Ohio State rumbles over the Wolverines

Ohio State Buckeyes 2009 ... Head Coach: Jim Tressel

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 10-2
2009 Record: 10-2

9/5 Navy W 31-27
9/12 USC L 18-15
9/19 Toledo (in Clev.)W 38-0
9/26 Illinois W 30-0
10/3 at Indiana W 33-14
10/10 Wisconsin W 31-13
10/17 at Purdue L 26-18
10/24 Minnesota W 38-7
10/31 NMSU W 45-0
11/7 at Penn St W 24-7
11/14 Iowa W 27-24 OT
11/21 at Michigan W 21-10
11/28 OPEN DATE

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 12-0
2008 Record: 10-3

8/30 Youngstown St W 43-0
9/6 Ohio W 26-14
9/13 at USC L 35-3
9/20 Troy W 28-10
9/27 Minnesota  W 34-21
10/4 at Wisconsin W 20-17
10/11 Purdue W 16-3
10/18 at Michigan State W 45-7
10/25 Penn State L 13-6
11/1 OPEN DATE
11/8 at Northwestern W 45-10
11/15 at Illinois W 30-20
11/22 Michigan W 42-7
Fiesta Bowl
1/5 Texas L 24-21

Ohio State Buckeyes

Nov. 21
Ohio State 21 … at Michigan 10
Ohio State picked off Michigan’s Tate Forcier four times and forced a fumble in the end zone on the way to winning the Big Ten title outright. Cameron Heyward fell on the fumble for a 7-0 early Buckeye lead, and then the running game took over as Brandon Saine ran for a 29-yard score in the second for a 14-3 halftime lead. Michigan made it interesting in the third quarter on a 18-yard Vincent Smith scoring grab, but the Buckeyes answered with a scoring drive finishing with a 12-yard Dan Herron catch for a touchdown.
Player of the Game: Ohio State LB Ross Homan made 12 tackles and broke up a pass.
Michigan: Passing: Tate Forcier, 23-38, 226 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Vincent Smith, 8-32, Receiving: Roy Roundtree, 9-116
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 9-17, 67 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan Herron, 19-96, Receiving: DeVier Posey, 5-38 
What It All Means: The running game has kicked it into high gear, and because of it, Ohio State is going to the Rose Bowl as the outright Big Ten champion. The offensive line stepped up its play over the second half of the season, and while it might not be a bad thing to keep Terrelle Pryor from having to throw the ball, the next six weeks, and the entire offseason, has to be devoted to figuring out how to create some semblance of a downfield passing game. A win over Michigan, a Big Ten title, and the Rose Bowl; it’s been a strong season.

Nov. 14
at Ohio State 27 … Iowa 24 OT
Devin Barclay hit a 39-yard field goal in overtime to send Ohio State to its first Rose Bowl in the Jim Tressel era. Iowa was able to force overtime on a ten-yard Marvin McNutt touchdown catch with just under three minutes to play, and each team played it safe in the final moments to force the extra time. Iowa got the ball first, but sacks forced a 4th and 26, well out of field goal range, with the attempt falling incomplete. James Vandenberg threw two touchdown passes to McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos returned a kickoff 99 yards for an Iowa score, while the Buckeyes got two touchdown runs from Brandon Saine, from 22 and 49 yards, and an 11-yard Dan Herron score on the way to a 24-10 fourth quarter lead before the Hawkeyes came back. OSU outrushed Iowa 229 yards to 67.
Player of the Game: Ohio State RB Brandon Saine ran 11 times for 103 yards and two scores.
Iowa: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 14-17, 93 yds
Rushing: Brandon Saine, 11-103, 2 TD, Receiving: Jake Ballard, 3-24
Ohio State: Passing: James Vandenberg, 20-33, 233 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Adam Robinson, 20-74, Receiving: Marvin McNutt, 6-78, 2 TD
What It All Means: After all the screaming and all the problems after the Purdue loss, Ohio State rallied and is going to the Rose Bowl. Terrelle Pryor wasn’t magnificent, but against the deadly Iowa D, he didn’t make any mistakes, was accurate, and he’s now the starting quarterback of a Rose Bowl team. The defense wasn’t a rock, but it was great when it had to be, especially in overtime. While there’s nothing to play for at this point bowl-wise, a good season can become fantastic with a blowout win over Michigan. That shouldn’t be a problem if the team can be focused. 

Oct. 7
Ohio State 24 … at Penn State 7
Ohio State kickstarted its Rose Bowl hopes with a dominant performance as Terrelle Pryor ran for a seven-yard score and connected with DeVier Posey from 62 yards out and Brandon Saine for a six-yard score. Penn State tied it at seven in the first half on a one-yard Daryll Clark run, but the offense managed just 201 yards of total offense. Sean Lee and Josh Hull combined to make 27 tackles for the Nittany Lions.
Player of the Game: Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward made 11 tackles with two sacks and three tackles for loss
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 12-28, 125 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 13-36, Receiving: Graham Zug, 7-96
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 8-17, 125 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Brandon Saine, 20-68, Receiving: DeVier Posey, 2-77, 1 TD
What It All Means: It’s right there for Ohio State to get to the Rose Bowl. The team got the break it needed with Iowa losing, and now it’ll take a win over Iowa to get to Pasadena for the first time in the Jim Tressel era. The big key was the improved play of Terrelle Pryor, who wasn’t always accurate, but he didn’t make any big mistakes, ran well, and led the way to the win. The offensive line was terrific, while the defense stuffed the Penn State running game and never let the game get close in the second half. This won’t be a national title season, but after the way the program was down after losing to Purdue, this is tuning into a magical year. 

Oct. 31
at Ohio State 45 … New Mexico State 0
Ohio State held New Mexico State to 42 yards of total offense, while the Buckeye attack rolled at will in the second quarter with 28 points helped by a 19-yard Dane Sanzenbacher touchdown catch and a trick play with Sanzenbacher hitting DeVier Posey for a 39-yard score. Brandon Saine ran for a three-yard score and Daniel Herron tore off a 53-yard scoring dash. OSU’s win wasn’t without a down note as PK Aaron Pettrey went down with a knee injury.
Player of the Game: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor completed 11-of-23 passes for 135 yards and a score, and he ran nine times for 83 yards and a touchdown.
New Mexico State : Passing: Jeff Fleming, 6-13, 22 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Jeff Fleming, 7-31, Receiving: Todd Lee, 2-12
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 11-23, 135 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jordan Hall, 10-90, Receiving: Duron Carter, 3-82
What It All Means: Everyone likes to talk about the Ohio State offense and its woes, and while Terrelle Pryor was only 11-of-23, he had things happen with his legs and he avoided the big mistake that could’ve let the Aggies get back in the game. The defense did what it was supposed to do and was dominant allowing just two first downs and 62 yards. Every team needs a tune-up like this once in a while, and now comes the finishing kick against Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan. Now we get to see if the Buckeyes are for real. 

Oct. 24
at Ohio State 38 … Minnesota 7
Ohio State wasn’t sharp early, only scoring in the first half on a 62-yard DeVier Posey touchdown catch, and then it was all Buckeyes out of the locker room. Terrelle Pryor ran for a 15-yard score and connected with Posey for a 57-yard score as part of a 21-point second quarter on the way to a 38-0 lead. Minnesota, who made several critical mistakes throughout the game, finally got on the board with just over four minutes to play with a 16-yard Troy Stoudermire catch. Ohio State outgained Minnesota 509 yards to 286.
Player of the Game: Ohio State WR DeVier Posey caught eight passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 13-25, 239 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Terrelle Pryor, 15-104, 1 TD, Receiving: DeVier Posey, 8-161, 2 TD
Minnesota: Passing: Adam Weber, 10-23, 112 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: MarQueis Gray, 11-81, Receiving: Troy Stoudermire, 4-47, 1 TD
What It All Means: After an ugly week with Terrelle Pryor supposedly a bust, the Jim Tressel coaching era in trouble, and with all being wrong with the world, the Buckeyes needed a 509-yard performance to settle everyone down. Now with a scrimmage against New Mexico State up next, it’s time to tune up for Penn State. Pryor only completed 13-of-25 passes, but there were several drops and he was far sharper, outside of a bad interception in the end zone, than he had been in previous weeks. 

Oct. 17
at Purdue 26 … Ohio State 18
Purdue shocked Ohio State with five takeaways, two Joey Elliott to Aaron Valentin touchdown passes, and four Carson Wiggs field goals. Ohio State struggled and sputtered all day long, but the offense mounted a late comeback with Terrelle Pryor connecting with DeVier Posey for a 25-yard touchdown, and ran for the two-point conversion, to get within eight with 7:14 to play. The Purdue defense held tough, forced a Pryor misfire, and was able to run out the clock. Purdue came up with five sacks and held on to the ball for 36:08.
Player of the Game: Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan led the team with nine tackles with three sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and four tackles for loss.
Ohio State : Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 21-34, 221 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Terrelle Pryor, 21-34, 1 TD , Receiving: DeVier Posey, 9-87, 1 TD
Purdue: Passing: Joey Elliott, 31-50, 281 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ralph Bolden, 17-43, Receiving: Keith Smith, 12-125
What It All Means: Ohio State got away with a poor offensive effort last week against Wisconsin, but the mediocre running game, an uneven performance from Terrelle Pryor, and a shockingly strange effort from the defense proved costly. Purdue brought its A effort while Ohio State didn’t seem in it from the start. The five turnovers, with two other fumbles that weren’t lost, nine penalties to Purdue’s one, and yet another bad week in time of possession, holding on to the ball for just 23:52, meant an ugly upset loss in what should’ve been a layup. With a trip to Penn State and a date with Iowa still to play, it’s possible the Buckeyes just lost Pasadena. 

Oct. 10
at Ohio State 31 … Wisconsin 13
Wisconsin controlled the clock for 42:47, but the Ohio State offense wasn’t needed. Kurt Coleman took an interception 89 yards for a touchdown and Jermale Hines returns one 32 yards for a score as the Buckeye defense bent, and bent, and bent, but never broke. The Wisconsin touchdown came on a fake field goal with Chris Maragos diving for the pylon. Even with the Badgers were close to getting back in the game, like they did with a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter to pull within three, OSU had an answer as Ray Small returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a score.
Player of the Game: Ohio State S Kurt Coleman made 14 tackles with an 89-yard interception return for a score.
Wisconsin: Passing: Scott Tolzien, 27-45, 250 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: John Clay, 20-59, Receiving: Isaac Anderson, 6-53
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 5-13, 87 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Saine, 14-55, Receiving: DeVier Posey, 2-54, 1 TD
What It All Means: Ohio State’s defensive line dominated the game with six sacks of Scott Tolzien while forcing mistakes that led to the two key interception returns for score. However, even with all the pressure and all the production, the D still allowed way too many yards and way too many marches. But the D didn’t give up any touchdowns; the offense was a concern. Terrelle Pryor, outside of his one brilliant touchdown pass late in the first half, was awful. Eventually, the offense will have to show up (the Penn State game is November 7th).

Oct. 3
Ohio State 33 … at Indiana 14
Terrelle Pryor threw three first half touchdown passes and he ran for another as Ohio State was never threatened. IU pulled within three in the second quarter on a seven-yard Tandon Doss catch, but Pryor took over leading the way to 23 straight points before Ben Chappell threw his second touchdown pass of the game with no time left on the clock. IU was held to 228 yards of total offense.
Player of the Game: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor completed 16-of-27 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns with an interception, and he ran 16 times for 63 yards and a score.
Indiana: Passing: Ben Chappell, 20-34, 210 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Darius Willis, 11-23, Receiving: Damarlo Belcher, 4-48
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 16-27, 159 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Saine, 17-113, Receiving: DeVier, Posey, 4-51, 1 TD
What It All Means: The Ohio State defense is humming at just the right time holding IU to 18 yards, while Terrelle Pryor appears to have taken his game to another level. Beating Indiana might not be seen as that big a deal, but Pryor showed that he could spread the passing game around and could get the running game going like he has been expected to. Finding a running mate is a must, and Brandon Saine came through with 113 yards against the Hoosiers. Up next is Wisconsin, who poses a dangerous challenge with a balanced offense, a pounding running game, and an overall bad matchup for the Buckeyes.

Sept. 26
at Ohio State 30 … Illinois 0
In the rain, Ohio State’s defense forced three turnovers and allowed just 170 yards of total offense, while the Buckeye ground game ran for 236 yards with short touchdown runs from Dan Herron and three field goals from Aaron Pettrey including a 50 and 46-yarder. Terrelle Pryor threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Dan Sanzenbacher in the final moments.
Player of the Game: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor completed 8-of-13 passes for 82 yards and a score and ran 11 times for 59 yards
Illinois: Passing: Juice Williams, 13-25, 77 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Mikel Leshoure, 4-25, Receiving: Arrelious Benn, 4-33
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 8-13, 82 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Brandon Saine, 13-81, Receiving: Dane Sanzenbacher, 3-36, 1 TD 
What It All Means: In the rain, the running game did what it was supposed to do while the offense took advantage of every opportunity to come up with the laugher of the win. Terrelle Pryor wasn’t great, but he didn’t have to be. This was pure Tressel Ball with the defense stuffing the punchless and lifeless Illini on drive after drive, while the offense worked its way through the rain and the two fumbles to put the game away early. Aaron Pettrey showed what a weapon he is with two first quarter bombs. After not allowing a point in the last two games, the D has to keep up the intensity in what should be a layup against Indiana.

Sept. 19
Ohio State 38 ... Toledo 0
Ohio State held Toledo's high-powered offense to just 210 yards, and just 13 on the ground, while Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeye attack rolled with ease. Pryor ran for 110 yards and a short score, and he started off the scoring with a 76-yard scoring pass to Dane Sanzenbacher less than two minutes into the game. Sanzenbacher followed it up with an 18-yard touchdown catch and the route was on. Den Herron and DeVier Posey each ran for four-yard touchdowns, and Aaron Pettry nailed a 47-yard field goal. Toledo's best chance for a score came on a deep catch by Eric Page, but he fumbled on the three.
Player of the Game: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor completed 17-of-28 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, and he ran 12 times for 110 yards and a score.
Toledo: Passing: Aaron Opelt, 22-45, 197 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: DaJuane Collins, 7-22, Receiving: Eric Page, 6-54
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 17-28, 262 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Terrelle Pryor, 12-110, 2 TD, Receiving: Dane Sanzenbacher, 5-126, 2 TD
What It All Means: It's like the coaching staff realized that Terrelle Pryor is a major-league playmaker a week too late. This was the runner everyone was waiting to see. This was the decisive passer who didn't show up against USC. He also got help from his receivers, and his defense came up with another great performance. but going forward, this was all about Pryor. He needs to be the catalyst and the superstar, and even though the D is there to play Tressel-ball, Ohio State will go further if Pryor allowed to make mistakes from time to time in an effort to make big things happen.

Sept. 12
USC 18 ... at Ohio State 15
Matt Barkley marched the Trojans on a 14-play, 86-yard drive finishing with a two-yard Stafon Johnson touchdown run to give USC the tough comeback win. The Trojans started off the scoring with a one-yard Johnson run coming off a 51-yard interception return from Chris Galippo, but the Buckeyes controlled the action until late with a two-yard Dan Herron run and two Aaron Pettrey field goals coming on the way to a 15-10 lead. OSU had one last shot, but the drive never got going. USC outgained OSU 313 yards to 265.
Player of the Game: USC QB Matt Barkley completed 15-of-31 passes for 195 yards with an interception.
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 11-25, 177 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan Herron, 18-44, 1 TD, Receiving: DeVier Posey, 6-81
USC: Passing: Matt Barkley, 15-31, 195 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Joe McKnight, 16-60, Receiving: Damien Williams, 5-51
What It All Means: Just coming close against the big boys isn't enough; Ohio State needed to come up with a stop to beat a USC team ripe for the picking, but the D couldn't get the job done. On the other side of the ball, Terrelle Pryor needed to be special, and he wasn't with too many misfires and indecisive runs. While USC isn't Navy, that's two straight games the offense hasn't done enough, especially on the ground, and this isn't going to be the last loss if there isn't more consistency and production. Fortunately, Toledo, Illinois, and Indiana are up next before dealing with a resurgent Wisconsin.

Sept. 5
at Ohio State 31 ... Navy 27
Following a 24-yard touchdown run from Ricky Dobbs, Navy went for two points and the tie with 2:23 to play, but Brian Rolle picked off the attempt and took it the length of the field for a two-point Buckeye score and to seal the win. OSU appeared to have things in hand going up 20-7 into halftime helped by a 38-yard Dane Sanzenbacher touchdown catch and a two-yard Terelle Pryor scoring run, but Navy hung around with Marcus Curry taking a Dobbs pass 85 yards for a score. Navy’s ground game ran for 213 yards, but three turnovers proved costly.
Player of the Game: Ohio State LB Brian Rolle made nine tackles, a tackle for loss, and a game-saving pick for a two-point conversion.
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 14-21, 174 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dan Herron, 17-72, 1 TD, Receiving: Dan Herron, 4-29
Navy: Passing: Ricky Dobbs, 9-13, 156 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ricky Dobbs, 18-83, 2 TD, Receiving: Mike Schupp, 3-23
What It All Means: The Buckeyes looked sharp early on against Navy, but then the defense couldn’t come up with enough stops, the explosiveness wasn’t there, and the game became way too tight. But this is nothing new for the Buckeyes, who traditionally have issues with inferior teams, but they always win. On the plus side, almost no one will believe OSU can beat USC, so the pressure will be off … somewhat. Now is when Terrelle Pryor has to take his game to another level and start doing more. He was fine, but he wasn’t special. After this game, OSU needs him to be Terrelle Pryor, while the defense has to figure out how to get off the field. It has to do a much better job on third downs.