score.
With Ohio State holding a 23-21 lead, J.T. Tuimoloau really put his stamp on the game. The five-star defensive end had already been a handful for the Nittany Lions throughout the game prior to the drive, as earlier in the game he tipped a pass that ended up being intercepted by teammate Zach Harrison. Then on the second play of Penn State’s drive after Ohio State regained the lead, Tuimoloau sacked quarterback Sean Clifford while forcing a fumble and recovering the football. On the very next play, C.J. Stroud found Cade Stover for a 24-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 30-21.
Following a Penn State field goal, the Buckeyes would again find the end zone to restore their two-score lead with less than three minutes to go. Tuimoloau still had one more trick up his sleeve, as on his next defensive snap he leaped to pick off Clifford and return the interception 14 yards for a score. When it was all said and done, Tuimoloau finished with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown.
How good was Tuimoloau on that day in State College? The Seattle product was just the second FBS player since 2000 with two interceptions, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a game. What we saw from Tuimoloau back in 2022 against Penn State is not only in the conversation as one of the best defensive performances in a game by a player in Buckeye history, it is one of the most dominant defensive performances in a game in college football history.
What makes Tuimoloau’s historic game even more memorable is it came in a game where Ohio State was on the ropes. Penn State had all the momentum after taking the lead in the fourth quarter and the tide was turned with Tuimoloau’s efforts. Had it not been for Tuimoloau, the Buckeyes might have not gone on to win the game and make the College Football Playoff. Tuimoloau set the bar very high for the best individual defensive performance in a game in school history.
Matt’s answer: J.T. Barett against Penn State in 2017
It’s funny, when Brett suggested this week’s topic, I immediately thought of J.T. over Penn State... little did I know that he also was thinking of J.T. against the Nits. The only thing is that we had different J.T.s in. mind; he went with Jaylahn and I went with Joe Thomas.
Midway through the third quarter of the Buckeyes’ 2017 game in Columbus, the visiting Nittany Lions led by 15, but with the ball in J.T. Barrett’s hands, the OSU offense was essentially perfect in the final quarter. Barrett went 13-for-13 for 170 yards in the final frame — including three touchdowns. The Bucks outscored PSU 19-3 in the final quarter to win 39-38.
On the day, Barrett was 33-of-39 for 318 yards passing and 4 TDs; he had an additional 95 yards on the ground. Decked out in those odd, all-gray uniforms, Barrett led a team that was looking to avoid losses to the Lions in consecutive years — something that has never happened in the history of this rivalry.
To me, this game is the peak of Barrett’s career. While he might never be considered amongst the best quarterbacks in Ohio State history, I think it is difficult to argue against him being one of the greatest. To me, the best is about athleticism, skills, physical dominance, etc. But greatest takes into account so much more: wins, leadership, record vs. your rival, the totality of your career.
J.T. Barrett left an inarguably massive mark on the Ohio State football program and his legacy should never be forgotten. He might not have been Superman, but he was a more than capable Clark Kent; under the radar, stepping up when he was called upon, and being the right kind of hero when his team needed him the most.
There is no doubt that this is The J.T. Barrett Game!
Continue reading...