Perturbed Petulance

Colt, Cosby Coolly Cover Cap & Claim Championship

Dominant defense defines and dictates drives in championship football teams. The 2009 Fiesta foes, Texas and Ohio State, had their signature snubs starting the game. Texas was supposed to play in the BCS title game. Ohio State was supposed to be offered a non-BCS bid and ousted from the higher ranks. However the two commenced to clash last night, it was a respectable game all around.
The first half figures featured the OSU defense blitzing half the time. Facing the best defense all season, the Longhorns were forced to mix up their offensive plays. One final Buckeye blitz with 16 ticks creeping off the clock corralled the Columbus invitees. On the final drive, Texas quarterback, Colt McCoy, delivered the deciding blow. An open Quan Cosby snared a 26-yard bullet to seal a surprising 24-21 Texas toppling. Cosby finished his final college game with 171 yards, 14 receptions and two scores. McCoy passed for just under 200 yards in the first quarter but his number three Longhorns were still trailing 6-3 at the half. I give the Buckeye tremendous kudos for their containment of Colt. It’s too bad they were on the losing end and beaten on the final drive. Texas head coach, Mack Brown, adjusted his game plan just in time.
It was a bit of Buckeye bliss in the first half, with Chris “Beanie” Wells breaking loose accordingly. Wells ran for 106 yards to lead all rushers. He left the game early and was not factored much into the second half. I doubt it would have made a big difference. OSU was still able to fend off the high-octane offense from Texas. They were held to their lowest point total all year.
The quarterbacking for 10-3 Ohio State was flawless. Todd Boeckman was handed the ball to start the game and he and Terrell Pryor alternated snaps in the second half. Neither were picked off and combined for 176 total yards. The senior Boeckman completed 5 of 11 passes, including a 5 yard touchdown to the rookie, Pryor, with 7:26 remaining in the game. The 80-yard drive failed to produce a 2-point conversion, but the Buckeye running game bounced back and answered the call on their next possession. Dan “Boom” Herron, replacing Wells, rushed for 15 yards and another six points. Another failed 2 point attempt ensued however. It was encouraging to see Ohio State make a comeback and punter A.J. Trapasso was terrific. His four punts were all pinned inside the 20 yard line. OSU wideout, Brian Robiskie was efficient with 116 receiving yards. Safety, Anderson Russell, caught a lob from McCoy in the game’s only interception.
The Buckeyes could not stop McCoy’s Longhorns with one minute left. They held the offense to 24 points but it wasn’t enough. McCoy really stepped up to earn his second place Heismann Trophy finish. He stamped his name in Texas lore as the Buckeyes vanished on fourth down. Texas vehemently and vigorously vaulted to victory after converting.
Cosby and Texas receiver, Jordan Shipley, were the difference for the Longhorns offensively. Shipley’s 82 yards on kick returns gave him an average of 20.5 for the Bowl. He amassed 78 receiving yards and 10 catches. Cosby’s last 11 yards were the ones offering an obtrusive overturning.
McCoy had an instant impact in the second half when he scored on a rushing touchdown. I think it shifted momentum the Texas way. The way McCoy caught Malcom Jenkins snoozing was a game changer. Jenkins missed and misread McCoy, ultimately miffed in the end.
Texas was 3 of 4 on 4th downs and 35% on 3rd. Each team endured three sacks for close to the same amount of yards lost. Penalties were more of a problem for the Longhorns (8 for 83 yards) than the Bucks (7 for 67 yards). But the Buckeyes were affected emphatically by penalties. Thaddeus Gibson’s two roughing-the-passer penalties were unacceptable punishments. The time of possession for each team was practically even. OSU held the ball for 30:13 to Texas’ 29:47. Perhaps these stats are indicative of the game’s closeness.
So Ohio State loses its 3rd straight BCS bowl. I wonder if they have overstayed their welcome now. I am sure the hopes of scarlet and gray backers were lifted when it appeared James Kirkendoll’s 4th and 3 spot was short of the first down. It looked as though team Tressel had Texas’ number and the Big 10 could put to rest some of this season’s naysayers. There were some missed opportunities for both teams. When McCoy was picked off near the end of the second quarter, Texas missed the chance to at least score a field goal. The teams would have headed into the locker rooms tied 6-6.
Football is a game of hit or miss sometimes. Even though the Bucks hit their spots most of the time last night, the few misses were too much to overcome.

Parting points: Welcome to the Yankees #25.