Fantastic Finish

SEC Streak Snapped in Sweet Success
How sweet it is! The Big 10 is back, at least for a night. The conference that was demolished demoralized and destroyed New Year’s Day redeemed itself in Tuesday’s All-State Sugar Bowl. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Arkansas 31-26 and snapped a nine game losing streak against the SEC in bowl games. Terrelle Pryor led the six-ranked Buckeyes over the Razorbacks with a brilliant 336 yard performance at the Louisiana Superdome. The junior quarterback tossed two touchdowns, completed 14-of-25 passes and chewed up 115 yards on the ground. Pryor was named the Most Outstanding Player, but it was a team effort for Jim Tressel’s men in scarlet and gray last night. The defense shined in ending a 33 year drought and helping the Bucks improve to 12-1 this season. OSU held Arkansas to 11 points under their season average. The Hogs mustered a forceful comeback, but OSU’s defense was spot-on. Cam Heyward boosted the Buckeyes with beastly defense to add to his repertoire as the nation’s top lineman. Defensive lineman, Solomon Thomas, picked up his first career interception to seal the thrilling win.
Ohio State’s stud receiver, Dane Sanzenbacher scored the game’s first touchdown three minutes following kickoff. Pryor fumbled the football near the end zone, and Sanzenbacher recovered to complete the 8 play touchdown drive. Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks answered with a touchdown two minutes later. After D.J. Williams’ 35 yard catch and run was called back when the tight end was ruled down, Mallett completed a 17 yard pass to Joe Adams to tie the game at 7-7. Dan Herron’s nine yard run lifted the Buckeyes to a gaunt 14-7 first quarter lead with 7:17 remaining in the frame. Herron reeled off 87 yards on 24 carries in the victory.
The second quarter began much like the first for Ohio State. Sanzenbacher scored his second touchdown, a 15 yard reception that was reviewed before being ruled a touchdown. Speedy wideout, DeVier Posey, handed the Buckeyes a 28-7 cushion with just under two minutes before halftime. A six play, 68 yard drive culminated in Posey’s 43 yard catch from Pryor to widen the Bucks’ lead. Posey led OSU with 70 yards receiving. Zach Hocker trimmed the Hogs’ deficit to 18 with a 20 yard field goal as time expired on the Sugar Bowl’s first half.
Eighth-ranked Arkansas scored 11 third quarter points to make it a ten point game heading into the fourth quarter. Hocker added a 46 yard field goal and OSU kicker to begin the second half. After the Buckeyes and Hogs both went three-and-out, Devin Barclay matched Hocker from 46 yards to give OSU a 31-13 advantage. Jarius Wright and the Razorbacks showed some life near the end of the third quarter. Mallett orchestrated a 75 yard drive, hitting Wright in the end zone on the seventh play for the Hogs’ second touchdown. Williams caught the two point conversion to make it 31-21 in favor of the Bucks with 16 minutes left in the game.
Ohio State opened the fourth quarter with a punt and Herron was tackled by Anthony Leon in the Buckeye end zone for the Arkansas safety on the next possession. The rallying Razorbacks’ next drive resulted in another Hocker field goal to trim Ohio State’s lead to five. Pryor and the Buckeyes faced four-and-one from their own 37 on the ensuing drive. Pryor handed to Herron, who dropped and recovered the football. Ohio State punted the ball away with six minutes remaining, plenty of time for an Arkansas game-winning drive. But the Bucks’ defense got the stop and gave the offense another chance to store away the victory. From their own four yard line, Ohio State picked up a pair of first downs on three Herron rushes and two Pryor scurries. Both teams traded timeouts before Herron picked up two yards on second down from the OSU 34 yard line. The Hogs used another time out to stop the clock before Ohio State failed to convert on third down with two minutes to go. Ben Buchanan’s punt was blocked by Arkansas and you could feel the stomach of every OSU fan turn. Mallett had a final shot at the end zone. Fortunately for Buckeye backers, Mallett’s second down pass was picked off by Thomas on the ensuing drive. And so it goes, OSU wins the Sugar Bowl in electrifying fashion.

Parting Points: Hump-day lyrics - “True to your school” by the Beach Boys

The Devils held the Wild to 18 shots on goal, but managed to lose 2-1 on a fluke goal.

Note-all five suspended Buckeyes pledged to return next season.

Thursday Take-Twos (Tattoo edition)

Reports out of Columbus about a possible investigation into the Ohio State football team have Sugar Bowl implications. During last night’s game between Boise State and Utah, OSU alum and ESPN reporter, Kirk Herbstreit indicated the university is meeting with officials regarding allegations about players’ participation in receiving tattoos for autographs. According to the report, as many as nine football players are being charged with allegations of trading undocumented autographs and memorabilia for tattoos. Herbstreit reported the IRS raided a tattoo parlor, where the memorabilia was discovered. The investigations were apparently an offshoot of another probe by law enforcement agencies of unlawful behavior by the parlor owner, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The NCAA is looking into the charges of illegal benefits. All players remain eligible at this time for the upcoming Sugar Bowl against Alabama. Several starting players are being named in the tattoo allegations and their status for the bowl could be in jeopardy if the committee takes action. At the very least, the allegations are a distraction to the team as they prepare to beat an SEC school in a bowl game for the first time.
Speaking of tattoos and athletes, is Carmelo Anthony headed to the New York Knicks? Anthony has a “live now, die later” tat on his left arm. The Knicks should adopt that motto and go hard for the Denver superstar. Melo told the Nuggets he will not sign a three year contract extension unless he is traded to the Knicks. If Anthony remains in Denver for the rest of the season, he will become an unrestricted free agent. A trade to Manhattan would be ideal for the upstart Knicks, who added a top flight player in Amare Stoudemire this off-season. Danilo Gallinari and Landry Fields are among the players the Knicks could swap in exchange for Melo. The Nuggest have interest in rookie Fields, who has starred in every game and been a huge reason for New York’s surge this season. The NBA trade deadline is February 24th. Anthony, a former Syracuse standout, would be a nice fit for New York. Fans are split on adding Anthony to the lineup because the Knicks are so hot right now. Defensive-minded and one of the best pure scorers, Melo would boost the Knicks to serious title contenders if he was traded. Sympathy and prayers go out to the 26 year old Nuggets’ All-Star who recently lost his sister to a pre-existing medical condition.

Parting Points: I wrote this blog this morning…so here is the update. Five OSU players have been suspended for five games in 2011. Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron and Devier Posey are among the players listed. Totally unfair, when you consider Cam Newton was able to suit up the entire season, win the Heisman and participate in the national championship game for doing FAR worse than the Buckeyes.

Rival Romping

Ohio State grabbed a share of their record-tying sixth straight Big Ten title with a 37-7 win over rival Michigan at the ‘Shoe. The 11-1 Buckeyes put up 24 second and 13 third quarter points, respectively on their rout of the visiting Wolverines. Michigan fell to 7-5 in their seventh consecutive loss to the Buckeyes. Ohio State shares the conference spotlight with Michigan State and Wisconsin.
The Wolverines put up a fight in the first quarter but never led during the contest. Michigan’s electric quarterback, Denard Robinson, was a one-man show. Robinson rushed for 105 yards and completed 8-of-18 passes. Rich Rodriguez’s kicking unit is unreliable at best, and the Wolverine offense was forced to go for it on fourth down situations. The Maize and Blue had little success against the persistent and pervasive Buckeyes’ defense. The Michigan offense came into Saturday’s showdown averaging 37 points per game. Yesterday, they had more than a little trouble reaching that average against some of the Big Ten’s best defenders.
Terrelle Pryor, the exciting signal caller for the home team, was just as phenomenal with the football as Robinson. Both quarterbacks slipped through the defenses and fended off tackles. Pryor threw for 220 yards and a pair of scores, while adding 49 yards on the ground. Michigan shut out Pryor and the Buckeyes during the first quarter and succeeded in keeping them out of the end zone until midway through the second. The Wolverines won the coin toss and opted to kick off despite having perhaps one of the conference’s more dismal defenses. But the Buckeyes went three-and-out on their first drive and Michigan responded by shaving five minutes off the clock with nothing to show for it on the ensuing drive. Ohio State punted again after Jake Stoneburner fumbled a pass and failed to convert a third down. Robinson headed another lengthy Michigan drive, but the lost the ball deep in the red zone. Ohio State recovered the ball and in the second quarter, Devin Barclay kicked a 33 yard field goal for the day’s first points.
The Buckeyes coasted to a 10-0 lead on Dane Sanzenbacher’s seven yard pass from Pryor with 12:29 remaining in the first half. Senior receiver Sanzenbacher scored the first touchdown of the game and finished with 71 receiving yards. Michael Shaw netted the only Michigan touchdown with a second quarter one yard run. Robinson set up the score with a diving try at the end zone, falling just short of the goal line. Shaw’s touchdown trimmed the OSU lead to three points, but the slim deficit wouldn’t last long. Jordan Hall returned the kickoff 85 yards for another Ohio State touchdown to put the Buckeyes up 17-7. The Buckeyes continued to romp Michigan, coordinating an impressive 60 yard drive on their next possession. Pryor propelled the Buckeyes with his legs and moved the chains with efficient, smart throws. The drive ended with DeVier Posey’s catch covering 33 yards that sent OSU into the locker room with a comfortable 24-7 advantage. Posey had an 82 yard day for the Buckeyes. Despite piling up 258 total yards, the Wolverines’ lone touchdown was all they had to show for it. Ohio State did pick up a pair of questionable celebration penalties for forming an “O” with their gloved hands.
Robinson exited the game for several stretches during the second half. Tate Forcier replaced the dynamic quarterback and began by being intercepted on his first play from scrimmage. Travis Howard’s leaping snag shifted the momentum even more the Buckeye way. Howard also recovered two fumbles. The Buckeyes declawed Michigan the rest of the game, with Dan Herron scoring on a 32 yard third quarter run and Barclay extending the lead with a pair of field goals. Herron had just five carries on the day but finished with 175 yards, including a school record 89 yard run. Forcier couldn’t complete anything, as Michigan gained just 93 yards after the break. The Wolverines’ closest chance at scoring occurred in the fourth quarter with the Jim Tressel’s team sitting on a 30 points lead. Forcier’s six yard pass was incomplete at the OSU six yard line, and OSU took over in their own territory. Ohio State had 478 yards on offense and converted 10 of 19 third downs in decking Michigan.

Parting Points: News from Miami- Randy Shannon is out at the “U” and the Heat continue to wilt.

Kudos to FSU for knocking off Florida and the Razorbacks for defeating LSU.

“All Americans come from Ohio originally, if only briefly”- Dawn Powell

Idoneous Intensity In Iowa

Dan Herron bulled into the endzone with 1:47 remaining in the final quarter as Ohio State survived Iowa on Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium. The Big 10 showdown pitted the eighth ranked Buckeyes and 21st ranked Hawkeyes with conference title implications on the line. Ohio State pulled out a 21-17 victory in the final minute to remain in contention for a share of the Big 10 championship. Ohio State has won the conference six straight seasons but Wisconsin and Michigan State are also vying for Big 10 primacy this year. The Hawkeyes fell to 7-4 while OSU bumped their record to 10-1. For the Buckeyes, it was the first fourth quarter comeback of the season.
Marvin McNutt’s 19 yard touchdown reception with one minute to go in the first quarter gave Iowa their first lead of the game. McNutt finished with 92 receiving yards. Hawkeye quarterback, Ricki Stanzi, was sharp and accurate. The Ohio native threw for 195 yards and a score in the Iowa loss. Iowa’s balanced attack caught the Buckeyes off guard and off the scoreboard until Devin Barclay’s 18 yard field goal in the second quarter. OSU quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, threw two interceptions and the Bucks’ offense was mistaken-prone throughout the first half. Pryor matched Stanzi in yardage but his receivers could not hold on to the ball and he made several ill-timed passes. Pryor did find Dane Sanzenbacher six times during the game. Sanzenbacher snagged 102 yards on the day, including two pretty passes for 42 yards on OSU’s first scoring drive. The Buckeyes couldn’t reach the end zone, however, and settled for their only points of the half on Barclay’s kick. The Buckeyes drove into Iowa territory late in the half, but Pryor was picked off in the end zone by Micah Hyde. Iowa took a 7-3 advantage into the locker room.
The second half was all about dual-threat Pryor. The OSU signal-caller came out of the break running on first downs and picking up yardage with his legs. Pryor led the team in rushing with 78 yards. The Buckeyes took their first lead of the game midway through the third stanza when Pryor connected with Reid Fragel from five yards out. Iowa tied it at 10-10 five minutes later. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos caught a 23 yard bomb from Stanzi and McNutt hauled in a 18 yard reception to put the Hawkeyes in position to score. The thrifty Buckeye defense held strong and stalled Stanzi’s effort to reach the endzone. Michael Meyer punched home a 31 yard field goal to even the score for 3:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Buckeyes would have to rely on the athletic Pryor to move the ball. It turns out, the quarterback was up for the challenge as he took over the game in the final quarter. Even after a costly miscue, Pryor responded well to the negative play. The Big 10 battle would come down to the final few minutes in nail-biting fashion.
Marcus Coker burst into the Iowa endzone after Shaun Prater intercepted Pryor at the OSU 27 yard line in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes answered with Jordan Hall’s 33 yard kick return, but Pryor’s targets failed to catch the ball and the Hawks sacked towering Terrelle. The clutch kicking Barclay booted a 48 yard field goal, a career long, to cut the deficit to four. Ohio State’s defense stepped up with a sack and a tipped pass on the next Iowa drive. Brian Rolle and Ross Homan led the charge on defense and the cornerbacks for OSU made the necessary tackles. The Hawkeyes went three and out on the ensuing kickoff and it was all Buckeyes from there. In dramatic fashion, OSU orchestrated a 76 yard drive culminating in Herron’s game winning leap into the endzone. DeVier Posey dropped what would have been a touchdown pass on third down for the visitors. On fourth down with 4:02 remaining, Pryor rushed for 14 yards and the first down. Pryor’s conversion on fourth and ten made all the difference. Sanzenbacher caught a 24 yard pass at the two yard line to keep the drive alive three plays later. OSU took the lead for good, leaving a stunned and bewildered Kinnick Stadium crowd. The Hawkeyes’ final attempt to tie or take the lead was thwarted when Cameron Hayward sacked Stanzi and McNutt was short of the first down on fourth-and-22.

Parting Points: Song of the day- “You Mean the World to Me” by Toni Braxton

“Boom” Boosts Buckeyes, Sinks State at ‘Shoe

A second half surge and a pair of key turnovers propelled the Buckeyes past the Nittany Lions in Columbus on Saturday. Ohio State scored 35 unanswered points after halftime to improve to 9-1 on the season. The scarlet and gray held Joe Paterno at 400 victories and his visiting Happy Valley squad scoreless in the second half to remain in the Big 10 title chase. The Buckeyes erased an 11 point deficit and outscored the Lions 21-0 in the final quarter to win decidedly, 38-14. Penn State remains winless at the Horseshoe under Paterno, despite scoring two touchdowns in Columbus for the first time in the legendary coach’s tenure.
Eighth-ranked OSU tallied the game’s first points with a first quarter 26 yard field goal by Devin Barclay. Lions’ quarterback Matt McGloin looked like a seasoned pro against the Buckeyes’ defense in the first half. The Scranton sensation passed for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while completing half of his 30 passes. McGloin tossed two picks in the second half that proved costly in preserving Penn State’s three game winning streak. Justin Brown hauled in a 23 yard sling from McGloin to make it 7-3 with just over four minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Derek Moye added a six yard touchdown catch three minutes into the second quarter to lift the Lions to a 14-3 edge. The 6-4 Lions made their lead stand as Paterno’s defense forced the Buckeyes to punt time and time again. Penn State sparkled in stringing together long drives with their aggressive receivers. OSU signal caller, Terrelle Pryor, finished with 139 yards passing and a pair of scores, but moving up the field in the first half proved problematic for perfectionist Pryor.
The Buckeyes came out of the locker room and entered the third quarter trailing by eleven. The hole was soon erased via a tremendous rushing effort. OSU accumulated 314 yards on the ground to Penn State’s 113. Dan “Boom” Herron ran for a career high 190 yards on 21 carries, including the first touchdown run of the third quarter. Herron amassed yardage with amazement during the 96 yard drive that set up the Buckeyes’ only rushing touchdown. Defensive back, Devon Torrence, was tormented by Penn State’s offense all day. Torrence got his revenge with a third quarter interception return for a touchdown to give the Bucks their first lead of the game. Ohio State continued to execute and run the ball well, while the defense cracked down against the roller coaster State offense with the brash quarterback. There wouldn’t be another score for the white-and-blue on this day.
Pryor found leg room to run in one of his best rushing games since last year’s Rose Bowl victory over the Oregon Ducks. He finished with 49 yards to match the Lions’ leading rusher, Evan Royster. The Buckeyes threatened to score early in the fourth quarter, but Pryor aired out an errant pass that was picked off by Malcom Williams at the two yard line. McGloin completed just 2 of his 12 passes in the second half and the Lions had little success getting first downs. Ohio State got the ball back following Pryor’s only miscue. After a penalty pushed them back to their own 42 yards line, the home team promptly found the end zone again. Dane Sanzenbacher pulled down a 58 yard bomb from Pryor to give the Buckeyes a 24-14 advantage with less than ten minutes in regulation. The pass was tipped by a Penn State defender but laned in the hands of the talented Bucks’ wideout. Penn State’s hopes of a comeback disappeared when Travis Howard intercepted McGloin and ran it 30 yards for the score. Pryor passed to Jake Stoneburner from three yards out to finish the Buckeyes’ scoring and a 7 play drive. DeVier Posey led the Buckeyes with three receptions for 63 yards, but it was Herron who keyed the second half surge.

Parting Points: The Cowboys are 14 point underdogs against the Giants today. Holy smoke…

Wisconsin whipping...enough said.

'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

Terrifically Thundering Thursday

Second-ranked Ohio State thumped the Thundering Herd of Marshall 45-7 in Thursday night’s season opening game in Columbus. Junior quarterback and one of preseason’s leading Heisman Trophy candidates, Terrelle Pryor, threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ home opening victory. Pryor completed 17 of 25 passes and did not throw an interception in the season debut. Marshall signal caller, Brian Anderson was picked off and was harassed most of the night by the stalwart Ohio State defense. The Thundering Herd lost two fumbles and were limited to 199 total offensive yards.
The first play of the game for Marshall was a flop. Andre Booker had the ball stripped on the opening kickoff return. The ball was recovered by OSU’s Nate Oliver at the Marshall 22 yard line. DeVier Posey hauled in a pass from Pryor seven plays later to give the home team a 7-0 lead. The six-yard touchdown pass was followed up by a Marshall punt and another Buckeye seven. Running back, Brandon Saine, scrambled for 40 yards with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter. Saine, on a sweep, punched into the endzone from four yards out to complete a three-play, 49 yard second drive for OSU. The tailback finished with 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Jim Tressel’s talented ground game glistened.
Ahmed Shakoor blocked Drew Basil’s 53-yard field goal attempt later in the first and raced the other way for 61 yards to give Marshall their first touchdown of the season. The Buckeyes responded less than a minute later. Dane Sanzenbacher and Pryor hooked up over the middle for 65 yards and another OSU touchdown. Sanzenbacher led all receivers with 113 yards and it was all Buckeyes the rest of the way.
Ohio State scored twice in the second quarter to stage a 35-7 halftime lead. Saine scurried for his second touchdown of the night, a 41 yard burst up the middle. The offensive line protected well and opened up big holes for the running game. Jaamal Berry, the rookie runner for the Bucks, contributed 80 yards on the ground and Dan Herron carried the ball seven times for 44 yards. Linebacker Brian Rolle’s 30 yard interception return for a touchdown with less than three minutes before the break was the highlight of the half. It was especially important for the secondary, which is depleted with injuries and lacks experience. The secondary was not problematic against Marshall Thursday night, but special teams did display their weaknesses several times. The blocked field goal and a near blocked extra point were the only knocks on the Buckeyes in the opening game. Otherwise, OSU made a strong statement for their national championship candidacy. They lived up to the hype. Pryor was a poised, patient and veteran-like quarterback. The defense, led by Tyler Moeller’s seven tackles, was as nasty as they have been cited. The play calling was sharp through all 529 total yards.
Pryor connected with Posey for 11 yards in the third quarter as the Buckeyes continued to blowout their opponent. Anderson led Marshall deep into Buckeyes territory late in the game, but the Herd fumbled the ball away again. Barclay’s 34 yard field goal through the uprights was the final nail in the coffin for Marshall. Anderson finished with 135 yard and an interception, while completing 17 of 28 passes.
Ohio State takes on Miami next Saturday in a rematch of the national championship Fiesta Bowl game. The tune-up against the Thundering Herd was a terrific one. The Buckeyes were confident and they were aggressive in what I hope to be a national title season.

Parting Points: Keep an eye on the youngster, Beatrice Capa, at the U.S. Open. I would love to see Caroline Wozniacki add another Grand Slam title to her resume, however. The Dane double-bageled second round opponent, Chaing Kai-Chen on Thursday.

Song of the day- “Cold-hearted Snake” by Paula Abdul

Forcier's Final Fumbling Flop

The Michigan Wolverines are assured their second straight losing season. The Ohio State Buckeyes are assured a Big 10 Title and trip to the Rose Bowl. The greatest rivalry in college football went the Buckeye way for the sixth straight year. Thaddeus Gibson’s interception with 3:34 left at the Michigan 42 yard line sealed the deal for Tate Forcier and the 5-7 Wolverines. Forcier, a true freshman quarterback, was picked off four time in the 21-10 loss in Ann Arbor. The Buckeyes are headed to the Rose Bowl riding a five game winning streak and 10-2 record. The Wolverine fangs didn’t do the damage necessary to defeat OSU. It was a return to normalcy of sorts for Ohio State’s running game that distinguished doom for Rich Rodriguez and the school up north.
Forcier fumbled on his first drive. Pinned inside their own five yard line, the possession ended in disaster for Forcier and the Wolves. Ohio State defensive tackle, Cameron Hayward, recovered the fumble and scored the first touchdown of the day. The Buckeyes upped their lead to 14-3 following a mid- second quarter Michigan 46 yard field goal. Jason Olesnavage drilled it through the uprights, after an earlier miss from 24 yards. The Bucks’ backfield kicked it into high gear and quickly established the run, an enigma the Wolverines struggled to solve. Brandon Saine ended an 80 yard, 6 play OSU drive with a 29 yard surge into the end zone. The entire touchdown drive consisted of run plays. Jim Tressel’s offense must be centered on the backfield. Ohio State has proven for weeks now they are most effective when gearing up the ground game. Sophomore, Terrelle Pryor is a dual-threat quarterback with fast feet and the ability to make something out of nothing. His nine yard scramble in the second was followed by a 25 yard surge to set up Saine’s touchdown. Ohio State scored their fewest amount of points since September 19th against Michigan State. The Wolverines’ defense held the Buckeye receivers in check and kept this a game. As usual, Ohio State’s offense was extremely conservative. Tressel’s head-scratching play-calling is nothing new for OSU fans. The Buckeyes succeeded in Ann Arbor because they were able to control the clock and carry the ball for 251 rushing yards. The inexperienced UM quarterback made key costly errors and couldn’t complete the passes he needed to sustain drives. But, the Buckeyes offense did little with their first-half possessions and the Michigan defense did a good job at containing them.
Vincent Smith’s reception five minutes into the second half trimmed the Buckeye lead to four. Forcier hit his running back for an 18 yard pass. The score was set up by Pryor’s first turnover in four games. Ohio State responded immediately on their next possession. Pryor marched 89 yards after beginning the drive on the OSU 11 yard line. Dan Herron caught a 12 yard screen pass from Pryor to put the Buckeyes on top by 12. The Buckeyes capitalized on Michigan’s mistakes to extend their winning streak in this suddenly lopsided rivalry. Herron continued to stomp and pound it out against the Michigan defense. Saine, Herron and Pryor exchanged rushes in the fourth quarter to run out the clock on another murky Michigan season.
Pryor finished 9 of 17 for 67 yards. He also ran for 74 yards. That goes to show you how terrific Tressel’s team was at running the football yesterday. Herron added 96 yards on the ground with one touchdown. Saine broke free for 86 yards and a touchdown. DeVair Posey lead the OSU receiving core with a handful of catches for 38 of the Bucks’ 67 total yards. Senior safety, Kurt Coleman, snared a pair of picks in front of the 111,000 fan blend of maize, blue, scarlet and gray. Devon Torrence and Gibson hauled in the other two Ohio State interceptions. Freshman receiver, Roy Roundtree, grabbed a game-high 9 receptions for 116 yards for the losing team. Smith ate up just 32 yards on the ground with eight carries, and Forcier was 23 of 28 for 226 yards. He hadn’t thrown more than one pick in a game this season before facing the Buckeyes. Saturday was Tressel’s eighth win against hated Michigan in nine tries. The Buckeyes were nearly outgained in yardage by the Wolverines. The refined running game was the unique advantage. It was the net rushing yards that made the difference at the end of the day. Forcier is usually a play-maker, and he did show glimpses of greatness early Saturday. The Wolverines couldn’t put things together on big plays to make strides against their rivals. Now, the Buckeyes can rest easily and treasure their small “gold pants” charm. They’ve made headway since the shaky start this season. They downed their arch rival and earned another conference title. The Buckeyes were able to identify their strengths and exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. They converted turnovers and responded on every set of downs to restore their leads. The coveted Rose Bowl awaits in Pasadena. Pac-10 powerhouse Oregon is in line to play against them. That means it’s time to cover the Rose Bowl from soup to nuts. Hopefully, it will be the Bucknuts tasting some Duck Soup in January.

Parting Points: Is it too much to ask the Giants not to lose five games in a row?

College Countdown

Let’s talk college football, shall we? It is the peak of the major league baseball season as the pennant races peek around the corner. But the smell of football is definitely in the August air. All this peeking makes me want to grab a glimpse at my favorite college football program. The Buckeyes play their first game September 5th on the vast and spacious Ohio State campus against Navy. The season is less than a month away. So which Buckeyes are we likely to see picking passes from Terrelle Pryor? Here’s a peak at a sample of speedy wide receivers on the 2009 Buckeyes roster:
Dane Sanzenbacher: The Buckeyes are probably going to go with a three or four receiver set each game, and Dane is the team’s main wideout. The junior is the steadiest of all receivers and now is his opportunity to take tremendous strides at the position. Sanzenbacher needs to stay healthy in order to be in the formidable formation. He attracts the most defensive backs out of all the wide receivers on Ohio State, and pays the price for being the number one target. Still, Dane can handle the pressure and duties of the big time program similar to his well-tuned predecessors.
Ray Small: It is questionable whether or not Small will be able to play. If available, Ray will make an impact and be an important factor on the offense. The senior has starter-ability if he will be around. It is difficult to deny the powerful receiver’s football skills. Small still needs to mature as a wideout because he is susceptible to running haphazard routes. But his ability amounts to quality plays when he is dashing to the end zone.
DeVier Posey: The prolific sophomore returns to the Buckeyes offense a year older and wiser. He had a lackluster rookie campaign but remains a downfield threat for opposing teams. Posey is the prime candidate vying to replace Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. Posey has shown great potential all summer. He is capable of taking short flips from the quarterback and turning them into big plays. The more polished a passer Pryor becomes in 2009, the more he will use Posey as his go-to man. Posey is big and fast and I anticipate hearing the Pryor-to-Posey scenario radiate from the commentary booth quite often. The youthfulness Posey possesses combined with his smooth style surely equate to a successful season. He has all the intangibles associated with an elite team leader and he is best friends with the quarterback.
Lamaar Thomas: Thomas is ready to rocket onto the scene and has improved his route-running this off-season. Lamaar is a fleet footed, fluid, and competent receiving option for Jim Tressel. The sophomore is ready to work himself into the Buckeye top three. A special teams and kick returner a year ago, Thomas is a portrayal of speed.
Garrett Hummel: The junior walk-on receiver is my choice for breakout Buckeye of the year. I expect big things from Hummel, who has great hands. Keep an eye on this kid throughout the season as he emerges as a top position player and increases his turf time. Hummel is a star in the making.
Taurian Washington: Washington is entering his junior year and played as well as he ever has this Spring. Only time will tell if he can keep up the good work when the leaves change colors. Taurian was terrific when he scored a 51 yard touchdown in the spring game. He lead the Gray team with four receptions for 71 yards. Washington is a smart player who learned from Robiskie and Hartline, so that should only benefit him in 2009.
Grant Schwartz: Schwartz is a converted defensive back looking for a fresh beginning on the other side of the ball. Schwartz signed with Ohio State in 2005 and is the son of former Buckeye, Brian Schwartz. His speed is his greatest asset Grant has more going for him as well. Since there really aren’t top spots locked up outside Posey and Sanzenbacher, Schwartz has as good a chance as any of his teammates. He might get lost in the shuffle but is too good a football player to go unnoticed for long.
Duron Carter: The son of OSU’s Cris Carter may not be ready for a starting spot but the freshman is still in the mix to catch passes. Carter will probably not be thrown into the games against USC or Michigan but he should be able to sprint the field in most conference showdowns. He won’t make an immediate impact but Carter leads the freshman class of burners waiting in the wings.
Parting Points: Is it too much to ask for a sweep??

Well(s) Wisher

If there is one running back you can bank on, it’s Beanie. Chris “Beanie” Wells inked a five year deal with the Arizona Cardinals yesterday. The former Ohio State running back arrived in Arizona anticipating a starting job. Now he will head to the bank to cash in on a new contract. The slimmed down Beanie expected to be taken seriously after the Cardinals drafted him as their number one pick this April. Wells was the 31st overall selection and yesterday struck an $11.8 million deal with the team enamored with the back. He left college following his junior year to pursue a professional career in the NFL. Saturday, Beanie was handsomely rewarded for his decision.
Beanie probably boasts the most endearing name in the NFL now. Even more engaging is Wells’ athletic attributes and physical prowess as a runner. He was often injured as a Buckeye under Jim Tressel but Beanie was in the running for the Heisman Trophy early last year. In typical Beanie fashion, the star was injured during his first drills with the team in camp. He didn’t quite make it through the practice after colliding with a teammate and rolling his ankle. If you know anything about Ohio State football, you know a stellar running game is warranted. Chris created a colossal, commanding and crippling climate as a college player. The bruising back was quite often bruised himself, but still one of the most feared running explosions. Wells made many standout scoring plays, including his hurdle over an Illinois defender, as Ohio State’s featured back. The hurdle has become somewhat of a signature Beanie move. Arizona fans hope Wells will be able to not only stay on the turf this Fall, but be a touchdown titan for the already offensively-minded Cardinals. The Cardinals released tight end, Alex Shor, to make room for their top draft pick.
The rookie runner will compete with Tim Hightower for the Cardinals’ number one tailback. The lighter weight may mean more playing time for the quicker Wells. But Hightower is no slouch. He scored 10 rushing touchdowns last season and made two key plays in the NFC championship game against Philadelphia. Jason Wright could also figure into the equation behind the quarterback. Even if Wells doesn’t win the position, the pair will make Arizona one of the league’s toughest backfields to defend. The 21 year old also has the ability to break big runs and return kicks. The Cardinals released Edgerrin James this offseason and Wells is the replacement with big shoes to fill immediately. Arizona had one of the worst running games in the NFL during the regular season. Any contributions from Wells’ speedy legs are a boost to Ken Whisenhunt’s defending NFC championship team. Here’s wishing Wells good luck in his first professional season.

Parting points: How many more Saturdays until the college football season?
Album of the day- “Mellow Gold” by Beck

Snappy Spring

Today is the annual spring game at Ohio State. The Scarlet team faces the Gray team in Columbus’ first glance at the gridiron greats for 2009. Every year the expectations for the football Buckeyes are through the Horseshoe roof (if there was one) This season is no different as Ohio State enters the first full year with quarterback, Terrelle Pryor. Portrayed as the prized, plush sophomore, Pryor will be called upon to be the commanding leader in a demanding role.
Joe Bauserman is the Buckeye backup quarterback and will play for the Scarlet squad against Pryor and the Gray. Justin Siems is the third stringer, who will play a quarter for each team today. Ray Small, Brandon Saine, Garrett Hummel, Jake Ballard and Jake Stoneburner will suit up for the Gray also. Bauserman will hand off to Dan “Boom” Herron in the backfield and pass to DeVier Posey. Anderson Russell and Lamaar Thomas are also Scarlet selections for Saturday.
I am hoping for a big year from Ballard. Ballard wasn’t a often-used offensive player at the tight end position last year. Pryor’s dodging style of play does not depend on the pass and the Buckeyes threw the ball less with taking snaps. Ballard was used more as an extension of the offensive line in protecting the run. Jake will have a starting role now with Rory Nichol graduating. Nichol’s departure necessitates a new looming tackle and tight end substitution. He will be joined by his namesake, Stoneburner. Stoneburner will play tight end for Jim Tressel after moving from the receiver position. The new tight end will be expected to bring some fight and receiver mentality to the red zone. He could stretch the field as a receiver for Pryor and has the ability to catch uneven throws. Reid Fragel, a 6’7” freshmen, is going to share the duties this spring with Stoneburner to see if he better fits the mold for tight end. All three might make a nice concoction for the Buckeyes.
The receiving core is not fully in tact, but Posey makes good reads as a go-to wideout. Small and Dane Sanzenbacher are the other two best options to catch spirals. Small is a multi-year superstar and Sanzenbacher is a surefire slot receiver. Taurian Washington and Thomas add to the depth chart, but are slotted as fourth and fifth receivers. Coaches are impressed with Thomas’ progression this spring so Lamaar could get comfortable in an offense beckoned by the bold and brave signal calling Pryor. Terrelle can only do so much unless he has a sturdy team built around him.
Saine brings visceral vision and an capacity to cut through defenses to the backfield. When Saine asserts himself, he gives Ohio State a versatile and dangerous running game. Herron should see an increase in playing time with Chris Wells’ departure. Chris creates a considerable crisis and it’s critical OSU continues to construct around the run. They signed two freshmen, Jamaal Berry and Carlos Hyde who both show promise. Berry is very athletic but lacks experience. Herron filled in nicely when Wells went down in 2008 and Tressel has confidence in the tailback in third down situations. Herron is not as big though, despite being a rough runner. Hyde could eventually be the missing tailback the team needs to obtain an obstructive offense. The team will undoubtedly have to get more creative with Beanie gone in the backfield. Marcus Williams is a legitimate third string running back but not an every-down scamperer. Overall, Ohio State lost 31 players from last year so they will have a new-look team in 2009.
Pryor has to pass more accurately this year if he expects to avoid turnovers. I don’t see a reason Tressel can’t open up the passing game more, even with the mobile, daring quarterback. Jim has always taken a conservative approach with his team offensively but it may not work with Pryor. Last year, I thought the team settled for too many field goals instead of going for the kill and scoring touchdowns. The cocky and confident Terrelle has to establish more comfort in the shotgun and the runners split to the sides. The sweeping plays are where he excels, especially on fakes, but he has a strong enough arm to depend on long passes. It’s time to incorporate some play actions passes and reintroduce the Big 10 opponents to Ohio State’s offense.
The offensive line has Andrew Miller and Jim Cordle at tackle, and Justin Boren and Bryant Browning at left and right guard, respectfully. Snapping the ball at the center spot is prominent, Michael Brewster. Boren is the best of the best on the line, after transferring to Ohio State last year. The team needs more cohesion and has to remain healthy in quarterback protection. Offensively all around, Ohio State needs to be more proactive than reactive.
Quickly reviewing the Buckeyes, Tyler Moeller, Brian Rolle and Ross Homan are all impressive linebackers. Ohio State has some holes to fill on defense without All-Americans, James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman. Austin Spitler is one of the top line backing Bucks but the team still needs a solid middleman. Spitler can rush the quarterback and help a defensive line made up of Thaddeus Gibson, Solomon Thomas and Doug Worthington. Gibson is a complete beast and Doug destroys offenses as a sack sovereign. Dexter Larimore and Todd Denlinger are also proven defensive tackles sporting the Buckeye colors. Larimore is a run-stuffer who will find plenty of opportunities to act in the run-heavy conference. Tressel is not constraining Denlinger to defense, trying him out at the tight end spot as well. Homan’s younger brother, Adam, is vying for a starting fullback position this year. Stout secondary stars should include Kurt Coleman and Russell at safety and cornerbacks, Chimdi Chekwa and Andre Amos. Russell is a huge pass-breaker for the Scarlet and Gray and Coleman has solid pop when pitted against strong receivers. Travis Howard and C.J. Barnett are interception intimidators aspiring for starting secondary spots.
The Buckeyes will rely on Aaron Pettrey’s leg to nail 3 pointers. Pettrey is a flatout kicker who can connect on long field goal attempts. Jon Thoma, Ben Buchanan and Devin Barclay are expected to compete for punting duties. On special teams as punt and kickoff return men, the Buckeyes will look to Small, Thomas, Rolle, Posey, Devon Torrence, and James Jackson. Torrence may play on the starting secondary if he earns a position opposite Chekwa.
Ohio State opens up against Navy to kick off this Fall.


Parting points: “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men