The Buckeyes looked anything like the #1 team in the first half against Cincinnati! I was concerned about our attitude for this game, after coming off the big win at Texas. The Bearcats came ready to play and we looked pretty complacent and too many costly penalties. Troy Smith did not hit the big pass plays today, but was pretty consistent and had two TD tosses to Ted Ginn. Gonzalez continutes to be the blue collor receiver. Smith has a lot of receivers to go to this year. Small looks like a winner from Cleveland Glenvill as well. The rushing game finally made an appearance in the second half and Pittman had a nifty 48 yard TD. Chrill Wells continues to look good and Maurice Wells got his first rushing TD of the year. I felt good about Zwick coming in and making tow nice throse and the offense scoring late in the 3rd quarter. Pretorious looked read solid on those two long field goals, the last being a 52 yarder. Nittany Lions will be here next weekend for a 3:30 opening kickoff. Go Bucks! Don
Don, the kids were sleep walking through much of the first half, but seemed to get focused just before half and were clicking on all cylinders in the second half. I was thrilled to see the kicking game come around. Great boost for that young man and we'll need him before the season is over. The youngsters on defense are beginning to pick it up more game by game. The young LB'ers give a glimpse that they be just as talented as the prior group and will be a force as they grow up - Laurinaitis will be a good one. If somebody wants to knock off this Buckeye team, my sense is they better do it before these kids grow up..... Offense - Troy - gave a workmanlike performance. He continues to make excellent decisions. He hasn't thrown a pick in seven games or so....excellent. He hasn't run with the football at all as yet but some tiime soon, somebody's gonna forget that Troy is a big a threat with his legs as his arm. How about Pittman? Is he not the least talked about great back in the country? I don't know of another back in the nation that I'd rather have lining up in the backfield. After a half of running over safeties and LB's, he gets to the edge and takes one to the house from midfield....great stuff. Big test coming next week when the Nits come calling....Go Bucks! Terry
I don't really see Penn State giving you guys much of a game, they are just too young on offense to keep their defense off the field and they really miss Tamba Ali. I see a big win for you guys.
I expect the Nits to come in fired up and ready to go and we'll get their best shot. I do think we'll have to play a better first half than we did -v- Cincy. The friendly confines of Ohio Stadium will be rockin' and the crowd and the kids will no doubt recall last year and play with more intensity. Terry
You have to admit that it's understandable that the Bucks didn't come out breathing fire against the Bearcats. You can only get your team really up for so many games every year, not every game. Bottom lineis that Bucks showed me that they still have plenty of defense and a great offense at the Texas game. Penn State might come in fired up, they were fired up at Notre Dame. But that only goes so far, I would say that you should beat them as bad as the Irish, easily. Terry
Frankly TOK I expected the kids to come out flat...it's a classic sandwich game and a huge emotional vacuum after the Texas game and just before the PSU game. Our kids will be fired up for PSU for a variety of reasons so I expect a good effort....that said, give me a one point victory and I'm as happy as I can be. Terry
Buckeye Terry, How did you like that block that Ted Ginn put on the last defender on Pittman's TD run? You do not see a receiver doing that very often! Don
Don, I saw it, I saw it...not bad for wideout. I also saw Troy Smith trying to get out front and throw a block.....I prefer he stay safely in the pocket! Coach obviously got after the kids at halftime....second half feffort was far superior. Terry
I would be surprised if Penn State gave the Buckeyes a tough game. They didn't show any improvement in the passing game and against the Buckeyes, that is a recipe for another ND type of disaster. Morelli was 11/27 against Youngstown State !!!! The defense looks like it is improving, but I hate the 3-4 D and if the offense goes 1,2,3 it's going to be another slaughter. PSU's best hope and I hate to say this , is if Morelli gets knocked out and Daryl Clark comes in. Clark can run and is mobile and looks like he can move the chains.
AJNJ, Seems like the Nits and Buckeyes always have pretty tight games with one another. Weather prediction for Saturday afternoon is rain, so anything can happen in college football. Don
AJ, I'd be shocked if the Nits didn't give the Buckeyes all they could handle....those kids have alot of competitive pride and I'm sure they were embarrassed by the outcome of the ND game. Knocking of the Buckeyes in Columbus would be the perfect tonic....so hell yes, they'll come ready to play. Our kids I think will have a little chip on their shoulder from last year....which is a good thing in this case as they'll have to be prepared to match the Nits intensity early. I think it will be a tough, tough thing to do for a young QB to come into Ohio Stadium and come away with a W....it ought to be a good one! I'm not sure the weather favors the Buckeyes in this case...I do believe inclement weather typically favors the underdog. Good luck. Terry
This is true, but it takes more than desire to win a game. Penn State hasn't played well at the shoe since they last beat Art Schlicter. The Nits have not played one good game since the season started. The talent is there, but it would be hard to see them play a close game on the road. Morelli has the goods, but he is just not there yet. Unless PSU's offense can get untracked, the defense will take a pounding just like it did against Notre Dame. Penn State is just not good enough to overcome mistakes. Sad to say, I don't expect the game to be close. They may turn out to be a decent team, but there's no indication they will break out soon.
AJNJ, I agree Morelli looks to have a great future, he's got speedy young WR's ..emphasis on young. I would expect Penn State to be a team that is much better at the end of the year than they are now. Terry
AJNJ, Boy what a memory you have about Art! Woody started him as a freshman over Corney Greene. The Nittany Lions ate him alive. I think he threw at least three interceptions. Don