Five Things: Wisconsin
Thaddeus Maximus forces an Evridge fumble - one of two OSU takeaways. (Photo: Dan Harker / O-Zone)
Defense Comes Up Big After Halftime
I know the Wisconsin offense isn’t exactly a juggernaut but the OSU defense deserves some props for their performance in the second half.
The unit stopped the Badgers on four of five possessions helping change momentum surrendered at the end of the first half thanks to a 77 yard drive resulting in a field goal and a 10-7 Wisconsin lead. Of course, the D wouldn’t even have had to take the field for that drive if not for Tressel’s poor play calling on OSU’s last series. I’ll get to that later.
Back to the Bullets, their clutch play shaped up like this:
- Taking the field to start the second half, the Buckeyes held Wisconsin to 16 yards on 6 plays, 3 of them Evridge incompletions. Considering how mentally fragile this team can be, the hold was huge in that it kept the deficit at three and the fans in their seats. The offense then responded with a 10 play, 77 yard drive ending in a field goal and a 10-10 tie.
- Following the OSU FG, the defense again asserted itself forcing the Badgers to punt after a 6 play, 11 yard drive that started on the Wisc 35 thanks to a late hit by Torrence. The big play was Freeman’s 6 yard sack on 1st down at the OSU 48 pushing Wisconsin back to their side of the field and into an obvious passing situation. Evridge responded with back to back incompletions ending the possession.
- On the third defensive series of the half, the Bullets backed up a booming punt from Trapasso (to Wisc 24) with a huge three and out. The Buckeyes gave up zero yards allowing a shift in field position that gave OSU the ball at their own 41. The big play was a sack by Heyward on 3rd and 5 after the Bucks stuffed PJ Hill on 2nd and 5. The offense then responded with a 10 play, 43 yard drive capped by 34 yard Pretorious FG and a 13-10 lead with 4:54 left in the third.
- The fourth series was the lone stinker as the Buckeyes gave up the lead thanks to a 10 play, 63 yard drive in which the Badgers peeled off runs of 14, 9, 17, and 15 yards before PJ Hill punched it in from 2 yards out making it 17-13 Wisky with 6:31 to play. Not pretty. At all.
- Taking the field with 1:08 left and a 3 point lead, the fifth and final defensive series was a quick one as Jenkins picked off Evridge at the Wisc 34 on 1st down to seal the deal. Huge. Especially because the D did what it couldn’t do at the end of the first half - get a stop.
In total, the D gave up just 90 second half yards after hemorrhaging 236 in the first. Throwing out the TD drive, OSU held Wisconsin to 16 plays and 27 yards with an INT. Good stuff. Sure, they can still be hard to watch but the players and coaches on that side of the ball deserve some credit for the second half. No crumbling under the road pressure on this night. I’ll take that baby step.
Beanie is the Best Player in College Football
I don’t know that I think he can get back in Heisman contention, but there’s no doubting who is the best player in college football.
Last night’s performance was just the latest example of what he means to this team. After going for 169 against Wisky last year, Beanie put up a 22 carry, 168 yard night featuring numerous game changing plays. Certainly, the 33 yard touchdown to get things started was beautiful but I think the 54 yard gallop early in the 3rd quarter moving the ball from the OSU 20 to the Wisconsin 26 was his biggest contribution. The run changed the field and essentially assured the Bucks of at least a field goal trailing 10-7. Again, as mentally fragile as this team can be, the run helped stave off any offensive collapse that might allow Wisconsin to extend the lead.
On the season, Beanie is averaging nearly 8 yards a pop (7.9) and his presence in the backfield makes things that much more comfortable for Pryor. Look at the clinching TD, the safety committed to Wells in fear of the pitch which left TP with a huge lane to paydirt. A complete back, he also continues to provide fantastic pass blocking and seems to be the voice in Pryor’s head helping push him to greatness.
Have You Seen a More Physical Game?
Wow. I know the SEC has the speed, blah blah blah but last night’s game was one of those throwback smash-mouth Big Ten games that make your body hurt just by watching.
I think no less than four players needed help off the field and at least one (Boom) was knocked out cold. The hit on Boom was maybe a little questionable in that he was actually a receiver on the play. The replay wasn’t a wide enough shot to see exactly if Pryor was already being tackled but if he wasn’t that should’ve been a penalty because Boom was running a route. To me, that’s why he was prone and not looking for contact - he was running an adjusted route due the the scramble and got clocked. Anyone have thoughts on this?
Either way, Wisconsin’s Jay Valai is one of those players I love to hate but would love him on my team. He not only put out Boom but he also punished Sanzenbacher causing the fumble. The Buckeye defense could use a guy that plays with the same “I’m not just gonna tackle you, I’m gonna destroy you” tenacity - we haven’t seen it since Doss.
The Buckeyes did get in some licks of their own most notably Sabino laying some wood and Heyward dropping dude on Jenkins’ INT return.
Overall, just a fun game to watch. Even the routine plays featured slobber knockers with both teams LB’s stepping in to take on big RB’s. Definitely won’t see the same next week against Purdue’s finesse team.
Pryor’s Final Drive
I found it interesting the game winning drive engineered by TP was a microcosm of his overall performance which was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. I’m not complaining because I expect it with his unreal gifts combined with a lack of experience. It’s just wild how he can make a mind blowing play out of nothing then take a 20 yard sack. Knowing he’ll have it all figured out by season’s end, they better make space over at the WHAC for his 2009 Heisman Trophy.
Back to the final drive..The first play was an incomplete pass to Hartline. Catchable, but needed to be thrown lower and with more zip. After a Beanie run, he threw a 3rd down strike over the middle to Hartline for 19 yards and a first down.
On first down, he fumbled a fake handoff to Beanie putting OSU in a 2nd and 15 hole. So, what’s he do? He finds Hartline again over the middle (great protection) for 22 yards. Great look. A little “floaty” but still a good pass.
He scared the crap out of me on the next play flipping a dangerous option to Beanie for 9 yards. Following a 2 yard run from Wells, he dropped back and though the pocket didn’t collapse he stepped up and slipped for a four yard loss making it 2nd and 14.
Again, he responded buying some time before hitting Small over the middle setting up 3rd and 1. Ho hum. Two plays later, he ran the option keeper to perfection as Wisconsin got caught trying to get into their formation.
Clutch drive from a true freshman with tons of expectations, hype and pressure on his shoulders. Of course, he’s so calm I’m sure he sees it as just another step toward greatness.
Quick Thoughts on Coaching
A few items on the coaching last night..First, I was admittedly upset that OSU won the toss and elected to receive on the road. Shows you what I know as the Bucks marched down the field to quiet the crowd. Pretty ballsy by Tress to take the ball considering a poor opening possession would have created a short field. I would’ve put the D out there to start but maybe it just comes down to Tressel trusting TP more than he trusts the D. What do you think?
One thing I know I disagree with was the play calling on the last series of the first half. I loved the attempt to hit Robo on a bomb on 1st down but I felt, with just over a minute on the clock at their own 29, he should have called running plays on both 2nd and 3rd down to run the clock down.
The offense had been terrible since the opening drive, generating just 50 yards of offense in almost two full quarters, so throwing on 2nd down was foolish. The offense ended up running just 22 seconds off the clock forcing Wisconsin to take just one timeout instead of two, which would’ve given them 0 timeouts upon taking possession.
Instead, Tressel made his defense go out there again, just 3 game minutes removed from giving up an 8 minute, 15 play, 91 yard TD drive. Plus, Wisconsin was able to save the timeout to set up the field goal. I’ll never understand what Tress was thinking on that sequence.
can’t remember a win recently where I was so excited and glad we won, while simulataneously carrying so many “uh-ohs.” yes, the defense stopped the Badgers on several series but one of those series their receivers all got dropsy and appeared to have hands of stone. we didn’t stop them - they stopped them. I am also so tired of guys running underneath for a 6 yard completion that moves the chains. and what of the TD drive for Wisky? talk about smashmouth football - and we got smashed.
so a great win. TP is amazing. everyone talks of how he needs to learn to pass but in case you didn’t notice he ain’t bad already. btw, let’s give some props to that freshman hiking the ball too. he’s very good. and will be better.
but much to think about before we play Penn State. maybe we need some practice reps against PurDon’t.
I too was miffed when we took the ball - but if you think about it, this has been more and more something Tressel has been willing to do. I think it shows his belief in TP’s ability to score and set a tone over the D’s ability to set a tone with a quick three and out. If this was 2005 - JT kicks and stries to establish dominance at the line of scrimmage.
Because we were going to get blown off the ball no matter what, he decided to set a tone with Wells and TP and it worked.
as for the last drive of the 1st half, I think your analysis was right on. I still do not know why we cannot throw 9-10 yards downfield for “big passing plays” … why are all of our big passing plays streaks down the sideline
we saw that under TB those ended up a jump balls most of the time, with TP they might be the same
I also think the hit on Boom was over the top. It was pretty much helmet to helmet and if I remember Boom neither had the ball or was blocking for the ball carrier. I’m pretty sure the defense isn’t really allowed to just lay out people away from the play like that. The only reason I can think that a flag wasn’t thrown is because it was so far from the play that none of the refs caught it.
Seriously, even if TP was in the process of being tackled it should have still be a flag as QB sack does not allow for open season on players running routes.
But, in the game of Karma we had something like that coming considering the absolute dirtbag choking of Sorgi by Reynolds last time we were in Camp Randall. When they showed the replay of that “incident” I found myself cussing Reynolds out all over again. Despicable.
Since Doss?
Don’t forget about number 21 Nate Salley….
Jermale Hines shows some promise as a boom stick, but where was he last night?
“The Buckeye defense could use a guy that plays with the same “I’m not just gonna tackle you, I’m gonna destroy you” tenacity - we haven’t seen it since Doss.”
I think Jermale Hines has shown that sort of Doss tenacity this year, and he will only shine more as time goes on. During the Wisky game, I don’t think Heacock utilized Hines in a blitzing role that often, so he didn’t have chances to often lay the wood. I can’t be sure about this from memory, but while watching him my sense of his role last night was more of a shadow on Travis Beckum, since he is the only player in the secondary that physically matches up with Beckum. And although Beckum did gash us on a couple of plays, I’ll take the trade-off of their best player earning around 60 yards and ours earning 168 yards any day of the week.
Also, Props to Thad Maximus on that final play when Jenkins snagged the pick. If you watch the replay, Worthington forces Everidge to roll out of the pocket to the left, and then Thad hits Everidge at the very last moment when the QB is releasing the ball; I think that had a lot to do with the way too easy pick that Jenkins had handed to him.
I think this entire season has been one of very questionable coaching decisions by JT and the rest of the coaching staff. I’ve never scratched my head so many times with decisions or foolish penalties. 12 men on defense? Running out of bounds aimlessly? I don’t understand it at all. Some offensive calls seem to be completely independent of down and distance, seemingly completely haphazard.
I keep on believing JT knows what he’s doing, but this Wisconsin game is one that we should have won by 30. Why go away from the read-option into an I-formation when that’s working so well? It seemed like when we ran it good things happened, including 2 long runs from Wells. This is also the same thing Wisconsin seemed lost on last week.
It was nice to see the defense respond and make adjustments in the 2nd half.
Hurdling is the new black.
I think this entire season has been one of very questionable coaching decisions by JT and the rest of the coaching staff. I’ve never scratched my head so many times with decisions or foolish penalties. 12 men on defense? Running out of bounds aimlessly? I don’t understand it at all. Some offensive calls seem to be completely independent of down and distance, seemingly completely haphazard.
I keep on believing JT knows what he’s doing, but this Wisconsin game is one that we should have won by 30. Why go away from the read-option into an I-formation when that’s working so well? It seemed like when we ran it good things happened, including 2 long runs from Wells. This is also the same thing Wisconsin seemed lost on last week.
It was nice to see the defense respond and make adjustments in the 2nd half.
Hurdling is the new black.
Hines shows promise but he’s not in the same league as Doss, not that anyone is necessarily saying that…
You couldn’t have put it better: our D would be exponentially better if we had the threat of a Valai or two on any given play. Props where props are due–I am jealous of Whisky in this regard.
We may not have a Valai on the team, but two things I still don’t understand:
1) Tresselball, blah blah blah. Why can’t every drive have play calling and execution as if it were the last drive in the game? I think it is a complete fallacy that you can “beat a team down” with the power game, somehow breaking down their will to play. Number one, there are no points given for “breaking a team down”. The only caveat is…well…points. Post 40 points in a half, and you will break a team down.
2) You would think that we DON’T have any other weapons, or the personnel to pull off other big plays. Its great that we have Beanie and TP. But we also have Small, Saine, Flash, Posey, and Washington. In other words, we are not lacking for speedburners capable of adding another dimension to our offense. E.g., we have the run option, but what about running that in conjunction with a fake/real end around, a la Whisky? We have the personnel to make Beanie and TP shine even more–why is it the middle of the season and these guys haven’t been used yet???
You get what I mean? Alabama has Julio Jones–a true freshman that brought a whole new dimension to their offense. We have guys on the same level as him, who sit the bench, let alone never get a chance to get into open space. Even if for argument’s sake Flash is NOT Jones’ level, he has got to be damn close. I get the feeling that if Jones was on our team, he would be underutilized just like Flash and the rest of them.
I feel what you are saying Dan, but saying our receiver prospects are just like Julio Jones is a lot like saying Justin Feagin is just like Terrelle Pryor cause both can be runnings QBs. Jones is a physical freak specimen, I think he is going to develop into a very scary receiving threat, a Rejus Benn with more polish; I’m hoping we get Marlon Brown next year and have our own NFL-prototype stud receiver. I love Ginn, Holmes, Gonzalez and Jenkins, but I don’t think we’ve had a WR that’s had it all—NFL quality speed, height, and strength—since David Boston.
My thoughts,
I thought Ohio State was going to blow Wisconsin off the U.S. map. After that first drive, I thought that sentiment was going to be more than validated. Then, the Bucks kept playing that stupid zone defense, and Travis Beckum and that stupid #85 were finding the holes like Swiss cheese.
I was watching the game with a bunch of Wisconsin friends of mine, and I had to agree with them that the Badgers probably would have beaten Ohio State had they not given up on the run. That’s what happened against Tennessee last year, and it looks like that’s what happened against Michigan last week. The Wisconsin rushing attack is so dangerous, I simply don’t understand why Bielema was going out there throwing on early downs or on 3rd and short. So, agree that Tressel had some brain farts, but Bielema must have eaten a whole can of refried beans before the game.
I don’t think we’ve seen a game of that quality, at least excitement/smash-mouth wise, since the 2003 season. It was an old-fashined Buckeye heart-attack. And wow, Beanie Wells is just…there’s no words to describe how important he is and how awesome he is. Damn that foot injury. The Heisman would be his without question. Javon Ringer would be excited to kiss the ground Beanie Wells runs on.
I love these Buckeyes. I think the best is yet to come. They’re one or two games away from getting it all to click. GO BUCKS!!!
I seem to think I recall a certain Mr. Maximus tearing heads off last year. And Homan was a beast in this game. He may have been born a generation too late, but he has legend-like talent stopping the run.
Oh, and dear god, hide the childrens when Mr. Rolle is roaming.
Just got off work reading some of thepost’s . I hope somebody was not talking about Nate Salley being good, Russell is another Salley looks good in pads just is not good. We have had Moore and Doss since then no good safeties. Just look at the NFL, arugably the Ravens, Steelers and Eagles year in and year out have the best DEF consistently speaking and they have the best safeties also. I am glad i’m not a Wisc fan because that Clay should be the one carrying the load. i think we will struggle against ILL more then PSU i think Juice is by far the best QB in the Big Ten. Ready for Tiller last stop at Horeshoe GO BUCKS
“I seem to think I recall a certain Mr. Maximus tearing heads off last year. And Homan was a beast in this game. He may have been born a generation too late, but he has legend-like talent stopping the run.”
You beat me to it. I wholeheartedly agree.
Didn’t exactly say Salley was good. Donte Whitner was the best in that bunch, but Salley, regardless of his name, brought the wood….
All I know is the Badgers could tackle, and they hit HARD. If they could touch you they were not gonna let you go. They held Beanie to 5-10 yards on a few plays that I thought would have him streaking down the sideline.
And definitely, that game was Wisconsin’s to lose, and well, they lost it. I mean how do you have a mental lapse in the redzone against OSU with the clock at approximately 1 minute left and the game in jeopardy?
Boom Herron was cheap shotted, even if TP was going down and not passed the line of scrimmage, the defender cannot touch him. If TP was tackled, then it is a late hit and a personal foul.
When playing running teams, it may be nice to drop Homan inside and JL at weakside????? Maximize both talents?
That’s not a bad idea at all Chaos….I was actually thinking along those lines myself. Every team is gunning for 33 in the middle, so why not switch them around every so often and confuse the line calls? This “bend but dont break” NY Giants defense has to go…….
I agree with Ryan B….Nate Salley was that type of player as well. He used to almost knock himself out hitting people. If memory serves me, I think one time he actually did.
Also, I think taking the ball on the winning coin toss is a reflection of the new clock rules. With an average of 3 less possessions a game, I feel Tress wants to get one right away.
Regarding the play-calling, I couldn’t believe how conservative we were on the last FG drive that put us up 13-10. I just knew Wisky would get momentum from that because it looked like we gave up and just played for the FG by running a QB draw on 3rd and 8. How about a corner fade pattern for the TD?
Have heard/read rumors that the seniors and redshirt juniors are causing problems in the locker room over the Boeckman/TP situation. More importantly, Hartline it seems is the one who’s leading the charge and is doing the most complaining. It seems as if the team is split 50/50 over the matter. Can anyone confirm/deny?
Hard to believe that is true. There are enough loose lips around that we’d have heard plenty about it if it were.
I was a bit surprised that we didn’t see TB at all though.
Hatline should learn to catch/hold on to the ball before he starts bitching about TP. It is obvious which QB gives this team the best chance of winning.
If the seniors and redshirt juniors are causing problems, then bench them! Tressel should show the team that he is in charge and that insubordination will not be tolerated. We have a lot of young talent. If the old talent is complaining, then let the young talent play.
It’s not impossible for some players to be unhappy with the change. It’d be sad if it were true though. Priority #1 should be winning, and TP provides a better opportunity for the W than TB. Pryor is working super hard just to please the upperclassmen. They have bigger things to worry about besides seniority or their best friend getting benched for underperforming.
I would think winning would be most important, and so far considering everyone around the QB (mostly upper classmen) have underperfomed. The only ones doing anything out there it seems, are the younger guys, and Beanie.
Speaking of Beanie, I haven’t heard this brought up except for on the radio. Play action passes against Wisconsin: 1. With 22/168 and a TD, you would think a play-action pass off that would be quite effective.