I went into yesterday’s game with the usual “tight sphincter” syndrome that comes with the Buckeyes playing in West Lafayette.  I was shocked how quickly that feeling went away.

On the first drive, Day used motion to open up the running game. He got Marvin isolated several times via formation, went to him every time, and then drew up Marvin in the slot to get him isolated for his red zone TD.

Next drive, he put Marvin in motion and got him on a quick bubble for 15 yards. Then brought in Brown in a nice red zone package that quickly scored.

Next drive, he called a read play that was wide open for McCord for 9 yards. The next snap he called a QB sneak! Our prayers have been answered. This drive was negated by Brown’s fumble going into the end zone, but three out of three drives we were right there.

The next drive, he did a great job getting Johnson even more involved in the run game. Purdue was running all over the place. In trying to double Marvin, Stover ripped off a huge play. Eventually Stover hauled in a little stick route in the end zone to put the game away.

All in all, perhaps the injuries to Emeka and Henderson forced Day to bring some plays out of the closet. Ohio State’s run game was incredibly diverse and took pressure off the offensive line. The pass game either got Marvin isolated or worked off that. The balance we have been looking for all year was there.

We went into a dreary West Lafayette and covered the spread halfway into the second quarter. It would have been sooner sans Brown’s fumble.

Bottom line — if Day is going to call a game like that, we can beat anyone.

BEAT PENN STATE!