Across the Shield: Ezekiel Elliott Tops Dorsett, Ted Ginn Jr. Goes Deep & Kurt Coleman Nabs an Interception

By Kevin Harrish on November 21, 2016 at 10:10 am
Ted Ginn Jr. found the end zone.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
12 Comments

Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. Across the Shield follows those who once wore Scarlet and Gray on their journeys through the NFL.

Zeke Breaks Cowboy Record

Once again, we lead off with Ezekiel Elliott doing good things on a football field.

This week, the rookie reached yet another milestone as he topped Tony Dorsett's Cowboy's rookie rushing record.

After Dallas selected him with the second-overall pick in the 1977 draft, Dorsett ripped off 1,007 rushing yards in his rookie campaign, setting a franchise record which stood for 39 years.

Sunday, Elliott topped the record, and far ahead of Dorsett's pace. It took Dorsett a full season to set the record; Elliott broke it on the first carry of his 10th game.

Also, in a shocking turn of events, he hurdled someone in the process.

Elliott finished the game with 25 carries for 97 yards and four catches for 30 yards and is still the NFL's leading rusher.

Understandably, he was feeling pretty upbeat after the game.

Former Silver Bullets Shine

Defensive players don't get much love around these parts unless they find themselves in the end zone. However, this week, the former Silver Bullets outshone their offensive counterparts. Here are some of the top performances.

Donte Whitner

Whitner began the season retired, but was signed by the Washington Redskins to aid their struggling secondary. Since then, he's been one of the team's leading tacklers week in and week out. Sunday was no exception as Whitner led the team with 10 total tackles against the Packers.

Ryan Shazier

Shazier is quickly turning into one of the most dominant linebackers in the league. Sunday, the former Buckeye was everywhere for the Steelers defense. Shazier finished the game with seven total tackles, three tackles for a loss and his strip-sack on Josh McCown: 

Eli Apple

Apple had perhaps the best game of his young professional career Sunday, statistically at least. The rookie led the team with nine total tackles, had a tackle for a loss and had a crucial fumble recovery on a Bears muffed punt.

Kurt Coleman

I didn't guarantee flashy, but you're going to get it here.

During the Panthers' game against the Saints, Coleman stepped in front of a Drew Brees pass, intercepting it in New Orleans territory. Coleman had a nice return and followed his blocks well, but he couldn't find the end zone. I guess not everyone can be Malik Hooker.

Coleman also finished the game with nine total tackles, good for second on the team.

Vonn Bell

Bell has grown from a player that saw occasional minutes to a definite difference maker and leader in the Saints defense. Sunday, that was put on display again as he finished second in the team in total tackles with seven and had 0.5 tackles for a loss.

Malcolm Jenkins

Jenkins led the Eagles defense in total tackles finishing the game with 7, and added 0.5 tackles for a loss.

Season's Pass

Unfortunately, two former Buckeyes saw their seasons come to a close this week due to injuries.

Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward announced his season-ending injury on social media  He suffered a pectoral injury and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

He then proceeded to Crying Jordan himself on Twitter, which is a baller move.

It appears as though James Laurinaitus' season is over as well, or at least it is in New Orleans. The Saints cut Laurinaitis this week after he'd been put on the team's injured/reserve list about two weeks before.

Laurinaitus is now free to sign with another team.

Play of the Week

Entering the week, Ted Ginn Jr. did not have a single touchdown catch this season. He had a huge one Thursday night.

Somehow, New Orleans gave a linebacker the tall task of running with a former sprinter on a deep ball. Shockingly, Ginn won and made a great grab for a touchfown.

The officials initially ruled it incomplete, but after review overturned the call and awarded Ginn with his touchdown.

Ohio Against the World

This week, I'm putting all blame exclusively on Mike Nugent. Fair or not, you decide.

Nugent blew it.

Also, it's week 11 and I have changed my mind. I no longer think I will win a game with this team, bit it's remarkable that I've actually had a legitimate chance in past games. I just need a quarterback and a tight end.

Buckeyes in the NFL: Week 11
Player Position Team Stats
Christian Bryant S Arizona Cardinals Played but did not generate stats
Cardale Jones QB Buffalo Bills DNP
Adolphus Washington DT Buffalo Bills 2 total tackles, 0.5 sacks
Philly Brown WR Carolina Panthers Played but did not record stats
Kurt Coleman S Carolina Panthers 9 total tackles, 1 interception
Ted Ginn Jr. WR Carolina Panthers 3 catches for 48 yards and a touchdown, 1 carry for 13 yards
Andrew Norwell OL Carolina Panthers Started
Mike Adams OL Chicago Bears DNP
Mike Nugent K Cincinnati Bengals 0 for 2 on extra points
Terrelle Pryor WR Cleveland Browns 5 catches for 97 yards
Ezekiel Elliott RB Dallas Cowboys 25 carries for 97 yards, 4 catches for 30 yards
Jeff Heuerman TE Denver Broncos BYE
Bradley Roby CB Denver Broncos BYE
Taylor Decker OL Detroit Lions Started
Corey Linsley OL Green Bay Packers Started
Braxton Miller WR Houston Texans Monday Night
John Simon LB Houston Texans Monday Night
Jack Mewhort OL Indianapolis Colts Started
Michael Bennett *** DT Jacksonville Jaguars DNP - Injured
Jake McQuaide LS Los Angeles Rams Started
Alex Boone OL Minnesota Vikings Started
Nate Ebner DB New England Patriots 1 total tackle
Vonn Bell S New Orleans Saints 7 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss
Michael Thomas WR New Orleans Saints 5 catches for 68 yards
Eli Apple CB New York Giants 9 total tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 fumble recovery
Johnathan Hankins DT New York Giants 6 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 tackle for a loss
Darron Lee LB New York Jets BYE
Nick Mangold C New York Jets BYE
Jalin Marshall WR New York Jets BYE
Devin Smith WR New York Jets BYE
Malcolm Jenkins S Philadelphia Eagles 7 total tackles
Ryan Shazier LB Pittsburgh Steelers 7 total tackles, 1 sack and 1 tackle for a loss
Joey Bosa DE San Diego Chargers BYE
Joshua Perry LB San Diego Chargers BYE
Carlos Hyde RB San Francisco 49ers 19 rushes for 86 yards, 3 catches for 24 yards
Tyvis Powell S Seattle Seahawks Played but did not generate stats
Nick Vannett TE Seattle Seahawks Played but did not generate stats
Donte Whitner S Washington Redskins 10 total tackles

***Player listed as "Injured/Physically Unable to Perform"

12 Comments
View 12 Comments