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StumbleuponBuckeyes blame O-line for problems
Sunday, October 12, 2008
COLUMBUS — If you need to blame somebody for Ohio State's abysmal offense, Steve Rehring says put it all on the line.
"I don't think we've played as well as we can as an offensive line at any time this year," the lineman said after Ohio State's sleep-inducing 16-3 win over Purdue on Saturday. "We haven't had a game where all of us played our best."
Not many would argue with him.
The Buckeyes didn't throw the ball very well (just 97 yards) or run it when they needed to (125 yards). As a result, the offense only supplied three field goals to the victory. Special teams supplied the only touchdown.
Coach Jim Tressel certainly isn't happy with the line's play. Maybe that's why he has designated himself as the "assistant offensive line coach" and has spent extra time with the unit the past few weeks at practice.
He also pointed at the line.
"From where I was, we certainly didn't control the line of scrimmage," he said.
Asked if he had considered substituting Todd Boeckman for Terrelle Pryor at quarterback, Tressel skirted the question and answered another one.
"We were probably less concerned or (had) less discussion about that as we were talking about how could we gain control of the line of scrimmage and be more consistent," he said.
He laid all of the blame on the blocking up front for the meager production on offense.
"Anytime there's some penetration and people pushing back the line of scrimmage and so forth, it makes it difficult on a running back to be able to have his proper steps and vision," Tressel said. "It's tough on the quarterback and we've got to have a little bit more experience to ignore those things. But we couldn't stand there (in the pocket) all day today, that's for sure."
So everybody's looking at the biggest guys as the biggest reason why the attack is sputtering.
"I'm definitely frustrated about the performance, but I'm not frustrated about the win," Rehring said.
SAY WHAT? Early in the game, Purdue QB Curtis Painter was sacked for a loss of five yards. He was hit by DE Thaddeus Gibson as he had his arm back to throw the ball, the ball hitting the turn where it was recovered by DE Lawrence Wilson.
Boilermakers coach Joe Tiller said the play wasn't a pass — and shouldn't have been a fumble. He said the play was called from the sideline and the officials called it wrong.
"That was a designed play," he said. "I don't think the officials interpreted it as a designed run. I think they thought it was a desperation throwaway as some such thing. As a result, they ruled it as a fumble."
PLAY OF THE GAME: It's not hard to decide. After all, there was only one touchdown in the Buckeyes' 16-3 win.
After forcing a three-and-out on Purdue's first possession, punter Chris Summers dropped back. He bobbled the snap.
"We mishandled the ball," Tiller said. "Everything was good except the guy (Summers) took his eye off the ball as the snap was coming back."
Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins raced untouched around left end to block the kick with his body. It hit the ground before freshman LB Etienne Sabino scooped it up and ran 20 yards into the end zone.
"I owe the whole unit," Sabino said. "I didn't do anything but catch the ball. It landed right in my hands. They did all the hard work."
HALFTIME HONORS: Katie Smith, a former Ohio State basketball star, was honored at halftime.
Last Sunday Smith was selected as the MVP of the WNBA Finals after averaging more than 20 points per game in a three-game sweep of San Antonio, marking Smith's second WNBA title in three seasons.
It's already been a big year for Smith. She captured a third gold medal playing for the U.S. team in August.
Smith, a native of Logan, is the all-time leading scorer in U.S. women's professional basketball with more than 6,600 points.
QUICK-HITTERS: The Buckeyes (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) play at Michigan State (6-1, 3-0) on Saturday. The Spartans, who beat previously unbeaten Northwestern 37-20, have won five in a row since losing 38-31 at Cal in their opener. ... Purdue (2-4, 0-3) travels to Northwestern (5-1, 1-1). ... Ohio State leads the all-time series with Purdue 37-12-2 overall and is 25-5-2 in Columbus. ... Purdue has lost the last seven games in Columbus, dating to 1988. ... With 94 yards rushing, Chris "Beanie" Wells moved into 10th place on Ohio State's career rushing charts with 2,664 yards, passing Calvin Murray. ... The blocked punt for a touchdown was Ohio State's first since A.J. Hawk turned the trick in 2005 against Northwestern. ... Donte Whitner, an All-Big Ten safety for the Buckeyes from 2003-05, served as Ohio State's honorary captain.
