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Sports TwitterOSU Spotlight: Intimidating foes becomes tougher now
Saturday, November 11, 2006
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has always had a reliable ally this season — namely, intimidation — but it suddenly abandoned the nation's No. 1 college football team last week. And in receiver Anthony Gonzalez's mind, it's probably gone for good.
After beating teams by an average of 28.6 points in their first nine games, the Buckeyes were subjected to a severe test from lowly Illinois before prevailing, 17-10.
Extras
After racking up 195 total yards in the first half and rolling to a 17-0 lead, OSU amassed just 29 yards in the final two quarters and were out-gained overall, 233-224.
"That was the first team, I feel, that played with no fear," said Gonzalez, who had just two catches for 18 yards. "Prior to that game, defenses, for whatever reason, and teams in general have played with a slight bit of fear."
With the coolly efficient Troy Smith at quarterback and a defense that's been more tenacious than a telemarketer, the Buckeyes had won each of their first nine games by at least 17 points.
"In all honesty, just in thinking back on games, teams were readily allowing themselves to be defeated," Gonzalez said. "But I don't anticipate Northwestern fearing us. I don't anticipate Michigan fearing us. And I don't anticipate whoever we play in the bowl fearing us."
The Buckeyes probably aren't causing as many shudders after their ultraconservative second half against Illinois. They sent tailback Antonio Pittman into the line on first down during six of their seven possessions, and their lone first-down pass was a flip to Pittman.
Coach Jim Tressel took some of the blame for the offensive woes.
"I'm not sure we were as balanced with our attack as we could have been," he said. "We didn't execute on early downs, and then we got behind in the count and we let them come storming the castle pretty good."
The game plan against Northwestern probably will call for more of Gonzalez. And while he's one of a handful of Buckeye juniors who could turn pro after the season, he's becoming too attached to the program to consider that.
"At the end of the year, I can't see myself deciding to leave," he said. "Being a senior here, there are so many rewarding experiences — giving a senior speech during (preseason) camp, giving a rose to someone, probably my mother, at the awards banquet, potentially being a captain — and those to me are more valuable than leaving early."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
