Football
By the Numbers
By Jeff Amey

The evolution of the 2008 Ohio State offense continued this week with a 34-21 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in what could be considered the last "tune up" game before a tougher stretch of Big 10 games. The final score wasn't a very good indicator of how dominating a performance it was this week.

The progression of Terrelle Pryor is at the center of most talk about the offense, but this game also saw the much anticipated return of Beanie Wells to the lineup. The combination of Pryor and Wells turned out to be lethal to the Gophers and will be a force to reckon with for opposing defenses the rest of this year.

Before we get into all that, let's look at the stats.

Run/Pass Breakdown

59 Total Plays-414 yards-7.0 ypp

22 pass (37%)-13/22 for 134 yards 2 TD

37 runs (63%) for 280 yards 2 TD-7.6 ypc

11 Offensive Possessions

ave. of 5.4 plays-37.6 yards

ave. start-OSU 36

First Down-29 plays (49%) for 214 yards

8 pass (28%)-4/8 for 44 yards 1 TD

21 runs (72%) for 170 yards 1 TD-8.1 ypc

ave. gain of 7.4 yards

Second Down-18 plays (31%) for 96 yards

8 pass (44%)-4/8 for 47 yards 1 TD

10 runs (56%) for 49 yards 1 TD-4.9 ypc

ave. of 8.3 yards to go

ave. gain of 5.3 yards

Third Down-11 plays (19%) for 102 yards

6 pass (55%)-5/6 for 43 yards

5 runs (45%) for 59 yards-11.8 ypc

ave. of 8.2 yards to go

ave. gain of 9.3 yards

conversions-5/11 (45%)

Fourth Down-1 play (2%) for 2 yards

1 run (100%) for 2 yards-2.0 ypc

ave. of 1.0 yard to go

ave. gain of 2.0 yards

Playaction Passing

0/1 for 0 yards

First Downs-19

5 by pass

13 by run

1 by penalty

FORMATION BREAKDOWN

Two Back formations-14 plays (24%)

3 pass (21%)-2/3 for 19 yards

11 runs (79%) for 35 yards 1 TD-3.2 ypc

Shotgun formations-26 plays (44%)

9 pass (35%)-4/9 for 47 yards

17 runs (65%) for 182 yards 1 TD-10.7 ypc

One back formations-15 plays (25%)

9 pass (60%)-6/9 for 61 yards 2 TD

6 runs (40%) for 63 yards-10.5 ypc

Pistol formations-2 plays (3%)

1 pass (50%)-1/1 for 7 yards

1 run (50%) for -2 yards-(-2.0) ypc

Three back formations-2 plays (3%)

2 runs (100%) for 2 yards-1.0 ypc

RUN TYPE BREAKDOWN-37 attempts

Base/iso-11 (30%) for 66 yards-6.0 ypc

Counter/trap-1 (3%) for 2 yards-2.0 ypc

Option-12 (32%) for 116 yards 1 TD-9.7 ypc

Pass Lateral-1 (3%) for -1 yard-(-1.0) ypc

Power-6 (16%) for 41 yards-6.8 ypc

QB run/scramble-5 (14%) for 52 yards 1 TD-10.4 ypc

Stretch-1 (3%) for 4 yards-4.0 ypc

Other Stats of Note

~ 6 offensive penalties for 35 yards

~ Ohio State started on the Minnesota side of the 50 three times-14 points (2 TD)

~ 3/3 in the red zone (2 TD 1 FG)

~ 1 sack and 1 turnover (fumble)

~ 31/59 plays took place on the Minnesota side of the 50-(53%)

~ 17/59 plays went for no gain or loss (29%)

~ Number of plays of 10+ yards-14

Watching this game live, I was under the impression that the Buckeyes ran more plays than they did. Instead, the offense ran the second lowest number of offensive plays of the season, but managed their highest yardage output against a team from the FBS, and well above their season averages. I think it's safe to say the offense is headed in the right direction, but considering the level of competition the past two weeks, it's hard to say exactly how far they still have to go.

Let's take a closer look at the position groups.

Quarterbacks

The easier games are out of the way, now we're going to see what Terrelle Pryor is going to be able to do. It seemed the coaching staff spent another week experimenting with what he's able to do well and easing him into the passing game, and once again Pryor impressed with his play. It's clear he's got some way to go in the passing game, but the running game has gotten a whole lot better with him in the game.

Most of us were expecting the option game to become a larger part of the offense with Pryor back there, and we haven't been disappointed. From day one, Pryor's speed and quickness have warranted more zone-read option plays than the speed options that we became accustomed to when Troy Smith was at Ohio State, and it seems the coaching staff is feeling the same way. The zone-read option lends itself to a lot of versatility and has the potential to open up running lanes for the halfback as well as ensure single coverage on the wide receivers when they go playaction. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ohio State increase the zone-read calls in the coming weeks.

Todd Boeckman got his first significant playing time since the USC game, coming in for two series in the second half. Boeckman actually looked more like his pre-Illinois self in this game than at any time since that game. He looked relaxed in the pocket and stepped into his throws with a confidence that has been lacking for a long time. It was nice to see his time rewarded with a nice touchdown pass (and an incredible catch) to Brian Robiskie.

Grade-B+ Pryor is the major difference between the struggling offense of the first three games of this year (and last three of last year) and an offense that is becoming more effective with every passing week.

Running Backs

What did we learn this week?

We learned that, while Boom Herron is a decent back, and has the potential to become a pretty good one, he's no Beanie Wells. After three weeks of watching from the sideline, Beanie made his presence felt on his second carry of the game, rumbling for 28 yards, and more importantly, showing very little ill affect from his toe injury. According to Beanie himself, he's only at about 75%, but that was a good 75%.

Considering the long layoff, he surprised me with his ability to find open holes and get through them. Timing and vision are sometimes compromised when a player is out with injury, but Beanie looked as strong as he ever has, and made some very nice cuts to find open space, or when there wasn't any, just jumped over the defender. Welcome back, Beanie. We missed you.

With Beanie's return, Boom Herron dropped to second on the depth chart, but made an impact with some tough running and a couple of big runs, including a nice 26 yard run right up the middle on a power play that got down to the one-yard line. Herron's experience in Beanie's absence will be invaluable down the stretch, giving the Buckeyes a nice one-two punch as they head into the meat of their Big 10 schedule.

Grade-B+ This would probably be an A- had it not been for Beanie's fumble in the first quarter.

Receivers

The wide receivers have been a group that has caught a fair amount of flak this season for the poor performance of the offense, Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie in particular. While they weren't earth-shatteringly good this week, it was their best game of the year in the big play department. We already talked about Robiskie's incredible touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. That was actually his second TD of the game, the first coming on a fade route right before the half to put Ohio State up 20-3.

We also got to see a little more of freshman wide receivers DeVier Posey and Lamarr Thomas as the coaches said we were going to. Posey only managed one catch on the day, but had a couple of very nice downfield blocks to spring long runs. That was nice to see considering that has been something missing from the receivers this year. Thomas managed two catches, both were simple hitches that were stopped very short, so we didn't get much of a feel for what he can do.

Rory Nicol caught a pass on the first play and looked poised to be a major part of the passing game again this week, but went out of the game later in the first quarter to an injury. Jake Ballard will have to pick up the slack, and Brandon Smith will have to fill in more often at the H-Back position (he spent a lot of time there this week).

Grade-B Solid, but with one spectacular grab. It looked like there was more room for them out there this week, in large part because of what Pryor brings to the running game.

Offensive Line

For the second straight week, the offensive line looked a little better than the week before, also in large part due to Pryor's presence in the backfield, but also because Beanie makes them all look better with his size and vision. The Buckeyes averaged over seven and a half yards per carry, so they were doing something right. It also helps that they ran so much option (which always leaves one guy unblocked), allowing them to concentrate on one less man on many plays.

Pass blocking still has a few issues. Mike Brewster had a little more trouble with Minnesota's active defensive tackles, getting beat on more than one occasion, but still looks to have a bright future. Pryor spent too many of his few pass attempts being flushed in the pocket. The Buckeyes will need to pick up in this area as they face some better defenses in the upcoming weeks.

Finally, Ben Person has been called out here and other places for being the weakest link on the offensive line this season. While this game was far from perfect (and he still has difficulties when he isn't pulling), he had a really good game pull blocking this week. He threw the key blocks on a few different plays, including two straight on Ohio State's TD drive at the beginning of the second half. If you're going to call them out, you have to give them their props when they're due.

Grade-B Slightly better than last week. The second week of the Brewter/Cordle combination was a little better than the first.

Total Offense/Coaching

For the second straight week, I thought the gameplan was managed very well for Pryor to continue to grow into the offense. Pryor and Beanie in the backfield together makes for some interesting choices for defenses that face this offense in the upcoming weeks, especially from the shotgun.

As this offense continues to evolve, I think we'll see more and more of the zone-read and all the things that can be ran off of it and less of the "conventional" formations as time goes by. I really think the coaches have hit on the right combination to let this offense take flight, though probably not without some growing pains somewhere along the way.

I'm interested to see what will happen if a defense really sells out to stop the run or puts a lot of pressure on the line of scrimmage. Will Pryor be able to win games with his arm? Texas' offense didn't become a National Championship caliber offense until Vince Young proved he could beat good teams with his arm. I think the Buckeyes are in the same situation until Pryor proves it. The similarities between Pryor and Young are obvious, but a main difference I've seen is that Pryor seems commited to staying with the pass play rather than taking off at the first sign of trouble. That's a good sign that tells me that Pryor will develop as a passer quicker than Young did.

Grade-B+ All signs are looking up for this offense. The experimentation period is over with the easiest part of the schedule behind them. Now we'll see what Pryor is made of.

Total Defense/Coaching

The 34-21 final score was not a good indicator of how one-sided this game was. Minnesota was able to move the ball a little bit against the first team, but wasn't able to put more than 6 points on the board, gaining most of their points and yardage against the subs after the score hit 34-6. Overall, this was another solid game against an offense that has shown the ability to move the ball.

I like the changes along the defensive front we've seen the past two weeks. Cameron Heyward has injected some much needed energy up the middle, while Thaddeus Gibson and Lawrence Wilson have done a decent job on the outside. This week saw what might be the emergence of yet another freshman that will contribute this season in Nathan Williams. He came in and made an immediate impact with pressure on the Gopher quarterback and penetration on their few running plays. I was pleasantly surprised, and hope to see more of him this season.

In general, however, I think some Buckeye fans have unrealistic expectations of the kind of pressure the defensive line is going to get on opposing QB's, especially teams that run a spread offense, which is designed to negate pressure. If there is a major weakness in the defensive line, it has been up the center against the run, which still seems to be an issue even though the Gophers did very little to test it.

All in all, I think we know what the Buckeyes defense is all about by this time. The defensive line is somewhat weak against the run. The linebackers are very good in space, but lack aggressiveness, are blocked too easily, and take too long to get off their block when they get into traffic. I feel the defensive backfield is one of the, if not THE, best in the nation. If the front seven ever catches up with the back four, this will be a dominant defense.

Grade-B+ This would be an A if not for the two late touchdowns. I would like to see the defense play better against the run, but that's just nit-picking this week.

Special Teams

It is difficult to reconcile the decidedly "meh" special teams of the past few seasons with the excellent special teams from early in Jim Tressel's tenure at Ohio State. Kickoff return is not a field position weapon. The best punt returner can't keep himself out of the doghouse long enough to get on the field. Place-kicking has become a bit of a question mark (though we are all clearly still spoiled by Nugent).

The punt and kickoff coverage teams have been the only real bright spots from an otherwise very unremarkable group. If Ohio State was scoring 40 points per game and shutting teams out, maybe this wouldn't be that big of a deal, but with the other problems this team has had on both sides of the ball, special teams have almost been more of a liability than a help.

Grade-C- A missed field goal, no kickoff returns past the OSU 25, and anemic punt returning makes for a below average grade. Only A.J. Treppaso's punting keeps this from the D-F range.

Playtime's over. After the loss to USC, the most realistic goal for this team would be to win the Big 10 and head to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1996 season (has it really been that long?) The Buckeyes will take their first major step towards that goal this upcoming Saturday with a trip to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers, who are coming off of a disappointing loss to Michigan last week.

How will Pryor handle his first start in a major away game? Will the offense continue to favor the option? Will the defense step up against an offense that is sure to try to punch them in the mouth with the running game? The answers to those questions will go a long way to determining if Ohio State can make a BCS bowl this season.

Click here to email this the-Ozone feature to a friend...or even a foe.

Return to the-Ozone Columns and Features

Return to the-OZone Front Page

(c) 2008 The O-Zone, O-Zone Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, rebroadcast,rewritten, or redistributed.