This High-Def Buckeye pump-up video is, in a word, BADASS! Thank you to Kade Jetland for posting it!
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Showing posts with label luke fickell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luke fickell. Show all posts
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Not That You Needed Another Reason To Get Jacked Up About Buckeye Football, But Watch This Anyway!
By HD Handshoe — BlockONation.com Founder
This High-Def Buckeye pump-up video is, in a word, BADASS! Thank you to Kade Jetland for posting it!
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Check Out Other BlockNation Articles - Click Here
This High-Def Buckeye pump-up video is, in a word, BADASS! Thank you to Kade Jetland for posting it!
@BlockONationNation Articles - Click Here
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Leadership From Players Main Key To Success For Ohio State in 2012
By Nick Weaver — BlockONation.com Featured Contributor
Nobody wants to see mugshots of any Buckeye football player, Unfortunately, this article contains a couple, so if you're squeamish, you better look away.
Once again, offseason scandal has plagued the Buckeyes this summer — thankfully on a much smaller scale this time around compared to the Tatgate scandal that led to Jim Tressel's dismissal, a horrifically disappointing 2011 season, and the eventual one-year postseason and bowl ban given to the program by the NCAA.
Only three players thus far have decided to break the law “allegedly”. The latest was senior linebacker Storm Klein, who was potentially in the mix for a starting position this upcoming season, before being charged with domestic violence and assault.
Preceding Klein on the Buckeye blotter were TE, Jake Stoneburner and OL, Jack Mewhort. While Klein decided to rough up his child's mother, Stoneburner and Mewhort publicly urinated during memorial weekend, and then ran from the police.
Klein was dismissed from the team by Meyer on July 8th. Stoneburner and Mewhort lost their scholarships for the summer, and despite the charges being dismissed against them, at last check, they remain suspended indefinitely — for the time being anyway.
I mentioned these incidents to lay a foundation so I could pose a question that has been bothering me since last season when we fell apart late in games.
Where is the player leadership on this team, especially from the upperclassmen?
I know they vote on captains each year, but I didn't see the captains gain control of the team late in games last year, or during this offseason either.
Sure, it's only three players with relatively minor charges compared to last year, and extremely minuscule compared to what happened at Penn State, but exercise your brain and think.
Who was the leader last year on the field? Miller goes down vs. Nebraska and the team completely fell apart.
Was it Fickel? He gets the blame because he was the head coach, but there has to be upperclassmen leadership on the field and in the locker room. Anyone that has played sports knows exactly what I am talking about.
I give props to John Simon because he is a beast and led the defense on the field making a lot of heroic plays, however, I can’t name anyone from the offensive side of the ball that I can say was a clear leader.
Boom Herron gets partial credit for the last two games of the year, but it just wasn’t near enough in my eyes.
The 2012 season will be upon us in no time, and who is going to lead the team this year on (and off) the field and in the locker room?
Urban Meyer will have them ready to play each game — that's a given — but so did Fickell for the most part last year.
Then again, in many games, we looked like we never arrived at the stadium until late in the game.
The Silver Bullets need a leader to emerge with only 48 days until the season kicks off and “Urban Warfare” begins!
Even though I question who will lead come September 1st, I will have my jersey and Buckeye beads on, ready to ride or die, and cheer our Buckeyes to victory!
@BlockONation
@Nick_Weav
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Nobody wants to see mugshots of any Buckeye football player, Unfortunately, this article contains a couple, so if you're squeamish, you better look away.Once again, offseason scandal has plagued the Buckeyes this summer — thankfully on a much smaller scale this time around compared to the Tatgate scandal that led to Jim Tressel's dismissal, a horrifically disappointing 2011 season, and the eventual one-year postseason and bowl ban given to the program by the NCAA.
Only three players thus far have decided to break the law “allegedly”. The latest was senior linebacker Storm Klein, who was potentially in the mix for a starting position this upcoming season, before being charged with domestic violence and assault.
Preceding Klein on the Buckeye blotter were TE, Jake Stoneburner and OL, Jack Mewhort. While Klein decided to rough up his child's mother, Stoneburner and Mewhort publicly urinated during memorial weekend, and then ran from the police.Klein was dismissed from the team by Meyer on July 8th. Stoneburner and Mewhort lost their scholarships for the summer, and despite the charges being dismissed against them, at last check, they remain suspended indefinitely — for the time being anyway.
I mentioned these incidents to lay a foundation so I could pose a question that has been bothering me since last season when we fell apart late in games.
Where is the player leadership on this team, especially from the upperclassmen?
I know they vote on captains each year, but I didn't see the captains gain control of the team late in games last year, or during this offseason either.
Sure, it's only three players with relatively minor charges compared to last year, and extremely minuscule compared to what happened at Penn State, but exercise your brain and think.
Who was the leader last year on the field? Miller goes down vs. Nebraska and the team completely fell apart.
Was it Fickel? He gets the blame because he was the head coach, but there has to be upperclassmen leadership on the field and in the locker room. Anyone that has played sports knows exactly what I am talking about.
I give props to John Simon because he is a beast and led the defense on the field making a lot of heroic plays, however, I can’t name anyone from the offensive side of the ball that I can say was a clear leader.
Boom Herron gets partial credit for the last two games of the year, but it just wasn’t near enough in my eyes.
The 2012 season will be upon us in no time, and who is going to lead the team this year on (and off) the field and in the locker room?
Urban Meyer will have them ready to play each game — that's a given — but so did Fickell for the most part last year.
Then again, in many games, we looked like we never arrived at the stadium until late in the game.
The Silver Bullets need a leader to emerge with only 48 days until the season kicks off and “Urban Warfare” begins!
Even though I question who will lead come September 1st, I will have my jersey and Buckeye beads on, ready to ride or die, and cheer our Buckeyes to victory!
@BlockONation @Nick_Weav Nation Front PageWednesday, January 18, 2012
Urban Meyer Interview With BTN's Gerry DiNardo (Part I)
As you may have read a couple days ago here on BlockONation.com, Coach Meyer gave a tour of his new office and sat for an interview with BTN's Gerry DiNardo.
The tour was aired (and posted here) on the 16th.
Here is part I of the interview.
Meyer's comments on Fickell might surprise you a bit -- but then again, given the 2011 season -- maybe not.
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Nation Front PageMonday, January 16, 2012
Urban Meyer Introduces New Football Coaching Staff During Men's Basketball vs. Indiana (1/15/12)
At halftime of the Ohio State-Indiana basketball game Sunday, Urban Meyer introduced his completed coaching staff to the capacity crowd at a sold out Schottenstein Center.
Check out the video:
One thing was for sure in addition to the excitement over Meyer taking over the program -- the crowd loved them some Luke Fickell!
The 2012 Spring game can't get here fast enough, although, our basketball team is filling the void extremely well.
Let's hope they make a very deep tourney run -- i.e. win it all -- come March and pave the way into a great Spring!
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Nation Front PageSunday, January 1, 2012
Ohio State vs. Florida 2012 Gator Bowl — Outlook, History Lesson, and Prediction
Ohio State/Florida—A Few Opening Thoughts...
The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Florida Gators would both probably like to forget their 2011 regular seasons and head into the off season on a high note with a win in the 2012 Gator Bowl.This will be the final game for the current Buckeye coaching staff. As you may have heard, Ohio State hired some guy by the name of Urban Meyer to take over their program next season.
While Luke Fickell and his staff have been focused on their final game, Meyer has been focused on catapulting the Ohio State 2012 recruiting class from barely in the top 25, up into the top 10.
Team Overview / Players of Note
FloridaThe Florida Gator offense ranks 102nd nationally at 334 yards per game. They are 9th in total defense, allowing an average of 299.6 yards per game, and rank 9th in points allowed per game (20.6).
Quarterback John Brantley -- who has passed for 1,912, yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions -- is expected to start for the Gators, while freshmen Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel could also each play. Both have struggled, however, combining for just 354 yards and two touchdowns, with six INTs.
Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps split carries and combined for 1,329 yards and eight touchdowns.
Andre Debose and Chris Rainey were the top two receivers for Florida with 15 catches for 423 yards and 28 catches for 350 yards respectively. Debose caught four passes for scores while Rainey added two touchdown catches.
Ohio StateOhio State is 107th in total offense (320 yards per game) nationally. They are 24th in total defense, allowing an average of 328.6 yards per game, and rank 27th in points allowed per game (20.8).
The Silver Bullets had 23 sacks and 12 interceptions during the regular season.
QB Braxton Miller passed for 997 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for another 695 yards seven rushing touchdowns.
Tailback Dan Herron finished second on the team with 596 yards and three scores, followed closely by Carlos Hyde with 549 yards and six scores.
The Buckeye passing game was very inconsistent and the receiving statistics reflect that. Devin Smith led the team in yardage with 247 yards on 12 catches, including four for scores. Corey Brown was second with 14 catches for 205 yards and tight end Jake Stoneburner finished the regular season with 14 catches and 193 yards.
Ohio State—Florida History Lesson
And Trends• Ohio State is 0-1 all-time vs. Florida.
• Ohio State is 20-22 all-time is bowl games.
• Ohio State last played in the Gator Bowl in 1978.
• Ohio State is 1-10 in bowl games vs. SEC opponents.
• Ohio State is making their 11th straight bowl games appearance, a streak that will end next year.
• Ohio State's defense has held opponent to fewer than 10 points 31 times since 2006.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed just nine 100-yard rushers in their last 48 games.
• Ohio State has held 67 opponents to 21 points or less since the start of the 2005 season.
• Florida is 6-2 all-time in the Gator Bowl.
• Florida is making their 21st consecutive bowl game appearance.
• Florida went 0-5 during the regular season vs. top 25 teams, while Ohio State went 2-4.
Final Thoughts and Score Prediction
The 2012
Something has to give and it's not likely going to be Ohio State's defense.
The Gators lost six of their last eight games to end the season and in those games, they averaged less than 225 yards and 12 points.
Look for the Silver Bullets to ramp up the heat on Brantley -- who was picked off three times in the season finale by Florida State -- and to score or at least set up an easy score or two for Miller and the OSU offense.
This meeting feels like it's going to be close throughout with moderate scoring, unlike the 41-14 loss Ohio State suffered at the hands of their new coach and his 2006 Gators team, but Miller and the Buckeye defense SHOULD be the difference.
Ohio State 27
Florida 20
"To be a champion, you have to believe in yourself when no one else will" - Sugar Ray Robinson
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Nation Front PageFriday, December 30, 2011
A Closer Look at Everbank Field, Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Ohio State and Florida will face off Monday, January 2nd in the 2012 Gator Bowl, and in case you are going to the game, our friends at Stadium Journey dropped us a link to their review of the stadium in Jacksonville which you may find useful.
Jaguars’ Half-Empty House: A Good Bargain
Official Review by Jack Harver, Stadium Journey Correspondent
Ten weeks into the 2009 season, Jacksonville Municipal Stadium has been one of the NFL's most buzzworthy facilities. Not for being big and flashy like the Dallas Cowboys' new billion-dollar home—it isn't—and not because it's on a farewell tour like Giants Stadium. (Not yet, at least.)Instead, "The Jack" has been a hot topic for the national media because it's practically empty for Jaguars games.
There are over 67,000 seats in the stadium, not including almost 10,000 in the upper corners that remain covered—like training wheels for drawing a "sellout" crowd. But Jacksonville sold less than 46,000 tickets on average for each of the team's first three home contests this year, with reported attendance figures closer to 40,000 per game.
The upshot? Walk-up ticket buyers can score seats that would be prime real estate in other NFL stadiums.
Lower-level tickets were available on the team's website less than a week before the game, including one in the corner of the north end zone that provided an excellent view of the Jaguars' 24-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Inside the Jack, Section 118, Row H
With Jacksonville residents spending their Sunday afternoons elsewhere—in one of the many churches within walking distance of the stadium, perhaps—the Jaguars have won three of their four home games.
At 5-4 on the year, they're dark horse playoff contenders despite bidding good-bye to over half of last year's 53-man roster and starting four rookies from their 2009 draft crop.
Factor in top-tier superstars like running back Maurice Jones-Drew and cornerback Rashean Mathis, and Jacksonville's on-field product figures to be respectable for years to come. Like the team, the fan experience at The Jack isn't mind-blowing, but it has its pluses.
View and read the article in its' entirety at StadiumJourney.com
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Nation Front PageThursday, December 15, 2011
Urban Meyer Landing Some Big Fish In The Ohio State Recruiting Net
by Nick Weaver - BlockONation Contributor
Urban Meyer is doing what he does best — setting fire to the recruiting trail.A great movie phrase comes to mind here -- “If you build it they will come”.
Urban has built a great reputation with Florida and it has carried over to tOSU. I have to insert my props to Coach Tressel for building a super foundation that Urban can just step in and run with.
I know what you are thinking, what about Luke? I know many think he did a good job, but me, I am not so sure.
I believe with the structure that was set up anyone could have went 6-6 with this Buckeye team. Let me get back on point, however. Urban has swooped in and made an impact in recruiting in just a couple weeks.
Meyer has been robbing the cradles of the other power house B1G teams. With the verbals received from Tommy Schutt and Se'von Pittman (pictured at left), both Penn State and Michigan State have already felt the intoxicating effects of Urban, while Wisconsin is next up to get robbed. I can't wait to hear Biliema's remarks afterwards.
Running back Bri'onte Dunn realized his future will be better at Ohio State instead of going up north to scUm, and reassured the Buckeye Nation that he is 150% Buckeye!
Meyer has been able to do all that along with staying in tune with the fight going on over the baby bearing Urban as his middle name in Florida. Urban has developed a simple pitch that he tells the recruits -- “Not a Big Ten championship, not a national championship, but multiple championships”.
I really believe there are several top-notch guys yet to change their allegiances out of the top 150. Urban has now locked in his coordinators and the two-week Christmas break could see a couple other Christmas presents under the tree for Buckeye fans.
The Meyer camp has already started to turn down WRs because the team is practically overloaded at the position -- Urban recently added a couple of height and speed guys to our already fast receiving core.
While many complain that it is unfair for tOSU to have two separate coaching staffs, I say rubbish! It's an NCAA rule that many other schools have been granted use of.
Over a few thousand dollars in tattoos, the NCAA launched an investigation that has almost totaled one-million dollars (in my Austin powers voice) in costs.
I didn’t hear those critics feeling sorry for OSU during the season, amazingly enough. I can’t imagine the bill to investigate the “U” when that gets going.
The way I see it, the NCAA owes Ohio State this much, seeing as how they came in and took our lunch and ate it right in front of us, i.e. Hall, Howard, Herron, and especially Posey (excessive) suspensions.
I know everyone is as excited as I am to see what will happen the next couple months right up until NSD in February. I have already talked to many folks that wish it were Spring, 2012 NOW!
It can't get here soon enough.
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Nation Front PageMonday, December 12, 2011
Ohio State—Ann Arbor Highlights (Week 13, Game 12 - 11/26/2011)
In the midst of all the Urban Meyer to Ohio State news, we inadvertently overlooked posting the Ohio State @ Ann Arbor highlights.
Despite the narrow defeat to Ann Arbor -- Ohio State's first (and last for a while) since the 2003 season -- the young Buckeyes, led by true freshmen QB Braxton Miller, fought hard and were never out of the game -- unfortunately coming up just a little bit short in the end, 40-34.
Ann Arbor fans better enjoy this one, because the young, yet talented Bucks are trending upwardly and with Urban Meyer taking over at Ohio State, the talent pool is only going to get deeper -- meaning Ann Arbor can expect another long Buckeye winning streak to commence in 2012, 349 days from today.
Now, without further delay, here are the Ohio State-Ann Arbor game highlights.
This Ohio State-Purdue highlight video was produced by lednerk and is brought to you exclusively by BlockONation.
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Nation Front PageTuesday, November 29, 2011
Ohio State New Head Coach Urban Meyer's Full Press Conference
Among various topics, Urban discusses his new gig, his family, his health, his goals for the program, his excitement over his new QB, and a little about who will be on his TBD staff.
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Videos by ElevenWarriors
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Nation Front PageMonday, November 28, 2011
Urban Meyer Named "New Coach of Ohio State" Announcement Seemingly Just a Formality Now...
With the 2011 regular season having just ended rather unpleasantly in Ann Arbor for Ohio State and Buckeye fans, the news that Urban Meyer has -- or at least will -- formally accept the position of head football coach at Ohio State later today (rumor has it a 6PM presser is lined up) is a much-welcomed distraction from what has been one miserable year.Let's see...
The Tressel emails.
Tatgate.
DeGernoimo's overpayments.
Jim Bollman.
Losing to TTUN.
According to NevadaBuck, a program insider on the BSB message boards over at Scout.com, Meyer to Ohio State has been in the works for at least a full month.
NB also stated in October that Meyer would make an appearance at halftime of the Ohio State-Duke basketball game (a la Jim Tressel) Tuesday night -- a prediction that seems very likely to come to fruition once the ink dries on the reported 7-year, 40-million dollar contract.
This move is crucial for Ohio State regarding recruiting. National Signing Day is a mere three months away and Meyer's hiring should preserve the statuses of the current recruits, and perhaps sway a few others to come aboard.
Already, there are rumors that QB Jeff Driskell, a freshman at Florida this past season, might consider transferring to Ohio State if indeed Meyer is named coach.
Ricquan Southward, a 6'3" WR from Lakeland, Florida has changed his mind and decommitted from Miami (FL) and is now verbally committed to the Buckeyes.
UPDATE -- 7:27AM -- IT'S OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL!
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Nation Front PageTuesday, November 22, 2011
Ohio State—Penn State Highlights (Week 12, Game 11 - 11/19/2011)
If there was any doubt remaining that Luke Fickell and the Ohio State coaching staff sealed their fates with the pathetic effort and loss at Purdue, the home loss to Penn State removed any and all of that remaining doubt Saturday -- and then some.
It seems as though something has been agreed to in principle but there will be no official announcement until there's something official to announce -- thus, the Urban Meyer official announcement clock is still ticking, for now...........
I've been saying all along (since NB from Scout.com posted as such) that halftime of the Ohio State vs. Duke b-ball game on November 29th and the (top secret) Urban Meyer to Ohio State announcement can't get here soon enough!
Recently, Jody aka BuckeyesGirl33 suggested to me that the job apparently must be posted for two weeks before an announcement can be made?
I am unaware of the NCAA particulars regarding what a University must do in regards to posting and filling a coaching position, but if true, all that does IMO is delay the inevitable.
BOTH sides (Urban & tOSU) want this and it will happen, even if it's mid-December before it can be official.
Anyway, here are the OSU-PSU "highlights" if you can stand to watch them....
This Ohio State-Purdue highlight video was produced by lednerk and is brought to you exclusively by BlockONation.
Nation Front PageSaturday, November 19, 2011
Ohio State-Purdue Recap: Buckeyes Upset by Boilermakers in West Lafayette AGAIN
By Special Contributor Chris HollowayAuthor’s note: I apologize for the lateness of this recap. I was sick to my stomach for most of the weekend, and not just from the outcome of the game. HD was kind enough to not pester me once about it, and for that I am eternally grateful. Next week’s recap of the Penn State contest should come in on time and with a lot more emotion. -- Chris
The #7 ranked Buckeyes headed into Ross-Ade Stadium on a four game winning streak, their unbeaten season already dashed by the Trojans of USC. Ohio State fans had every reason to believe that this game was a gimme, as the last time they had lost to a team with a losing record had been Jim Tressel’s first season, way back in 2001.Upon leaving the stadium, the Buckeyes felt deflated. They had just endured a game that saw QB phenom Terrelle Pryor fumble the ball multiple times. They had just seen their second loss of the season, one that was almost unconscionable. They were beaten, bruised, and battered.
Two years later, Ohio State traveled back to Purdue University, eager to show that the 2009 game was a fluke, an aberration. Yet, just as they had two years previous, the Buckeyes left with another stunning loss. The main difference between this one and that was not the turnovers – the Bucks actually won the turnover battle in this game – it was the effectiveness of the defense.
One shining spot of this season had been Jim Heacock’s crew, yet for the second week in a row, the Silver Bullets seemed flat. The normally stingy defense, ranked 16th in the country coming into the game, could do almost nothing to prevent Purdue’s offense from moving down the field.
Just as they had last week against Indiana, the Buckeyes permitted their opponents to jump out to a 10 point first quarter lead. The outcome, however, would be immensely different.
Ohio State fans watching from the stands and at home could see from the very beginning that this would be a replay of the Indiana game. Their first drive lasted only 1:07, a three and out. Purdue took the Buchanan punt on their own 41 yard line, a rare short punt for the normally lethal team MVP. The Boilermakers proceeded to march down the field, only to settle for a field goal from the Ohio State 2 yard line.
Another three and out by the Buckeyes, and another below average punt from Buchanan gave TerBush and crew the football at their own 40. The Purdue QB took his team down field once again, and with the help of Akeem Shavers, put it in the end zone for the 10 point lead after the Wiggs PAT.
WalrusBall reared its ugly head once again, as for the third straight drive; the Buckeyes could not muster a first down and were forced to punt again. The first quarter came to an end with Purdue at their own 48 yard line, and threatening once again.
Whether it was the players or the coaches that got the team fired up, one can only wonder. But when the second period started, the Buckeye defense came out hungry and stopped the Boilermakers, forcing a punt to the Ohio State 32.
Determined to give the Silver Bullets more than a minute of rest, Miller came out firing, hitting Boom Herron for a 20 yard strike followed by a nifty 7 yard run of his own. 5 plays later, Braxton showed that he has the ability to pass the ball as well as run it, as evidenced by the 38 yard touchdown toss to Jordan Hall across the middle. After a Basil PAT, the Bucks were only down a measly 3 points.
Three plays into the ensuing drive, TerBush hit Justin Siller, who promptly fumbled the football and then recovered it himself. Buckeyes fans knew that the team had to create turnovers, but also realized that creating and actually recovering are two different things altogether. After a false start put Purdue into a third and long situation, an incomplete pass by TerBush forced another punt.
Kawann Short, who would be named B1G Co-Defensive Player of the Week, got to Miller in the backfield for a sack that cost the Buckeyes 5 yards. Two more plays could not produce a first down, and just like that, the Bucks were back into three and out mode. Buchanan boomed his best punt of the day thus far, and even though Gravesande fumbled the kick, the Buckeyes could not recover.
Robert Marve, the transfer from the University of Miami, came out as the Purdue QB on the next drive and promptly led his team 88 yards down the grass, capped by a 7 yard rush by Ralph Bolden for a touchdown. The Boilermakers were up by 10 again after the Wiggs point after with a little over 3 minutes left in the half.
Carlos Hyde, back in the return game, delivered a good runback to the 28 yard line and Miller & Company went back to work. A completion to Hall for 7 yards gave the fans something to be excited about, until Tackle Bruce Gaston sacked Braxton for a loss of 5. Buchanan punted yet again and Ohio State was aided by a holding penalty on Purdue to pin the Boilermakers at their own 11.
Danny Hope was content to run the clock down, perhaps confident that Coach Fickell would forget his timeout signal again. Fickell did not oblige, and the Bucks managed to get the ball back with under a minute left in the half after forcing their own three and out.
Starting at midfield, Miller tossed a pass to his new favorite receiver, Devin Smith for a 14 yard gain, and added another 2 on the ground before Drew Basil came out to attempt a 50 yarder that ended up no good. The Bucks went into the half down 10, but looking like a team that should have been down by three scores or more. The offense had no spark, the offensive line was not protecting Miller, and the usually stout defense was flat.
The second half saw the Boilermakers gain possession of the kickoff, and apparently something that Jim Heacock had said in the locker room resonated with the defense, as they forced their second consecutive three and out.
Taking over at their own 42, Miller turned and handed the ball to Hall, who took it 25 yards to the Purdue 33. Just 2 plays later, Hyde got the offense into the red zone with a ten yard gain, and after a Purdue timeout, Miller added 14 of his own to get his team down to the 6. After El Guapo lost a yard, Miller once again found the end zone with his legs, sauntering in to bring the Buckeyes within 3 points once again.
A massive kick by Basil was all but negated as Raheem Mostert brought the ball back 27 yards to the Purdue 30. An 18 yard strike from TerBush to Antavian Edison gave the Boilermakers a first down, but Ryan Shazier entered beast mode and found his way into the backfield to put TerBush on his back and force a fumble. But, as was the story of the day, Ohio State could not recover the fumble and were instead forced to return a punt.
Both offenses remained stagnant throughout the remainder of the third quarter and the team entered the final quarter of regulation with Purdue still up by three, 17-14. A quick incompletion from Miller forced Buchanan to trot out once again, kicking from his own 8 yard line. Purdue fair caught the punt and started the last quarter at their own 45. Marve was back in for the Boilermakers, and behind the rushing attack of Bolden was able to get his squad down to the 27 yard line for a 44 yard field goal from Wiggs. The game was still within reach, a manageable 6 point deficit.
After yet another sack, this time by Short – his second of the game – Miller showed why he’s a dual threat by taking the rock himself for a 17 yard scamper. TY Williams saw his first catch in a dog’s age, a 13 yard reception to put the team at midfield. Facing another third and ten, Braxton ran to his left for 11 yards to breathe new life into the team.
It was all for naught as two incompletions and a meager rush from Hyde forced the Bucks to perform the most important play in football. The defense, with a rare extended rest, came out fighting, forcing a three and out once again.
With just over 6 minutes remaining in the game, it appeared that Braxton Miller would need to perform some last minute heroics once again. And once again, the QB of the future delivered, driving his team 66 yards down field, ending with a 13 yard strike to Jordan Hall for Hall’s second touchdown reception of the game. It appeared that Miller had once again put this team on his shoulders and delivered another improbable win in the waning moments.
All that was needed was the PAT, the most routine of plays. But as all fans of the program know, nothing this season is routine. The Boilermakers came through the line and blocked Basil’s attempt, sending the Buckeyes to their first overtime game since 2009 against Iowa, the game that determined the Big Ten Champion that year. This game held similar importance to the Buckeyes, as they desperately need the win to stay in the chase.
The Bucks managed to convert their only turnover in the game in what was essentially garbage time, a badly thrown ball by Marve, intercepted by Orhian Johnson. It mattered very little, as Fickell was perfectly fine with letting the clock run out and going into overtime.
In the first overtime, the Buckeyes lost the coin toss and therefore had the ball on offense first. After 3 plays yielded all of 9 yards, Fickell was forced to settle for the easy points and put his season, and perhaps his long term job prospects on the defense.
Unfortunately, the normally stout Silver Bullets permitted Marve to push his way into the end zone after the completion to Bush was reviewed and the ball placed at about the ½ yard line, giving the Boilermakers the 26-23 win in OT.
The road to the Rose Bowl is all but lost to the Buckeyes at this point. While they got the help they needed from Nebraska, they failed to take care of business and are now looking up at both Penn State and Wisconsin in the Leaders Division. At this point, it would take a miracle for the Buckeyes to be able to punch their tickets to Lucas Oil Stadium.
They would need to win their remaining games against Penn State and Michigan, coupled with an additional loss by Wisconsin to clinch another Big Ten Title. Wisconsin closes out their season at Illinois and against the Nittany Lions and both games are thought to be manageable wins for the Badgers.
While the Rose Bowl, is all but out of sight for the Bucks – which would end a streak of consecutive BCS bowl games -- they still have a decent shot at a second tier bowl game, perhaps the Capital One Bowl or the Gator Bowl. In a season filled with distractions, suspensions, and an anemic offense, all can agree that the Buckeyes need those extra three weeks of practice, just to get ready for next season.
In all likelihood, we have witnessed the death knell on Luke Fickell’s tenure as Head Coach of the Buckeyes. Whoever comes in as The Big Nut next year has a lot to work on, but will be blessed with a ton of talent. Most agree, and I am one of them, that the Buckeyes suffer from a lack of adequate coaching on the offensive side of the ball.
My personal opinion – which does not necessarily reflect the views of BlockONation or the management – is that whoever comes in needs to clean house. But only up to a point.
Fickell, Vrabel, and Heacock are very, very good at what they do. Fickell alone is an outstanding recruiter. Vrabel keeps the defensive fires burning white hot, and Heacock is probably one of the top 3 defensive minds in the college game today.
A new head coach would be wise to keep these three on staff, but throw the remaining bums out onto High Street with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Nation Front PageSunday, October 30, 2011
Ohio State Upsets Wisconsin: Buckeyes Shock The World And Keep Their Big Ten Title Hopes Alive In One Fell Swoop
By Special Contributor Chris Holloway
Just a year ago, the Buckeyes were in the BCS driver’s seat. They had climbed the polls to #1 and winning out would have seen Jim Tressel in his fourth National Championship Game, tying him with Bob Stoops of Oklahoma. Ohio State simply had to go into Camp Randall and dismantle the Badgers of Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Scott Tolzien and the Bucky offense had other plans. Tressel, Pryor, and company left Madison disheartened, beaten, and out of the National Championship picture.
Wisconsin found themselves in a similar situation on October 22nd against Michigan State. And just like the Buckeyes, Bret Bielema and crew left the stadium -- their hopes of a National Championship run behind the skill of Russell Wilson and Montee Ball -- all but dashed on a last second Hail Mary.
They came into The Horseshoe with a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove. They set out to show that they are the new premier team in the B1G, even though they were looking up at Penn State in the Leaders division.
Bielema had said during the week that he missed Terrelle Pryor, if only because he wanted to shove Pryor’s words back down his throat. Pryor may have left Ohio State -- a trail of devastation in his wake -- but Daniel “Boom” Herron picked up his words and tossed them back to the Wisconsin sidelines.
Coach Fickell may have tried to downplay the revenge aspect of this game, but apparently nobody informed the team, least of all freshman phenom quarterback Braxton Miller and All-Everything tailback Boom Herron.
The previous game against Illinois saw just one completed forward pass from Ohio State. The Buckeyes were determined not to have that happen again. Not in a stadium filled with high profile recruits such as Bri'onte Dunn, among others.
Not during Homecoming Week.
Not on the night that Heisman Winner Eddie George was being honored at halftime for his contributions and being recognized for getting elected to the college football Hall of Fame, to which he will be inducted next summer.
And most definitely not on the night that the Buckeyes honored the 1961 championship team with their Nike Pro Combat Uniforms.
Ohio State was a perfect 2-0 in games in which they had worn the throwback alternate jerseys, and the sheer awesomeness of the uniform (I personally love the hell out of it, especially the helmet) would hopefully carry some luck into the game against the 15th ranked Badgers.
If you consider Jim Bollman to be an inept offensive coordinator, then Jim Heacock is the polar opposite. All season long the major bright spot of this team has been the extraordinary defense. This time would be no different. They swarmed the ball carriers, determined to contain the legs of Ball, White, and Wilson. And contain they did.
It wasn’t until about 5 minutes into the game that Ball caught a bullet from Wilson over the middle. Christian Bryant had read the play beautifully, and just missed the interception, and a probable pick-six.
Ball grabbed the pass and scampered into the Promised Land to give his team an early 7-0 lead. The defensive slugfest continued into the second quarter and culminated with a sack by Adam Bellamy, with a little help from defensive juggernaut John Simon to end the first half.
Ohio State took the second half kickoff and immediately came out swinging. Starting from their own 25 yard line, Braxton and company went to work. They reeled off 75 yards on seven plays during the march down the fiel.
Herron broke loose for a 57-yard run down to the Wisconsin 18, and then continued with another 18 yard run to put the ball on the 1. Initially, the call on the field was a touchdown, and would have given the Buckeyes a 9-6 lead, but upon official review, the call was overturned and the ball set back at the one-yard line.
Braxton punched it in for his first rushing touchdown of the night. On the very next drive -- after a three-and-out forced Wisconsin to "attempt" to punt -- Ryan Shazier came flying in from the left side and blocked the punt.
Ohio State recoverd on the one-yard line and three plays later, Jordan Hall skipped and pushed his way to the end zone to make the score 17-7.
The Badgers responded with an 11 play drive that ate up over five minutes of game time and 43 yards, culminating in a Montee Ball 1-yard touchdown run that closed the gap to three. Neither team would score the remainder of the quarter and Ohio State was set to start the final quarter with the ball, clinging to a slim three point lead.
One wrong move -- one false start -- or one stalled drive could end their Cinderella run. The first drive ended in a field goal, giving the team some breathing room, but not enough to to solidify their comfort level, or the eventual victory.
They led by just six, and desperately needed to stop the vaunted offense -- that had been averaging 47 points a game -- that Bielema brought to Columbus.
It wasn’t until their second drive that Ohio State got the cushion they were looking for in the form of a 44-yard run by Miller to record his second TD on the ground. The two-point conversion failed, but the Buckeyes still held a two possession lead, at 26-14.
But, as often happens -- even to a great defense in the latter stages of a supremely physical game -- the Silver Bullets gave up two huge plays that put the victory in jeopardy.
In just the span of two and a half minutes, Russell Wilson heaved TD passes of 49 and 17 yards to Abbrederis, giving the Badgers a one point lead. Bielema wisely chose to go for two, which the Badgers converted when Wilson tossed a clean shovel pass to Ball, who went virtually unmolested into the end zone, to give his team a 29-26 lead with just under a minute and a half left in the game.
Ohio State got the ball back with about a minute and 18 seconds on the clock after a fantastic return from Jordan Hall, all the way out to the 48 yard line.
From there, Buckeyes took over and finally showed the balanced offense that the coaches were talking up all week. After a 3 plays that garnered 12 yards, Miller took the snap, eluded a blocker -- or five, rolled to his right, and right as it appeared that he was going to take off running once again.
When he stopped short of the line of scrimmage and heaved the ball down the field, the collective breaths of 105,110 faithful also stopped short. It wasn’t until fellow true freshman Devin Smith came down with the ball in the end zone that anyone dared to breath. But when they did, it was to let out the loudest celebration yell the stadium had heard all night.
The Buckeyes had done the improbable. With 20 seconds left on the clock, the phenom had put his team on his back and delivered the go ahead touchdown. Wisconsin was out of timeouts. They had no way to effectively stop the clock.
Perhaps fearing a kickoff run back, Basil kicked the ball out of bounds and let Wilson take over at the 40. After two tosses that fell incomplete thanks to Bradley Roby and C.J. Barnett, Wilson heaved another desperation pass into double coverage.
The clock ran down to zero, but then, the yellow death came flying onto the field.
The Buckeyes were charged with two penalties, one declined, but the other, a facemask personal foul, was accepted -- giving the Badgers the ball in Buckeye territory for one, final, untimed down.
Wisconsin had one last chance. Wilson took the snap, had a decent pocket, and stepped up to the right. And just as he was about to unleash his own desperation Hail Mary, LB Andrew Sweat hit him from behind, sending the pass lazily to the turf.
It was done. The ongoing mission to shock the world and every sports pundit out there had finally come to fruition.
The fans began to rush the field for what was clearly an emotional win, given the past year for the squad. But tattoos, money, charities, and suspensions mattered not on this night.
This night, Ohio State showed the world that they can face severe adversity and punch it directly in the nether regions.
With Penn State unbeaten in, and atop the Leaders division, the Buckeyes nearly control their own fate from here on out. They face Penn State at home in three weeks, and Penn State also has to face Nebraska and Wisconsin.
If OSU wins out, and Penn State loses to either the Cornhuskers or the Badgers (a very distinct possibility), the Buckeyes will have their spot reserved in Lucas Oil Stadium for the inaugural B1G title game on December 3rd.
Buckeye Nation has renewed optimism and fervor for this team -- one that has been cobbled together by some members of its' own fanbase as a roster full of so-called misfits, thugs, and cheaters.
There was no inkling of that on the field last night, however -- and the scene for the post game rendition of Carmen, Ohio was nothing less than truly emotional.
The Buckeyes won't get to rest again the remainder of the season. They must ride this high into next week’s game, and through the season finale' in Ann Arbor on 11/26/11, if they have any intention of continuing this once improbable run towards yet another Big Ten Championship.
Nation Front PageWednesday, October 26, 2011
Ohio State vs. No. 15 Wisconsin - Week Nine (Game Eight) Outlook, History Lesson, and Prediction
Here's this week's feature. Sorry it's a day or two later than usual -- been under the weather -- enjoy!
OSU/Wisky—A Few Opening Thoughts...
Upset-minded Ohio State welcomes in the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers this Saturday night at Ohio Stadium in what is being projected as a Scarlet Out.There are a multitude of reasons why the Buckeyes need to win:
- Primetime, national stage game (8:00PM, ESPN) vs. a top 15 ranked opponent, in front of 105,000+ scarlet-clad fans.
- This is Ohio State's 90th Homecoming game. OSU is 65-19-5 in the previous 89.
- 1995 Heisman winner Eddie George is being honored at halftime.
- The Buckeyes are 2-0 (2009 and 2010 vs. Michigan) when wearing their Nike Pro Combat Jerseys. This year's uniforms are a tribute to the 1961 national champion Buckeyes.
- A win will close the gap and keep the Bucks on pace in the Big Ten and Leaders division standings.
- As @BlockONation follower Angie from Twitter tweeted -- It's about Revenge. Losing last year to Wisconsin in Madision as the then-No.1-ranked team in the nation is almost the best reason, only outdid by the classlessness displayed by Badger basketball fans and their head coach.
- Bo Ryan's elitist and condescending "Deal with it" response when asked about Badger fans spitting on Jared Sullinger as they stormed the court after the 71-67 upset win over the Buckeyes in the Kohl Center.
The outcome in The Shoe could hinge on if Wisconsin comes in fired up and focused, or down and dejected off of the MSU loss.
Brief Game Outlook / Players of Note
Having had two weeks to prepare, one would expect that regardless of whichever psyche the Badger football team shows up with, Ohio State will themselves come out fired up and focused. There's no reason this team should not perform like a well-oiled machine on BOTH sides of the ball.
WisconsinThe Badgers are ninth in the nation in total defense, allowing 121 yards rushing and just 165 yards passing per contest.
They also rank sixth nationally in fewest points allowed per game (13.6). Through the first seven games, the Badger defense has 18 sacks and seven interceptions.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, a leading Heisman candidate, has thrown for 1,780 passing yards, with 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions. His passer efficiency rating is 205.
Leading wide receiver Nick Toon has 27 catches for 505 yards, with six touchdowns. Jared Abbrederis is second with 30 receptions for 482 yards and two scores.
The running back duo of Montee Ball and James White are a powerful and dynamic one-two punch out the Badger backfield. Ball leads the team with 768 yards and 17 touchdowns, while White has added another 458 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Ball also has 190 receiving yards and two touchdown catches.
Ohio StateThe Buckeye defense is currently 16th in the nation in total defense, allowing 116 yards rushing, and 188 yards passing per game. They rank 12th in fewest points allowed per game (16.3). The defense has 14 sacks and nine interceptions through seven games.
Two weeks ago against then-No. 14 Illinois, Ohio State attempted just four passes the entire game, with one completion -- a 17 yard touchdown pass from Braxton Miller to TE Jake Stoneburner -- in a 17-7 upset over the previously unbeaten Illini.
That won't get it done this week against the Badgers.Quite the opposite effort will likely be needed for the Buckeyes to pull out a win over a Wisconsin team averaging mover 47 points per game.
Ohio State will, and must still do what they do best -- run the football -- but this is going to have to be Braxton Miller's coming-out party as a passing QB. If not, Buckeye fans could be in for a long night, and a huge letdown and a blowout loss.
On the season, Miller has 403 passing yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has 243 yards rushing and a current passer efficiency rating of 142.
Devin Smith has been quiet lately, but still leads the Buckeyes in receiving yardage with 187 yards on nine catches, including three for scores.
TE Jake Stoneburner is second on the team with 150 yards, but leads in receptions and touchdowns, with 12 and six respectively.
Even though Carlos Hyde now appears to be sitting third on the depth chart behind Dan Herron and Jordan Hall, he leads the team in rushing with 408 yards and five touchdowns. Hall has 321 yards rushing and a touchdown in five games, and Herron -- who made his return to the starting lineup at Illinois -- ran the ball 23 times for 114 yards and a score.
Ohio State—Wisconsin History Lesson
And Trends• Ohio State is 67-8 in Ohio Stadium since 2001.
• Ohio State is 247-64-20 all-time in October home games.
• Ohio State is 35-17 vs. opponents ranked in the top 25 since 2001.
• Ohio State has won three of the last four meetings against Wisconsin.
• Ohio State is 53-18-5 all-time vs. Wisconsin, including a 29-7-3 mark at home.
• Ohio State defense has held opponent to fewer than 10 points 31 times since 2006.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed just one 100-yard rusher in the past 25 games at home.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed just seven 100-yard rushers in their last 44 games.
• Ohio State has held 66 opponents to 21 points or less since the start of the 2005 season.
• This is the first meeting since 1963 where Wisconsin is ranked and Ohio State is unranked.
• Wisconsin is 1-3 against Ohio State under head coach Bret Bielema.
• Wisconsin is 28-2 under Bielema when holding opponents to under 300 total yards.
• Wisconsin has won three of the last five meetings against the Buckeyes in Columbus.
• Wisconsin is 50-6 under Bielema when scoring at least 20 points and 37-2 when allowing 20 points or less.
Final Thoughts and Score Prediction
Ohio State and Wisconsin both play traditional Big Ten football -- they like to run the ball -- but in Wilson, a seasoned fifth-year-senior transfer (NC State), the Badgers have the definitive edge in the passing game.
That being said, the defensive focus needs to be on containing Ball. He is the key to the Badger offense. If he has success, Wilson will in turn find it as well.
Last week, Wisconsin faced the best defense they had seen to date in East Lansing, and they left with a stinging loss.
The same fate could befall Bucky this week as they travel away from Madison to face another one of the top defenses in the Big Ten, especially if the Buckeyes abandon the conservatism on offense and incorporate the forward pass successfully into this weeks playbook.
On paper, almost everything suggests that the Badgers are the team to pick.
I was leaning in that direction, but then I saw the bad-ass, 1961 throwback helmets the Buckeyes are wearing and that changed everything...
Here's spit in your face Badger Nation -- DEAL WITH IT!
Ohio State 27
Wisconsin 24
"To be a champion, you have to believe in yourself when no one else will" - Sugar Ray Robinson
Nation Front PageTuesday, October 25, 2011
Luke Fickell Talks About The Ongoing NCAA Investigation, Wisconsin at Home, Recruiting, and His Own Future
There is also a couple of brief appearances by DT John Simon.
Video courtesy of BuckeyeGrove.com
Nation Front PageTuesday, October 18, 2011
Ohio State-Illinois—Week 7 Game Highlights
Finally, we see just how great the defense is and how good the offense can be pounding the rock, as the Buckeyes handed the Illini their 1st loss.
Woody would be so proud.
This Ohio State-Illinois highlight video was produced by lednerk and is brought to you exclusively by BlockONation.com
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