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| Knights Defense, no match vs. Braxton (141 rushing yards, 3 TD's) |
Box Score: Ohio State 31, UCF 16 Final
The picture pretty much summarizes the Buckeyes game from this past weekend vs. UCF. The Knights defense were unable to chase down, Ohio State's starting QB Braxton Miller, who again, "put the team on his back", accounting for 296 yards of total offense, 4 TD's (3 rushing). It was another record setting day for Braxton, with his 3 rushing scores (37, 6, 8) became the 1st Buckeye QB to rush for that many in a single game since 1978. With starting running back Carlos Hyde leaving the game in the 1st half (knee injury), the Buckeyes offense centered around the arm/legs of Braxton, as the Urban spread attack still is a work-in-progress. There were some +/- I saw in the game on Saturday, but on a day that saw the Big Ten go 6-6, it was nice to see the Buckeyes come out early take the lead, then surge ahead earlier in the 2nd half. On another note, how ignoring was it to hear them continue to talk about the "noise" factor in regards to Ohio Stadium? C'mon, thanks a lot Grandpa O'Leary.
Offense:
First and for most, Braxton can't rush for 27 carries a game and expect to survive the entire season. Two games into the season, the focal point of this offense has been Braxton. He has had to use his legs just as much as his arm if not more. The Buckeyes need to find some playmakers on this side of the ball. It's unacceptable that THE Ohio State University football team, can't have multiple playmakers on offense that can take the load off of the QB a little. The way its going now, come November 24th, we might as well have Braxton & D-Rob go 1 v 1 against each other. I'm a little disappointed they haven't gone to wideout Senior Jake Stoneburner more then they have. Stoney was able to catch his 1st TD of the season in the 3rd quarter, but finished the game with just 2 catches for 20 yards. I thought this offense relied on the big TE-type kind of guy. The OL in nicer words then my father put it, are a bunch of "sissy's", again failing at times to move the line, and coming up short again on another 4th and short situation. Looks like the Buckeyes offense will be without Carlos Hyde for the next couple of weeks, and waiting on Jordan Hall to return from a off-season foot injury, the Buckeyes need to solve the issue that has come alive in the first two weeks of the season. THEY NEED SOMEONE ELSE, NOT NAMED B. MILLER TO RUN THE BALL AND BE A PLAYMAKER!
Defense:
A 3rd and 21 (unacceptable) and a 4th and Goal, were all that stood in between the Silver Bullets and a 2nd half shutout of the Knights offense on Saturday afternoon. Two games in, and this unit is struggling to get to the QB. Names like Simon, and Hawkins were basically unheard of Saturday. The youngsters on the front four, where the ones that garnered the QB sacks. A unit that returned 9 starters from a year ago (all be it struggled at times), you would like to see a little more improvement and consistence, then what I have seen so far. At times, the DB's are allowing WR's to run free (zone-defense), poor tackling accounting for extra yardage on plays. I guess, I've just been spoiled the past decade from past Buckeyes defense, and have to remember, like the offense, the defense is a work-in-progress and will get better (hopefully!) as the season goes along. On a positive note, the Buckeyes were able to force three INT's, especially at critical points in the game. I'd like to see a little more pressure on the QB and continue to force TO's (6 so far in the 1st two games).
Next Week:
The Buckeyes (2-0), now have a week to solve the RB situation, before the California Golden Bears (1-1) come to Columbus for their game on Saturday. Come back later this week for the game preview in the next installment of Urban Renewal.
Offense:
First and for most, Braxton can't rush for 27 carries a game and expect to survive the entire season. Two games into the season, the focal point of this offense has been Braxton. He has had to use his legs just as much as his arm if not more. The Buckeyes need to find some playmakers on this side of the ball. It's unacceptable that THE Ohio State University football team, can't have multiple playmakers on offense that can take the load off of the QB a little. The way its going now, come November 24th, we might as well have Braxton & D-Rob go 1 v 1 against each other. I'm a little disappointed they haven't gone to wideout Senior Jake Stoneburner more then they have. Stoney was able to catch his 1st TD of the season in the 3rd quarter, but finished the game with just 2 catches for 20 yards. I thought this offense relied on the big TE-type kind of guy. The OL in nicer words then my father put it, are a bunch of "sissy's", again failing at times to move the line, and coming up short again on another 4th and short situation. Looks like the Buckeyes offense will be without Carlos Hyde for the next couple of weeks, and waiting on Jordan Hall to return from a off-season foot injury, the Buckeyes need to solve the issue that has come alive in the first two weeks of the season. THEY NEED SOMEONE ELSE, NOT NAMED B. MILLER TO RUN THE BALL AND BE A PLAYMAKER!
Defense:
A 3rd and 21 (unacceptable) and a 4th and Goal, were all that stood in between the Silver Bullets and a 2nd half shutout of the Knights offense on Saturday afternoon. Two games in, and this unit is struggling to get to the QB. Names like Simon, and Hawkins were basically unheard of Saturday. The youngsters on the front four, where the ones that garnered the QB sacks. A unit that returned 9 starters from a year ago (all be it struggled at times), you would like to see a little more improvement and consistence, then what I have seen so far. At times, the DB's are allowing WR's to run free (zone-defense), poor tackling accounting for extra yardage on plays. I guess, I've just been spoiled the past decade from past Buckeyes defense, and have to remember, like the offense, the defense is a work-in-progress and will get better (hopefully!) as the season goes along. On a positive note, the Buckeyes were able to force three INT's, especially at critical points in the game. I'd like to see a little more pressure on the QB and continue to force TO's (6 so far in the 1st two games).
Next Week:
The Buckeyes (2-0), now have a week to solve the RB situation, before the California Golden Bears (1-1) come to Columbus for their game on Saturday. Come back later this week for the game preview in the next installment of Urban Renewal.
