What They're Saying: Ohio State-Ohio Aftermath

Wrapping up the early Big Ten games - Big Ten Blog - ESPN
Ohio State 43, Ohio 7: The Buckeyes continued to look like one of the nation's best teams Saturday. Then again, Ohio made it pretty easy for the Scarlet and Gray, committing five turnovers to give itself absolutely no chance in this one. There are a ton of positives for Ohio State right now, but the best is the fact the Buckeyes' defense has maintained its opportunistic play from 2009, when it tied for third nationally in takeaways (35). Ohio State has forced 12 turnovers in the first three games and committed only two of its own. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had an efficient first half (17-for-20 passing, 2 TDs) but threw his first two interceptions of the season.

Bobcats' QB woes continue | BuckeyeXtra
The questions from reporters were coming so fast and furious that Ohio University quarterback Phil Bates might have thought about scrambling from the pocket to avoid the rush one more time. Bates was the center of attention after being intercepted twice and losing a fumble during a 43-7 loss to second-ranked Ohio State yesterday. "We've got a lot of problems," he said. "The coaches call the plays, and we've got to execute them. We've got a lot of work to do on offense."

Turnovers take luster off big day for Pryor | BuckeyeXtra
No Ohio State quarterback had ever completed 16 consecutive passes until Terrelle Pryor turned the trick yesterday. So why was he disappointed after a 43-7 win over Ohio University? "Those two interceptions," Pryor said. "Those messed up my day." Ohio's Donovan Fletcher grabbed both, the first in the end zone just before halftime when Pryor put a ball up for grabs intended for Taurian Washington. That came two plays after Pryor underthrew Dane Sanzenbacher for what could have been a touchdown, ending Pryor's streak of completions.

Perfectionist Heyward makes two big plays | BuckeyeXtra
Cameron Heyward was upset at halftime, and Ohio State linebacker Brian Rolle couldn't understand why. Heyward, a senior defensive lineman who sets the tone for the defense, had recovered a fumble and led the front seven's overall attack on Ohio quarterback Phil Bates. The Bobcats couldn't penetrate any deeper than the Buckeyes' 45-yard line in the first half. "But Cam prides himself on being perfect," Rolle said. "I remember after the first half, he missed a sack or something, and he was going nuts. I was like, 'Cam, calm down.' But it's great to see a guy be hard on himself for not making plays."

Bob Hunter commentary: Blowouts necessary these days | BuckeyeXtra
At first, hearing Ohio State players say they made a "statement" in a 43-7 win over Ohio, a Mid-American Conference opponent that lost to Toledo last week, seems offensive. OK, here's a statement for you: Pick on somebody your own size. In reality, though, this statement stuff makes sense. Defining "victory" in these nonconference paycheck games isn't always easy. The Bobcats are like college football's equivalent of the Washington Generals, the team that the Harlem Globetrotters pay to hammer into submission nightly. In a college football world where style points somehow seem important, close games scream "weakness" to poll voters dazzled by lopsided scores, even if they have no connection to reality. So when oddsmakers say you're 30-point favorites, you beat the other guys lightly at your own risk. A close win? Can't afford it.

Red zone errors lessen in rout of Bobcats: OSU's Buckeye Leaves | cleveland.com
The Buckeyes went into their cornerback depth Saturday when starter Devon Torrence and No. 3 corner Travis Howard both were out, putting No. 4 corner Corey Brown into the game. Torrence came back, though, and said after the game he was fine after falling on his hip twice. Howard left with what looked like a shoulder injury, and third-team corner Donnie Evege dislocated his elbow and could be out for a few weeks, his father told the Dayton Daily News. ... OSU linebackers coach Luke Fickell said he expected starting strongside linebacker Andrew Sweat to be back next week. Sweat was hurt against Miami and held out against Ohio as a precaution. ... Tight end Jake Stoneburner's touchdown catch Saturday was the first of his career. He has nine catches for 110 yards in three games, after Ohio State tight ends had a total of 16 catches last season. Told it seemed like the Buckeyes were really going to throw to the tight end more this season, OSU offensive coordinator Jim Bollman smiled after the game and said, "Fooled yah." Stoneburner is third among Big Ten tight ends in receiving yards. ...

Ohio State stays at No. 2 in both polls, six Big Ten teams in top 25 | cleveland.com
hio State remained No. 2 in both polls this week after Saturday's 43-7 win over Ohio. In the coaches poll, the Buckeyes remained 60 points behind No. 1 Alabama, the same gap as last week. But Ohio State did lose one of its No. 1 votes to Nebraska. This week Alabama had 55 first-place votes, Ohio State had three and Nebraska had one.

‘Quiet guy’ Homan just keeps making the plays

Orhian Johnson had to smile. After a moment’s thought, he had unwrapped the riddle of Ross Homan, the Ohio State linebacker of so few words and so many big, big plays. "You know how they say you got to watch out for the silent types?" asked Johnson, the Buckeyes’ starting strong safety. "That’s Ross. He shows you quiet guys can give you lots of trouble." He would get no argument from Ohio University quarterback Phil Bates, who first had the OSU captain from Coldwater High School rip the ball away from him in the second quarter Saturday, then intercept one of his passes over the middle in the third. "Ross makes a lot of plays and you hear his name all the time, but he never seeks the glory," Johnson said. "A lot of us look up to him for that." With Homan and defensive end Cameron Heyward inspiring the Bucks defense, Ohio State overpowered Ohio University 43-7 at Ohio Stadium.


The Ross Homan piece is very good; I recommend that everyone reads it.