Note: This is a stream of consciousness approach to football viewing with commentary inline as it happens except for halftime and post game wrap up.
First Quarter
This period seemed to fly by. It was punctuated by a fake punt that gained 18 yards to keep the first OSU offensive drive alive and was finished by a Beanie Wells touchdown. The defense seemed to need a possession to get dialed in, those screen passes are troublesome, but the recovery speed seems to have negated that part of the game thus far. The missed field goal by Minnesota was good fortune. Beanie Wells gets better with each touch. Maurice Wells is great in space, but inside runs with him are a mistake. What a play by Ray Small on the end around! Beanie punches it in, 14-0 Bucks. Boeckman looks a little off thus far in the game, throwing passes late and behind receivers. Kickoff coverage has looked a little shaky still, but the third return was an improvement over the first two. After a run for no gain, the quarter is over, 14-0 Bucks. Minnesota ball on their 20.
Summary: OSU, 3 possessions, 14 points. Minnesota, 4 possessions, 0 points.
Second Quarter
Three and out for Minny to start the quarter. After a good return by Hartline, the Bucks takeover at their 47. Running Maurice Wells up the middle, is not a good play, I really wish the coaching staff would recognize this. For the first time, Boeckman OVER throws a receiver – I’m glad to see them take the shot. Breakdown in pass protection, missed opportunity on 4th down. Minnesota ball on their 36. Minny cranks out a first down, they are a good offensive team thus far this year, so shutting them down would be a good sign. Haven’t seen a turnover yet, sort of expect that at some point. Stupid penalty, defensive holding on the Bucks. Keeps them on the field, need to see some fire out of the D right now and stop them. Well executed option by Minny to gain 15 yards. The Minnesota offense has a nice drive going, Ok Buckeye D, show us what you’ve got…Minny puts one in endzone, 14-7. OSU starts at the 17, let’s see what develops. Rehring goes down, that’s not good. The O line has finally got some synchronicity. Near sack. Punt coming. Let’s see if the D has got some nasty back…The short passing game is eating up yards, Minnesota is executing well. Need to get some licks in on Weber to knock him off his game and force a turnover. False start, Minny on the OSU 22 – time for the D to bring a stop. Jenkins with the pick! That’s what I’m talking about. Stupid penalty, pinned back in at the 4. Go Bucks. Let’s get a drive going. Great run from Beanie and Minny has a stupid penalty, what a change in field position. What a catch! Robiskie for 52 yard circus catch! Blocked extra point. Drat, OSU 20-7. 1:16 left in the first half, no more points or yards for Minnesota please. Minny ball at the 32. Three and out, good defensive series. 0:28 to go, take the lead into the locker room Mr. Tressel.
Summary: OSU, 4 possessions, 6 points. Minnesota, 3 possessions, 7 points.
Halftime
Through the half, the OSU offense has put up 20 points, 276 yards, and is 3-7 on third downs. The Minnesota offense has put up 7 points, 204 yards, and is 2-8 on third downs. Look for adjustments on the Defense at the half, that’s way too many yards to give up. The kicking game suddenly looks shaky, shallow kickoff, missed PAT, not good. Should be an entertaining second half.
Third Quarter
Buckeyes start with the ball. Love to see a sustained drive with a touchdown capper. These guys are popping, good hits happening from both teams. They’re playing hard and you love to see that, it makes for a good game. Pretorious hits a 44 yard field goal, OSU 23-7. Let’s see the D bring some nasty to the table. We’ll see what adjustments were made and how effective they were. Not a good start, kickoff coverage is still shaky. Good tackle by Pretorious at the 43 yard line. 3 and out, good job D. OSU football at the 10 yard line. OK, the coaches are smarter than I am, Maurice Wells produces a good run up the gut and follows that up with a great block in pass protection on the next play. Looks like a punt is coming, Beanie turns in a 5 yard loss and is lucky not to get called for a face mask penalty. Bad news, no points. Good news, it ate 3:50 of time. 3 and out, great job D. The adjustments are obviously working on the defensive side of the ball. 3 and out for the Bucks, apparently the Gopher defense made some adjustments too…Heyward is a beast! What a good job penetrating and tackling and forcing the tackle.
Summary: OSU 3 possessions, 3 points. Minnesota 3 possessions, 0 points. Note, the Gophers were held to 13 net yards in the period. Wow.
Fourth Quarter
Buckeye ball at the 37. One more score would be good. Another stupid penalty followed by a punt. More to work on for next week’s practices. Freeman, who has been accused of being soft, just laid the wood on the ball carrier. Punt, the Bucks go to work on the 47. Another score would be good. Let’s see what they cook up. Pass interference on the Gophers, probably smart, probably saved a touchdown. Beanie just knocked a defender off his feet with a stiff arm. Impressive. Good drive going, false start. Grrr, stupid penalty. Illegal shift, another stupid penalty. Grrr….Touchdown Hartline! Let’s make the PAT. 30-7, OSU. Woohoo! OK D, let’s see a 3 and out. But the subs will be in no doubt with the score and time left in the game. Minny’s got a bit of a drive going on, D-Fence! After driving 35 yards, a punt. Good job D. Beanie fumbles, oh no. Minnesota ball inside the OSU 10. OK D, man up. 4 and out, what a stand! 3 and out, punt. Minnesota ball on the OSU 47. A little drive going on. Interception Grant, what an athletic move. A couple of runs and this one is over.
Summary: OSU 5 possessions, 7 points. Minnesota 4 possessions, 0 points.
Post Game Wrap-up
This was a thorough win over a bad Minnesota team. The offense wasn’t as productive as expected, but the defense was solid. Particularly in the second half. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but it was a good win. Bring on the Boilermakers. Go Bucks!
