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Turnovers are Bobcats' downfall
Saturday, September 06, 2008
COLUMBUS — Ohio coach Frank Solich didn't have to look very far to find the reason behind Ohio State's 26-14 win over his Bobcats on Saturday — just a few inches down the team stats.
Solich repeatedly pointed to five turnovers as the difference between the 0-2 Bobcats and 2-0 Buckeyes, who lost the ball once.
"To play a top-ranked team and a top program like Ohio State and go (5-to-1 in turnovers), you're fortunate to be in the game," he said.
Lawrence Wilson had an interception of starting quarterback Theo Scott that set up a field goal. After Scott was injured, Boo Jackson came in and tossed a pick to Malcolm Jenkins. Mark Parson fumbled away a punt that led to the go-ahead touchdown and Anderson Russell and James Laurinaitis added fourth-quarter interceptions.
"Five takeaways, you love seeing that happen," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.
Bobcats defensive end Kris Luchsinger tried hard to not point the finger at his teammates on offense.
"There were some mistakes in this game that I wouldn't say cost us the ballgame, but definitely went against us," he said. "The great ones adjust."
Not Overlooked
Jenkins said the Buckeyes weren't flat and did not overlook the Bobcats. On the contrary.
"Surprisingly, everybody was really into this game," he said. "The enthusiasm pregame was higher than it was last week. Everybody was ready to play. It just came down to execution. As far as being up for a game and playing hard, I think everybody played hard. We just didn't play well."
Play of the game
Ohio State was in trouble. With just under a minute left in the third quarter, they trailed 14-12 and had never gotten untracked on offense or defense.
Forced to punt from their own 35, the boot wafted in the air to Ohio returner Mark Parson near the Buckeyes sideline. As he caught it, he took a quick step and was hit by Ohio State's Shaun Lane. The ball popped loose, with Lane then diving over the prone Parson to fall on the ball an instant before it rolled out of bounds.
"I was pressing too hard to make a play," said Parson, also a starting cornerback. "I forgot about my technique and let the ball slip through."
Lane not only covered the punt return, he covered the loose ball. A video review confirmed he had control before rolling out of bounds.
"I'm telling you, Shaun is one of our most exciting players," fellow defensive back Kurt Coleman said. "He always makes big plays when we need them."
Six plays and 25 yards later, Ohio State had the lead on Brandon Saine's short run — and never relinquished it.
Paint it Redd
Former Ohio State star Michael Redd was honored at halftime for being a part of the gold medal-winning U.S. men's basketball team.
Redd said the timing couldn't have been better.
"The beautiful thing about it is we won the gold medal on my birthday," he said.
The Milwaukee Bucks standout, who was joined on the "Redeem Team" by the Cavaliers' LeBron James, said the Americans won because of their unselfish play.
"It was a team — not a bunch of stars together," he said. "We performed and operated as a team."
A graduate of West High School in Columbus, Redd spent three years at Ohio State before turning pro. He has developed into one of the league's top outside shooters.
He said winning that distinctive bit of ribbon with the medallion at the end was the highlight of his playing career.
"It's something I'll never forget and always cherish," he said.
Where's the ice?
Another ex-Buckeye, current Columbus Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger, also attended the game. He had not been back to campus since the lockout season three years ago, when he attended Ohio State classes.
With the Buckeyes trailing 7-6 at the half, he said he didn't have any fears he'd be seen as a jinx.
"The last year I was in school, we won the national championship so I should be good luck," he said.
Umberger was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in a draft-day deal. He figures to center the Blue Jackets' top line between Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius. Immediately after the trade, he was still in shock and less than excited about leaving a powerful, young playoff team to take his chances with the ever-hopeful Blue Jackets.
He said he has since realized what the trade could mean for him.
"I'm pretty much excited about all the hockey opportunities," he said. "There are some things here that I couldn't have had in Philadelphia. The anxiousness has been building and my family is excited to be here. I can't wait for camp to get under way."
No. 800
The victory was Ohio State's 800th, making the program the fifth in major college football to reach that round number. The Buckeyes are now 800-302-54 in 119 years.
"I just told the guys in locker room that I wasn't exactly sure what all the prior 799 wins looked like, but we're proud to get No. 800 for Ohio State," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "One of only five schools in the history of the game to be able to do that. It's quite a privilege to be on the field when that occurs."
Quick-hitters
The crowd of 105,002 was the largest ever to see the Bobcats in action, topping the previous mark set in 1999 the last time they visited Ohio Stadium. ... Ohio State is now 176-48-15 against in-state opponents, and has won 37 in a row since its last loss (Oberlin, 7-6, in 1921). ... Ohio opens Mid-American Conference play at home against Central Michigan Saturday at 2 p.m. ... Ohio State travels to meet idle Southern California, No. 1 in the polls. Kickoff next Saturday is at 8:22 p.m. EDT.
