Buckeye Monday: Golden Gophers Review

Buckeyes Blast the Gophers……

What a difference one week makes!!! Coming off one of the poorest performances in years the Buckeyes proved that they can make plays on offense and the defense can still dominate games. I’m glad that Terrelle Pryor didn’t let all the negative press get him in a mental hole that he wouldn’t be able to run and pass his way out of. When he ran, he ran with conviction and when he threw the ball it was with better vision and mechanics. He still has a ways to go but this was a very important week for him and the team. Showing progress after last week was huge. Here’s hoping he and the coaching staff can build on this performance in the last four weeks of the season.

What worked?

#1 The play calling was much better this week. 509 yards of offense was pretty evenly split between running and passing….230 yards in the air and 279 on the ground. I was happy to see Tressel stick with the running game even after Saine left the game with what is being reported as a concussion. Jordon Hall is proving to be a capable back and Jermil Martin looked great when he got his chances in the second half. With Herron and Saine injured (for how long I don’t know), having capable backs to rely on will be huge to take some of the pressure off Pryor. In addition, I was thrilled to see Pryor throw the ball downfield on several plays. I think showing off the vertical passing game will give Penn State, Iowa and Michigan something to think about as the prep for the upcoming games.

#2 Welcome back to the Silver Bullets on defense. The third string gave up a late touchdown that blew a chance for a third shutout this season. That was a small price to pay given that the new players got a chance to see meaningful minutes. Thad Gibson is a monster. Is anyone playing better defense in the Big Ten than him? He showed once again that he can take over a game when he wants to.

#3 Special mention goes to Posey, Hall and Martin. Heck…I’ll even give a shout out to Pryor here.

What didn’t work?

#1 What’s up with the fans? The Shoe seemed quite today. I know it was cold and a bit wet in Columbus but come on.

#2 The kicking game is seems to be lacking this year. Tressel says the punt is the most important play in football. Thoma is not producing the types of kicks that can change field position that we have come to expect in the Tressel era. In addition, Pettrey’s kick-offs never came close to reaching the goal line and he missed another chip shot. I hope these issues are addressed for the last four games.

#3 Where has Duron Carter gone? He showed some pretty good hands earlier in the year and I thought he deserved an expanded role in the offense. I wonder if he’s in someone’s doghouse.

What’s next?
The mighty Aggies of New Mexico State come to Columbus next weekend. I hope this turns out to be a game much like the UM – Delaware State game last week. I don’t know anything about this team but I don’t think they will provide much of a challenge. I’ll be in attendance looking for continued improvement from Pryor, more domination from the defense and a lopsided score at the end of the game. I have it 45-6 Buckeyes.

Go Bucks!!!

Buckeye John