11-19-11 Ohio State vs. Penn State Summary

With a nod to Miami, FL, the two teams having the most tumultuous seasons of anyone in college football teed it up with, believe it or not, a Big Ten title still at stake. By afternoon’s end Penn State, who had dropped their first seven decisions in Columbus since joining the Big Ten, had made it two wins in their last three trips, set up a winner-take-all showdown with Wisconsin to determine who the “Leader” would be, and put an end to Ohio State’s run of six straight conference crowns.

It was Senior Day, which usually provides a bittersweet pregame as guys you’ve enjoyed watching over the last 4-6 years enter Ohio Stadium for the final time. Quite honestly, though, I had a different feeling this year. I wasn’t about to cheer Dan Herron or DeVier Posey making their entrances. I’m glad it was their final appearance. We’re just one step closer to getting them, and the stench of what they did to this program, out of here.

Beyond that, it was the typical mix of ingredients that has plagued this team all year- lame offensive production, lousy tackling and relying on Braxton Miller to be Superman and bail everyone out. Oh, and thank God J.B. Shugarts is another one that’s on his way out. I caught wind of a stat saying that he has been responsible for 39% of the team’s false starts this year. Seriously, folks, can any of you remember a more undisciplined offensive lineman on any level of football in your life?

Penn State wasted no time lighting the scoreboard. The Blue and White decided to be the anti-Jim Bollman and throw deep on their first play. Devon Smith had Travis Howard beat and all Howard could do was shove him and draw laundry. Two receptions by Derek Moye helped advance the ball into Ohio State territory, and from the 39 the PSU offensive staff decided to trot out the “Wildcat”, a wrinkle that ABC’s Todd Blackledge said hadn’t been shown all season by the Lions. Curtis Drake got the snap and stepped right before handing to Stephfon Green. The “O”-line blocked flawlessly, opening up a huge cavern in the middle. Ryan Shazier drifted too far following Drake and was out of position to nab Green as he sped by. Orhian Johnson made a feeble try at a stop in the secondary but came up empty as Green raced to the south endzone for a quick 7-0 lead.

Dan Herron went over right guard for nothing on the Bucks’ opening play. The call drew a chorus of boos- considering it’s the same thing they’ve done on practically every initial snap this year- but in fairness Braxton Miller had checked off. Things got worse as Jack Crawford got to Miller for a 5-yard sack, but the frosh signal caller worked his magic on third down. Miller was flushed to his right and DeVier Posey, who had run an out route, broke deep and hauled in a Miller aerial for 39 yards. After an incompletion, Braxton worked the left side for 9 and Herron followed with a chain-moving carry. Herron continued to pound but on 3rd-and-6 from Penn State’s 28, Michael Brewster set in motion a bad day by hitting himself in the butt with a shotgun snap. Miller had to cradle it for a 7-yard loss and a 52-yard field goal wasn’t looking inviting to coach Luke Fickell, so Ben Buchanan punted away. Penn State took over at their 20 and began to piece together another successful march.

Matt McGloin converted a pair of third downs through the air, and tailback Brandon Beachum, a teammate of John Simon’s from Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, got another on the ground. The drive reached the OSU 26 before the defense finally asserted itself. Silas Redd got squat on first down; Justin Brown had to twist himself in the endzone and couldn’t snag a McGloin throw and Bradley Roby did a super job on third down of locking up Derek Moye to keep him from a slant. Anthony Fera, whose long field goal this season was 40 yards, eclipsed it with a 43-yard shot. For the third week in a row, Ohio State found itself in a 10-0 hole- a count that would stand at the end of one. Both teams had come into the contest with 44 points scored in the opening stanzas of 2011, but the difference lied in the defense as the Buckeyes had now surrendered 76 1st-quarter points to PSU’s 34. Just another reason one team was 8-2, the other 6-4.

The Buckeyes offense finally got in gear on their subsequent offensive thrust. They caught a break as the first period exhausted when Braxton Miller’s mask was grabbed. As the second opened, OSU was in Lion territory, but started to sputter. Ohio State’s overall lack of team speed was pointed up on second-and-long as defensive end- yes, I said defensive end!- Sean Stanley dropped step-by-step with Jordan Hall and knocked down a deep throw. Now it was 3rd-and-11, but DeVier Posey bailed the “O” out, leaping high at the sidelines for a one-handed grab of a Miller heave. The 18-yard play rejuvenated the crowd, but they let out a collective groan as Miller couldn’t complete a simple swing pass to Carlos Hyde. Miller took things into his own hands from there, working the right side for 8 to the PSU 24. Sticking with a good thing, Miller stayed right-handed, slithering through and picking up a nice block/shield from Posey to dash into the southwest corner for six. As I’ve stated before, Braxton doesn’t have the deceptive long strides of Terrelle Pryor, but he doesn’t have to take a backseat to his tatted predecessor when it comes to speed, as exemplified on this play which cut the Blue and White lead to 10-7.

Penn State’s opening TD had come in 5 plays, and history repeating on the ensuing possession. Silas Redd got free, juked Christian Bryant badly, and carved out a 42-yard gain before Etienne Sabino could run him down. Matt McGloin looked left on the next play, then pegged a bullet back right to Derek Moye for another 20. Bill Belton entered in the “Wildcat” and broke off another dozen, faking Tyler Moeller silly and benefiting from a nice block on Bryant from Stephfon Green. Green was rewarded for his blocking efforts, as he got the rock on first-and-goal from the 4 and hammered in for the score, boosting PSU back into a 10-point advantage at 17-7.

The Bucks quickly went three-and-out, but with things starting to look bleak, the defense revived the throng assembled in the ‘Shoe. McGloin rolled right and looked for his tight end Andrew Szczerba (there goes the spell check). C.J. Barnett had him draped and poked the pass in the air. Orhian Johnson had to pin the carom against his hip to keep from dropping the darn thing, but he managed to corral it and the Bucks were back in business from the Lion 37. Miller got loose through the right side once more and reeled off a 24-yard burst, setting his troops up at the enemy 8. Two plays and one timeout later, ABC’s Brad Nessler unknowingly consulted the crystal ball, noting that “...we haven’t seen (Miller) aim one at Stoneburner, the tight end, yet…”

Well, it certainly seemed that Braxton listened to the right guy in the press box with headphones on as he took a three-step drop and found Jake in the endzone. Drew Basil was true and the Penn State lead was back down to three. It wouldn’t stay that way.

The Nittany Lions’ new “Wildcat” look continued to baffle the Buckeye defense. Curtis Drake stumbled through the line, picked up a fine block from Szczerba and danced his way for 38 to the OSU 40. 5 straight runs moved the football to the Bucks’ 32, but it was 3rd-and-12 and Stephfon Green was upended on a screen after only gaining three. The teams traded timeouts as the half was winding down; OSU’s being the second one as they tried to ice placekicker Anthony Sera. Having drilled a season-long 43-yarder earlier, now he did that better, lofting a 46-yard field goal to send the guests off with a 20-14 lead at the break.

Halftime absolutely sent chills up your spine. After TBDBITL broke out several rock classics in a salute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, history was made. Dr. Jon Woods, the Ohio State Marching Band leader since 1984, was conducting his final game in Ohio Stadium. The band had never before in its history done “Script Ohio” both during pre-game and halftime, but on this cool fall afternoon they revved it up one more time and the drum major escorted Dr. Woods to a well-deserved spot dotting the “I”.

Ohio State had possession to lift off the second half. “Philly” Brown got in on the action, leaning to make a 10-yard reception at the sideline following a nifty escape in the pocket by Braxton Miller. Braxton got more heat on first down and couldn’t connect with Dan Herron. The QB draw only worked for 1, bringing up a 3rd-and-9. Once more, Mike Brewster uncharacteristically screwed up the snap, sending this one low. By the time Miller latched on to it, he could only manage 3 and the Bucks had to punt. Stephfon Green generated one first down with a 16-yard burst, but the Silver Bullets tightened the screws and forced the visitors to kick. Jordan Hall burst for six from the “Wildcat”, but on 2nd down he and Herron botched a handoff and Penn State recovered at the OSU 11.

OSU drew an offside flag to park the ball at the 6, and moments later Travis Howard was hit with another holding call, giving the Lions a first-and-goal at the 2. Two plunges by fullback Mike Zordich netted only 1. Matt McGloin tried to sneak it in and was met by Storm Klein and finished off by Johnathan Hankins. Interim coach Tom Bradley rolled the dice on fourth down, calling on Silas Redd. Redd tried to dive over, got upended and tumbled down short of the goal line. All the action took place at the closed north end and the Stadium was awash in noise. You have to wonder if Penn State fans of age had flashbacks of the 1979 Sugar Bowl when Alabama stood the Lions up at the goal line to prevail in New Orleans.

And the stand brought back memories of the final moments in Tempe in January, 2003. It was another defensive back wearing #7- one Chris Gamble- that had been flagged for holding that evening in the second overtime, giving Miami a first-and-goal at the 2. And just like the Lions on this day, the ‘Canes were denied the endzone by the relentless Buckeye defense.

The “D’s” big stand lit a fire under the offense, and for a few moments it appeared they might ride that wave 99 yards in the other direction. Herron circled left end for 15, then came right back with 9 more the other way. Carlos Hyde powered ahead for 9, but on his next carry Hyde was stripped by Glenn Carson. The ball rolled upfield before Nick Sukay swallowed it up at the Ohio State 35. The defense refused to fold and forced a three-and-out, but as the scoreless third quarter ended, the Bucks found themselves backed up to their own 3 thanks to a clutch Anthony Fera punt.

The ground game earned one first down, and then Miller found Posey for a dozen to provide more breathing room. That catch gave Posey 69 yards receiving for the game, and as ABC sadly pointed out, it was a season high for any OSU receiver in a game this year. Penn State forced a third-and-7 and came hard after Miller, who kept alive and let fly a homerun ball towards “Philly” Brown. Corey had to wait a bit on it, and the collision with safety Nick Sukay jarred the ball free, although bluntly Brown should have had it. Ben Buchanan kicked away and PSU took over at their 25 with the clock becoming more and more of an ally.

Penn State’s ground assault picked up a first, and a screen to Brandon Beachum helped overcome a false start and earn another first down. Mike Zordich was free on a 3rd-and-3 swing pass but turned upfield before he had the ball and the Bucks caught a break. Fera punted to the OSU 13, and the Buckeyes set sail with just over 7 minutes left.

Herron got the call on first down out of the pistol and picked up 14, which completely baffled me since everyone had to know he’d get it. Three more totes by Herron moved the chains again and set up yet another highlight-reel moment for Ohio State’s freshman quarterback. The shotgun snap almost got by Miller but he brought it in. Taking off to his right, Miller was pinballed around by a pair of tacklers but kept his balance. One of those defenders, Gerald Hodges, recovered to have a second shot at Braxton, but Jordan Hall came in and wiped Hodges out, springing Miller loose down the east sideline for additional yardage. The 22-yard play energized the Senior Day throng and put the Bucks at the Penn State 41, but the most critical series of the day was about to unfold.

Herron forged forward for a yard. The Bucks put “trips” left and Posey to the right. Unbelievably, Mike Brewster again sent back a low snap. Braxton snapped it up and fired off a quick throw to Posey, but D’Anton Lynn had already closed in and dropped his opposite number for a loss of three. Miller kept from the gun and rolled up 7, setting up the play of the season- 4th-and-5 from the Penn State 36. Luke Fickell chose to save his two timeouts and out of the huddle came the Buckeyes. But before the play could go off, the yellow laundry flew. Once again it was J.B. Shugarts, false starting from right tackle. It was too much to hope that he could go a whole game without jumping, and now he had pulled his usual bonehead stunt at the most critical moment of all. Reactions have probably varied all year to his ineptitude, but there was no dismissing or laughing it off now. It wasn’t funny anymore. In fact, the next day the Columbus Dispatch would name Shugarts specifically when describing how that sequence screwed the team. Now it was 4th-and-10, and Miller had to try and don the superhero cape again.

Keeping to the right, Miller first had to avoid J.B. Shugarts’ man. For a heartbeat, it appeared he had an alley up the right sideline, but with Malcolm Willis coming in low like a missile, Braxton had to go airborne and his dive came up a yard shy. Ohio State had finally paid a dear price for J.B. Shugarts lack of focus.

Penn State milked what they could of the clock, but the Silver Bullets threw up one last show of resistance and the Buckeye offense had a final chance from their 35 with 36 seconds left. Braxton Miller got trapped on first down and heaved it away toward the west sideline. Problem was he wasn’t out of the tackle box and there wasn’t a scarlet jersey in the area code of the throw. The grounding flag produced a triple whammy- lost yardage, loss of down, and by college rule a 10-second runoff on the clock. One last flicker of hope shone as Evan Spencer managed to get his hands on a “Hail Mary” pass down around the Penn State 30. But Spencer couldn’t hang on and a play later OSU’s Big Ten title hopes evaporated.

Penn State will head to Madison for a huge 3:30 tilt this Saturday to determine the Leaders Division champion. ESPN has the broadcast and Michigan State awaits the winner. Ohio State will head to Ann Arbor for the 108th edition of “THE Game” in its traditional high noon spot on ABC. I recall in 2006 when Kirk Herbstreit started doing games with Brent Musburger, and how it must have felt for him to have the opportunity to call the #1 vs. #2 matchup between the Bucks and TBGUN that season. Well now Chris Spielman gets a chance to call the game this Saturday. Of course, the biggest broadcast headline is who WON’T be in the booth…

RANDOM THOUGHTS - The 20 points scored by Penn State was the most they’ve ever tallied at Ohio Stadium since they joined the Big Ten in 1993. As an independent, Rip Engle’s squad blanked 2nd-ranked OSU 27-0 in 1964 for their all-time Horseshoe high. The Lions’ top score in Columbus overall came in their first-ever meeting with Ohio State- a controversial 37-0 throttling of the Bucks in 1912. That game ended prematurely as head coach John Richards yanked his Buckeye team off the field in protest of dirty play by Penn State. To literally throw gas on the fire, an OSU student climbed the goalposts and burned the PSU flag…This year is the first time Ohio State has lost two games at home since, ironically, Jim Tressel’s inaugural year of 2001 when Wisconsin and Illinois both won in Columbus. Tressel would lose only 5 more home games the remainder of his career…

From one of our web readers "Joe Buck"

AN OHIO STATE/PENN STATE DEBATE

Who do you like in the Ohio State-Penn State game?

I have to pick?

For once, a game really means something and you don't want to pick?

OK, I'll take Penn because they fired their coach right away, Paterno got paid only a sixth of

Tressel's salary and none of his players were involved in the scandal.

But no children were involved at Ohio State. Give them credit for that.

Good point, but Penn State was more of a criminal thing that could happen anywhere.

Like big time stuff on the news every night. Unlike the trading of tattoos for OSU jerseys and

paraphernalia, which was strictly campus misbehavior and unmonitored.

So, in your book, a minor NCAA violation is worse than a felony?

No, but the felony is eventually going to be dealt with by the police wherever it occurs.

Ohio State was allowing players to profit with no end in sight.

The players were broke while the university cashed in. They only got a little spending money.

That's no excuse. They are getting free training and probably housing unless they flunk out,

or get kicked out. That is their compensation.

You would have loved slavery.

Slaves didn't have a chance at the NFL in their day.

Oh, today they have about a 2 or 3% chance.

Look, the world is wide open to them after graduation. They can open their own tattoo parlor

or go on to some other greatness.

Like use that degree in physical education for a job at the gym?

Exactly. No one is expecting any rocket scientists out there Saturday. 100,000 people

aren't going to show up for a game of chess.

I just wish there could be a little more accent on education.

This whole thing IS education. Weekend education--socialization, networking, the agony

and ecstasy under an autumn sky smelling of barbecue and beer. What more could you want?

A emotional victory of some sort. A tie would be nice. Maybe root for the Buckeyes, feel sorry

for the Lions and forget about books and weekday learning.

You got it. No books. Real college is about chances--with sex, with roommates, tastes, opinions,

diversity, even the NFL! You can do your thinking when you get out of there.

Ideally, couldn't Nike and the NFL just buy some choice universities to at least maintain

the illusion of higher education while operating their plantation system?

If the networks, cable and the casinos chipped in, definitely. It might even help with paying

off all this student debt.

So why don't they Just Do It?

Imagine the antitrust cases. A giant horizontal and vertical monopoly controlling the nation's gambling,

education, media and sports.

Who is going to fight it, Obama? He gets half the pay of these university presidents. What does he know?

True. If he was really smart, he'd have a football team.AN OHIO STATE/PENN STATE DEBATE