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Buckeyes Double Up Bulls, 40-20 August 31, 2013 Source:OSU Official Site - Second-ranked Ohio State got off to a quick start. After that, it was a bit scary.
Braxton Miller threw two touchdown passes before fighting leg cramps and Jordan Hall ran for two more scores to lead the Buckeyes to a 40-20 victory over Buffalo on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
The Buckeyes, striving for a crisper start from coach Urban Meyer's debut in 2012, led 23-0 after the first quarter before the Bulls made things interesting. Joe Licata threw two TD passes and linebacker Kahlil Mack returned a Miller interception 45 yards to make it 30-20 in the third quarter.
Miller was sidelined a second time with cramps and sub Kenny Guiton promptly tossed a 21-yard TD pass to Chris Fields.
Hall had a career-high 159 yards rushing, scoring on runs of 37 and 49 yards.
Miller was 15 of 22 passing for 178 yards with TDs of 47 yards to Devin Smith and 7 yards to Chris Fields. He also ran for 77 yards on 17 attempts, although he twice went to the sideline with cramps...
Buffalo vs Ohio State (Aug 31, 2013) Source: OSU Official Site Scoring Summary, Team Statistics, Individual Statistics, Drive Chart, Defensive Statistics, Game Participation, Box Score, Play-by-Play, Play breakdown
It was over when: Braxton Miller threw his first pass of the game, sparking an early onslaught and supplying a lead the Buckeyes would never give up.
The junior quarterback showed off his improved mechanics, accuracy and arm on the opening drive of the game for the Buckeyes, hitting Devin Smith on a gorgeous 47-yard strike to get his Heisman Trophy campaign off to a flying start.
The Bulls didn’t back down even after falling behind by 23 points in the first quarter, climbing back within 10 thanks to a couple of careless turnovers by Ohio State. But even shorthanded, the Buckeyes had far too much talent for the Bulls and were never seriously challenged despite some inconsistency and a few scary moments.
Game ball goes to: With both the projected starter and the top backup on the shelf with suspensions, a limited backfield needed somebody to fill the void and become a workhorse to take some pressure off Miller. The Buckeyes didn’t need to look further than Jordan Hall, who turned in the finest rushing performance of a star-crossed career to help the offense survive muggy conditions and early-season rust.
Hall was a handful for the Bulls between the tackles, and twice he burst through holes in the middle untouched for long touchdowns on the way to 159 yards on 21 carries. Rod Smith will be eligible to return next week and Carlos Hyde will be back after the third game, but Hall made his case to stay in the lineup with a performance the Buckeyes needed more than they might have thought.
Stat of the game: The goal was to get closer to an even split, but the run-to-pass ratio still leaned heavily toward the rush as the Buckeyes opened the season. That can be partially attributed to the early lead Ohio State jumped out to, but the Buckeyes still were about twice as likely to keep the ball on the ground in the opener than to air it out and show off Miller’s arm. The final count was almost exactly 2-to-1, with Ohio State carrying 45 times and throwing 23, mirroring the approach of the 2012 season.
What it means: The opener was always going to be a tuneup for the Buckeyes, given the discrepancy in talent, and a few sloppy moments along the way should be expected at this stage of the season. Meyer might actually be thankful for them as a way to stay on his team, picking out the early flaws and ensuring he has the attention of a team with a lot of youth and inexperience on the defensive side of the ball.
In the big picture, the Buckeyes probably didn’t find out all that much they didn’t already know, and with key starters such as C.J. Barnett, Roby and Hyde all on the sideline, they weren’t even at full strength to begin with on Saturday. But a much stiffer test is coming next weekend with San Diego State set to visit, and Ohio State will surely find out more about itself then.
Meyer said that he could tell some of the young guys were a little nervous before the game, which was expected.
Ryan Shazier said that they want to have the best goal line-defense in the nation, and the goal-line stand was an indication of what they can do.
Curtis Grant said that he wasn't aware of the rule that you can't be part of a play when your helmet comes off. He said that he was just trying to make a play. He said he was trying to feed his team energy.
Michael Bennett: "We're 1-0. I think we're a little disappointed and we know we have plenty of things to work on. We made a couple mistakes but it's the first game of the season. You don't want mistakes. You want to go out and have everyone execute well, but at the end of the day it's about winning."
With the win, Ohio State extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 13 games.
Ohio State has opened the season with a win every year since 2000 and is 33-2 in its last 35 season-openers. The squad has won its last 35 home openers.
Ohio State has won 62 consecutive regular-season non-conference home games against teams not ranked in the AP Top 25.
Urban Meyer improved his career record to 43-4 in games played in August/September and is now 12-0 in season openers.
Ohio State played nine new defensive starters who competed in 2012.
Devin Smith’s 47-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter marked the 11th touchdown catch of his career. The previous 10 touchdown receptions went for an average of 39.3 yards.
Jordan Hall’s 49-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter marked the longest carry of his career, eclipsing a 39-yard run against New Mexico State in 2009.
Hall set a career high with 159 rushing yards and had two rushing touchdowns for his first multiple-TD game.
Ron Tanner’s second-quarter interception marked the first interception of his career.
With 77 rushing yards, Miller eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in his career and now sits at 2,063. He is now 17 yards shy of Cornelius Greene’s Ohio State record of 2,080 yards rushing by a quarterback.
Curtis Grant had a career-high seven total tackles, besting the three he had twice before (last 9/8/12 vs. UCF).
Armani Reeves had three pass breakups, along with three tackles, in the game. Doran Grant had a career-high two pass breakups.
Taking precautions
Senior Corey Linsley started at center for Ohio State, and the offense cruised with him directing the blocking. Linsley had a pancake block to spring Hall’s 49-yard scoring run.
But Linsley has been dealing with a foot injury since last season, and he was replaced by sophomore Jacoby Boren for precautionary reasons. Meyer estimated that Linsley played 16 or 17 snaps.
“Hopefully, the amount of reps he got today will progress him along so we can get a full game out of him next week,” offensive coordinator Tom Herman said.
The view
How the team sees it: We started like Hannah Montana (nice) and finished like Miley Cyrus (naughty).
How the pollsters will see it: Fat and happy is not a good look for a No.2 team.
How Buckeye Nation will see it: It was fun while it lasted. It just needs to last a lot longer.
Sources: ESPN, OSU Official Site, Columbus Dispatch, The Ozone
Ryan Shazier talks about a 40-20 win over Buffalo to open the season.
Team Stat Comparison
BUFF
OSU
1st Downs
18
23
Total Yards
258
460
Passing
185
199
Rushing
73
261
Penalties
6-62
9-94
3rd Down Conversions
3-14
7-12
4th Down Conversions
1-2
0-1
Turnovers
1
2
Possession
27:33
32:27
Buckeye Leaves: Buffalo Game September 1, 2013 Source: The Ozone - Ohio State looked unbeatable for a quarter and pretty average for the next three, but Urban Meyer improved to 13-0 in his career at Ohio State...1. Braxton Miller is a much-improved quarterback...
Buckeye Leaves: Buffalo Game August 31, 2013 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - Ohio State's season-opening win against Buffalo on Saturday included a few standout performances. BSB staffers pick who gets their Buckeye leaves for the game...
OSU offers only a glimpse of potential...more Source: ESPN
Braxton Miller's 1st pass of the game a 47 yard TD strike to Devin Smith
The Bottom Line September 1, 2013 Source: Columbus Dispatch -
Offense (3 leaves) Talk about your Cracker Jack starts — three TDs on three drives and the Buckeyes look unstoppable. Then you peer into the box and see mouse droppings instead of a prize — stop eating! OSU was merely decent after the first, hindered by turnovers and a lack of a power running game.
Defense (2 leaves) It’s tempting to give the defenders a one-day pass, considering Bradley Roby could only watch as Buffalo swiped Armani Reeves’ lunch money. There are 10 other players on the field, though, and they did little to establish — let alone distinguish — themselves. Room to grow.
Special teams (3 leaves) This is practically the definition of a mixed bag. On the one hand you have OSU smashing grapefruit in the Bulls’ faces with a pair of successful two-point conversions. But that’s offset by the roughing-the-punter penalty and some Philly Brown punt-return bobbles. What’s the Aussie word for “meh”?
Coaching (3 leaves) For a while, it looked like Urban’s outfit would make Fielding Yost’s old point-a-minute offense look like child’s play. But then the Buckeyes got caught in the gears, and their engine became all sputtery. Say, which assistant has the job of making sure everyone is properly hydrated? I mean, next week.
Opponent (2 leaves) Buffalo is the Bulls, but they needed a few more horses to put a real scare into OSU. Star linebacker Khalil is a real Mack daddy, and the offense includes a few gamers. But some of UB’s schemes (how about some LBs in the middle of the field?) are head-scratchers.
Officiating (4 leaves) Mostly, and blissfully, a quiet week. Replay issues? None. Targeting interpretations? Nope. Buffalo decried the personal-foul penalty on Mack that negated a Braxton Miller fumble inside the 5-yard line. It was a key call, but the replay backed it up.
OFFENSE: B-minus
Gaining 460 yards and doing it with balance (261 rushing, 199 passing) isn’t a bad start. But there were too many times when Ohio State could have ran away with the win and the offense had hiccups. Braxton Miller’s screen pass pick-six was his fault, as well as LT Jack Mewhort’s failure to get the linebacker on the turf. But the first three possessions — the second series in particular — wow. Buffalo LB Khalil Mack, who had the pick-six, owned RT Taylor Decker. Mack could start for the Buckeyes.
DEFENSE: C-plus
Buffalo moved the ball at times and converted first downs, particularly early against soft coverage. But the offense gave up a TD on an pick-six and Dontre Wilson’s fumble gave the Bulls a short field on the other score. CB Armani Reeves, making his first start, was a weakness. He dropped an interception and gave up a TD pass. But this was a young defense with 10 of 11 players starting for the first time. Losing LB Ryan Shazier to cramps hurt, too.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A-minus The split formation PAT conversion led to consecutive two-point conversions. Dontre Wilson returning kicks is a weapon. He nearly housed one, but settled for 51 yards. Drew Basil’s 39-yard FG was spot on. Asked what he calls the swinging gate two-point formation, Meyer said, “Magic.”
COACHING: B Meyer didn’t do his RBs any favors. He kept Jordan Hall in the game until the six-minute mark of the third quarter. On a hot day, it would have been better to keep ‘em fresh with a rotation like was hinted at all week. Other than that, OSU was crisper and executed the offense better than a year ago. Meyer was fiery when he needed to be, particularly after his offensive line failed to get a yard on fourth-and-1.
Ten Pressing Questions August 31, 2013 Source: Bucknuts.com - * 1. What does the new and improved Braxton Miller look like? – Much has been made about how Miller has improved his mechanics. There is also talk he will be allowed to throw between 25-30 passes a game. We will see how he develops within the offense today.
* 2. How will Jordan Hall and freshman Dontre Wilson impact the game plan? – Hall is a fifth-year senior who was banged up last year. Urban Meyer has raved about his ability. He will start at running back in place of the suspended Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith. Wilson is a dynamic true freshman. These two should add some turbo to the offense starting today.
* 3. Who will be Miller’s key targets? – Philly Brown has been the leading receiver the last two years. There is talk, though, that Evan Spencer is emerging and Chris Fields will also be heavily involved. Add in Devin Smith and that’s a pretty good four-pack. My guess is Miller spreads the wealth to keep everybody happy.
* 4. Will the tight ends get involved? – There has been talk that Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett are one of the best tandems at tight end that Meyer has coached. We will believe they’ve been integrated into the offense as pass catchers when we see it. Maybe we’ll see it today. Also, transplanted DE J.T. Moore has moved here with Blake Thomas getting an injury waiver. Will Moore be involved?
* 5. How will Taylor Decker fare at right tackle? – Decker is the lone new starter on the offensive line. He won the job in the spring and solidified it in camp. He only saw mop-up duty last year, so we’ll see how he does through a complete game today.
* 6. Can the new front seven get after Buffalo passer Joe Licata? – Licata led Buffalo to a 3-1 finish last year after replacing Ohio native Alex Zordich as the Bulls’ quarterback. OSU has six new starters in the front seven. All eyes will be on defensive ends Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington to see if they can exert some pressure.
* 7. How will middle linebacker Curtis Grant fare? – Grant started the first three games of the 2012 season before going to the sideline. The middle linebacker job is again his. Will he make it his own with a big game today?
* 8. How will the OSU cornerbacks look today? – Starter Bradley Roby is suspended for the opener. Doran Grant already had a hold on one job. Soph Armani Reeves will get the first call at the other with freshmen Cam Burrows, Eli Apple and Gareon Conley all waiting in the wings.
* 9. Which true freshmen will step up? – There are a lot of guys who will be making their OSU debuts today. They include the likes of Wilson, the three corners, RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR Jalin Marshall, WR James Clark, DE Joey Bosa, DT Michael Hill, LB Trey Johnson, LB Mike Mitchell, safety Vonn Bell and punter Cameron Johnston (a native of Australia). Also, look for several redshirt freshmen to see their first action today including RB Warren Ball, OL Kyle Dodson and Pat Elflein and nickel back Tyvis Powell.
* 10. Will Ohio State come out of the gate strong and look like a national championship contender? – After a 12-0 season in 2012, expectations are sky high for this 2013 team. Will they be sharp and on point? Last year, OSU got off to a sluggish start in the opener before burying Miami (Ohio) 56-10. What Ohio State team will you see today?
Ohio State QB Braxton Miller vs. Buffalo LB Khalil Mack
Miller is supposed to be more comfortable in Urban Meyer’s offense. There are hints that it won’t be the Braxton Miller show. The ball is supposed to be distributed differently than in 2012. That means short passes in space. It will be Miller’s job to read and use his eyes to make Mack guess wrong. Mack is good enough to start at LB for Ohio State. He is an early round NFL draft pick and the leader of the defense. Handling him will determine what kind of day the Buckeye offense has.
Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier vs. Buffalo RB Branden Oliver
The Bulls got a single-season record 1,395 yards rushing from Oliver last season. Shazier led the Buckeyes in tackles. He is OSU’s only returning starter among the front seven and is a possible All-American so long as he plays like he did a year ago. But Shazier struggled in practice because he feels the stress of having to be a team leader on a young defense.
Ohio State DEs Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington vs. Buffalo LT Andre Davis
Spence and Washington combined for seven sacks in Ohio State’s spring game. Some of those were touch sacks, but they wrecked the offensive line in the spring. Both players, highly-ranked recruits, have to prove they can do it live. Davis is no slouch. He started all 12 games and he will have to protect QB Joe Licata’s blind side against a defense looking to get back its swagger.
Buffalo WR Alex Neutz vs. Ohio State CB Armani Reeves
Reeves is a sophomore making his first start because Bradley Roby, one of the best cover corners in college football, is suspended. There is a marked difference between the two. Neutz had Buffalo’s third 1,000-yard receiving season a year ago when he was selected All-MAC.
1. Jump Bulls early A year ago, the Ohio State allowed Miami University to hang around longer than it should have in the opener. Back then, Ohio State was an unsure team lacking confidence. Not so, this time around. If Ohio State is truly a national championship contender, it should be able to dominate a Mid-American Conference team that finished 4-8.
2. Spread it around The message has been that Braxton Miller is a more confident, polished quarterback. For Miller to be most effective — and to ensure his physical well-being — the Buckeyes need to lighten his load. Ohio State has many more weapons this season than a year ago, and Miller’s primary job will be to get the ball to his supporting cast. Sure, a few dazzling plays would jump-start his Heisman Trophy campaign, but it would be best to keep those to just a few while others join in.
3. Tackle, tackle, tackle With all the concern about concussions and the dangers of excessive tackling in practice, the Buckeyes cut back on full-contact drills during camp. But it does leave questions about whether it might affect their ability to finish tackles, a major problem last season. The Buckeyes say they’ve worked hard at tackling fundamentals. .
4. Don’t beat yourself Buffalo will need Ohio State to play poorly — commit turnovers and foolish penalties and lack focus — to have a chance at pulling the upset. As long as the Buckeyes protect the ball and play fundamentally sound, their superior talent should win out.
5. Youth be served
The buzz about the freshman class has only grown since signing day. The hype surrounding some players — Dontre Wilson is the prime example — has gotten to the point where expectations likely are unrealistic. But if the Buckeyes should find themselves with a big lead, look for first-year players such as running back Ezekiel Elliott, safety Vonn Bell, cornerbacks Eli Apple, Gareon Conley and Cam Burrows, linebacker Mike Mitchell and defensive linemen Joey Bosa and Michael Hill
Urban Meyer Weekly Press Conference
August 26, 2013
Urban Meyer Presser Recap: Buffalo August 26, 2013 Source: Eleven Warriors - plus updates from offensive coordinator Tom Herman & from defensive coordinator Luke Fickell...
Why you should watch: This game will be over the moment Buffalo walks off the bus. Ah, who am I kidding: This game was over a nanosecond after it was scheduled. The real key: Will the Buckeyes dominate an overmatched foe like the No. 2 team in the nation should? It’s time to play like the No. 2 team in the nation should vs. a 60-pound MAC weakling.
Player on the spot: No one player here; it’s the entire defense. Is the retooled front seven kicking butt? The linebackers haven’t been up to OSU standards in recent years—and depth is dicey. That must change. Curtis Grant, Joshua Perry and Ryan Shazier et al need to play with purpose and violence.
Key matchup: Ohio State’s running backs vs. Buffalo defensive line. No Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith? No problem. Still, let’s see how the other Buckeye backs—Jordan Hall, Bri’onte Dunn, Warren Ball–perform with those two out with suspensions. Can’t wait for the debut of speedy Dontre Wilson, a true game-breaker that this offense needs who may be used all over.
Key number: 12, games in a row Ohio State has won. That’s the longest winning skein in America.
Buffalo Head Coach Jeff Quinn stopped by for an exclusive interview with Ozone reporter Rob Ogden following Buffalo's walkthough of Ohio Stadium.
Scouting Buffalo
Ohio State and Buffalo are meeting for the first time on the gridiron.
The Bulls are coming off a 4-8 season in 2012 where they tied for fourth in the MAC East with a 3-5 mark. They return nine starters on offense and seven on defense from a team that won three of its final four games, dropping its final game to Bowling Green at Crew Stadium in Columbus on Thanksgiving weekend.
The Bulls will be led on offense by sophomore quarterback Joe Licata, who completed 52 percent of his passes in 2012, throwing for 1,045 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Licata started last season as a backup, but earned starts in the final four games of the season as the Bulls went 3-1 in those games. Senior running back Branden Oliver returns after leading Buffalo with 821 yards on the ground, despite missing five games with an injury. He averaged 117 rushing yards per game with five touchdowns. The defense is led by senior linebacker Khalil Mack, who led the Bulls with 94
tackles in 2012.
Head coach Jeff Quinn is in his fourth year at Buffalo with a 9-27 record at UB and a 10-28 mark overall. Quinn also served as interim coach on two occasions; one at Central Michigan in the 2006 Motor City Bowl and the other at Cincinnati in the 2010 Sugar Bowl, falling to Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators, 48-17.
NG/DT Tommy Schutt suffers broken foot in practice, will be out 6-8 weeks. (via Eleven Warriors) Safety C.J. Barnett (ankle) may not play
Carlos Hyde, Bradley Roby & Marcus Baugh will not play.
