We lost this game

[aquapong]

Ohio State didn't win it.

We dominated them for 90% of the first half. We didn't get any points from 3 big plays. Missed FG. Failed 2 point conversation on a terrible play call. The decision to go for 2 to begin with. Couldn't put a time consuming drive together (stop snapping the ball with 10 seconds on the play clock). You take the ball out of the hands of the guy who's personally owning the Buckeyes for the most important play.

 

[rudedude]

Not getting more points in the first half, along with the fumble and OSU TD before half were killers. The drive for the first field goal had us first and 10 at OSU 17 and then the ridiculous Tommy Stevens fumbled lateral and a 13 yard loss seals that fate. Then, after Taylor’s interception, we were 1st and 10 at the OSU 28 and went nowhere for a FG. The series before that we got to the OSU 28 and missed a FG. So with some better offensive play, especially the Stevens debacle, we should have had at least 4 more points. 17-7 at half would have been better. Pinegar makes the FG, then it’s 20-7 at half. Gotta score when you can and make sure they are TD’s. So yes, we really had a hand in beating ourselves.

 

[Ian]

Two years in a row that PSU should have, could have but didn’t. They are so close and clearly not intimidated by Urban and Bucks. Those days are over and that’s what Franklins comments indicated. We can recruit with you and we can play with you. We are coming.

 

[AWS1022]

Ohio State didn't win it.

We dominated them for 90% of the first half. We didn't get any points from 3 big plays. Missed FG. Failed 2 point conversation on a terrible play call. The decision to go for 2 to begin with. Couldn't put a time consuming drive together (stop snapping the ball with 10 seconds on the play clock). You take the ball out of the hands of the guy who's personally owning the Buckeyes for the most important play.

Don’t you think OSU had something to do with those stops? Their defense is nasty whether we want to admit it or not.

 

[LiveLarger]

Two point conversion means nothing as Ohio state wouldnt have went for two either. Both teams kicking their XP result in a 1 point win for OSU. Franklin going for two was absolutely the right call.

OSU also had 3 points taken off the board for a stupid fasemack penalty on the kick. It would have given OSU a 4 point lead and even more momentum.

Ohio State coming back from 13 and 12 point deficits to take 1 point leads shows they won it with superior coaching and depth. Rationalize it however you want though.

 

[EPC FAN]

Not getting more points in the first half, along with the fumble and OSU TD before half were killers. The drive for the first field goal had us first and 10 at OSU 17 and then the ridiculous Tommy Stevens fumbled lateral and a 13 yard loss seals that fate. Then, after Taylor’s interception, we were 1st and 10 at the OSU 28 and went nowhere for a FG. The series before that we got to the OSU 28 and missed a FG. So with some better offensive play, especially the Stevens debacle, we should have had at least 4 more points. 17-7 at half would have been better. Pinegar makes the FG, then it’s 20-7 at half. Gotta score when you can and make sure they are TD’s. So yes, we really had a hand in beating ourselves.

The fumbled lateral was not Stevens’ fault. He was moving away from Trace. Trace short armed the throw at his inside hip.
I hate that Lion package. It adds nothing.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

The fumbled lateral was not Stevens’ fault. He was moving away from Trace. Trace short armed the throw at his inside hip.
I hate that Lion package. It adds nothing.

It killed 2 drives in the first quarter...2 big drives, dead. People want to talk about the 4th and 5 and 4th quarter misses. PSU could have easily...very easily been up 20 going in at the half. I swear I would much rather see them put Tommy in for Trace for a series if they are trying to keep him happy then line up with that BS again.

 

[EPC FAN]

It killed 2 drives in the first quarter...2 big drives, dead. People want to talk about the 4th and 5 and 4th quarter misses. PSU could have easily...very easily been up 20 going in at the half. I swear I would much rather see them put Tommy in for Trace for a series if they are trying to keep him happy then line up with that BS again.

Totally agree. It reminded me of 2005 at Michigan. Offense had over 200 yards at the half, but no points. Kept kicking field goals in a 20 MPH across wind. Maddening!

 

[Woodpecker]

The fumbled lateral was not Stevens’ fault. He was moving away from Trace. Trace short armed the throw at his inside hip.
I hate that Lion package. It adds nothing.

Gotta figure that they were running that to perfection in practice. That's the only way they would have called it up. We'll probably see it again against a lesser opponent somewhere down the line but I gotta figure it has been shelved for future big games (well, except the National Championship Game ).

 

[Cosmos]

Not getting more points in the first half, along with the fumble and OSU TD before half were killers. The drive for the first field goal had us first and 10 at OSU 17 and then the ridiculous Tommy Stevens fumbled lateral and a 13 yard loss seals that fate. Then, after Taylor’s interception, we were 1st and 10 at the OSU 28 and went nowhere for a FG. The series before that we got to the OSU 28 and missed a FG. So with some better offensive play, especially the Stevens debacle, we should have had at least 4 more points. 17-7 at half would have been better. Pinegar makes the FG, then it’s 20-7 at half. Gotta score when you can and make sure they are TD’s. So yes, we really had a hand in beating ourselves.

Spot on. We left points on the board. But ask yourself why the Lion Package. Why the need to 'get cute'. The answer is obvious. We couldn't run the ball against that defensive front 7. Why. Because our offensive line gets no push. Imagine the utter domination if we could. Our first half performance was more of a 'smoke and mirrors' domination, masking a glaring (and habitual) weakness. It confounds me how people want to focus on the play calling instead of it. I mean, did Sanders somehow suddenly become a poor runner. I think not.

 

[PSU Dave]

The fumbled lateral was not Stevens’ fault. He was moving away from Trace. Trace short armed the throw at his inside hip.
I hate that Lion package. It adds nothing.

I'm sure tOsu was well coached up as well when Stevens was in the game. There's no element of surprise.

 

[Ian]

Totally agree. It reminded me of 2005 at Michigan. Offense had over 200 yards at the half, but no points. Kept kicking field goals in a 20 MPH across wind. Maddening!

Ditto. It’s so obvious what’s going to happen when Stevens comes in. Get him the ball downfield! Let him rumble in the middle. He and Freiermuth are good targets. Game was lost in the first half.... they came out like the Michigan game last year, but didn’t score!

 

[LemonEars]

Ohio State was lucky to win this game. We were lucky to win the App State game. That is the way football is. It isn't all skill. Luck plays a major role. We were unlucky on Saturday.