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Ohio state notes
Smith makes right read for key TD
Monday, September 11, 2006
COLUMBUS — If Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman ever wished he could master the art of mental telepathy, it would have been late in the first half against Texas when he saw receiver Ted Ginn Jr. in single coverage.
But quarterback Troy Smith, who's becoming increasingly adept at reading defenses, didn't need any prodding.
Extras
"Teddy was manned up, and the safety was playing over to the (other) side," Bollman said. "We were sitting upstairs (in the coaches box) hoping Troy would take a shot. And he did."
Ginn streaked past his defender, and Smith hit him in stride to give the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead with 16 seconds to go.
Of his 29-yard touchdown, Ginn said: "It was huge. It changed the whole momentum of the game."
Defense shines
OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock wasn't thrilled with the 326 yards his unit surrendered, including 164 to the tailback duo of Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles.
But the Longhorns scored just one TD — and they wouldn't even have accomplished that if it weren't for a debatable roughing-the-passer penalty on third down.
"Confidence and experience are the two things we've been lacking, and hopefully, this will help," Heacock said.
Kicker shakes nerves
Aaron Pettrey knew his grace period as the new OSU kicker expired after missing a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter, making him 0-for-2 for the season. After shaking initial jitters, the redshirt freshman drilled a 31-yarder in the third quarter to solidify his hold on the job.
"I was real happy to see that go through," he said. "There were going to be a lot of hateful fans if it didn't. Everything became a lot easier after that. Hopefully, it stays that way."
Trapasso delivers
The Longhorns' reputation for blocking punts — senior Michael Griffin has already batted down a school-record six — didn't faze OSU's A.J. Trapasso.
The sophomore from Pickerington had a six-punt average of 50.8 yards.
"I just try to focus on what I need to do," he said. "I try not to look at those guys (like Griffin). That's when you start hitting bad punts — when you take your eye off the ball.
"But I've got to kick it toward the sidelines more. I'm kicking it down the middle, and those guys are dangerous returners."
