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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > September > 05 > Entry
OSU’s Coleman: “We ‘ve got to get a lot better by next week.”
COLUMBUS — Ohio State began Saturday’s season opener and ended it with perfectly diagrammed plays:
— Brandon Saine said his 47-yard reverse on the opening kick-off return had been planned since the beginning of preseason camp.
— Defensive back Kurt Coleman said the Bucks knew exactly what Navy was going to try on the Midshipmens two-point conversion attempt that was intercepted and returned for an OSU score.
But in between those blueprint bonanzas were some real problems.
The OSU defense gave up 342 yards to Navy. Safety Anderson Russell was burned on two touchdown catches. Even coach Jim Tressel was beating himself up afterward for going for it — rather than kicking a short field goal — on a 4th-and 2 situation at the Navy 15 with 6:32 left at a 29-14 lead.
Dan Herron was stuffed on the play. Navy got the ball and Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs immediately threw an 85 yard touchdown pass. On the next possession Navy scored again.
“It was a poor decision on my part,” said Tressel. “I probably let the emotion of wanting to score and wanting our guys to knock a hole in it get the best of me.
“What went through my mind (afterward)?. I was hoping the next voice on the phone wasn’t (OSU athletics director) Gene Smith because, you know, it was a poor decision.”
The day was saved when linebacker Brian Rolle intercepted Navy’s two point conversion pass and ran it back 99 yards for two points to give the Bucks the final, 31-27 margin..
Next week comes USC, which embarrassed Ohio State, 35-3, last year. The Trojans are a big step up from Navy, but the Midshipmen can’t be discounted. Their triple option is like facing a knuckle ball pitcher in baseball. You never look good against them, but then again, how many times do you face something like that in a season?
OSU safety Kurt Coleman — the senior from Northmont — admitted “We ‘ve got to get a lot better by next week.”
And yet following Saturday’s game, here are three things that are promising:
1 — Brandon Saine — He had as productive of a day as he has ever had in his OSU career and may be in for a lot of work this season. The junior tailback and kick returner from Piqua High accounted for 139 yards. He carried the ball nine times for 53 yards, had two catches for 21 yards and he returned two kick-offs for 65 yards
2 — Coleman — He’s the ballhawk leader of the defense He accounted for two Navy turnovers, once stripping receiver Mario Washington of the ball, a fumble that Ross Homan, the Bucks’ linebacker from Coldwater, recovered at the Midshipmens’ 30 yard line . Three plays later OSU scored.. On Navy’s next possession, Coleman intercepted quarterback Ricky Dobbs.
3 — Jake Ballard — This is not a misprint. The 6-foot-7 junior tight end from Springboro had three receptions. Receiving tight ends often grow cobwebs at OSU, but he is quickly becoming Terrelle Pryor’s sure-handed safety valve. Ballard led the Bucks with 51 receiving yards.
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Comments
By ZACK
September 7, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
usc didnt play a real team last week so lets wait and see whats going to happen till it does heacock needed to leave after 2006 nat champion game but tressel for some reason struck with him we need the silver bullets back when that happens our offense wont mader much as long as we can get a couple points
By Bobby
September 6, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
Get Real, you are so right. It looks like OSU should be rated number 1.
By get real
September 6, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Fair weather fans GO HOME!! Look to 2002 for proof you can win close games and still take home the trophy. Everyone knew going in Navy would rack up the yards, two bad plays made this one close, not enough to worry me. OSU 34- USC 27, GO BUCKS!!
By Tom
September 6, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
I can see it already. We’re going to get our butts handed to us at home and it will be another year of hearing how over rated we are and how weak the Big Ten is. Great, just great.
By nochange
September 5, 2009 11:24 PM | Link to this
Big Buckeye fan but we never change. If it wasnt for the Big 10 being so weak we would have been exposed over the last 3 years way before a bcs game. We have no oline and no offensive scheme advantage at all
By Steve
September 5, 2009 11:21 PM | Link to this
What Tressel decided to do was as bone headed as it gets.Good coaches don’t do this sort of stuff but Tressel does. But just as boneheaded is the the athletic dept. scheduling a team like Navy and their triple option the week before a team like USC comes to town. Navy doesn’t help you prepare and actually prevents you from getting ready for the Trojans by eating up precious time and effort preparing for the Navy offensive scheme that could’ve otherwise been used to play someone with a similar style. OSU will once again become the SC whipping boys next Saturday afternoon. USC by 35+
By Brutus jr
September 5, 2009 9:26 PM | Link to this
I think heacock needs to go. The defense has not been aggressive since Mark Dantonio left I think an ideal defensive coordinator would be Chris Spielman. He sure knows the game and has the fire to light up the defense.
By Ethel S.
September 5, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
Impressed by the Navy team and their commitment to our Country. Coach Tressel made a bonehead mistake to go for a touchdown when he should have scored a field goal. And NYC stop using abusive language next time or we will have to get the girls from Green Bay to fix it. Go Bucks!
By jon
September 5, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
Go Jake Ballard … 6’7” TE will be needed to beat # 4 Ranked Southern Cal + Kurt Coleman - what a great interception .. we need two more vs Matt Barkley who Southern Cal calls the next John Elway .. Go Buckeyes - Undefeated !
By nyc
September 5, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
osu will get their clocks cleaned next week….last year usc used and abused them…this year you better add rape to the charge…..
By Pete - USN Retired
September 5, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this
They’d better do a helluva lot better than today’s showing against USC. That was absolutely terrible. Give Navy credit, they swung their punches for 60 minutes.
By real
September 5, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this
Most overrated program in the country, makes the big ten look like dog sh**.
By lax20
September 5, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
I agree. A close one always makes you think hard about becoming better for the next one. I hope the defense does improve by next Saturday. They were obviously the weak link in todays game. Unfortunately the defense has always been under achievers against a good opponent. The trademark of a mediocre Jim Heacock. I hope Tressel seeks out another D coordinator if they fail meserable this year
By kurt
September 5, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this
A close win is JUST what the doctor ordered for next week.This team could be very good as long as they realize they’re not infallible.Close wins make great teams