Welcome to the Show
“You know the Big Ten has outlawed thirddown conversions, don’t you?”
“You serious, Tress?”
There was a pregame scuffle at midfield, the typical cacophony of bone-rattling hits and down just seven, with the ball at midfield and a little over a minute remaining in the first half, the Wolverines were doing their best to ensure that this edition of the rivalry matched up with all those that had come before it.
Uh… not so much.
Halftime came, adjustments were made and a dominant Buckeye performance leading to a 28-0 run in the second half squashed any outside upset chances as Ohio State marched to a 42-7 drubbing of the hapless Wolverines. The margin of victory was the largest in the series in forty years and all of a sudden, the Buckeyes have hung 42 on the Wolverines in two of the last three seasons.
As alluded to above, it was anything but easy-going in the early parts of the game. Ohio State received the opening kickoff, converted a 3rd and 7 to move the ball out to the 39 and then Pryor promptly turned the ball over, throwing one of the few bad passes he’s had all year which was picked off and returned by Stevie Brown to the Buckeye 13.
The defense stiffened and Michigan lost five yards on the series before kicker K.C. Lopata shanked a 35 yard field goal and the Shoe breathed a sigh of relief.
On their next possession, the Buckeyes were held to a three-and-out and were forced to punt. Michigan return man Martavious Odoms fumbled the ensuing Trapasso kick and Ohio State recovered the ball at midfield. Another three-and-out followed, but the subsequent punt no doubt pleased Tressel as it flipped the field in the all-crucial battle of field position.
The Wolverines were forced to punt on their following possession and then the two teams traded punts as both defenses continued to dominate the action. The Buckeye defense smothering a shaky Michigan offensive attack, while Beanie Wells was held in check by a dominating front and Pryor appearing uneasy after the early mistake mixed with a healthy portion of opposing blitzes.
With 4:20 remaining in the first quarter, Ohio State started at their own 41, having been kept off the board on their previous four possessions. In a matter of seconds, the shutout was no more as Beanie rumbled 59 yards mostly untouched to put the Buckeyes up. Vintage Beanie — showing up against the Wolverines and giving his team that much needed boost. To put into perspective how big the play was at the time, the Buckeyes had 76 yards of total offense including the run at that point.
Nick Sheridan being Nick SheridanMichigan punted again and the Buckeyes took over with a little over two minutes remaining in the first quarter at their own 22. After five straight runs, including an eight-yarder which seemed to get Pryor’s juices going, he hit tight end Jake Ballard for a 10 yard completion on 3rd and 4 from the Buckeye 39. Wells was stopped for a loss on the following play, but Pryor followed that up by hitting Hartline on a beautifully thrown 53 yard bomb to put Ohio State up 14-0. Live by the blitz, die by the blitz.
After holding Michigan to a punt on their next possession, the Buckeyes received the ball at their own 45 and drove down to the Michigan 35 and were smelling blood before a fourth down throw to Brian Robiskie fell incomplete. It was then that running back Brandon Minor and the Wolverine offense made a cameo. After earning their first 1st down of the game with 8:25 remaining in the half, they drove into Buckeye territory, setting up a 32 yard run out of Minor and leaving a first and goal from the Ohio State one yard line. Again, the Buckeye defense hardened and visions of shutouts were dancing in the heads of Ohioans, but on fourth and goal, Minor punched it in from one yard out, trimming the lead to one score.
That would be it for the first half scoring and the 14-7 lead was probably a little too close for comfort for Buckeye fans, but aside from the one long drive, the defense had been handling the Wolverines rather easily. The offense, on the other hand, looked like the unit that played against Penn State — often unable to sustain any type of serious threat. It was essentially two big plays and the halftime studio crew took some glee in pointing this out.
Though the Buckeye staff has taken criticism this season for a perceived lack of halftime adjustments, give them and the line credit for correcting issues Saturday. After a Zoltan Mesko punt was downed inside their own 10 yard line, Ohio State started its first drive of the second half up against it a little. On first and 10 from their own 9, Beanie rumbled 42 yards untouched through the left side before going out of bounds at the Michigan 49. On the very next play, Boom followed suit, racing 49 yards, again untouched and through the same side of the line to put the team up 21-14.
Rodriguez’s crew would be stymied the entire second half and raised their own white flag when trailing by just two scores and the ball at the Ohio State 38, the offensive mastermind dialed-up a Nick Sheridan draw on 3rd and 15 that yielded a one yard loss. Mesko’s line drive punt was fielded by Ray Small at his own 12 and returned 80 yards to the Michigan eight. From the doghouse to the penthouse and the Buckeyes capitalized on their next play when Pryor hooked up with Robiskie to move the lead to 21.
Jenkins finished strongWith Sheridan injured on the previous series, freshman Justin Feagin came on to the field, but his success rate wouldn’t be any better. After another failed 3rd down conversion — Michigan finished an incredibly awesome 1-17 on the afternoon — Pryor and company took over near midfield. The first two plays yielded nothing, but on 3rd and 10 he delivered one of those plays that only he could. Operating out of the shotgun, he was quickly flushed when both of his tackles were beat on the play. Pryor juked end Brandon Graham, then avoided another defender before sidestepping Graham yet again and finally heaving a floater to Dane Sanzenbacher for 35 yards. Three plays later, Boom finished the drive and the rout was officially on.
It was insult to injury time as Michigan fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Buckeyes took over at the Wolverine 22. Enter captain Todd Boeckman. The senior came on to the field to a chorus of applause as 100,000+ showed their appreciation for the grace and dignity with he handled a less than enjoyable experience. After two short runs out of Rasta, Boeckman brought the crowd to its feet again with an 18 yard touchdown strike to Brian Hartline that put Ohio State ahead 42-7. The throw was tight and on the money and Boeckman would later have an even better toss on a 46 yard completion to Robiskie, though much to the crowd’s disappointment, the team would not cross the goal line again.
The win gave the Buckeyes a share of their fourth-straight conference title and was the fifth in a row in the series, marking their greatest run in the rivalry. Tressel is now 7-1 against the Wolverines and though they were awful, it was the Buckeyes that handed them their worst loss of this most miserable of seasons. Sometime during the next couple of days, I hope everyone pauses to reflect on just how great things are going right now in The Game. It won’t last forever, and won’t be duplicated again anytime soon, but damn is it sweet.
Etc
- Pryor was shaky early, but settled down as the game progressed. He becomes the first freshman to ever beat Michigan and moves to 7-1 as a starter. I keep saying it, but I cannot wait to see him blow up in the bowl game with all of that time to work on mechanics and fundamentals.
- Beanie has inherited Troy’s role of Wolverine killer. Saturday marked the third-straight season he’s had a touchdown run of at least 50 yards in The Game. He left early due to hammy issues, but 15 for 134 is pretty fresh. Boom’s 8 for 80 isn’t bad either. Further, I’m really enjoying this game becoming the springboard for young Buckeyes.
- It was nice to see the Brians end the year on a positive note. Because of the new quarterback and a variety of other factors, each has seen their numbers decrease this season, but scoring on your biggest rival is always a win.
- Laurinaitis led the team with tackles once again, finishing with 12 including a sack. Heyward and Larimore also had sacks on the day.
- That was a safety in the fourth quarter when Nathan Williams wrapped up Shaw in the end zone, but the officiating crew had pity in their hearts.
- Oh to have that shutout. The Wolverines have not been shutout in 245 games — or longer than about half our readership has been alive. The 10 three-and-outs were pretty nice, however.
- Sheridan was incredibly bad (8-24), but outside of him, I didn’t notice a huge talent gap across the field. Sure, they don’t exactly have a Beanie, but that is a team that could have been closer to .500 with some better coaching.
- Speaking of the coaching, the sideline fight was kind of crazy, but we have our own episode from the 2002 season leaving us in a glass house. The delay of game penalty at the end of the first half was curious, though it kind of worked out when the punt rolled inside the five. Still, you just force the Buckeyes to take a sneak instead of going to a knee to run out the half.
- Tressel substituted liberally late in the game. Plenty of freshman and backups saw action and though some of them won’t ever achieve stardom in Columbus, they’ll always have the stories of how they were on the field for the great ass-kicking of 2008.
Just an awesome game all around. Great game for our seniors, and it was a great way to introduce our new blood to the rivalry. It feels like our seniors have been here forever. It’s going to be weird seeing our defense get on the field next year without a Malcolm Jenkins or James Laurinaitis.
I was a little shocked how Pryor didn’t really show up, given the intensity of the game and him always talking about sending the seniors off the right way. I HOPE they will be working on his mechanics during the entire off-season. He threw the ball with a zip all day in the Northwestern game, but for whatever reason since then, I’ve only seen floaters.
it was great to see the seniors go out like that. i think dickrod will turn things around eventually but next year could be rough.
pryor just needs to learn to master his nerves and that comes through seasoning.
I work 3rd shift, and was up all night the night before. Still, I’ve NEVER fallen asleep during the OSU/UM game. I missed almost the entire second half. >:(
I couldn’t keep my peepers open.
I’m not too worried about Pryor. Holy Toledo, the kid is still a freshman! Next year though, no more excuses. I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s going to be surrounded by a whole lot of talent.
Any word or idea on whether BEANIE WELLS might stay for his senior year and try to get that Heisman he’s always said he wanted so badly? If Laurinaitis and Washington could stay, maybe Beanie will too!
Yesterday’s game was the second most satisfying game I’ve seen in the Michigan rivalry. The 13-9 victory in 2002 was first. At the top of the list to any of the games was the 2002 NC Game. IMHO, it’s still just getting a good start to healing the wounds from the late ’80s and the ’90s. While I’m savoring 7-1, 8 of the last 11 and 30-26-2 in the last 58 years, I hope we win 5 more in a row just like yesterday. :-)
Nice win for your Buckeyes; I know that rivalry game means the world to you folks.
That said, what was with all the Buckeye fans holding up “Big Ten Champs” signs during the game yesterday? Were they not watching the score of the MSU v. PSU game?
No, OSU is not a co-champ. Penn State beat OSU straight up (and in the Horseshoe, no less); therefore, the Nittany Lions are the sole owners of the 2008 Big Ten championship. Just like they were in 2005.
Learn it; know it; live it. We ARE Penn State!
Nittany Hooser, I realize you and your ilk are new to this whole Big Ten thing — especially the parts relating to championships, but both Penn State and Ohio State are co-champions in 2008.
True, you have the head-to-head and that’s what is used to determine bowl participation, but in order to win an outright title, you must win one more conference game than any other team.
This is the trophy that was sitting in the Buckeye locker room after the game Saturday. It’s the same one Joe Pa tried to dry hump after closing out Michigan State.
Nittany Hoosier, nice win yesterday over MSU. Hope you do well in the Rose Bowl. Having said that BLOW ME with the we are PSU crap, in a year that you FINALLY managed to beat SCum after a DECADE, win in C-town for the first time ever and then totally piss your chances at a national championship away in Iowa City of all places you decide to brag just how bad you are. Sustain a few years of winning and then post how bad you are!
Jason -
Don’t get your panties in a wad. I certainly understand the technical, letter-of-the-law definition of the conference championship. I simply think it would show a little character on the part of Buckeye Nation if they conceded that they are not “really” the champs.
If the table was turned, I doubt any self-respecting PSU fan with any pride would acknowledge ANY claim to the Big Ten title.
Then again, if you’re going to fling insults and talk about a fan base’s ilk, I shouldn’t be surprised that those of yours have no character. Enjoy OSU’s footnoted championship.
Silly Penn State fan.
Anyway, not to rain on the parade but if Oregon State wins next Saturday, then its Capitol One heaven for the Bucks.
Should be a nice game against a good opponent(georgia?) but not nearly what I envisioned, I expect excellence and it just wasnt acheived.
No way should PSU ever win in the Shoe, no way.Bitter sweet.
You lost to Iowa heads up DUDE.
Maybe YOU should caoncede THEY are really the champs!!
What are you COUNTRY boys smokin’???
Oh, BuckeyeJay -
You amoeba-brained OSU football fans are so easy to incite. Not that I was trying, mind you.
In a way, I’m surprised that the Big Ten championship even means anything to you dopes. Does it really carry any weight when you get slaughtered in every BCS bowl game you play? I wouldn’t know.
So we all expect you back on this website after your Rose Bowl this year, Nittatny Hoser!!
You can say all you want Nittany Hoser, as long as you promise to get back on this site after the bowl game to take your licks. But you wouldnt know.
Hey iball -
Try making some sense, will you? I will, in fact, concede that Penn State’s loss to Iowa was THE BIGGEST CHOKE JOb in ALL of college football this year. With TT losing last night, PSU clearly CHOKED away its shot at a national title.
However, the fact that Iowa manned up and beat a gutless PSU squad does not negate the fact that the Hawkeye’s overall record disqualifies them from the Big Ten title. I can take the smack, but it has to make sense, okay?
iball -
You seem intent on hearing back from me after the Rose Bowl, so I will commit. Whether Penn State wins or loses, I have bookmarked Eleven Warriors and will come back in.
Of course, the difference between me and typical Buckeye fans will be this: If Penn State wins, I will not gloat. If Penn State loses, I will make NO excuses and will take all the smack I deserve.
See you in January!
P.S. Good luck in whatever bowl game you play. Regardless of my feelings towards OSU, I do want all Big Ten schools to win their bowl games so we can stop hearing about how weak our conference is. Surely even OSU Fan can side with me on that!
Hoosier, keep in mind that Ohio State and PSU are both Big Ten Champions equally. At one time the conference voted to break a tie. Head to head did not necessarily determine who went to the Rose Bowl. So yes, Ohio State is more than just “technically” the Big Ten Champion. Additionally, when those fans were holding up those signs it was possible Ohio State would have been sharing the Co Championship with Michigan State and heading to the Rose Bowl themselves!
Having attended the game yesterday I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger bunch of thugs than Dick Rod’s M*ch*g*n team! After their great show of class yesterday I don’t think anyone from TSUN can talk about us being classless. My personal favorite moment of the game: their ass clown field goal kicker walking out onto the field in the middle of TBDBITL’s halftime performance and almost getting run over by the band. Then the guy proceeds to shank 7 out of 8 field goal attempts, including a 20 yarder I believe.
I am glad that Terrelle’s 2nd interception was ruled out of bounds in the end-zone. Two early mistakes could have rattled him.
Tressel did a great job of putting Boeckman in and letting him throw the deep ball and then pulling him out so the crowd could applaud.
I thought the game was over when Beanie scored the first touchdown of the game. I was glad when the Wolverines made it a game for the first half.
Nittany, you should note the fact that before the game this year, we’ve had your number in five of the last six games. Tressel held a 5-2 record against your squad. So yes, you ARE Penn State. The same Penn State that barely inched by us this year on a technicality. The same Penn State that got their first win in Columbus since 1978. You might want to keep that in mind before you blow your horn and enjoy the fact that you’re sharing the title with Ohio State.
Nice insult, by the way. Amoeba-brained? That’s rich.
In fairness to Terrelle on that coulda-been second INT, that was more Ballard’s fault for bobbling it. Terrelle certainly didn’t have the greatest game passing today, but he got it into a tight spot. It’s Ballard’s responsibility to come up with it. At least I think that was Ballard who first got a finger on it, either way the point remains.
It was a heads-up play by Donovan Warren to even make that a reviewable call.
LOL @ a PSU fan calling out OSU fans for lack of character.
To the Seniors:
Thanks for taking out the trash the last
4/5 years.
Was at the game yesterday, but didn’t catch the player who shoved Pryor after he threw the pick, anyone know who it was? And I haven’t seen any video of it. It sure ignited the crowd, at least my section of 4C.
ok…. ok……… PSU and OSU are Co-Champions…….. PSU did win the head to head…. yea, yea…. so what. A co-Championship is a good thing and both teams most likely get into BCS games and share huge $$$$$$ with the rest of the conference. PSU needs to keep things in perspective– How many years in a row have the lost to Michigan and OSU???? You did good this year, but stop beating on your chest. Go out and take care of USC (or Oregon State again)….
I hope we play the ACC winner in the Orange Bowl — would be nice to have a bowl rout — get the fuse lit for next season.
I was pleased to see the thumping, but I really hate the thuggishness that’s been creeping into The Game the last decade or so. What makes this game so amazingly fun to watch is the way it’s been played – hard, ferociously and tenaciously – but cleanly.
This isn’t Miami or some backwater SEC school. There’s no need for the Crips and Bloods to duke it out before kickoff. Say it with play, fellas.
“If the table was turned, I doubt any self-respecting PSU fan with any pride would acknowledge ANY claim to the Big Ten title.”
No but they’ll be more than happy to throw bags of piss at Buckeye fans. Or pelt them with full beers.
Nittany, why would you come on a Buckeye blog and dangle your roses in our faces? Buckeye nation is happy for you and for JoePa that you get to go to your first Rose Bowl in 14 years, and that you’ve had a fabulous season. The Buckeyes have won or shared six Big Ten titles since 1994, and they only went to the Rose Bowl once. So enjoy it, it’s rare.
But don’t act like the Buckeyes didn’t tie you for the title. That’s ignorant and it’s mean. This is the way it works in the Big Ten – they don’t distinguish teams who tied for any reason other than the bowl representative. It’s also disrespectful to your win over the Buckeyes. We’re sorry it’s not enough for you to have gone 11-1, win a Big Ten title, and go to the Rose Bowl after posting two straight 9-4 seasons. You have to come here and say Ohio State didn’t tie you. Real classy.
Ohio State may be good at football, but that is where it ends my friends. Penn State is in an entirely different class when it comes to a true university experience. Happy Valley is the best college town in the country. And our academic programs are best in class. Ohio State has to cling to their football team. It is the only thing they have in the pathetic city of Columbus, Ohio. Trust me.
Anonymous, your ignorance is astounding on so many levels.
Ignorance and anonymity go hand in hand.
And Nittany Hoosier (sorry for your misfortune with the cross breeding, btw), tOSU is 4-2 in BCS games, and may be playing #7 in about 55 days.
PSU will be playing their second – so grats on that – I hope you do the B10 well and win, as most of us here do.
I will never understand why folks from other schools feel the need to go to a blog of a rival school. Especially when the article they are commenting on has nothing to do with them.
That said………it seemed to me that UM was a little chippy yesterday with an awful lot of pushing and mouthing after the whistle. The Game is always intense and hard hitting but there is usually respect for each other, save Boston/Woodson.
I think you can still shove and jaw and respect one another. We don’t shove Minnesota and Iowa and the like because they aren’t on the same level as we are, the same level that Michigan is, or at least was until recently. As long as there aren’t any full out brawls, I don’t think the pushing and shoving is a bad thing. Boston/Woodson is the most visible example, but that sort of thing has been going on for a long time now. I think the intensity is a good thing, players need to make sure not to go all Robert Reynolds on somebody.
“Self-respecting PSU fan”
now that is an oxymoron.