Transcript from Coach Tressel Weekly Press Conference
September 30, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "...Obviously we have to get a lot better. We'll need more improvement this week than we made last week. As you go on the road in the Big Ten, we say it a million times, but if you don't go on the road and be superior in your special units, you might have a hard time coming up with a win...Wisconsin, obviously, is coming off a tough ball game last week, they had the game well in hand, and just like it can happen when momentum shifts, it's hard to get it stopped and that's just going to make a very good team a much better team as we go into their house. And we're looking forward to that challenge. They've got a mature team. They've got six seniors starting on each side of the ball, so I'm sure those seniors are going to take charge of that group and make sure that those guys understand that they can't allow momentum to happen as it did..."
 | Robiskie Addresses Media Tuesday
September 30, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Brian Robiskie spoke to media members Tuesday after Jim Tressel's weekly press conference. The senior receiver from Cleveland had a season-high eight catches for 90 yards and two scores. He looked back at the Buckeyes' performance vs. Minnesota and ahead to the game looming with the Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis..." |
Chris Wells, Lawrence Wilson, Anderson Russell, Jim Cordle, Chimdi Chekwa
 | Communication key for Pryor in first road start
September 30, 2008 Source: ESPN - "Terrelle Pryor's natural gifts make him stand out from most college freshmen, but the Ohio State quarterback will only have four of his senses working Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. 'You can't hear,' Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said of being the visiting team against Wisconsin. 'The big thing is the ability to communicate and make sure all communications coming to him and going from him are clearly advanced. Sometimes if you're not quite sure what you heard or saw or whatever, that can lead to some negative things happening. If his communication can be clear, he gets energized by the situation.'..." |
Hit by Pryor Speaks Volumes for Freshman QB
October 1, 2008 Source: The Ozone - "The play looked like any number of other plays that take place in a football game. OSU freshman quarterback Terrell Pryor had just scrambled around left end to escape the Minnesota pass rush. After picking up a nice gain, Pryor was hemmed in by the sideline and Gopher linebacker Rex Sharpe closed in on him to escort him out of bounds and end the play. That's when the play ceased to be routine..."
Minnesota Game 9/27/08:
Offensive Player of the Week: Brian Robiskie, WR
Defensive Player of the Week: Anderson Russell, S
Attack Force Award: James Laurinaitis, LB
Jim Parker Lineman Award: Not Awarded
Special Units Player of the Week: Etienne Sabino, LB
Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award: Etienne Sabino, LB
Scout Team Champions: Offense: Joe Bauserman; Defense: Garrett Goebel; Special Units: K. C. Christian |
Inside the Beat: Pondering the impact of OSU's dynamic duo
September 29, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - Tim May & Ken Gordon: "What happens when you put a sore-footed former Heisman Trophy hopeful together with a fleet-footed freshman quarterback? You get 279 yards rushing and a pretty easy romp over Minnesota in your Big Ten opener. We take a look today at what we liked and disliked from last Saturday and ponder what lies ahead in Wisconsin this week..."
Harder test for OSU's Terrelle Pryor ahead
September 29, 2008 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "Terrelle Pryor...lowered the boom on ESPN college football analyst Mark May, giving a verbal stiff arm to the long-time Ohio State antagonist...'He said, 'Let's see how he plays on the big stage,' ' said Pryor, taking that personal comment, well, personally. 'We're going to see ... what other people say about our team we really don't care. People who say we're dead; we'll find out this week who's dead.' Already showing he's football mature beyond his years, Pryor is also wise enough to know that compared to what awaits Saturday, his first two starts for the Buckeyes have been a ride down a water slide. The freshman phenom's real baptism comes in his first road start against the Wisconsin Badgers, who own as many Rose Bowl victories in the last 15 years (three) as the rest of the Big Ten combined. Despite OSU's 38-17 win last year, the Badgers are the only Big Ten team above .500 against the Buckeyes (3-2) during the Jim Tressel era. They ended OSU's 19-game winning streak in Madison in 2003..."
College football: OSU Insider
September 29, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Who's hot: OSU freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor...What's not: The Ohio State kickoff return scheme...Back to the drawing board: The OSU defense faced spread offenses in four of the first five games. Now it must gear down to face a Wisconsin offense that would much rather run than throw...Who's hurting?: Senior tight end Rory Nicol...OSU's challenge: Forget Wisconsin's foibles in blowing a 19-0 lead at Michigan. The Buckeyes have yet to play a complete game..."
How will the offensive line shake out?
September 29, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The depth chart released by Ohio State this afternoon offers some vague answers as to the future of the offensive line.
One point - Mike Brewster's elevation to starting center was more than an injury stopgap...as to what the starting line will be Saturday. On one hand, I think Alex Boone and Rehring on the left side, two giants in their third year together, still make an effective tandem, especially in the run game. On the other hand, I think Cordle has played better his last two games at guard than he did in his first three games at center, and I believe he is valuable in helping Brewster with the line calls, so it's hard to imagine him not being out there..."
Buckeye perception
September 29, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...Can Ohio State get back to the national title game? No. I'll stand by that, even after a crazy week of upsets. But here's a point I hadn't considered which probably must be considered, since I think it affects the mindset of the voters, at least the Harris Poll voters. Ohio State isn't Ohio State anymore...Beanie Wells' absence against USC doesn't give Ohio State a free pass to a loss...But when voters look at the Buckeyes now, with Terrelle Pryor and Wells together in the backfield, they don't see the Buckeyes of the USC loss or of the last two national title games..."
Check out all of the polls on our Polls, Rankings & BCS page...link below
Boeckman enjoys return to action
September 28, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "This week, Todd Boeckman heard cheers, not jeers. Ohio State's senior quarterback was benched for freshman Terrelle Pryor last week against Troy. When he bounced an incomplete pass, Ohio Stadium echoed with boos. Yesterday, Boeckman entered with OSU leading Minnesota 27-6 midway through the third quarter, drawing a smattering of applause. He played two series, and on his second, he threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Brian Robiskie. Boeckman finished 5-of-9 passing for 65 yards. '(It's) always nice to get back out there,' he said. 'I felt good about myself today. I thought it was a pretty good performance overall.'..."
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Ohio State Opens Defense with 34-21 Win
September 27, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Three-time defending Big Ten Conference champion Ohio State opened defense of its crowns with a 34-21 win over previously unbeaten Minnesota Saturday before 105,175 fans at Ohio Stadium. 'I thought our kids came out and played hard,' Jim Tressel, Ohio State coach, said. 'We were ready.' Led by the return of Chris 'Beanie' Wells and the all-around skills of quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the Buckeyes rolled to a season-high 279 rushing yards, and 414 total yards, in handing the Golden Gophers their first defeat after four wins. The Buckeyes improved to 4-1 with the win..."
It was over when... Beanie Wells and Terrelle Pryor teamed up in the Buckeyes' backfield.
Gameball goes to... Pryor, who rushed for two TDs and threw for another one.
Game stat... 106. Welcome back Beanie. Wells rushed for 106 yards in his return.
Stat of the game... Minnesota, among the national leaders with a +11 in turnover margin, had three turnovers (more than they committed in their first four games combined) which led to 17 of the Buckeyes 34 points. |
Pryor and Beanie carry the Bucks
September 27, 2008 Source: Buckeye Grove - "Saturday's game saw the Ohio State offense move the for more than 400 yards of net offense and 279 yards on the ground. While it was far from a perfect performance it was a definite step in the right direction as the Buckeyes wait to travel to Wisconsin for their first road league game...Pryor's performance was enough to get the attention of the defeated Gophers...'Pryor is an outstanding player and we knew that coming into the game,' Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster said. 'He's a gifted football player and he has a tremendous future. I saw No. 10 of Texas (Vince Young) play and they're similar players.'...'I think Terrelle deserved everything he's gotten,' Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman said. 'He's done so many great things for us.'..."
September 27, 2008 Source: Big Ten Network
Scoring Summary,Team & Individual Statistics, Drive Chart, Defensive Statistics, Game Participation, Play-by-Play
Chris 'Beanie' Wells Postgame
Source: Bucknuts
Postgame Quotes From No. 13 Ohio State vs. Minnesota
"...Jermale Hines On creating turnovers: 'It is a big part of the game and Coach Tressel is always talking about it. We knew Minnesota was good when it came to the turnover margin. Coming into the game, we wanted to win the turnover margin.'...Chris Wells On finally playing: 'At first I was nervous and anxious. Once I got my first big gain, I felt comfortable again. I just want to keep going. I can carry the ball as many times possible.'...Jim Cordle On the offensive line’s new attitude: 'I think we are just coming off of the ball better, playing faster and harder. I think we realize now that we might get beat from time to time but we just have to keep playing.' & On the Wisconsin game next week: 'It should be fun. We get to jump around a little bit and play some nice physical football. I’m looking forward to it.'..."
Postgame Notes From No. 13 Ohio State vs. Minnesota
Jim Tressel - Post-game - Minnesota Source: Bucknuts/ScoutingOhio.com
Postgame Transcript From No. 13 Ohio State vs. Minnesota
September 27, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "...REPORTER: Comment on just Terrelle today on both of his touchdowns, he showed that speed people were wondering about, and number two, what was the thinking of putting him back in there after Boeckman went in? COACH TRESSEL: Well, he does have that speed, obviously, and he loves to compete and that's a plus. That adds something to the package. Why did we put him back in? I wanted to send him back in there and throw some balls because I just didn't feel as if we progressed in the pass game up to that point and I don't know how many more he got to throw, he got to throw a couple more and he obviously needs as much experience as he can get..."
THE PLAY: Freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor's first of two touchdown runs. He flashed his pure speed for the first time on the 33-yard jaunt, then savvy reaching for the pylon.
THE STAT: Ohio State gained three turnovers, Minnesota one. The Gophers were plus-11 (No.4 in the nation) in turnover margin, but the Buckeyes (plus-3 going in) turned the tables.
THE STAR: Brian Robiskie barely gets the nod over Pryor. Robiskie needed a statement game, and he got it with a season-high eight catches, including two for TDs.
THE STRATEGY: Ohio State defense's emphasis on containing the quarterback. With the Gophers' Adam Weber operating from the spread, the defense, led by ends Nathan Williams and Thaddeus Gibson, didn't let him get on the edge often.
THE MISMATCH: Pryor vs. Minnesota linebacker Rex Sharpe. A fourth-quarter run was negated by penalty, but Pryor lowering his shoulder and laying out Sharpe will still make the highlights.
THE REPERCUSSION: With the upsets above them in the polls, the Buckeyes should rise. But the game at Wisconsin on Saturday is a win Ohio State really needs to regain national respect |
 | Talented Pryor is 'the man' for OSU
September 28, 2008 Source: Toledo Blade - "The decision made a week or so ago by Jim Tressel was so un-Jim Tressel-like that even Jim Tressel might have suspected an impostor had made off with his sweater vest and called a press conference...Tressel took a fifth or sixth-year senior quarterback..(and) politely moved his seat assignment to the back of the bus. In favor of a freshman...(Tressel's) usually loyal to upperclassmen, especially seniors, to a fault...'He (Pryor) is a gifted football player, and he has a tremendous future,' said Minnesota coach Tim Brewster, who then went on to audition for a beer commercial. 'He is who we thought he was. I saw No. 10 of Texas play, and they're similar players.' That would be Vince Young..."
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Team Statistics (Final)
Minnesota vs #14 Ohio State (Sep 27, 2008 at Columbus, Ohio)
| | | Team Totals | MINN | OSU | | FIRST DOWNS | 18 | 21 | | Rushing | 4 | 14 | | Passing | 11 | 6 | | Penalty | 3 | 1 | | NET YARDS RUSHING | 81 | 279 | | Rushing Attempts | 28 | 37 | | Average Per Rush | 2.9 | 7.5 | | Rushing Touchdowns | 1 | 2 | | Yards Gained Rushing | 99 | 291 | | Yards Lost Rushing | 18 | 12 | | NET YARDS PASSING | 187 | 135 | | Completions-Attempts-Int | 23-36-1 | 13-22-0 | | Average Per Attempt | 5.2 | 6.1 | | Average Per Completion | 8.1 | 10.4 | | Passing Touchdowns | 1 | 2 | | TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS | 268 | 414 | | Total offense plays | 64 | 59 | | Average Gain Per Play | 4.2 | 7.0 | | Fumbles: Number-Lost | 3-2 | 1-1 | | Penalties: Number-Yards | 8-54 | 10-90 | | PUNTS-YARDS | 4-170 | 2-109 | | Average Yards Per Punt | 42.5 | 54.5 | | Net Yards Per Punt | 42.5 | 41.5 | | Inside 20 | 1 | 0 | | 50+ Yards | 1 | 2 | | Touchbacks | 0 | 0 | | Fair catch | 2 | 0 | | KICKOFFS-YARDS | 4-268 | 7-409 | | Average Yards Per Kickoff | 67.0 | 58.4 | | Net Yards Per Kickoff | 47.2 | 44.0 | | Touchbacks | 1 | 3 | | Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD | 2-26-0 | 0-0-0 | | Average Per Return | 13.0 | 0.0 | | Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD | 3-41-0 | 3-59-0 | | Average Per Return | 13.7 | 19.7 | | Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD | 0-0-0 | 1-34-0 | | Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | | Miscellaneous Yards | 0 | 0 | | Possession Time | 30:10 | 29:50 | | 1st Quarter | 8:04 | 6:56 | | 2nd Quarter | 4:36 | 10:24 | | 3rd Quarter | 6:37 | 8:23 | | 4th Quarter | 10:53 | 4:07 | | Third-Down Conversions | 4 of 15 | 5 of 11 | | Fourth-Down Conversions | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | | Red-Zone Scores-Chances | 4-4 | 3-3 | | Sacks By: Number-Yards | 2-8 | 1-5 | | PAT Kicks | 1-1 | 4-4 | | Field Goals | 2-2 | 2-3 |
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 | The Bottom Line
September 27, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Leaves are awarded on a zero-to-five basis, five being the best: Offense (three leaves)...Defense (two leaves)...Special teams (three leaves)...Coaching (three leaves)...Opponent (three leaves)..."
OSU Report Card: Buckeyes earn passing grades
September 28, 2008 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "OFFENSIVE LINE: GRADE: C...RUNNING GAME: GRADE: A minus...DEFENSIVE LINE: GRADE: B...COACHING: GRADE: B..."
Report Card
September 28, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "OSU offensive line: B+...Beanie Wells: A-...Kicking game: B...Focus: C..." |
 | Captain's Corner: It Only Gets Tougher From Here
September 21, 2008 Source: Bucknuts - "Lots of things went right for Ohio State in their 34-21 win over Minnesota. It was a needed step in the right direction, because the schedule only gets tougher from here. Jerry Rudzinski gives his thoughts in this version of the Captain's Corner..." |
The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
September 28, 2008 Source: The Ozone - "Beanie's Back, Two Difference Makers, Air Game Still a Focus, Williams Makes an Impact, and Injury Update; they're all covered in the-Ozone Note and Quotebook..."
    | Beanie Wells hurdles Minnesota safety Kyle Theret en route to a 21-yard gain during the second quarter Saturday in Columbus. Running backs want lighter footwear in their quest for speed. Wells was forced to wear lineman's cleats, with a padded insert in his right shoe, which he said he felt like he was running in combat boots. It didn't look that way during the game or on the leap did it. Returning to the lineup for the first time since injuring his right foot (which he called a muscle-tendon thing at the bottom of his foot that also connects to his toe) against Youngstown State, Wells rushed for a game-high 108 yards on 14 carries for a 7.8 yards per carry average. After the game he said: 'It (toe) is aching. I'm not 100 percent. I actually don't expect to be the rest of the season. It's just something I'm going to have to work through and get better as the season goes on. You just have to go through it. You have to roll with the punches. I'm about 75 percent. I hope I can get to 90 percent by the end of the season.' |
Heralded Buckeye duo tough to tackle
September 28, 2008 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "To get a true sense of the impact Terrelle Pryor and Chris "Beanie" Wells made for Ohio State in their first start together, you should probably talk to Kyle Theret and Rex Sharpe...Theret is the Minnesota safety Wells hurdled like Edwin Moses for a 21-yard gain. At least Wells didn't clip the human hurdle with his sore right foot, or worse, crush him with the full force of his 237-pound body. Sharpe, a Minnesota linebacker, didn't get off as lucky. In his attempt to tackle Pryor, Sharpe discovered that Dan Herron isn't the only Buckeye freshman deserving the nickname "Boom." After scolding his tailback for going airborne, Pryor went out and emulated him, lowering his shoulder into the 226-pound Sharpe as they spilled out of bounds. 'Beanie's always saying, 'Let me see that shoulder, Terrelle,' ' Pryor said. 'I saw the chance coming so I said to myself, 'OK, Beanie, this is it.' If you say I can't lower my shoulder, I'm going to prove I can. Every game, if you're a man, you've got to prove more things.'..."
Wells got comfortable as game progressed
September 28, 2008 Source: Toledo Blade - "...'At first I was nervous and anxious,' said Wells. 'But once I got my first big gain, I felt comfortable again. I just want to keep going. I can carry the ball as many times as possible.' Wells fumbled the ball away deep in Ohio State territory in the first quarter, but the Buckeyes held Minnesota to a field goal and started to pull away. Wells rushed for 11 yards, then 12, and provided a highlight clip with a burst of speed up the middle, followed by a vault over a would-be tackler on his way to a 21-yard gain. 'From where I was, that was hard to see other than seeing that big body flying in the air,' Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said...Ohio State wide receiver Brian Hartline said, 'He makes us a better offense, tougher to defend, tougher to predict.' Ohio State freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor said a healthy Beanie Wells might have made a significant difference in the Buckeyes' only loss..."
Babb Bits: Ohio State-Minnesota
September 27, 2008 Source: Bucknuts - "What went right for the Buckeyes against Minnesota? What wasn't so hot? Charles Babb checks in with his views on the latest Buckeye win...What I liked: Developing Defensive Line – While they are still underwhelming against the rush, they are improving. Thaddeus Gibson is wreaking havoc at the outside; there were multiple occasions where he simply pushed his way into the backfield. Nathan Williams flat out blew his man off the football with his first career sack. Two items in particular are important to note: (1) He did not quit and the initial explosion put the tackle on his heels for the duration of the play (2) Williams did not give the tackle a chance to clutch and grab like a fat guy in a candy store. Every time the tackle tried to grab him, he pushed the tackle backwards. The net result is Williams made the play where many of the defensive linemen have not done so in 2008. Cameron Heyward, like Gibson, is growing into his new role and looks like he could be a load by November...The Young Pups – Etienne Sabino is laying the wood to anyone in his zip code. Lamar Thomas is flashing his speed. DeVier Posey is using his size and hands to push his way onto the field. Mike Brewster is starting at center – arguably the quarterback of the offensive line. The freshmen are making an impact and are already pushing the veterans to either improve or see their minutes diminish...A few other thoughts: The Special teams aren’t special. Missed kicks, blown blocks, and poor returns cannot be making Jim Tressel happy...Penalties. I feel like I am in bizarre world with this team at times. Not only are the special teams struggling, I am seeing all sorts of unnecessary penalties on the Buckeyes. On one drive alone, the Buckeye defense handed Minnesota 25 yards...Stopping the Rush. While Ohio State held Minnesota to just 81 yards rushing on the day, it would be wise to note when the Gophers tried to rush the ball, they had success. DeLeon Eskridge gained 76 yards on 18 carries for a 4.2 average. To put this in perspective, against Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic, and Montana State Eskridge averaged 4.3 yards a carry..."
Untimely Turnovers Sink Gophers in Big Ten Opener
September 27, 2008 Source: Minnesota Official Site - "Minnesota stayed competitive with three-time defending Big Ten champion Ohio State on Saturday, but untimely turnovers dug the Gophers into a hole they couldn’t work out of in a 34-21 loss to the No. 14 Buckeyes on Saturday at Ohio Stadium..."
Minnesota Postgame Notes
September 27, 2008 Source: Minnesota Official Site - "Ohio State’s touchdown drive on its opening possession was earliest points given up on the season by the Minnesota defense. It took the Buckeyes just 2:13 to navigate 75 yards, with Terrelle Prior scoring on a 33-yard run to make it 7-0 OSU...Minnesota’s three turnovers today are one more than the Gophers committed in their first four games of the year combined. Ohio State scored 17 of its 34 points off of turnovers..."
What the Gophers had to say
September 27, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Tim Brewster On the game: 'Football is about explosive plays and turnovers and Ohio State won both of those battles and that is why they won the football game. I feel good that we finished strong. They fought their guts out. I'm proud of our team, but I'm disappointed we didn't win the game.'...Deon Hightower, senior linebacker On Terrelle Pryor: 'He's very athletic. We needed to work on staying on his back hip so we couldn't cut back. In person, he's a big fellow.'..."
Opposite sideline
September 27, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Question mark: What was Brewster told by officials after they ruled tight end Jack Simmons fumbled after his forward progress apparently was stopped and he was stripped of the ball by a gang of Buckeyes at the Minnesota 35-yard line? Brewster challenged the call, but the replay official upheld it. Ohio State scored four plays later to increase its lead to 20-3 with 33 seconds left in the first half. 'I could get into that deal, but it doesn't matter what I say right now, does it?' Brewster said. But, he added, 'That was a big play in the football game.'..."
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