Clay had a nice game. So did Kendricks. And Tolzien.
MVPs were the offensive and defensive lines. It's a team sport, and the guys in the trenches -- as a team -- won that game.
That is all.
On Wisconsin!
(and now back to my regularly scheduled absence)
Showing posts with label schofield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schofield. Show all posts
Bits and Pieces from Columbus
I'll get my road trip review up soon, but in the mean time, a couple of thoughts from this game (on top of these).
I think when Paul Chryst takes a look at the game tapes, he'll see that Zach Brown was often (maybe always) open for the outlet on passing plays when he left protect to go to the flat. Against a team that was dominating the line of scrimmage as much as OSU was, I would think we'd want to hit that pass a few times to slow them down just a little.
That said, I thought Chyrst called a solid game. Bielema's call to fake the kick was brilliant. There wasn't one person among the 108 thousand not on the Badger sideline who saw that coming. That's why it worked.
Doeren, too, called a nice game. The Badger defense came to play. After such a big blow, there's one sure bright spot: the play of the Badger defense. Now, some perspective: the last drive of the first half was unfortunate. I didn't think it was the tipping point (the second INT was, then the kickoff return was the nail in the coffin), but as Potrykus points out for the Journal Sentinel, fans are starting to wonder why we keep seeing these late rallies work. I actually called the "give up a long pass for a big play" defensive alignment to the folks around me in the crowd just before it happened. The Buckeye fan in front of me thanked me for making the call.
Sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut.
The Buckeyes didn't do anything in the second half, but before everyone declares how bad Pryor is, consider that it would have been irresponsible for Tressel to let him open it up with a 15-point lead.
Nonetheless, solid effort by our defense. Particularly O'Brien Schofield who was rallying the troops even at the very end. That's leadership. And at least those of us up in section 8C appreciated his fire.
We knew we couldn't make the mistakes we made against Minnesota and win. We did, and lost.
Iowa is another opportunity and one I think we have a good chance in. But we'll need to limit the mistakes.
And if their line is dominating us in the passing game, Paul, look for Zach coming out of the backfield a few times. It was there on Saturday.
I think when Paul Chryst takes a look at the game tapes, he'll see that Zach Brown was often (maybe always) open for the outlet on passing plays when he left protect to go to the flat. Against a team that was dominating the line of scrimmage as much as OSU was, I would think we'd want to hit that pass a few times to slow them down just a little.
That said, I thought Chyrst called a solid game. Bielema's call to fake the kick was brilliant. There wasn't one person among the 108 thousand not on the Badger sideline who saw that coming. That's why it worked.
Doeren, too, called a nice game. The Badger defense came to play. After such a big blow, there's one sure bright spot: the play of the Badger defense. Now, some perspective: the last drive of the first half was unfortunate. I didn't think it was the tipping point (the second INT was, then the kickoff return was the nail in the coffin), but as Potrykus points out for the Journal Sentinel, fans are starting to wonder why we keep seeing these late rallies work. I actually called the "give up a long pass for a big play" defensive alignment to the folks around me in the crowd just before it happened. The Buckeye fan in front of me thanked me for making the call.
Sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut.
The Buckeyes didn't do anything in the second half, but before everyone declares how bad Pryor is, consider that it would have been irresponsible for Tressel to let him open it up with a 15-point lead.
Nonetheless, solid effort by our defense. Particularly O'Brien Schofield who was rallying the troops even at the very end. That's leadership. And at least those of us up in section 8C appreciated his fire.
We knew we couldn't make the mistakes we made against Minnesota and win. We did, and lost.
Iowa is another opportunity and one I think we have a good chance in. But we'll need to limit the mistakes.
And if their line is dominating us in the passing game, Paul, look for Zach coming out of the backfield a few times. It was there on Saturday.
Quick Thoughts on Wofford
(1) See, we didn't overlook them. Good.
(2) Zach Brown is the best back on the team. Period.
(3) Good to see Moffitt and Nagy back in there. That bodes well for conference play.
(4) Gilreath was as bad as Clay hanging onto the ball.
(5) I liked what I saw from Phillips. He's a nice changeup. The problem is how to handle him in a close game where the offense is struggling. Do you put him in for the changeup, or does that risk ruining Tolzien's rhythm.
(6) I like the young players, but Schofield is by far the best player on our D. I think the best four are probably Schofield, Watt, Taylor, and Maragos, in that order. Maragos is a real leader.
(7) Toon is looking great.
(8) Still having penalty problems.
(9) Great to see Kendricks get involved. We have so many quality targets to throw to. Which leads me to . . .
Finally, is there any doubt that the player of the year in non-conference play is Scott Tolzien?
(2) Zach Brown is the best back on the team. Period.
(3) Good to see Moffitt and Nagy back in there. That bodes well for conference play.
(4) Gilreath was as bad as Clay hanging onto the ball.
(5) I liked what I saw from Phillips. He's a nice changeup. The problem is how to handle him in a close game where the offense is struggling. Do you put him in for the changeup, or does that risk ruining Tolzien's rhythm.
(6) I like the young players, but Schofield is by far the best player on our D. I think the best four are probably Schofield, Watt, Taylor, and Maragos, in that order. Maragos is a real leader.
(7) Toon is looking great.
(8) Still having penalty problems.
(9) Great to see Kendricks get involved. We have so many quality targets to throw to. Which leads me to . . .
Finally, is there any doubt that the player of the year in non-conference play is Scott Tolzien?
Quick Hitters on Fresno State
Gratifying win. Team fought back, coaches made the right adjustments. Guys made plays. Team won against a quality opponent (I think; now don't go all Fresno State on us, Fresno State).
Some thoughts, in no particular order:
(1) Maybe it was the flu, but I remember thinking the secondary would be a strength for the defense. It sure wasn't today.
(2) Man, do I like Schofield. He's a player.
(3) Tolzien! He's also a player.
(4) Our running backs look good, but our line looks bad. And remember when I was worried about depth on the line? Yeah, how's that going?
(5) Clay ran with a lot more purpose this week.
(6) Still thinking about the line: I sure hope not having the flu, and having Moffit back in there makes the running game work better (though Konz did a phenomenal job, given what he was asked to do).
(7) If our line can start blocking for the run, this could be a special Badger offense. Seriously. And I think we only lose Graham and Turner next year (though those are big losses).
(8) The defensive line and the linebackers made the right adjustments. After looking like a seive in the first half, they looked good in the second.
(9) I loved the 57-yarder to finish the first half, but Welch still looked shaky; even his 22-yarder for the win was just inside the upright. He needs to spend extra time in the McClain center this week.
(10) Gratifying, if stressful, win. 2-0.
Some thoughts, in no particular order:
(1) Maybe it was the flu, but I remember thinking the secondary would be a strength for the defense. It sure wasn't today.
(2) Man, do I like Schofield. He's a player.
(3) Tolzien! He's also a player.
(4) Our running backs look good, but our line looks bad. And remember when I was worried about depth on the line? Yeah, how's that going?
(5) Clay ran with a lot more purpose this week.
(6) Still thinking about the line: I sure hope not having the flu, and having Moffit back in there makes the running game work better (though Konz did a phenomenal job, given what he was asked to do).
(7) If our line can start blocking for the run, this could be a special Badger offense. Seriously. And I think we only lose Graham and Turner next year (though those are big losses).
(8) The defensive line and the linebackers made the right adjustments. After looking like a seive in the first half, they looked good in the second.
(9) I loved the 57-yarder to finish the first half, but Welch still looked shaky; even his 22-yarder for the win was just inside the upright. He needs to spend extra time in the McClain center this week.
(10) Gratifying, if stressful, win. 2-0.
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