Buckeyes Drop Nail-Biter to SC

You know how when John does an Indian series recap and complains because he doesn't feel like doing it because the Tribe blows? Now I know exactly how he feels. Forgive me if I don't put a lot of effort into this one.

The frustration continues to mount for Buckeye and Big Ten fans in general as they cannot get that "can't win the big game" monkey off of their back after Ohio St was defeated by USC last Saturday 18-15. Let's make no mistake about it, Ohio St had this game won and blew it. You simply cannot completely dominate a great team in the first half and only end up tied. Ugh, let's just get this over with.

Game Recap

Terrelle Pryor started the game the worst way possible with an interception that was returned to the Buckeye 3 yard line. Three plays later Stafon Johnson ran it in for the Trojans to put them up 7-0 three minutes into the game. I think Buckeye fans around the nation joined me in thinking, "Here we go again." That was not the case, however, as SC didn't do much else for the rest of the half. Ohio St responded by riding Dan Herron six times on an eight-play drive, the big play coming on a Pryor to Dane Sanzenbacher 56 yard completion. Boom scored from two yards out to tie the game. Two USC three-and-outs later, Pryor led another good drive down to the 1 yard line, but after the drive stalled Tressel decided to kick the short field goal instead of going for the throat as Aaron Pettrey made it 10-7 Bucks.

USC moved the ball much better than OSU in the second quarter but made some critical mistakes. Ross Homan picked off a Matt Barkley pass in OSU territory and Trojan kicker Jordan Congdan ended another drive by missing a 44 yard FG. OSU promptly went three-and-out and Congdon tied the game as time expired in the first half.

Punting from their own end zone at the beginning of the third quarter, USC snapped the ball over the punter's head, resulting in a safety that put OSU back on top 12-10. Brandon Saine caught two big passes on the ensuing drive that led to another Pettrey FG, making it 15-10 Buckeyes. Neither offense moved the ball after that until SC took over from their own 14 with 7:30 to play in the game. Barkley led a drive "that will forever go down in Southern California lore" (gimme a fucking break). The true freshman, who did absolutely nothing the entire game, took the Trojans 86 yards in just over six minutes as Stafon Johnson scored for the second time giving USC the lead. After completing the two-point conversion, OSU trailed 18-15 with 1:05 to go. This is Pryor's chance to prove himself, right? He's going to go down and win the game, right? TP was called for intentional grounding on the first play and threw an incompletion on 4th and 10 to end the game. It was a 4 play, 0 yard drive that lasted 37 seconds. Epic comeback, Pryor. Ohio St loses (again), 18-15.


Game Notes

Game Ball
The game ball was set on fire immediately after the game because no one deserved it. Neither QB threw for 200 yards, and the highest RB total was a staggering 60 yards. Ew.

Thieves
Some SoCal bastard snuck into Jim Tressel's office and ripped out the option play and any play involving Brandon Saine out of the playbook. That seems to be the only explanation of why OSU didn't use them. Saine had 1 carry for 2 yards. ONE CARRY!! Unbelievable.

Pryor Needs To Grow Up
That is all.

Play Calling
A lot of people are livid about Tressel's decision to go for three in the first half when OSU had it 4th and goal from the one. While I would have gone for it, this is Tressel ball. That's what he does, live with it.

I don't care to write anymore because I'm gonna throw up if I keep thinking about this game.


Next Game: vs. Toledo @ Cleveland Browns Stadium, 12:00, ESPN360
ESPN360? Are you kidding me? This game apparently doesn't even deserve the Big Ten Network, and I will have to miss my first Ohio St game in I don't even know how long as it will not be televised. We'll see how Ohio St bounces back against a Toledo team that put up 54 in an upset over Colorado last week.
Prediction: Ohio St 33 Toledo 19


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