I don't want recap this game. You don't want to read about this game. But some days we do things we don't want so we can have good times later. Today is one of those bad days.
Ohio State played one its worst offensive games ever. I feel pretty confident in saying that. And I followed the 2018 and 2019 Buckeyes. If golf or baseball could be shoehorned into a lacrosse game, this was it. The only thing worse was the 12-0 loss to Notre Dame back in 2012, I think.
Ohio State had a zone problem, a shooting problem, a health problem, a TEAM problem. The total lack of offensive production against good teams is a decades-long problem. At least, somehow, Matt Brown has also forgotten how to coach offense, because this game could have been absolutely disastrous.
Ohio State finished 6 of 47 shooting. Or 12.8%. Beyond putrid. The sad part is, only 18 shots hit the net, even. I have never heard of a team getting just 38% of shots on goal. At any level. It boggles the mind. I was really optimistic about the Purpura hire. At this point, I am all the way out. Unless some miracle happens, this offense is going to creak its way into the team's oblivion.
Every other part of the team did its job. The defense absolutely crushed Denver. Pios shot 4-30. That's 13%. Unheard of. Faceoffs absolutely crushed Denver thanks to Matt Mayfield. Caleb Fyock was great. Stopped 71% of shots. Denver had 20 turnovers. Ohio State shot clocked them over and over.
They need to burn this game tape and go back to offensive basics. Find something, anything, on zone offense. Jackson Walsh should be banned from shooting.
I checked to make sure. There were ZERO points scored by transfers. No goals. No assists. Collectively the able to play transfers went 0-8 shooting, exactly ONE shot on goal, and 4 turnovers. Brad Sharp didn't play.
Right now, Brad Sharp has missed time, Jack Deliberti has missed time, Russell Melendez is hobbled, Logan Soelberg is hurt, Jackson Birtwistle has a massive brace, and Khalif Hocker has a huge brace too after tearing his ACL a year ago. That's basically the whole dodging offense not named Haas.
The next game, in every way, will be a welcome respite. It is an away game at Rutgers, 9 days from now. Rutgers is piss poor, and the extra rest should help get some guys healthy. They need it.
And for the love of all things Buckeye, somebody read a book on zone offense. This is unacceptable for a team with championship aspirations.
But, it's done. Ohio State did what it needed to do. Clean slate except a nailbiter against Notre Dame. Shake the lead out, and lets get to conference play.
Go Buckeyes. Drink a cold one. You earned for following that game.
Onto Rutgers.
