Dave Thurman (4:25 PM)

A weird year just got a little stranger but I guess we should have expected that on Halloween!  The sweater vest was pushed aside as JT called a succesful onside kick in the second quarter, and shortly thereafter had Posey accept a pitch from Herron and then throw deep downfield to Sanzanbacher for a touchdown.  On a day when conservative play calling was trashed, another staple of Tressel ball was also laid to rest as four field goals were missed!  And, Pryor spent the second half with his shoulder pads removed wearing the jacket to a sweatsuit.  When have you ever seen that before?  Certainly a weird day. 
 
Truth is it is difficult to get any kind of feel from this game because there was really no offensive rhythm established.  Ohio State made lots of big plays due to their superior athleticism, but didn't look that efficient on offense, despite winding up with 559 yards.  Pryor was able to turn some broken plays into long runs in the first half, but hit less than 50% of his passes, and nearly threw a couple pick sixes.  And Saine looked tentative running the ball a week removed from a mild concussion.  As the game progressed the line wore out the smaller Aggie defense, but one wonders if the offense is ready to deal with the excellent defenses that loom the next two weeks.  Based on the first few series of the game, my guess is they are not.  But it was nice to get so many players into the game and to score 45 points, even if it wasn't always pretty.

Of course the Silver Bullet defense was sharp and looked hungry even though they faced a really weak Aggie squad.  They gave up a mere 62 yards and 2 first downs while forcing 3 turnovers and actually outscored New Mexico State 7-0!

That's the quick recap.  Now let's get more technical and talk about what we learned (if anything) from this strange, nearly November non-conference game:

1.  The Bucks have lots of fairly good backs but no great ones - Saine has had his moments this year, but seems to lack that little "something" that great backs possess.  Of course his career has been marked by injuries, and today he looked like he was playing not to get hurt.  Herron is a hard-nosed runner but needs an excellent line in front of him due to his lack of size.  He also has been injury prone.  It was great to see him take one to the house today even if it was against a tired, beat up defense.  Jordan Hall looked good and I think at this point in the season is the best of the bunch, as he has fresh legs, and seems to possess good vision.  But he isn't very big and is inexperienced.  There is no bell cow this year, and I think Ohio State needs to rotate this trio in the final three weeks of the season.

2.  There's a reason Joe Bauserman has not played more - He has a strong arm but possesses no touch, does not see the field well, and looks like a less talented version of Pryor!  Again, I question the quarterbacck coaching, because he has enough talent to be better.  I liked the deep balls to Carter, and he almost hit one to Taurien Washington, but other than that, he looked ragged.

3.  A good kicking game really is important and unappreciated - When special teams play solidly they are often unnoticed.  When field goals are missed and punts shanked, it becomes obvious and frustrating.  Tressel has done a great job of grooming excellent kickers and punters through the years, but the '09 Buckeyes are just okay at these positions.  And now, with the injury to Pettrey one wonders how things will play out the next three weeks.  Barclay seems to have a strong leg, but I dont envision him kicking a 40 yard field goal to win a close game.  Which just shows how dangerous a late season game against a weak opoonet can be.  It seems serious injuries often occur in such blowouts. 

4.  The offensive line will continue to struggle this season - While I have never been a Bollman fan, it isn't just his fault.  When a team has to play a different combination every game, it is impossible to build continuity.  Injuires and sickness have shreaded this year's o-line, which has handcuffed the offense tremendously.

5.  Buckeye fans should never be subjected to Glen Mason announcing a game again - I think Mason is jealous of Treseel who got the job he coveted.  Regardless, there was no need to take so many cheap shots at Ohio State, Pryor, or JT.  My favorite moment was when he questioned Tressel for leaving his starting receievers in the game in the middle of the 3rd quarter.  Had he actually been watching the game instead of flapping his gums he would have noticed that the Bucks had already sent in Washington and Thomas a number of plays before his little tirade.  Neither Posey or Sanzanbacher had been on the field for awhile yet he still took Tressel to the woodshed, claiming he was playing his starters too late into the game!  I can only hope I never have to listen to him work a Buckeye broadcast again.

Well, that's what I noticed.  I'm not sure this game helped the team in any way, other than to get a whole lot of deserving players on the field.  Penn State awaits, and I'm not convinced the Bucks have fixed their weaknesses enough to beat the Nits at their house.  Only time will tell.