The totals were staggering — 56 points, nearly 300 yards rushing and another 250 yards passing. This after a first quarter when Ohio State’s new Corvette scheme sputtered like a teenager dealing with a tricky clutch.
Nothing worked until the second quarter, when the beating against Miami began. The RedHawks’ defense didn’t know what to do against quarterback Braxton Miller, who was running and passing with ease; and a corps of wide receivers, running backs, full backs and tight ends kept Miami guessing as to who would be the next weapon.
Gone are the days of Tressell ball, of coordinator Jim Bollman and an offense that did as little to help its defense win as possible.
Tressel was 9-1 against Michigan, had a winning record in BCS bowls and brought home a slew of conference titles. But critics always pointed fingers at the offense. Tressel once said his favorite play was the punt and it showed. This left many to question if Tressell was getting the best out of the top-flight recruits he picked-up. The offense put up great numbers under Troy Smith. But when offensive football began to evolve later in Tressel’s tenure, many wondered if Ohio State was being left behind.
That was then, and this is now. Last year’s unit under Bollman averaged around 60 plays per game. Meyer’s unit had 86 plays Saturday.
Ohio State won’t always be playing Miami, as the schedule shows. Its game this week against Central Florida could be a challenge. But fans who cringed at Tressel’s brand of football, the love of the punt and the nearly omnipresent running play “Dave,” have something new to cheer for — as long as it wins as much as Tressel and the punt.
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