Kneejerk: Week 8, Minnesota *UPDATED*
October 25, 2009
Took me a while with this, but better late than never, right? I was pleasantly surprised with what transpired on the field this week. I had hoped the Buckeyes would bounce back against Minnesota, but I wasn’t expecting the “offensive explosion” that we got. The team and staff have been talking about this offense breaking out for a month now, and it finally seems to have click as Ohio State rolled the Golden Gophers 38-7.
IN A NUTSHELL (late additions denoted with *)
- I welcomed the return of play action. It was wrong to move to a shotgun only offense and TP looked great taking the snap under center.
- TP looked very comfortable today. Was very decisive, made great decisions, and stepped into his throws. Well done!
- Although it’s not good that Mike Adams is injured, the Oline was much improved this week. It’s hard to ask you QB to make plays when the defense is in the backfield right away. Not the case today, thankfully.
- Even though our top 2 backs are ailing, Jordan Hall and Jermil Martin filled in admirably! So exciting to see both of them get their 1st Buckeye TDs today. Expect to see more next week!
- DeVier Posey is going to be craaaaazzzzzy good for this team before he moves on to the NFL. He’s well on his way! But for now, I’d love to see him pull in a few more passes after he’s hit. Should have had at least 1, possibly 2, more TD grabs today.
- The first quarter was incredibly boring and seemed to last forever. Second quarter wasn’t much better.
- LOL @ the Minny RB trying to get in Doug Worthington’s face. Seriously, dude? You don’t want none of that!
- Gopher WR Eric Decker getting injured was huge for us. I saw it the second it happened. He pulled up almost immediately after the ball was snapped. He was really their only weapon coming into this game.
- Once the defense started attacking, they looked really great. Was frustrating at times to see them give up all those passing yards early on.
- Ok, I’m no defensive coordinator, but I watched enough Minny games to know that when #5 MarQueis Gray comes into the game, 9 times out of 10, he’s going to be running. Why did it take our defense so long to catch on?
- Remember the Minny safety that was talking trash about TP last year? Probably not, but it doesn’t matter because he’s no longer with the team. Couldn’t cut it academically.
- Speaking of last year’s game. This was the game TP put his shoulder down and trucked a Minny LB. I noticed he was taking on contact by lowering his shoulder often today. Is there just something about Minnesota? In any case, I want to continue to see Terrelle be physical.
- Teams still haven’t figured out that it takes a little more effort to bring down TP. You’ve really got to wrap him up, and that’s if you can get close enough to him after he stiff-arms you…
- I’m so glad that New Mexico State is the opponent next week. It’s effectively a bye-week that gives some of our players another week to get healthy. We’ll need them for the November stretch of PSU/Iowa/Michigan.
- How clutch does Kurt Coleman continue to be for this team? MVP…
- I am more and more impressed with Nathan Williams with each passing week. Beast!
- Was it just me or were the refs terrible? All I could do was SMH.
- It was great for the backups to get some game reps, Joe Bauserman included. The 2nd team defense may have been unable to preserve the shut-out, but we’re going to need them next year, so those reps are invaluable.
- I was really, really, really worried that if the team didn’t get off to a fast start (which they didn’t) that the boo birds would come out. Glad the fans kept themselves in check on that.
- Wait…I don’t recall any false start penalties against us today. Huge!
- Loved the music piped into the stadium in the second half. Great stuff!
- I decided to bring my poncho today. Good thinking FTW!
- I used my iPhone to try and find free wireless in the stadium — so I could live tweet — but I wasn’t in range for any of them. Looks like the signal situation will continue to prevent me from any and all live updates from the ‘Shoe. This wasn’t a problem when I sat on the East side of the stadium last year…
- *Forgot to mention Pettrey. It was kind of funny the first couple of games, but it’s not anymore. We’re probably going to be in some games, down the stretch, where a field goal could mean the difference between a W or an L. We need someone who, when they kick short field goals, is automatic. We have 2 other kickers. There needs to be a competition or another “kick scrimmage” this week because Pettrey missing short FGs is absolutely unacceptable.
I’m going to bed one extremely happy and encouraged Buckeye fan. Read on for some postgame video and pictures. Read the rest of this entry »
Pregame Postage: Week 8, Minnesota
October 24, 2009
Didn’t post this earlier because I have no idea what to expect on this game! After last week’s disaster the team could go in one of two ways: meltdown or bounce back. Needless to say, I’m hoping for a bounce back and a game similar to last year’s Minny match-up.
On my way to the ‘Shoe right now and hope I don’t have to come hope and make a WTF kneejerk post.
I just want to see a solid effort put together by the entire offense: Oline, QB, running backs, TEs, and receivers. In other words, I’m easy to please this week!
Go Bucks!
Don’t Worry; TP’s Just Fine
October 22, 2009
As I mentioned on Twitter, he spoke to the media again yesterday. Topics covered include his HS coach’s (who is a self-professed Michigan fan) comments on his development, how he’s maturing in how he deals with and speaks to his teammates, as well as his relationships with LeBron James and Miami QB Jacory Harris.
Just watch the video, compliments of The Ozone:
If you haven’t yet watched any video of TP addressing the media this season, watch this one. Terrelle definitely looks more at ease answering questions; like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. Hope that translates to better play come Saturday. Good luck, TP!
Tressel, Team Stand Behind Pryor
October 21, 2009
Not that that should be a shock to anyone, but it bears repeating, IMO.
The meltdown of a lot of Buckeye Nation has been nothing short of embarrassing. There have been all sorts of proclamations and strongly-worded criticisms of Terrelle tossed around lately. Disappointment, frustration, and critique are warranted, but the words full of venom and hate, should not be voiced if you are a “true” fan.
Coach Tress knows this will be a process and at his weekly press conference expressed his thoughts on the situation going forward. Here are a couple of Q&A’s that stood out to me amidst all the calls to give backup QB Joe Bauserman some snaps if TP is struggling.
REPORTER: Jim, last year USC, Todd Boeckman had a real bad game turnover-wise and the next week you made the switch at quarterback. What is the difference between that scenario, and I think Terrelle had four turnovers he was responsible for on Saturday, a couple more could have gone the other way, what’s the difference there? And do you have any plans to maybe use Joe Bauserman a little bit just to spruce it up a little bit or give Terrelle a break or what are your plans there at quarterback?
COACH TRESSEL: I’m not sure that they’re comparable at all. They don’t feel to me as being similar situations. Do we have any immediate plans that we’ve sat down and said, okay, now we’re going to put Joe in at this point in time or we’re going to commit ourselves to putting him in the game, haven’t had that discussion. Don’t believe at this moment that that would be the best thing for the team and ultimately you make all your decisions based upon, okay, what does the group need and so at this moment, we’ve got a lot of practice and a lot of work to do, but at this moment, I wouldn’t say we would be.
And this…
REPORTER: How much in your decision to stick with Terrelle through the game last week and then not to quote, unquote, put him on notice to jeopardize his status this week, how much of that is concern or is there concern over what effect that would have on him psychologically or confidence-wise, is there any thought process along those lines?
COACH TRESSEL: I think you always try to keep in mind people’s feelings, but not to the point where it will hurt the team. If you think something is the best thing to do for the team, I think you have to do a good job communicating with the person that might have their feelings hurt and all that, but you’ve got to do what you think is the best thing for the team. To me, that’s what our responsibility is. Our responsibility is to the group. Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t care about the individual. You do all you can do to help every individual. But not at the expense of the team. Lori?
Finally, I’ve made it no secret that I am a Terrelle Pryor stan to the max and this site wouldn’t be here if I weren’t. It’s too bad others look to tear him down when he most needs their support and patience. When he comes out of that tunnel Saturday afternoon, I will be screaming my head off in support like I always do. I hope the 105,000+ others in the stadium will join me. And if I catch anyone near me booing this man, there will be a fight in the ‘A’ deck. Don’t think that just because I’m a girl I can’t harm you. Best believe I can scrap with the best of them!
Also, let it be know that I’m approaching stan status for TP’s BFF DeVier Posey. Love the way he’s sticking up for his QB. Read the full transcript and see video here, courtesy of the official site.
Sunday Questions: 2009 Purdue Edition
October 18, 2009
A day later and all I have is questions, not answers. The staff and team are the ones who need to answer these; and on the field. Anyone looking for the staff/players to say the right thing are going to be disappointed.
1. Brandon Saine only had 7 carries. SEVEN! Why so few when he was consistently getting great yardage?
2. Is it me, or has the offense regressed in the past few games? We heard that Hazell was behind the Toledo/IU games, which looked decidedly different than Wisky/Purdue. Yes the latter 2 teams are better, but the offense had a rhythm and worked well together. That’s not been the case the last 2 games. Is Tress calling the plays again?
3. Why was this team in a “soft” zone and not attacking? Texas showed that you don’t need a running game to beat this defense. If 4 can’t bring enough pressure, something needs to change.
4. Did I see Jimmy Cordle at left tackle yesterday? Why? If he’s coming off of an injury, why is he playing a position he wasn’t starting at when he was hurt?
5. Speaking of Oline. Why were they so terrible yesterday? Worst I’ve seen in a long time. They looked better against ‘SC which is a much, much, much better team than the Boilermakers.
6. I worry about TP’s development. Why is the offense seemingly changing each week? Why is no one talking to him in between series? You know, coaching him?
7. Is the coaching he’s getting telling him to stay in the pocket when there’s 10-20 yards of empty real estate in front of him? Or is that poor decision making? TP’s said that he know he always goes for the big play, and needs to work on taking what the defense is giving him. Wish he’d do that more often, but I know it’s hard when he’s getting no time to make decisions.
8. A the million-dollar question: Tressel’s legacy has been defined by always winning the games he’s “supposed to”. That ended yesterday. With as poor as the offense is looking, is this finally enough to show Tressel that he needs to bring in an elite OC? The offense needs an identity, and until it gets one, and learns to do some thing right, it will continue to look terrible.
Kneejerk: Week 7, Purdue
October 17, 2009
Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew.
I’m writing this post from my iPhone, so it’ll be brief.
“Offensive explosion?” More like “offensive implosion”. Special teams was pretty bad, and the defensive scheme was pretty soft. Passing teams can move the ball against this defense. Running teams; not so much.
I’m trying to think of one bright spot from this game and it’s hard. Really hard. I’d have to say Kurt Coleman. Should have had that forced fumble call, but was very good for the team as always. That’s about it.
That’s pretty much all I have to say about this game. Maybe I’ll revisit this post later in the day after the stank from this game is out of my system.
Pregame Postage: Week 7, Purdue
October 17, 2009
Ahhh, here we are again! Waiting for kickoff for our Buckeyes. I haven’t really been on edge about a game this season except for USC and Illinois, and that trend won’t be broken when the team takes on Purdue at noon.
I’ve been singing the praises of this Buckeye defense since the beginning of this season and while Purdue is only a few minutes/mistakes from having a much better record than 1-5, they don’t scare me. I respect them, but they only slightly better than in-state rival IU, regardless of what the stats numbers say. I couldn’t care less how great a pass efficient and high-scoring an offense a team has if they shoot themselves in the foot as often as the Boilermakers tend to. Toledo was Top 5 in the country in offense when we destroyed them. This defense takes teams with very high offensive production and reduces them to a shell of their former selves. I see Purdue no differently.
I’ll talk about this game by first taking a look in the rear-view mirror. Wisconsin is a good team. A really good Big Ten team. Even though we beat them soundly, I think they should still be ranked. If our offense can lay the proverbial egg that they did last week against a quality team, and still pull out a big win, I’m not convinced that Purdue will challenge that much. No, I’m not thinking about a shut-out. I think this team’s shut-outs for the season may be over save the New Mexico State Game. Who knows what will happen in two weeks. Read the rest of this entry »
Postgame Press: Week 6, Wisconsin
October 12, 2009
The Bucks were actually rewarded for their bizarre win; jumping over an idle Cincinnati to the #7 spot in all the major polls. The pollsters/coaches really must have only looked at the boxscore and seen that we pounded a previously undefeated team. We’ll take it for now, but in the grand scheme of things, all this team has to do is keep winning! Up next: Purdue.
Watch a video of TP’s postgame presser:
MORE VIDEO:
Rivals.com and The Ozone also have TP’s postgame comments
PICTURES:
The Ozone
Bucknuts
Rivals.com
Kneejerk: Week 6, Wisconsin
October 11, 2009
After that offensive display (pun intended), I went home and washed the stank from the Buckeye offense off of me. I’m sure I’m not alone. The offense was U-G-L-Y! Thank goodness we have a bad ass defense to pick up the slack! Seriously, those guys were all over the place making plays and putting points on the board for the team. The Buckeyes ended up with a emphatic 31-13 win.
Last season, the team laid an offensive egg during the Purdue game. No offensive TD. Meanwhile, the D blocked a punt and took it to the house. Remember that? The difference between that game and this is that Wisconsin is actually a good team. The coaches had them ranked #25 in the country (while the AP writers were a bunch of haters).
It was a strange game but, at the end of the day, it was a big win. If the O can lay an egg like that and still win big, I guess I’m happy. Can’t afford to have a display like that in the November stretch, and there are plenty of things to work on. I’m confident it will get done. But, in the meantime, the defense will take matters into their own hands and keep the team undefeated in Big Ten play. Read the rest of this entry »
Pregame Postage: Week 6, Wisconsin
October 9, 2009
I’m going to take everyone back to right after the USC game. Stop me if you’ve heard this before…
Toledo was coming into their game against Ohio State with what, the top offensive attack in the country, right? They were supposed to pose a serious challenge to the Buckeyes. If they were hungover from the ‘SC game, they’d lose. Some national media analysts were predicting an upset. We shut them out.
The next week was the Big Ten opener against Illinois. The media beat the 2007 and the Illini’s history against the Buckeyes like a dead horse. Illini possesses the top offensive threats in the conference and always play OSU hard. If Ohio State didn’t bring their ‘A’ game, they’d lose. Some national media analysts were predicting an upset. Shut them out too.
See a pattern? I’ll continue. Read the rest of this entry »
