There were some monster plays on offense against Michigan State and the same was true on the defensive side of the ball. It was difficult picking just three plays as there could have easily been a half-dozen featured, but these three were among the best.
Ringer's First Touch
Michigan State opened the game with a big set, looking to get the Ringer show started right away. The crowd was definitely still in it at this point after the Buckeyes had been forced to punt on their opening possession. Given the formation and the running back, you'd expect at least four out of this play, but Rob Rose busted into the backfield and combined to make quick stop on Ringer with Laurinaitis, setting the tone for the game on that side of the ball.
There are two things that I love about this play. First, Rose was in the Spartan backfield before the announcers had covered the starting lineup. Second, on Kory Sheets' first carry last weekend, Laurinaitis met him in the hole, but was taken for a four yard gain. Nothing of the sort this time.
The Spartans trot out two tight ends and the Buckeyes counter by moving Freeman to the right end of the line. Ringer is eight yards deep.
With Freeman sitting to read, Hoyer turns to hand off to Ringer. Rob Rose, at left end, tries to go inside the tight end.
The guard is pulling to block Homan and Laurinaitis is looking for a hole to fill. Meanwhile, Rose has beaten the tight end and is in the backfield.
Ringer looks up to see Rose standing right in front of him, while Laurinaitis is looking for a lane.
Rose gets to Ringer as Laurinaitis fights off a block.
The two combine to bring Ringer down after a gain of just one yard.Coleman's Redemption
After Pryor scored to put the Buckeyes up 7-0, Michigan State took over at their own 32 and started to move the ball a little. On first down, Hoyer hit Keshawn Martin for a 14 yard gain and then Ringer followed that up with a five yard run to move the ball past midfield. On 2nd and five, Hoyer threw a screen to Martin and he put a move on safety Kurt Coleman, causing him to slip. Martin was looking at another first down before Coleman got his.
Freeman creeps up to right end again after Hawken goes into motion towards the twins.
Freeman gets deep, but Hoyer gets a quick ball out to Martin. Coleman is closing and Homan is heading North.
Martin stops quick and the over-pursuing Coleman puts on the breaks, causing him to slip.
Coleman is able to spring off of his planted arm, Karate Kid-style, and is back in the play.
With no real angle on a tackle, Coleman lunges and knocks the ball out of Martin's hands with his right arm.
Homan could care less about the loose ball. He just wants to kill somebody.
Donald Washington is more than happy to oblige and he scoops up the loose ball, evoking memories of Austin, 2006.Double-Pump at Your Own Risk
After completing his first ten passes of the game and moving the Spartans to the Buckeye 23, backup quarterback Kirk Cousins finally throws his first incompletion on the first play of the 4th quarter and is looking at a 3rd and 11. Hoyer had led Michigan State to a touchdown on his first series and was looking to cut the 28-7 Ohio State lead in half. That's when Malcolm Jenkins and Thaddeus Gibson took over. And the moment Jenkins became one of the good-best players in the country in Griese's eyes.
The Spartans line up with three wide receivers and Ringer in as the single back. The Buckeyes roll the nickel with Homan in for Freeman and Thaddeus Gibson standing at right end.
Jenkins does a good job of disguising his blitz and joins Gibson rushing the right edge. Ringer moves to pick up Gibson.
A nifty spin move out of Thaddeus and Ringer is on the turf with two Buckeyes closing in on Cousins' blind side.
Cousins pulls the ball back down after pumping once -- unaware that Jenkins is closing in.
Jenkins gets to his Cousins with Gibson close behind and Doug Worthington occupying the a couple of blockers.
The ball is loose and it's sitting on Cousins' rear gift-wrapped for Gibson.
Gibson scoops up the loose ball and is off to the races.
Jenkins' work isn't done on this play as he deftly provides interference on Ringer.
Thaddeus Maximus 69 yards later and it's 34-7.
Comments
These are great, Jason. You should quit your day job and do every play.
Gotta love the 3 d-bag linemen just sorta surrounding Worthington for no particular reason during the Thad fumble return.
Thanks, MSP. I'd be willing to if you guys could sponsor me to the tune of the $195k yearly gigolo fee I charge.
There is some sign of life in this defense yet, eh?
Nothing made me happier than seeing Laurinaitus ring Hoyer's bell, even if it was a little late. He needs to show more fight like that, more often.
That Coleman play is sick. He actually closes on the receiver by falling.
Finally, James Lauranitis made a highlight hit. Fuck you Bill Livingston of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I've been highly critical of JL for being in the right spot but never asserting authority.
THAT hit asserted authority. I loved it.
Keep it up, even if it is A LIL late. You won't get away with that against LSU and USC.
JL was all over Ringer. Usually knocking backwards, or suplexing him.
These screen shot analyses are awesome - keep it up. Better than UFR.
JL had a really nice pop on Korey Sheets last week too that helped set the tone that day. I've been critical of him too-especially ever since Ill last year, but in my very-untrained-and-poorly-informed-and-worthless-opinion he's been much more physical the last two weeks.
Good job Jason on the plays! Could you do us a special favor? Saturday was definitely the day for big stiff arms. Do you have any pics of Beanie's and Prior's stiff arms?
Honestly I'm surprised JL didn't get the Attack Force player of the week award. He was in on like every play and IMO was the main reason Ringer didn't even break 70 yards.
That Coleman forced fumble was sick, I didn't know he was fully stretched out like that.
Jenkins is my dude, but did anyone see him get laid out during the fumble TD return at the end of the game? I'm assuming it was a lineman because #2 can hold his own, but he got knocked on his ass. It was still a good block though because it wouldn't have been returned for a TD if he didn't.
The D was on point all day, so there is hope for those guys yet. Awesome review yet again, Jason.
Man, I was bummed when Wilson went down but this defense seems to be playing better. Robert Rose has stepped up big time and the rest of the defense is playing with a chip on their shoulder. Addition by subtraction I guess.
This has become the best Buckeye blog on the web.......... by far!!
Heacock said in the Dispatch that D. Washington will likely start in front of Chekwa, but Chekwa should see the field. IMO, we will need all DB's available. I like Chekwa A LOT, but Washington is more than capable of getting the job done too.
I agree with everyone else, the screen shots are effing sweet.
No question about it being the best Palm Beach.
JL is sick. If Hawk wasnt such an animal he might be my favorite buckeye, AJ Hawk, not Legion of Doom Hawk. LOL sorry couldnt resist.
Don't know about you guys, but Jenkins is POY so far this season. Man he is EVERYWHERE! Is it saturday yet? Somebody get me a helmet
BuckeyeSki - You are absolutely correct about Jenkins! We 1st seen Jenkins blitz in the USC game, what was the end result? He tackled Mcknight in the backfield on 3rd down. He blitzed against Mich. State and what happened? Fumble for a touchdown. With that being said, you think we should blitz DB's a little more?
Great screen shots...very clear and captured at the perfect moments. I concur that this is the best Buckeye blog out there...you won't see posts or analysis like this in the Dispatch!
Good job!
Preparation, Motivation, Determination = Destruction in Opposing Offenses
You raise a good point carence, but remember.. blitzing Jenkins is definitely better than blitzing most DB's. I think for us to win saturday, we'll need all our DB's on their game, and playing man, allowing the linebackers to contain the run, and the D-linemen to contain the QB. Respect is due to this PSU offense, but we have the man-power to contain it.
Lets be honest with ourselves though - this defense is great, they were good against USC for about a quarter and a half. BUT.. If we can't get them off the field to catch a breather, it doesn't matter how good they are. This game comes down to our offense's, at-best inconsistant, ability to control the ball and game clock.
I'll be thrilled if we can get 60 yard drives with a field goal, i think that's enough to win it. I hope i'm not driving 7 hours down from Rochester to see a loss.
Ground churning is the only thing Beanie knows how to do. Tressel is gonna let him eat clock like his stiff arm eats DB's.
On D, the front four HAVE to play like they did in East Lansing. Getting into the backfield and keeping the State Penn fatties off of JL, Freeman, and Homan. Even if just two of those beasts are loose to fill gaps and stuff Royster, we will be in good shape. Ringer is 10x the back that Royster is, and he got pwned when JL didn't have to avoid a blocker on his way to the unavoidable tackle he always seems to be a part of.
Josh_Alum: We have to do more than contain, this is not our first spread offense rodeo. It is about (controlled & consistent) pressure forcing the offense to commit sooner to reads. The magic number for most defensive coaches is 2.5 seconds. If we get controlled & consistent pressure on the ball carrier within that time frame our defense will dictate and make the offense more predictable. If we cannot, then the inverse will occur.
I guess that leaves the big important question:
Can i get a Gibson Jersey in columbus yet? or do i rock the #2?
2 definitely has more history behind it.
I don't like comparing these to UFR anymore because, quite clearly, it's now a different beast entirely. You've put a twist on it and it's now something that's unique to this sight. It's fun to read, though, and really well done. Again, kudos.
T-Gibson Jersey would be cool & cutting edge!!!
Two hours later, I must correct: sight = site. I was falling a sleep in an econ lecture, can you blame me?
[...] to a defensive front that was sputtering just three weeks ago. Gibson has been a force and Rose set the tone early against Sparty by getting into the backfield on Michigan State’s first play of the game. [...]