Photo by Ohio State Athletics
Ohio State overcame a flat start, an opening drive touchdown by the Hoosiers. They also powered through three pass interference penalties from one of their star cornerbacks who leads the nation with 10 of those on the year. But other than that, it was all Ohio State, offense, defense, and special teams, the Buckeyes dominated. Their 38-15 win over Indiana was their second win in their third top-5 matchup of the season. Now, it’s time for war, beat that team up north!
The Ohio State Defense Dominates
The Hoosiers had 70 yards on their opening touchdown drive. They had 75 yards on their late touchdown drive in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach, being down 24 points. Outside of those two drives, IU had six total yards. Only 18 feet. The Silver Bullets shredded a legit, high-powered Indiana offense. The Buckeyes were on fire on third down as well, after IU went 4 of 4 on their first drive they went 2 of 10 for the rest of the game.
The Rushmen
The defensive effort started up front with the defensive line. This was the best game the unit who call themselves the Rushmen have had in quite some time. They were led by their seniors. J.T. Tuimoloau had five tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss. Jack Sawyer had four tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Caden Curry had four tackles and a tackle for a loss. Tyleik Williams had three tackles and a tackle for a loss. And finally, Ty Hamilton had four tackles.
The Back Seven
The Rushmen also paved the way for fantastic games from linebackers Cody Simon and Sonny Styles. Simon had 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for a loss! Styles totaled eight tackles and a tackle for a loss. The secondary also had a big day for the defense. While his counterpart struggled at corner, Denzel Burke had a good game. Burke only had two tackles but played so well that the Indiana offense didn’t complete much of anything on him. Lathan Ransom and Jermaine Matthews Jr. were solid as well.
Jim Tressel Would be Proud!
The best defensive back of the game was easily Caleb Downs. Downs broke the game open in favor of the Buckeyes in the third quarter with a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. This was the first time in 10 years and a day that the Buckeyes returned a punt for a touchdown. Jalin Marshall did it against IU the most recent time until today on November 22nd, 2014. He also had five tackles on defense. The Buckeyes also stopped an opposing punt (with the help of the rain) for the third straight week! The special teams guru, the Sweater Vest himself, Jim Tressel would be proud!
Resilient Offensive Line Leads the Attack
I was very worried at the loss of Seth McLaughlin. He had been playing at an all-American level and was the leader on the offensive line. The line had just finally seemed to start getting traction until his injury this week. This was the fifth different combination on the line for Ohio State this year. They worked spectacularly especially when that’s considered. Donovan Jackson, Austin Siereveld, Carson Hinzman, Tegra Tshabola, and Josh Fryar had a great game. Will Howard was never sacked and the way was paved for 316 total yards against the stout IU defense.
Will Howard and Emeka Egbuka Chase Ohio State Records
Jelani Thurman had a huge bounce-back moment with him and Howard. In the Red Zone, Thurman bobbled a pass that was then picked off. But despite foolish fans like me doubting him, the team stuck with Thurman and he caught the second touchdown pass of the game from Howard.
Howard helped by being a sniper again, completing over 80% of his passes for the sixth time this season, a Buckeye record. Howard was 22 of 26 for 201 yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). His favorite receiver was the senior Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was despite the ball being deflected he reeled it in. His seven catches put his career total at 180, third all time in Ohio State history. He is behind only KJ Hill (201) and David Boston (191). Egbuka is a quiet legend at Ohio State like Devin Smith.
Red Hot in the Red Zone
Ohio State continued their Red Zone dominance despite a couple of setbacks. They were four of six today putting their season totals at 41 of 44 with a whopping 37 touchdowns and only four field goals.
It’s Time for War
I can hear LL Cool J on repeat from southwest Ohio. Once again everything is on the line for Ohio State in The Game. And no one has more riding on it than head coach Ryan Day. Day has the chance to not just get the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship game and marching toward the playoffs (which is huge enough). He has the chance to silence the doubters (including those who root for him like I have been) and set some things right.
If Ohio State loses the ‘born on third base’ would be written in stone. So much so, that 2019 would just be considered Urban Meyer’s eighth year by most Buckeye fans. If Day wins, it is dead and buried. There would be no doubt that Harbaugh’s cheating operation decided 2021, 2022, and 2023. A loss would (wrongly) give some legitimacy to the ill-gotten gains of those three seasons for the cheaters up north. A win will etch that asterisk next to 2023 for that team up north in granite that can be seen from space.
It’s not just about his record, The Game, or winning the biggest rivalry in sports. The cheating Jim Harbaugh, Conor Stalions, and Sherrone Moore did make winning a matter of right and wrong. Not only is this for Ohio State, it would be for every team that faced these cheaters while they had an unfair competitive advantage. That includes two teams, Alabama and Washington who would have played for, or been national champions just a year ago if not for this assault on integrity.
That’s why despite the people in the urine colored pants having a 6-5 record, this game has much riding on it as it ever has. It’s time for Ryan Day to win that game. It’s time for war.
