How Sweet It Is

Domination. That one word describes many things involving the Ohio St-michigan rivalry lately. Domination describes what the Bucks have done to scUM the past few seasons, picking up their first-ever five-game winning streak over that school up north, after putting the boots to michigan on Saturday, 42-7. Domination describes the result of this game, the biggest margin of victory in the rivalry since Woody put a 50-14 beatdown on the Wolverines in 1968. Domination describes Jim Tressel's career against michigan, this win bumping his record to 7-1. Domination is what Chris Wells has done in his three years in this rivalry, running all over michigan in the past three seasons.

michigan's defense held their own, to say the least, in the first half. Terrelle Pryor threw a pick on OSU's first drive, but michigan couldn't capitalize after K.C. Lopata missed a field goal. Each team traded a couple of punts, then Beanie hit the first of many big plays that would decide this game. On the first play of their fourth drive, Wells took it 59 yards to paydirt to put the Buckeyes on top. After another scUM punt, Ohio St was ready for big play number two. TP hooked up with Brian Hartline for a 53 yard touchdown, making it 14-0. Midway through the second quarter, Brandon Minor led a good drive for the Wolverines, capping it off himself from one yard out. More solid D by both teams closed out the half with michigan right there, 14-7.

The second half was a much different story. michigan punted on their first possession of the half, and pinned the Bucks back at their own nine. Bad news, right? Yeah, for michigan. The first play was a 42-yard punishing run by Wells. The play that followed was a 49-yard scamper by Dan Herron right to the end zone. Again, more big plays. michigan was demoralized after this one, and you could tell at this point that the game was over, and it was going to get ugly. Doghouse resident Ray Small took a scUM punt 80 yards inside the michigan 10. Brian Robiskie caught a TD pass on the next play, 28-7.

As the game carried into the fourth quarter, it was same 'ol same 'ol. michigan continued to punt, and OSU continued to get big plays. Dane Sanzenbacher caught a 35 yard pass from TP to set up Boom Herron's second TD in the game to put the Buckeyes up four touchdowns. michigan fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and senior QB Todd Boeckman entered the game to a thundering ovation. Two plays later, Boeckman hit Hartline for an 18 yard touchdown. Maurice Wells did most of the running out the clock, and the Bucks finished with a 42-7 rout. Domination.

Game Notes

- Game ball goes to...Jim Tressel. After enduring what we all did through the John Cooper years, this is something special. The Sweater Vest is now 7-1 against that school up north, and with the shape that the scUM program is in now, this domination only looks to continue.

- Prior to the game, (no pun intended) Terrelle Pryor went into Jim Tressel's office and pulled a scene straight out of Rudy, as he told Tress that he wanted Boeckman to start on Senior Day. TP gets a lot of guff for his arrogance and attitude, but this really showed me something from the 18-year-old. Tressel denied his request, but big ups to Pryor for this gesture.

- Todd Boeckman didn't start, but he played the fourth quarter, and it was great to see. If you've been following my Ohio St posts on this blog this season, you know I have always been a huge Boeckman supporter. He needed to get into this game and leave his final mark here, and that's just what he did. Boeckman went 3-3 for 64 yards and a TD in his quarter of playing time. Boeckman has now beaten michigan 5 times.

- Ohio St's defense was an absolute force. michigan could only manage 198 yards in this game, and was a pitiful 1-17 on third downs. The D really set the tone in this one.

- Chris Wells is a man. Beanie continued to whoop michigan, as he ran 15 times for a 134 yards (8.9 YPC) and a touchdown. His 59-yarder in this game marked his third 50+ yard TD against michigan. It would be fantastic to see him return for his senior year, but it's unlikely, as he would be a sure-fire first round pick this year.

- Congrats are in order to Brain Robiskie, for being named to the Academic All-American team earlier this week. Coming from a school not exactly known for its academic standing, it's good to see a positive like this.

- With Penn St winning and getting the automatic BCS berth, the Bowl picture for Ohio St is still cloudy. I'll make an updated post in the coming weeks as the other teams finish out their schedules.

- Farewell, senior class. One of the winningest Buckeye classes of all-time, as well as holding an undefeated record against michigan, this class includes standouts such as QB Todd Boeckman, OT Alex Boone, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, LB James Laurinaitis, WR Brian Robiskie, and P A.J. Trapasso. Most of these guys could have been high draft picks last season, but they decided to come back for one more year, because they knew they were part of something special. They wanted their fourth straight Big Ten title (mission accomplished) and a third straight National Championship appearance (not quite). Congrats boys, and good luck at the next level.

The Buckeyes get to sit at home and wait now, and they have over a month off until their Bowl game. Their destination and opponent is currently unknown, but if I were to guess right now I'd say Georgia in the Capital One Bowl.

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Photo credit: Marvin Fong, cleveland.com