'Canes Contained in Columbus

There’s melancholy in Miami because the mighty ‘Canes have fallen. The Ohio State Buckeyes overcame dismal play on special teams to dispatch the Miami Hurricanes by twelve points at the Horseshoe on Saturday. Ohio State defeated the depleted the 12th ranked team from the ACC on four interceptions and the hustle of quarterback, Terrelle Pryor. The Buckeye signal callers passed for 233 yards and added 113 on the ground to lead second ranked Ohio State to their second win of the season. Miami turned in a respectable defensive performance but failed to clip the home team in their first trip back to Columbus since the 2003 national championship game.
Ohio State’s special teams allowed two kickoff returns for a touchdown during the highly anticipated Saturday showdown. Devin Barclay put the Buckeyes on board in the first quarter with a 24 yard field goal. Less than twenty seconds later, Miami mowed ahead by four on the legs of kick returner, Lamar Miller. Miller raced 88 yards on the return as the speedy freshman plowed through Ohio State’s special teams unit. Matt Bosher, a Lou Groza candidate, increased Miami’s lead to 10-7 by planting a 51-yarder through the Horseshoe uprights to begin the second quarter.
DeVier Posey caught a 62 yard pass early in the second quarter to set up the Buckeyes first touchdown of the day. Brandon Saine scored on a 18 yard pass from Pryor for to tie the game on a crucial and pivotal two play drive. The Buckeyes’ defense continued to throttle Miami quarterback, Jacory Harris, and his offense. Harris finished 22-of-39 with 232 yards through the air. He managed only one touchdown, while throwing four picks. Miami was forced to punt following the Saine touchdown and Ohio State got a 41-yard field goal from Barclay to go up by three. Chimidi Chekwa intercepted Harris for Miami’s second turnover. Chekwa made the grab at the 26 yard line, putting Ohio State in favorable field position for an easy score. Dan Herron’s four yard scramble made it 20-10 in favor of the scarlet and gray.
Herron’s end zone squeeze was soon followed by another impressive Hurricane kick return. This time, the Buckeyes were burned on a 79 punt return by Travis Benjamin with three minutes remaining in the first half. Barclay and the Buckeyes would not relent and leave for intermission with only a three point advantage. The Ohio State kicker knocked two field goals of 21 and 24 yards, respectively, through the uprights to give Jim Tressel’s team a 26-17 edge headed into the locker room.
Harris orchestrated an impressive drive down the field to open the second half. Ohio State defensive end, Cameron Heyward intercepted a pass over the middle and sprinted 80 yards to the Miami 15 yard line. That was all the talented Buckeyes’ quarterback needed to give his team a 33-17 lead. Pryor’s 13 yard run completed another two play Ohio State drive five minutes into the third quarter. The 6’5” Buckeye passer punched it in after rolling right and reversing field to beat a defender. Harris tried again to lead the Hurricanes on a charge down the Horseshoe, but Miami would have to settle for a field goal attempt. Bosher’s 39 yard try was blocked as the frustrated ‘Canes surrendered the football again. The third quarter was all Ohio State. Barclay tied a school record with his fifth field goal to end the quarter with the Buckeyes on top 36-17.
The Hurricanes were finally able to cap off a drive with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Chase Ford hauled in a Harris pass for the nine yard touchdown reception that cut the Buckeyes’ lead to twelve. But it was too late for a ‘Cane comeback in Columbus. The home team ran out the clock with seven minutes left in front of the sixth largest crowd in Ohio State history. Posey led all receivers with 105 yards. Standout senior for Miami, Leonard Hankerson, finished with seven receptions for 90 yards. Teammate and senior running back, Damien Berry, had a 90 yard rushing performance on 22 carries in the loss. But perhaps the most notable performer of the day was Pryor. The Rose Bowl MVP shook off some early inconsistencies and inaccuracies to finish the game with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Pryor was in command of his offense and made big plays when they needed him to step up. The junior quarterback is now 21-3 as the Ohio State signal caller. I enjoyed watching this game because to me, it’s a rival game. I can hardly wait until next September when the Buckeyes travel to Miami.

Parting Points: Tough loss for Virginia Tech…not so nice finish in South Bend…painful to watch in Tuscaloosa…decimation for the ‘Noles.

The Yankees need to find a way to beat Texas…fast. Rivera blows a save?

Musician of the day- Meatloaf