Browns Interviewing Coordinators Galore
January 5, 2011Was There A Worse Day To Be A Michigan Fan?
January 5, 2011
That’s the way the ball bounces.
For the Buckeyes, it bounced in their favor a couple times in Tuesday night’s Allstate Sugar Bowl. Dane Sanzenbacher’s fumble recovery in the end zone was merely a glimpse of what was to come. There were bounces, and calls that went against Ohio State as well, so don’t let anyone tell you this was a lucky win.
It was a hard fought win. It was a resilient win.
Ohio State’s best defensive back Chimdi Chekwa was lost in the first half with a nasty wrist or forearm injury that landed him in a cast on the sideline in the second half. Not exactly what you want to see happen against a big time quarterback. Fortunately, the defensive line was up to the task and put all kinds of pressure on first-round NFL hopeful Ryan Mallett. Senior Buckeye lineman Cameron Heyward had his best game of the season though wasn’t alone.
Whether it was up the middle, or off the edge the Buckeyes kept pressure on Mallett rotating players in and out. Dexter Larimore and John Simon also had big plays, but none bigger than DE Solomon Thomas who sealed the win with an interception on a zone blitz following the Arkansas punt block.
The Buckeye defense held it’s ground several times, bending but not breaking. Leading 28-7, the Bucks gave up a two-minute drill drive before the half, but held Arkansas to a field goal. In the fourth quarter, while the Buckeye offense had ground to a halt scoring a mere three points in the second half, the defense stepped up against heavy Arkansas momentum and forced two punts and a field goal before intercepting Mallett to finish off the Razorbacks.
Terrelle Pryor looked fantastic in the first half, spreading the ball around and keeping plays alive with his legs. In the second half Arkansas loaded the box and kept the Buckeyes from getting the ball over mid-field.
Count me surprised that Tressel went for the first down in OSU’s own side of the field. Unfortunately for Herron, he lost the ball while jumping the pile for the first down, and the recovery was behind the first down marker. It was the kind of decision that I think Tressel would have kicked himself for had Ohio State not won the game. He was aggressive, and it ended up working out for the best.
One final thought on this one: I was outraged by the cheap shot attempted on Cameron Heyward. It was a blatant attempt to injure a player that was in a defenseless position. Even more, I can’t believe that more (or anything) wasn’t said about this during the broadcast. They could have cut short one of the 800 mentions of NCAA sanctions.
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
33 Comments
I’ll take my crow rotisserie style, thank you very much.
I didn’t think the Buckeyes stood a chance, and they proved me wrong. However, it’s still maddening to see how Tressel tries to back into wins.
It’s just too bad the whole thing seems to have a big asterisk. The winless record for the Big Ten vs. the SEC will probably still hang out there until a team with non-suspended players takes care of business. Perception is reality.
Rick, I asked this last night and I’m glad you brought it up – why go for it on that 4th and short on your own 35 with 6:00 minutes to go? I thought that was an incredibly stupid call. OSU got very, very lucky to get out of that situation. You’ve got to punt that.
I agree with you Rick. That hit was so unnecessary and nobody mentioned it. Even when they showed the replay the announcers just brushed it off.
CBus: There is no asterisk. Every game has what ifs attached. What if certain players weren’t hurt in other games? Nobody will remember that these guys should’ve been suspended for this game in a year or two. But i do agree that it’s aggravating to see Tressel essentially run the clock out the entire 2nd half.
Dlinemen are told to not leave their feet in space. Olinemen are told if a dlinema. Leaves his feet to dive at his knees so the dlineman’s hands instinctively drop. Wasn’t dirty. Looks dirty, but Cam knew what was gonna happen and still tried to disrupt the pass.
Matty… except he had already landed and the ball had already been thrown. Then the guy went for him.
I understand the concept of trying to prevent the guy from swatting the ball, but I felt that it went beyond that.
The defensive line won the game for OSU. They were able to keep pressure on Mallett even when linebackers dropped back into coverage.
It seems like Pryor has improved his decision making, but not his throwing accuracy. He is an incredible athlete, but I just don’t see the type of throwing accuracy that would make him a top flight quarterback at the next level. He managed to put up great numbers because his receivers bailed him out.
The defensive line won the game for OSU. They managed to pressure Mallett even when the linebackers were dropping back into coverage.
It seems like Pryor has improved his decision making, but not his throwing accuracy. He is a tremendous athlete, but I don’t see him as an elite quarterback in the NCAA or the NFL. His throwing numbers look good because the OSU receivers bailed him out. The touchdown catches by Sanzenbacher and Posey illustrate my point. In both cases, Pryor simply threw the ball in the general direction of the receiver. Sanzenbacher made an incredible diving grab when Pryor threw it at the ground, and Posey was able to adjust and twist himself around when Pryor threw it to the wrong side of the field. There were plenty of other throws as well where Pryor simply didn’t have very good accuracy at all. If he wants to be something other than Troy Smith in the NFL (and Troy Smith had better accuracy than Pryor did at OSU), I think he needs to dramatically improve his throwing accuracy.
Sorry for the double post! I don’t know what happened.
Ohio State was the beneficiary of luck which was a shame given how they started but like I said before a win is a win. Anytime you have a punt blocked under 2 minutes and still win you know you are living right. Given how horrible the Buckeyes special teams had been throughout the season you know Tressel was sweating a little heavier.
A couple things that I came away with from that game.
1.NOW I remember why I’m always asking for Tress’ head after big games.
2.You guys may not like Pryor but dude is talented from the shoulders down
3.Prior, intentional pun, to the fourth down fumble by Boom. Pryor had a ridiculous play. He felt the blindside pressure after the Bucks Left Tackle completely crumbled and took off on third down. I’m not sure if was the third down run that set up the fourth and short or if it was the third down run for the first down that eventually led to the fourth and short. GREAT pocket presence on that play.
4.There is a play from Cam that has been running non-stop in my mind since it happened. He didn’t get a sack, tackle, deflection. Nothing. This play had no impact on the game whatsoever. The play is so non-important that I don’t remember the down, distance, or even the quarter. But Cam lined up on top of D.Love and at the snap he completely bull rushed him 5 yards off of the line almost into Mullet’s back. Cam didn’t try to shed the block or even make a play on Mullet. He just used D.Love as a human shield and tried to smack him upside Mullet like a battering ram.
@ Lyon I remember at the time thinking “OMGZ he’s trying to take out his knees!!!!!11!!” But then I remember the sounds strategy of diving at the knees. I guess I never even noticed when the dive occurred. You may be right about Cam having landed and the ball done released.
In a couple days, the nation will have completely forgotten the Sugar Bowl. But the stench from the blatant hypocrisy surrounding this game will live on for a long time.
The stench is attached to Tressell, Ohio State, the NCAA, the BCS, and the Sugar Bowl, but Tressell will be the only one who is bothered by it. The others couldn’t care less.
I would guess that years from now, Tressell will regret that he sold out his integrity.
I guess depending on how you feel about OSU you could one of two ways about last night. I tend to feel they did nearly everything they could do to lose that game and escaped with an extremely lucky win over a team they could have easily blown out of the water (if they continued to play solid football).
I should be happier about this win then I am (and I’m glad I was proven wrong because like C-Bus Kevin, I thought OSU stood no chance) but it’s not like OSU beat the best of the SEC last night. The best team in the Big 10 held on to beat the 3rd best SEC team. So it’s not the huge Big 10 victory the media is making it out to be. Also, you like to view a bowl win as a spring board to the next season and with the Ink Spots out for 5 games that isn’t going to happen either. Tressel called a great first half then played not to lose AGAIN. Dude reminds me of Marty Schottenheimer sometimes.
@9 “2.You guys may not like Pryor but dude is talented from the shoulders down” Couldn’t agree more Matty. Dude wore a Miami Heat cap on the field during pregame. I don’t like Pryor but he had a great game and OSU was fortunate that when his mechanics fell apart (and they did quite a bit) it didn’t kill them. Now that Ryan Mallett…that kind has a heck of an arm.
Best thing about the whole night? Proving Mark May wrong. I really dislike that dude.
Anybody else see the fox sports headline saying “buckeyes steal arkansas’ thunder”? no respect…. smh….
I agree with MrCleveland…
I’m sorry to say this Buckeye faithful, but Tressel sold out his integrity for a better chance to win the game. The lobbying that went on to try to “protect the integrity” of the game left me feeling like I need a shower.
OSU fans should enjoy this win while they can, because next season is going to be rough. I still think some of the 5 violators will leave for the hope of fame and fortune in the NFL next year. Even if those guys stay, starting the season with either a frosh or Bauserman will probably lead to some stumbles.
Regardless of your opinion on the rules they broke…the fact is, they knew them and they broke them, and they should have been suspended for the game. Plus, the fact that they cared so little about their memorabilia should upset fans at least a little.
Pryor is virtually guaranteed to get 5 yards when he fakes the deep handoff to Herron and bootlegs around the end. If they had done this in a few of the short yardage situations and especially on the play that resulted in a safety, then the game would not have been nearly as close. If they did this 3-4 times a game it would also open up the running game for Herron etc. more as the linebackers and even the ends woudl have to hesitate to make cure Pryor has not kept the ball.
If used properly Pryor can be an excellent college qb, but he has no chance to be a pro qb.
Anyone else think Sanzenbacher can be another Wes Welker in the NFL?
They threw to the tight end. Numerous times. The first half was the most beautiful gameplan/playcalling I’ve seen from an OSU offense.
It really makes me sad to know I’ll likely never see it again.
@ TSM…Ahhh the old “Hillis looks like Alstott” comparison. The only similarities I see between Welker and Sanzenbacher is that they are both white.
However, I do think Dane has the potential to be a productive wideout in the NFL. He has great hands (as demonstrated by his ability to catch terrible throws from Pryor). My only question would be speed, because it doesn’t seem like they use him much on deep routes, and college wide outs with marginal separation speed are a dime a dozen. As he stands now, I would consider him in the “pick him up if he doesn’t get drafted” category.
TSM… yes! My wife asked if he’d get drafted and I explained how he’d be a perfect fit for NE or Indy. they work in the guys who may not be the prototypical NFL player, but know how to play the game, and that’s exactly what Dane is.
To add to what I said & didn’t finish, Dane might get drafted late, but would be a great addition as a Free Agent. Kid just knows how to get the ball. U can’t go wrong with guys who play the game like he does
Great Win for the Buckeyes! I have to admit that I was worried the entire second half that Ohio State would find a way to blow the lead. After the Safety and terrible free kick, the Northern Ohio fan in me knew for sure that OSU was domed. Nope. And surely, after the blocked punt gave Arkansas the ball in the redzone, I swore so loud. But what great irony it was to have a questionably eligible player make the game winning play. I loved every time the camera would show Mallet and Cam going at each other after some plays. I have been questioning whether Heyward would be able to compete at the next level and I think last night proved it to me. He was nearly unstoppable even though the refs seemed to be unaware of the penalty called holding. Great game for the Seniors (other than Chekwa’s busted wrist), thank you for being a consistent winner for the state of Ohio.
Oh come on, don’t blame Tressel. He didn’t “sell out” anything. The NCAA is the governing body, they made the rules, OSU is going to follow them. By Tressel demanding that the players play next year, he is making them serve a suspension that otherwise wouldn’t happen for a few of those guys. You guys sound like all the fools saying “pay extra in taxes” as your civic duty. Get real.
As far as how “lucky” the buckeyes got: the luck evened out. There were a few terrible calls/non calls that went against the Buckeyes. I have no idea how that safety was called. He was trying to move forward the entire time, he never “disengaged” and ran backwards to try to get more yardage. That was ridiculous. Also, the scissor-kick trip that wasn’t called Pass Interference was astounding, as were a few of the spots.
OSU got lucky that Arkansas dropped so many catchable passes, but it sure seemed like they were getting the wrong end of almost every call/no call.
Also, is anyone else tired of every single one of these championship games being in SEC country? That’s maybe the loudest I’ve ever heard a buckeyes game (cus of the dome) and it was 80% Arkansas fans. Just once I’d like OSU playing up north in January. Even in basketball, playing in Atlanta against Florida for the Natl Title – total road game.
Not trying to be a whiner – but it just feels like EVERY SINGLE championship game OSU plays is a total road game.
@23 I agree with the traveling problem. It sucked the most to play LSU in the Championship game in New Orleans. I vote for cold weather bowl games for just one year as an experiment. It could be awesome.
I loved the win; hated the offensive strategy used in the second half (was he trying to keep the game close?)…it would have served Tressel right if they’d lost; but give credit to Arkansas for not quitting. No question the SEC has way more talent than the other conferences, but today the Buckeyes were better. TP was the difference maker!
I hate that after an incredible first-half effort that featured some of the best playcalling of the past 10 years at Ohio State, we STILL had to back into a win. I have no problem getting lucky breaks, as I think this team has been long overdue on getting them, but the awful performance in the final thirty minutes detracts from that excellent experience of the first thirty. I happen to love the fact that not only did the 5 suspended player play, but they had pivotal roles in the victory–and nice middle finger to all of the critics. The fact that there are suspension at all for selling ones own possessions is beyond ridiculous, and the tattoo thing strikes me as hardly deserving of such a lengthy penalty. If this were like Florida, with guys getting picked up for violent acts or theft, I might be concerned. But these infractions? I’m not willing to string these guys up for these kinds of things. Those who stay can and should have the penalty reduced to 2 games MAX.
Not sure where this “Tressel sold his integrity” line is coming from, except maybe from a bunch of national talking head pundits who want nothing more than for this to be true. What, exactly, was he supposed to do? Everyone knows that the 5-game suspension is already excessive. Is he supposed to tack on a 6th game just to show to people that don’t give two licks about him or his team that he is somehow “above the fray?” I don’t get it. The NCAA, BCS, Sugar Bowl, Big Ten, and probably the University all gave him an “Option A” with no other alternatives. Yet, I guess he’s supposed to execute “Option B,” embarrass himself, his team, the university, and the conference just to maintain a false, manufactured standard of “integrity?”
For a brief moment there in the 2nd quarter, I was actually hoping beyond hope that Tressel just said “screw it, who cares what people think?” and decided to run-up the score and make every play with his 5 excessively-suspended guys. Fortunately, I guess, the second half demonstrated that he hasn’t changed. As much as his “trying not to lose” strategy makes me want to scream, I guess I’m glad that Tressel is still the coach that he was a month ago. No amount of ESPN talking head commentary changed that; and his integrity is not tarnished at all, in my mind.
@23
As my civic duty, I propose that Tsunami pay extra taxes. Who’s with me?
@23
I propose the Lombardi Bowl (Lambeau), the Windy City Bowl (Soldier Field), and the Burning River Bowl (Browns Stadium) be created immediately. Let’s see SEC/PAC Whatever teams play outside, in the Midwest, in December/January and see how things turn out. Why can’t a national championship game be played in the elements?
@B-bo
It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the elements. (I whole heartily wished EVERY football game was played in the elements. No Domes please.)
But, at least play one of the BCS bowls in the Indianapolis Colts dome. Big Ten country.
Man, I hate Tressel’s play-calling. What’s it ever gotten us other than multiple Big Ten championships, repeated chances at a national title, domination of Michigan, and wins in the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl and a National Championship. Ridiculous.
@EZ – I’m with you.
@B-bo and Matty – to support: did you watch the Miami v. ND game? El Paso had a little snow and the Miami players were acting like it was GB in February (long sleeves, hats under helmets, etc). ND players were acting like it was the warmest day they had seen in a month or so (which it probably was). End result: ND flying all over the field and Miami playing tentatively.
@mgbode
Didn’t see the game. Not surprised. Now, play that game in the “Orange Bowl” and you’ll have Notre Dame players cramping up and Miami players flying all over the field…
/THE NCAA IS SO FAIR