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OHIO STATE vs. INDIANA
"We've just got to become a little bit more consistent at executing everything we do. We want to do a lot, we want to the throw the ball, we want to be a power team, we want to be an option-type team. We expect a lot out of them. We made some big plays. If you can have quickness in the offensive line, you're never going to have flat out speed there, but if you have quickness there and then you have speed everywhere else you can become a good offense. We have speed at quarterback, we have speed at running back, I think we have speed out wide. We've just got to become a little more consistent at executing at everything we do."
"Our defense is very good against the rush. They are going to have to be very good against the rush next week because we have got Wisconsin coming in. Our defense did a great job of setting the tempo and setting us up with good field position."
Terrelle Pryor, Doug Worthington, Zach Boren, Brandon Saine, Duron Carter and Robert Rose spoke with the media following the Indiana game.
No. 9 Ohio State Sprints Past Indiana, 33-14 October 3, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - " Terrelle Pryor threw three touchdown passes, Brandon Saine rushed for 113 yards and the defense limited IU to 18 rushing yards to lead Ohio State to a 33-14 win over Indiana Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The win improved Ohio State's records to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten. Indiana drops its second in succession and is 3-2 and 0-2, respectively.
Saine, making his first career start, had a career-high 17 carries for his career high rushing total. Additionally, Duron Carter and fullback Zach Boren each caught his first touchdown pass.
The Ohio State defense forced three turnovers and held the Hoosier offense to 228 total yards. Anderson Russell forced a fumble (recovered by Devon Torrence) and had an interception and lineman Todd Denlinger also had an interception. Rob Rose tackled IU punter Chris Hagerup in the end zone for a safety plus had two of the team's seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Not a whole lot of action in the second half. Rose's safety was the only points of the third quarter. Then Rose nearly had a second safety. He sacked Chappell for a nine-yard loss to the IU 1 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Following the IU punt, Pryor capped a 41-yard drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak that made the score 33-7. Indiana scored its second touchdown of the game with no time left in the game.
Ohio State has now won 16 consecutive Big Ten Conference road games to get to within one of the conference mark of 17 held by Michigan. Ohio State has also won 15 consecutive games over Indiana and hasn't lost in Bloomington since the 1988 season..."
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Ohio State scored -- or nearly scored -- on every possession in the first half. The Buckeyes missed two FGs, but scored on their other four tries. OSU had the ball nearly twice as long and gained nearly twice as many yards (279-149) as Indiana did in the first half and led 24-7. Game over.
THE PLAY: True freshman wide receiver Duron Carter caught his first career touchdown pass, a 5 yard slant from Pryor, in the first quarter.
GAMEBALL GOES TO: Ohio State's defense. They held IU to 18 yards rushing; the Hoosiers were averaging 159.2. They also limited IU to 228 total yards; last week against TSUN they gained 467 yards and were averaging 399 per game.
THE STAT: Senior defensive tackle Todd Denlinger intercepted his first career pass in the second quarter, returning it 14 yards to the Indiana 38 at 2:10 of the second quarter. It set up Ohio State's third TD, providing a 24-7 halftime cushion. On that play, a zone blitz, he dropped off the line to quarterback Ben Chappell's left, and Chappell did not appear to see him. "The other defensive linemen got great pressure, he had to throw the ball away, and I was there to clean it up," Denlinger said.
THE STAT II: In the first half alone, Pryor threw his three TD passes and rushed for 75 yards as he pushed the Buckeyes to the halftime edge.
THE STAT III: The Buckeyes have also won 16 straight conference road games, extending what was already a school record. They will have a chance to match the Big Ten record for the longest win streak in conference play on Oct. 17 at Purdue.
THE STAT IV: Ohio State extended its win streak against Indiana to 15 games.
THE STAT V: The Buckeyes' offensive assault racked up 30 first downs to Indiana's 11. They dominated the clock as well (38:43 time of possession).
THE STAT VI: Junior running back Brandon Saine made his first career start at running back. He rushed for a career-high 113 yards - the first 100-yard game of his career - on a career-high 17 carries.
THE STAT VII: In the first half alone, Pryor threw his three TD passes and rushed for 75 yards as he pushed the Buckeyes to the halftime edge. Pryor has now accounted for nine touchdowns in his last three games.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: Indiana exposed the OSU offensive line a few times with well-timed blitzes and/or pass-rushing hijinks. Pryor paid the price with his rushing yardage total. Though he gained 101 yards on 13 carries, he lost 38 on three sacks. A couple of times he scrambled instead of just tossing the ball away.
HEY, I KNOW YOU: Former Cleveland Glenville teammates Ray Small, an Ohio State receiver, and Ray Fisher, an Indiana cornerback, lined up across from each other on the game's first snap.
KICK IN THE PANTS: After starting the season 9 of 10 on field-goal attempts, OSU kicker Aaron Pettrey missed two tries last night from close range.
THE MISMATCH: The Indiana defense against a Pryor bullet. The 23-yard TD pass he fired to DeVier Posey at 11:46 of the second quarter was smokin'.
NUMBERS FOR DUMMIES: 113: Total rushing yards allowed by OSU's defense the past three games (18 vs. IU; 82 vs. Illinois; 13 vs. Toledo)
NUMBERS FOR DUMMIES II: 2001: Last time before last night (Zach Boren from Pryor) that an OSU fullback caught a touchdown pass (Jamar Martin from Steve Bellisari vs. Akron)
NUMBERS FOR DUMMIES III: 50: Rumored cost, in dollars, that the BTN's Mason paid to park in a private yard when he could not get into a stadium lot.
NUMBERS FOR DUMMIES IV: 51,500 - The crowd of 51,500 was the largest in Memorial Stadium since a 2005 game against Ohio State
OSU DEBUT: Cleveland Glenville true freshman Marcus Hall made his debut for OSU, lining up at right tackle for the third series, replacing J.B. Shugarts at right tackle. Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said earlier in the week that Hall was expected to debut against the Hoosiers after proving he was ready to contribute one year out of high school. Burning Hall's redshirt in the fifth game of the season might mean something, and it might not. Keep an eye on Hall's playing time in the coming weeks.
CATCH THAT: In addition to Hall relief of J.B. Shugarts at right tackle, Mike Adams made his second start at left tackle and looked good. Those three tackles weren't starters when the season began. Now they are the depth chart until the injured Jim Cordle returns.
DID YOU NOTICE: Heralded RB Jaamal Berry was dressed and warming up before the game, but did not play. Will he see his first action of the year against Whisky?
WAY TO GO, BRO': One of the highlights for Justin Boren was hearing that his kid brother, freshman fullback Zach Boren, caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Terrelle Pryor in the second quarter. "I was actually in boot protection, and it was (left tackle) Mike Adams who told me, 'Dude, your brother just caught a touchdown pass,' " Justin Boren said. "I ran as hard as I could to go over and congratulate him."
COACH LYNCH SAID IT: "He’s a difference maker," referring to Terrelle Pryor
COACH LYNCH SAID IT II: "Our kids battled, and if we've got a chance to score, we're going to take advantage of it and score. If we were 80 yards from the goal line, I wouldn't have been calling timeout." - on why he called a timeout with six seconds left so his team could score a touchdown on the game's final play.
SPECIAL TEAMS HAT OFF: Senior punter Jon Thoma pinned Indiana inside their own 20 on three different occasions.
SPECIAL TEAMS FOCUS: Stop guys like IU senior Ray Fisher, who had 129 yards in the kick return game, including a 43-yard return in the second half. Fisher, who came into the game sixth in the country with a 35.8 average, averaged 32.3 per return on the game. Too often IU had great field position.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME: The Buckeyes are 24-2-1 in games at Indiana. They last lost in Bloomington in 1988 (41-7), which also was the Hoosiers' last victory in the series.
THE VIEW: How the team sees it: We barely could. Next time, brighten the lights.
How the pollsters will see it: Tress is loosening up, but we are not. Not yet.
How Buckeye Nation will see it: We're counting future losses -- and not seeing many.
GLEN MASON SAID IT: One of the more opinionated Big Ten Network analysts, but too often the former OSU player/assistant coach makes the mind-reader mistake of "I'll tell you exactly what coach is thinking..." Also: "Oh ,no," when IU scored on the final play? Buckeye blood runs thick, apparently.
TRANSLATING TRESS: What he said: "We missed some chip-shot field goals and have to get that squared away."
What he meant: "Or we're going to have to begin punting from the red zone."
ONE-LINER: If Ohio State fans chant OH-IO in Memorial Stadium, what do Indiana fans chant in Ohio Stadium? UH-OH?
JUST WONDERING: Should the Big Ten rule that Indiana night games be played under a full moon? The low-wattage field lighting created so many dusky shadows that Memorial Stadium resembled one of those rural high-school fields with wooden bleachers.
ON STADIUM BEDSHEET SIGN: "Stand up old people."
25 WORDS OR FEWER: There should have been more yards and more points, but 16 straight Big Ten road wins should not be devalued.
(Sources: ESPN/Columbus Dispatch/OSU Official Site/Cleveland Plain Dealer/IU Official Site/The Webmaster)
Five Things: Indiana October 5, 2009 Source: Eleven Warrioirs - Saine Makes His Case: Though the general rule says a player can’t lose his starting job due to injury, Brandon Saine sure did all he could to make Tressel and Co. challenge that school of thought with a stellar 17 carry, 113 yard rushing performance...The question now is whether or not Saine should supplant Boom as the starter or if it really even matters considering Boom still needs to get his share of carries – to keep Saine healthy if nothing else – as the Buckeyes all of a sudden seem to have some proven depth at RB with Boom, Zoom and the emerging Jordan Hall...
The Most Shocking Performance Award Goes To…So, who was that disguised in Anderson Russel’s uniform? The much maligned senior filled in admirably with Coleman serving detention as he recovered a fumble, held on to an easy INT, and tied for the team high with 6 tackles...He appeared a little more under control taking on ball carriers in the open field though the lack of size and skill of the IU rushers likely played a part. The Buckeyes may not play as much nickel as we’ve seen in past weeks with Wisky coming in but Russell will still be on the field aplenty. That said, did last night’s game do anything to make you feel better about him taking on John Clay in space?...
We Heart You, Darrell Hazell: Reports conflict as to just how much influence Hazell now has with regard to the playcalling but we’re saying he’s plenty responsible for the offensive resurgence seen in recent weeks. How much is Hazell and how much is weak competition is certainly debatable but it can’t be argued that the offense has a different swagger since picking itself up off the mat after USC...there’s now a crispness to offense that comes with getting the play into TP early in the clock allowing him to scan the defense pre-snap and the installation of an almost exclusive shotgun attack has done wonders for the running game...it’s no accident Pryor found 7 different receivers in the first half alone Saturday night (8 total). The new look offense has everyone involved thus all the players stay in the game mentally as they await their number being called...
Tatum Award hit of the Week Award – Back in Circulation: As if there weren’t enough reasons to have a man crush on Duron Carter. In an evening he’ll always remember, Carter picked up his first career TD on a slick grab of a Pryor slant to put OSU in front 10-0 but it was his spine crackling hit on LB Justin Carrington as Pryor scrambled for 8 yards in the 3rd quarter that brought joy to my heart. The kid has shown he wants to be a complete player and his willingness to lay the wood is just another illustration of his daddy raising him right. The block was an absolute earhole and a guaranteed winner of this week’s Tatum Award...
Shuffle: You enjoy the BTN telecast featuring the ramblings of Glen Mason coupled with no 1st down line for the entire first half? Oh, and don’t forget the fact they missed two plays out of a timeout. Good thing they’ve got Carissa Thompson and Melanie Collins on the staff to make me forgive a little easier..."
Good not great October 4, 2009 Source: BuckeyeGrove.com - "While the coaching staff will publicly say that a Big Ten road win is a big enough accomplishment there will be plenty of tape to review after Ohio State's less than impressive 33-14 win over the Hoosiers in front of a split crowd at Indiana. Terrelle Pryor was responsible for four touchdowns (three via the air, one via the ground) and the Ohio State defense held IU to 18 yards on the ground but it was far from a perfect game...What this game will be remembered for more will be missed opportunities where the Buckeyes were either given great field position or couldn't convert for points...The Buckeye offense seemed to be clicking well early in the game putting up 279 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes. That number was much more dismal in the second half with the Buckeyes racking up a total of 99 yards in the second 30 minutes.
Jim Tressel and the staff will have plenty to work with after reviewing the game film. "We had a couple of turnovers in the fourth quarter and got a little sloppy in my mind," Tressel said, "but we get to go back home and hopefully we will be able to get back to full strength."
"They were not running over us and putting us on the ground," Indiana defender Will Patterson said. "They were effective on what they were doing. Their offensive linemen were doing a good job of staying on their blocks, so we were not able to get off of our blocks to make the play."
But the identity of this team will always be around Pryor and what he is able to unable to do. Pryor at times showed the ability to pass on a dime and also tuck the ball and run. Pryor ran for 101 positive yards in the game but three sacks gave back 38 of those earned yards. Pryor went for 16-27 passing which was right around the Tressel goal of 25 attempts and several of the misses by TP were ducks into the 3rd row to avoid sacks.
...the road only gets tougher from here and if the Buckeyes want to make it to the west coast for the holidays, they are going to need to tighten up and minimize mistakes as teams start to zero in on the Bucks..."
Indiana Game Review October 3, 2009 Source: Duane Long Report - "Who was that guy standing beside JT who looked to be running the offense? No, it was not satan. For those that didn't notice, go back and look at your game tape. Hazel is putting his stamp on the offense. We look different. More importantly we look better...
As far as the running game is concerned, I thought we could have run right at this team all night. Saine gives us something extra. His ability to carry tacklers is something we don't get from Herron, and he is back to being really fast...
Speaking of consistency, if we can just get Pryor to always end every throw on the ball of his left foot he becomes the passer we want him to be. I would make that something we do in practice...Carter catches everything thrown to him, and he blocks too. He should get the hit of the game on that block on Pryors scramble. We need to see more of him.
I want to go back and take my time with the offensive lineman. On first blush I can say this was the best game for Mike Adams. Shugarts is starting to come on.
The defense missed a shutout with poor tackling. Both touchdowns had plays where just being fundamentally sound in tackling would have made a difference. This was the worst game we will ever see from Brian Rolle. On their first touchdown he missed a couple of tackles and took a bad angle on another.
Did you notice the defensive backs talking to each other after plays quite a bit? We have some disarray. Down a starter and other players moving around the depth chart. It was definitely a soup sandwich out there too often.
Great game by Anderson Russell. I never thought I would be saying that again...Cam Heyward was dominating up front...John Simon continues to stand out to me...Homan is playing the kind of football I thought he could play. He just needed to get on the field. Spitler had another good game. Sweat always gets my attention when he is on the field. He finds the football...Storm Klein made the most of his opportunities. I don't know if we needed to blow his redshirt with our depth but since we have I would like to see him get as much time on the field as he can. I think he can be a great player here...Ohrian Johnson was around the ball alot tonight. I could not be happier about that. He sure looks the part. Very athletic looking kid...I really hope that Larimore is really a knee sprain as was stated. When I see a knee injury and teammates gathered around in support, I get concerned..."
This week again, as last week, two plays of the game have been chosen. See both in the game highlights video above.
1) In the 1st quarter, photo top left, on 2nd and goal from the IU 5 yard line, Buckeyes' true freshman wide receiver Duron Carter displays great hands and concentration as he makes a difficult catch hauling in a pass from Terrelle Pryor to score the Buckeyes first touchdown of the game Saturday. It was also Carter's 1st career TD as a Buckeye. Carter is the son of Buckeye and NFL great Cris Carter. Rivals has postgame video: Duron celebrates first score.
2) In the 2nd quarter, with IU in posssession at the OSU 48, senior defensive tackle Todd Denlinger intercepted Ben Chappell's pass and returned it 14 yards to the IU 38. It was Denlinger's first career pass interception. It set up Ohio State's third TD, providing a 24-7 halftime cushion. On that play, a zone blitz, he dropped off the line to quarterback Ben Chappell's left, and Chappell did not appear to see him. "The other defensive linemen got great pressure, he had to throw the ball away, and I was there to clean it up," Denlinger said.
Source: Columbus Dispatch
"I'm not going to stand up here and compare teams, but that Ohio State defense is one of the best in the country. They are going to make a lot of teams and quarterbacks look bad this year. We had one drive tonight. That's what USC had against them. They scored on a one-yard drive after an interception and kind of put together a little thing there at the end. They're very, very good." IU Head Coach Bill Lynch
Defense adjusts to Coleman's absence October 4, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State had no choice but to proceed without suspended safety Kurt Coleman last night against Indiana. Anderson Russell took Coleman's spot in the lineup next to safety Jermale Hines, and Orhian Johnson took Russell's role as the fifth defensive back in the nickel defense. But Coleman was missed.
"It's not about losing a player; it's more losing a leader, losing a guy out there who was kind of your quarterback," safeties coach Paul Haynes said in the days leading up to the game. "But that's what you practice for, what preseason camp is for, what spring is for. Hopefully, you get guys in different positions to fill that role."
The OSU defense, working on a two-game shutout streak for the first time since 1996, then lost Hines temporarily to an injury in the first quarter last night. Johnson replaced Hines in the base defense, and Nate Oliver entered on the nickel. Indiana took advantage, driving to a touchdown on a 7-yard pass from Ben Chappell to Tandon Doss at 12:50 of the second quarter..."
9. It is legal for the fullback to catch a pass...when did they change the rule about fullbacks not being allowed to catch the football?...
8. Duron Carter does more than just catch touchdowns...After hauling in a tough pass on the goal line in the first quarter, Carter laid a block in the second half on a Pryor scramble that nearly knocked the cleats off Indiana. After the game, Carter was much more excited to talk about the block than the catch.
7. Anderson Russell is not the anti-playmaker, at least not always... (he) stepped up and took his spot as the playmaker on the defense. Along with tying Ross Homan for the team-lead in tackles against the Hoosiers, Russell recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and made a great open-field tackle in what was a big game for him.
6. There’s a reason Aaron Pettrey lost his job to Ryan Pretorius two years ago...Whether it’s a mental thing or a mechanical thing when Pettrey is inside of 40, he had better get it figured out or the Buckeyes will be forced to try Devin Barclay or Ben Buchanan in the short-yardage role...
5. Brandon Saine has transformed himself into a complete running back...He showed vision, burst and the ability to move the pile, but the one thing that truly separates him from Herron is his ability to run through arm tackles. Rarely does the first guy bring Saine down, and that is great quality to have as a running back...
4. This offensive line is better than last year’s group. It is still too early to start making general statements about the progress of this Ohio State offensive line, but if we learned anything about them Saturday it’s that they are at least better than last year’s group...the extra attention they are getting from coach John Peterson seems to be paying off...
3. Running out of the shotgun suits Ohio State’s personnel better than the I-formation...after watching them run it against Indiana, I’m convinced this team should operate out of the shotgun the rest of the year...They have totaled 455 yards on the ground the last two weeks running out of the gun, and they have averaged nearly five yards per carry.
2. Pryor is getting better, but he is still a ways off from being a finished product...There are still major flaws in Pryor’s game, and Tressel can’t be thrilled with the way he put the ball on the Turf again, but he seemed to be much quicker with his decision making this week.
1. Ohio State’s defensive front can intimidate opposing coaching staffs...this OSU defensive front is so intimidating that it actually causes opposing coaching staffs to lose sleep...They will need to be at their best next week, however, as they welcome Wisconsin’s smash-mouth offense to Columbus. Even if they have to play without Dexter Larimore, who left Saturday’s game with a strained knee, the Buckeyes are deep enough to win the battle up front against any team on their schedule..."
Offensive line a mixed effort: The OSU offensive line had good moments last night, helping the team to 219 rushing yards. But it also had moments when Indiana sold out on pass-rush situations, and the line couldn't block all the Hoosiers, who had three sacks.
"They blitzed us more than they had showed previously; they brought some heat, and it hurt us on a couple of plays," guard Justin Boren said. "But we picked some stuff, and obviously there are some things we need to improve on."
Hoosiers defensive end Jammie Kirlew, a senior and the Big Ten leader in tackles for loss, credited the OSU offensive linemen. "They weren't running over us and putting everybody on the ground, but they were effective in what they were doing," Kirlew said. "The offensive linemen were staying on their blocks the whole play. They did a good job of that. Whereas we usually get more guys to get off blocks and get to the ball carrier, it was maybe one-on-one or less people getting there tonight because they were holding on to their blocks." (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Big hits are usually associated with linebackers and safeties and fullbacks, so it was a bit of a surprise when a freshman wide receiver made what had to be the hit of the game. Duron Carter made a block on a scramble by Terrelle Pryor that was simply devastating. Carter, commneting on the play, said: "Anything that I can do to help. Terrelle was running and I saw that I could help him out. It just happened to be a great block. It felt great. We didn't get the first down but we sort of got momentum and my teammates were happy about it. I like the hit (more than the touchdown). You might not (usually) hear that from a receiver, but I like hitting.I like hitting a lot. Football is a contact sport. If you don’t like contact, you shouldn’t be playing." (Source: The Ozone)
Bucknuts TV: Pryor After Indiana Win
Pryor has Buckeyes in command against IU October 3, 2009 Source: ESPN - "Look out, Big Ten. Terrelle Pryor is starting to get it. The Ohio State sophomore quarterback turned in a very impressive first half against Indiana, rushing for 75 yards on 11 carries and tossing touchdown passes to sophomore DeVier Posey and freshmen Duron Carter and Zach Boren (Justin's brother). It's nice to see Pryor getting more receivers involved near the goal line. Pryor seems more willing to take off and run, and his football instincts are improving each week as Ohio State leads Indiana 24-7. He seems to be getting better each week, which bodes well for the stretch run..."
Ohio State defensive tackle Dexter Larimore and reserve linebacker Jonathan Newsome limped off the field in the first half. Larimore suffered an injury to his lower right leg at 4:46 of the second quarter, but Tressel said he didn't anticipate that it would be a long-term problem. "I think maybe it's a little strained knee kind of thing. I don't know how long that will affect him, but I don't think it's not something where we had to take him straight to the operating room." The native of Merrillville, Ind., had joined captains Worthington, Austin Spitler and Brandon Saine at midfield for the pregame coin toss. Newsome appeared to suffer a leg injury on a punt in the first quarter.
(Source: Columbus Dispatch/ESPN)
Online Poll: What grade do you give the Ohio State football team's performance against Indiana?: 4% A, 25% A-, 57% B, 14% C Source: Columbus Dispatch
The Bottom Line October 4, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Offense (3 leaves) The first-half display was reminiscent of water rolling down a sliding board, such was the manner the Buckeyes imposed their will...
Defense (4 leaves) Forget the garbage-time TD. OSU allowed the Hoosiers only one decent drive despite missing their top safety to suspension...
Special teams (2 leaves) This easily could be a two-leaf grade, considering Aaron Pettrey's twin misses and IU's hefty yardage on kickoff returns...
Coaching (3 leaves) This old line still packs a lot of truth: Tress won the coaching matchup the past five signing days. But props nonetheless for giving the thoroughbreds space to show their superiority...
Officiating (3 leaves) Indiana coach Bill Lynch worked the refs so much, one almost expected to see a chair fly onto the field..."
Imperfect Hoosiers no match for mighty Buckeyes October 4, 2009 Source: Indianapolis Star - "...if you follow IU football, you understand that those-oh-so-rare sweet dreams are promptly followed by very rude awakenings. Just when you're starting to feel good about your team, reality intrudes, like a shrill alarm clock interrupting a Megan Fox-inspired dream...The Hoosiers, simply, were put back in their place...Coming into this game, we wondered how IU would handle success, or what passes for success for this program. Would they come out slowly after spending a week hearing how nobly they played at Michigan, how they got hosed by a questionable official's call?..."
Postgame Quotes - Indiana vs. Ohio State October 3, 2009 Source: IU Official Site - "Indiana defensive back Ray Fisher (from Cleveland Glenville HS) who had 129 yards in the kick return game, including a 43-yard return in the second half. Fisher, who came into the game sixth in the country with a 35.8 average, averaged 32.3 per return on the game.
- On preparing for the game: "We had a good week of practice. We had to really go back in and go to the drawing board. Now we can focus on preparing for Virginia next week."
On the effectiveness of the OSU running game: "We didn't play the way we have been playing all year. They were really just minor mistakes that we will be able to go back and look at them on Sunday or Monday and improve on them."
On playing against an old friend from high school (Ray Small of Ohio State): "It's a childhood dream, really. We grew up together. We really grew up with each other. We went to high school together. We spent every day in high school together, so really it was a great opportunity for both of us. We just went out there and had fun."..."
OSU shotgun deals blow to 'I' October 3, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Switch in formations seems to fit Herron, Pryor, offensive line...The first question to tight-ends coach John Peterson this week was one of those "I'm joking, but not really" questions: "So, Coach, is the I formation dead now at Ohio State?" To which Peterson smiled and replied, "I don't think the I will ever be dead here." Maybe not, but through three games, it looked terminally ill.
Through two weeks, the Buckeyes averaged 3.5 yards per carry and did not have a rush longer than 19 yards. After an 18-15 loss to Southern California, receiver DeVier Posey said: "We've got some holes in our offense." Even in the third game, when OSU rushed for 247 yards against Toledo, not all was right. The Buckeyes continued to struggle in short-yardage situations out of the I formation: Tailback Daniel Herron gained no yards on two carries inside the Rockets' 5-yard line. After that game, OSU ranked 51st nationally in rushing, at 167 yards per game. The next day, coach Jim Tressel told his staff that something had to change.
"We had played three games, and there was finally some statistical data and some realistic things that you could put your thumb on and say, 'OK, here's what we've done well,' " Tressel said. "And now, 'OK, maybe we need to do this a little more.' " Statistical data? The naked eye should have told him OSU was not a power-run, I-formation team. Herron is tough for his size (5-10, 193 pounds), but he's not a true bull, like the departed Chris "Beanie" Wells.
The offensive line was struggling to blow people backward, and the favored power-run play, featuring a pulling guard, was often painfully slow to develop and easily knocked awry. However Tressel arrived at the conclusion, the solution worked. Last week against Illinois, the Buckeyes operated almost exclusively out of the shotgun -- with one running back -- and overwhelmed the Illini, piling up 231 rushing yards at 5.1 a carry on the way to a 30-0 victory. Afterward, the players were thrilled.
"We were definitely more comfortable with some things that we ran," said Herron, who suffered a twisted ankle against Illinois and might be limited today. "We changed up a little bit, and I think that's what really kind of opened it up for us."
One key to the new look is spreading the field with three or four receivers, which takes defenders out of the "box" -- the area close to the line of scrimmage. Illinois often had five defensive backs either wide or deep, leaving six players to be blocked by six OSU players. In the past, when the Buckeyes were in the I, safeties and linebackers cheated up close, anticipating the power run and outnumbering the blockers. Another key is quarterback Terrelle Pryor's running ability. He is OSU's leading rusher, with 235 yards and a 6.0 average. Out of the shotgun, that threat increases."..."
Five Key Factors October 2, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "KenGordon lets you know what the five key factors are in this weeks game."
Key players to watch as Ohio State takes on Indiana October 2, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Jake Ballard, Ohio State tight end: The senior turned from potential pass catcher into a battering ram a week ago, working as the lead blocker on many of Ohio State's runs from the shotgun. Relying on two freshmen at fullback, maybe the Buckeyes weren't entirely pleased with their lead blocks, so the coaches called on Ballard...
Mitchell Evans, Indiana receiver/quarterback: The Hoosiers' fourth-leading receiver with 10 catches, Evans will draw the most interest when he's in at quarterback. That's when Evans serves as the triggerman for Indiana's version of the Wildcat formation, which the Hoosiers used on their first two touchdowns against Michigan last week...
Anderson Russell, Ohio State safety: Russell started as a freshman, sophomore and junior before losing his starting job to Jermale Hines after the first game of this season. Russell still leads among current Buckeyes with 32 career starts, though only one of them came this year. Now his second will come today, as Russell and Hines will start together because of the one-game suspension of starting safety Kurt Coleman...
Ray Fisher, Indiana cornerback/returner: The Glenville High grad went from the Hoosiers' leading receiver to one of their best defenders. After leading Indiana in catches a year ago, and with a chance to finish as the third-leading receiver in Indiana history, Fisher switched to cornerback in the spring for his senior season, and through four games in tied for fifth on the team in tackles...He ran back the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown against Akron, the first Hoosier in history to start a game with a kick return for a touchdown. He also broke off a 60-yarder against Michigan last week and leads the Big Ten, and ranks sixth in the country, with a return average of 35.8 yards..."
Ohio State running game takes on a new look with Brandon Saine getting first start for Buckeyes October 1, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State will have a new starting running back at Indiana on Saturday, with junior Brandon Saine getting the call for the first time in his career...In the Buckeyes' 30-0 win over Illinois, it was obvious how the offense had changed, running almost exclusively from the shotgun with tight end Jake Ballard, instead of a fullback, serving as the lead blocker. Though the Ohio State coaches emphasized how the plan was aimed at combating the Illini's defensive tackles, six days later, the change -- in retrospect -- seems even more drastic, and, perhaps, permanent.
Working the tailback run into the shotgun may open up more chances for quarterback Terrelle Pryor to throw or run, because, previously, that's all that would happen from the shotgun -- a Pryor quarterback draw, a pass or maybe an option run. The shotgun narrowed the range of plays the defense had to prepare for; the Buckeyes faked handoffs to the backs out of the shotgun the first three games even though they never actually gave it to them. But running the tailback out of the shotgun makes it easier for a still learning offensive line to block, requiring them to hold their blocks for less time, and keeps Pryor as a run threat on every play.
"I think if you're a defense, you're a little more concerned about the quarterback as a runner when he's in the shotgun as opposed to having to go backwards to run forwards," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. Tressel said the downside is that the quarterback has to look for the ball after the snap instead of reading where the safeties are. But Pryor as a threat may outweigh that. "[The shotgun] might be more natural for him," Saine said. "I think we can run the ball from the gun. And with the option of Terrelle out there being able to run, I think that will really help our passing. I think you'll see that in the future."..."
Video of OSU coach Jim Tressel's press conference from Thursday(Source: Bucknuts)
Tackles face Hoosiers' sack attack October 1, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Indiana has two senior defensive ends who have combined for more sacks than any pair of defensive ends in the country, and Ohio State should have two sophomore tackles blocking them much of the time Saturday night. If the Hoosiers are going to slow down the Buckeyes, they'll need Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton to dominate OSU sophomores J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams..."What they have to do is learn on the job," said Ohio State tight ends coach John Peterson, who also works with the offensive tackles. "The situation we're in, we're trying to do things schematically that try to help young tackles be successful."...Adams, 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, and Shugarts, at 6-8 and 298, have the tools of the trade, if not the tricks. Saturday night will be an every-down grind, and if they lose more than they win, Terrelle Pryor may scramble for 200 yards...
They aren't as strong as they will be eventually, nor as smart. As Peterson pointed out, both were set back by shoulder surgeries a year ago, and both dealt with ankle injuries this season as well. Adams had the added delay of a two-game punishment to start the season. But Middleton and Kirlew don't deal in excuses.
Middleton led the nation with 16 sacks in 2007, and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's best defensive end. Kirlew finished second in the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks last season and was named first-team All-Big Ten. Middleton is tied for the conference lead in sacks this year, while Kirlew is first in tackles for loss..."
Hoosiers DEs put heat on opposing quarterbacks October 1, 2009 Source: Chicago Sun Times - "Indiana defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton seem inseparable on the football field. They take turns answering questions, walk together off the practice field and frequently find themselves hanging out at their favorite meeting place -- the offensive backfield. Individually, either would be a menace for opponents. Together, the two seniors are an absolute nightmare.
"I think it allows us to be effective on the edges and up front," Kirlew said. "Having two solid, great defensive ends creates problems for a lot of opposing teams." Middleton has 23 career sacks, third on Indiana's career list. Kirlew has 19, fifth all-time. It's the first time in school history classmates have made it into the top five and their 42 combined sacks are more than any other defensive end combination in the country. Two years ago, Middleton led the nation with 16 sacks and was one of eight finalists for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. When offenses paid more attention to stopping Middleton last season, Kirlew took advantage, finishing with a team-high 10{ sacks and becoming a finalist for the Hendricks Award. Now the tag-team tandem is even more productive.
It has combined for 5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season. Last week at Michigan, Middleton finished with two sacks and 2{ tackles for loss while Kirlew had two tackles for loss and forced and recovered a fumble on the same play. This week, they'll challenge No. 9 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten), a team that has noticed the fearsome duo on tape.
"Their defensive line is really good and a lot of their guys have a lot of experience," said Buckeyes tight end Jake Ballard, who may have to help block Kirlew and Middleton on Saturday. "One of them even played against us three years ago when he was a true freshman. They might be one of the best defensive ends (groups) we've played yet." Middleton and Kirlew are both listed at 6-foot-3, play with energy and prefer using speed moves against massive offensive linemen..."
THREE KEY MATCH-UPS: Indiana’s Front Seven vs. OSU TBs Dan Herron and Brandon Saine - Bill Lynch makes no bones about what his team’s No. 1 priority is against Ohio State. "You can’t let Ohio State come in here and run the ball all over you," Lynch said....
Indiana’s Offensive Line vs. OSU’s Defensive Front - If Indiana is going to have a chance to be successful offensively, it is going to need a big effort from Rodger Saffold, Justin Pagan, Will Matte, Pete Saxon and James Brewer against a very good Ohio State front four...
IU WR Tandon Doss vs. OSU CB Chimdi Chekwa – Ohio State lost a pair of very good starting cornerbacks a year ago in Malcolm Jenkins (1st round NFL pick, No. 14 overall) and Donald Washington (4/102), and now the 6’0", 188-pound Chekwa takes over as the team’s No. 1 corner. The loss of Jenkins and Washington is significant, but Chekwa is a junior who saw plenty of action a year ago as the team’s No. 3 corner. He’s a member of Ohio State’s track and field team so he clearly has plenty of speed, and he’s also a big hitter who can make tackles in the open field... (Source: HoosierNation.com)
What to watch in the Big Ten: Week 5 October 1, 2009 Source: ESPN - "...Buckeyes try to continue shutout streak -- Ohio State hasn't allowed a point since the final stages of its loss to USC, and the self-proclaimed no-name defense aims for another big performance at Indiana. The Buckeyes haven't shut out three consecutive opponents since 1973, when they blanked Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan State by a combined score of 125-0. Ohio State also can extend its Big Ten road win streak to 16 games...
Indiana sensing opportunity -- The Hoosiers prepare for their most anticipated home game in recent memory as No. 9 Ohio State visits Memorial Stadium. There are no moral victories in the Big Ten, but Indiana can take several positives from the way it performed last week in Ann Arbor. Quarterback Ben Chappell and running back Darius Willis need to be at their best against a ferocious Buckeyes defense, while defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have to generate consistent pressure on Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor."
"The good thing about our guys defensively is they go into every game wanting a shutout and then they play each play. They seem to be a neat group in that there are no 'stars' or people that everyone is talking about and everyone is looking to. They look to each other, they look to the whole crew." -- coach Jim Tressel
SERIES RECORD
• Ohio State leads the all-time series with Indiana 65-12-5 and has a 42-10-4 edge when the two
teams play in Columbus. The Buckeyes have won 14 straight from the Hoosiers since a 41-7 loss in 1988.
• Last meeting: 2006 - Ohio State, 44-3
IN NIGHT GAMES
• Ohio State is now 6-3 at home (26-13 away from home) in night games (games starting 5p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 32-16 in
night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 14-10 in night games and 7-3
in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium.
BIG TEN ROAD OPENERS
• Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 60-32-5 in conference road openers.
Ohio State is 195-77-10 (.709) all-time in Big Ten road games.
• Ohio State has a 15-game Big Ten road winning streak
4th CAPTAIN & HONORARY CAPTAIN
• Brandon Saine will be the 4th captain Saturday
• Former OSU linebacker Mike McCray will be the honorary captain.
SILVER BULLETS
• The back-to-back shutouts of Toledo and Illinois were the fi rst time since 1996 that the Buckeye defense recorded consecutive shutouts.
• 121:05 - how long Ohio State has gone without surrendering a point.
• Through four games, the Big Ten features three of the nation's top 10 scoring defenses in Ohio State, Iowa and Penn State.
OFFENSE
• Sophomore tailback Dan "Boom" Herron has scored at least one touchdown in eight consecutive games dating to last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Sr kicker Aaron Pettrey is leading the Big Ten in field goals, converting on 9-of-10 attempts, and is second in scoring with 9.5 ppg.
INDIANA AT A GLANCE
• The Hoosiers are off to a 3-1 start (0-1 Big Ten) after suffering their first loss of the season last Saturday
to Michigan, 36-33, in Ann Arbor.
• Indiana's two-deep roster shows half of the team's top 44 players on offense and defense are in their 4th or 5th year in the program.
• The Hoosiers have yielded a NCAA-low two sacks this year.
• Indiana redshirt freshman running back Darius Willis had a career-high 152 yards on the ground. He averages 73.7 yards per game on the ground.
• The Hoosiers’ defense is solid, ranking second in the Big Ten in rushing defense, giving up just
94.7 yards per game.
• Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew is tied for sixth nationally with 2.12 tackles for loss per contest.
• IU DE Greg Middleton registered six tackles (4 solo) and a career-high 2.5 TFLs (-7 yards) at Michigan, including two sacks (-7 yards) for his seventh career multi-sack game.
• Senior Jammie Kirlew leads the Big Ten in tackles-for-loss with 8.5.
• The offense is led by junior QB Ben Chappell
who has completed 84-of-130 (64.6 percent) passes for 944 yards and three TD’s.
• Tandon Doss is the team’s leading receiver with 26 catches for 374 yards.
• Kicker Nick Freeland became the 4th Hoosier to tally four field goals in a game, connecting on four-of-five attempts from 24, 20, 30 and 32 yards against Michigan.
• Head coach Bill Lynch is in his third season with Indiana. In his first season in 2007, Lynch led the Hoosiers to a 7-6 record and a trip to the Insight Bowl. He is the only head coach in Hoosier history to guide a team to a bowl game in his debut season.
Coach Jim Tressel said outside linebacker Ross Homan, who had to leave the Illinois game because of a slight concussion, is expected to return to practice today (Wednesday): "(He) probably won't work today, but will work tomorrow. We're very, very conservative on those. Aaron Gant is a guy that we were hoping would be back by now and he's not back." Jim Cordle remains out. Freshman running back Jaamal Berry, who has yet to debut, could be ready as soon as Saturday after sitting out so far with an injury.-"I think Jaamal Berry is going to be very good, we just need to get him healthy," Tressel said. Zach Domicone is expected to able to practice and play this week, which is good because he's on some special teams and they need another safety this week with Kurt Coleman suspended. Tressel presumed the starting safeties in the Buckeyes’ base defense this week will be Anderson Russell and Jermale Hines, while the No. 3 safety, at least in terms of reps, has been Orhian Johnson. If the Buckeyes open in a nickel look on defense, the new number to look for is 19, as in safety Orhian Johnson. "When we’re in nickel, he’ll be in the game and we’re expecting that he will do a great job," Tressel said of the redshirt freshman. A converted high school quarterback, the 6-foot-2 Johnson is an excellent athlete and a former U.S. Army All-American who the Buckeyes have been high on as a safety since he arrived at Ohio State last fall. "Orhian has really been highly thought of since his freshman year," Tressel said. (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer/BuckeyeSports.com/Columbus Dispatch/The Ozone)
Young Safeties Have Their Shot This Week September 30, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - Dave Biddle writes: "...The general assumption is that redshirt freshman Orhian Johnson will carry a big workload against Indiana on Saturday, but OSU safeties coach Paul Haynes said Wednesday after practice that a host of players are vying for the top backup job. Junior Jermale Hines and senior Anderson Russell will be the starters against the Hoosiers. Johnson will likely be the next guy in, but also in the mix are sophomore Nate Oliver and redshirt freshman Zach Domicone. "We haven’t made that decision yet," Haynes said of who the No. 3 safety will be. "We need a couple guys to really step up. We’re working through with Orhian and Zach and Nate Oliver and (true freshman cornerback/safety) C.J. Barnett and all those guys. So, we’ll see."
...this week, could one of the backup cornerbacks enter the field as the nickel instead of one of the reserve safeties? "We could do that," Haynes said. "We have the ability to do that with some guys like Andre Amos and Travis Howard and guys like that. So, we have the ability to do that and that’s kind of the route that we might go."..."
Pistol gives Indiana's offense firepower September 29, 2009 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "When Indiana coach Bill Lynch decided last winter that Ben Chappell and not Kellen Lewis would be his quarterback this season, he had to find an offense that suited the former. "We had been predominantly a spread team over the last few years," Lynch said, and the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Chappell is "not the traditional spread kind of guy."...And there were other assets the Hoosiers had -- bigger backs and stronger run-blockers -- that Lynch wanted to take advantage of in the offense. "We just felt like we needed to be more multiple in our attack," Lynch said.
So it was that Indiana swapped its shotgun for a pistol, a formation in which the quarterback still lines up a few yards behind center but, unlike the shotgun, has a running back behind him rather than to his side or not at all. The shorter 'gun has shot big holes in opponents. Indiana is averaging nearly 400 yards and gained 467 in its Big Ten opener at Michigan last week. Chappell, a fourth-year junior, passed for 270 yards and redshirt freshman Darius Willis rushed for 152 in a 36-33 loss to the Wolverines. Before installing the pistol, Indiana coaches visited Nevada, which runs the formation exclusively..."
The Pistol Offense is a hybrid of the traditional shotgun and single back offenses. In the pistol offense (also commonly referred to as The 'Pistol Formation'), the quarterback lines up three yards behind the center, and the running back lines up one yard directly behind the quarterback (four yards behind the center). It created by Nevada Wolf Pack, head coach Chris Ault and first implemented in 2004. Ault has credited the inspiration for his invention to the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers performance at the Fiesta Bowl, where they ran the option from a spread offense.
The versatility of the Pistol formation can be utilized in a variety of ways. Because the quarterback is closer to the line of scrimmage than in a traditional under center, he can see more easily over the line and make downfield reads. He will also get the ball snapped to him faster, which can alter timing patterns greatly for a preparing defense. The Pistol offense can effectively use draw plays, counters, and options using three wide receiver formations or multiple tight ends combined with a fullback for pass protection. In a pistol formation, handoffs occur 2-3 yards closer than in the shotgun, which can make for a more effective running game while keeping pass efficiency. This formation works well with dual threat quarterbacks who can both throw and run.
Last Time Out... September 29, 2009 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Ohio State will face Indiana this weekend for the first time since the 2006 season. The Buckeyes had an easy time the teams' previous meeting, routing the Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Relive the 44-3 victory in this edition of "Last Time Out..."
2009 Big Ten Conference Team Statistics Through games of Sep 27, 2009
Crunching the Numbers: Ohio State at Indiana September 30, 2009 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "This week we take a look at which statistical categories the Buckeyes and Hoosiers lead the Big Ten, a standout Indiana receiver, the Hoosiers from Ohio and the Buckeye from Indiana and much more... "
Ohio State vs. Indiana Preview October 1, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "Tony Gerdeman's preview of the Indiana game...Quarterback Ben Chappell has been charged with keeping this offense on track, and to this point he has done a very nice job. He is completing 65% of his passes and threw for 270 yards last week against Michigan. Unlike many spread offenses, the Hoosiers are more than happy to throw the ball downfield and Chappell’s four interceptions show that he’s not always as accurate as Indiana needs...Indiana has numerous weapons to work with and have already had two different running backs rush for over 100 yards in a game this season. The first was Demetrius McCray, who rushed for 134 yards on just 17 carries against Western Michigan. However, he only had one carry last week against Michigan, so the Hoosiers may be moving more towards Darius Willis, who happens to own the other 100-yard game on the season..."
Gameday+ October 2, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "BuckeyeXtra.com delivers all you need to know about the Buckeyes’ upcoming game. Click here for everything from the top story, 5 key factors, play of the week, Pistol flanker Around, to player spotlights, Anderson Russell, and Game Predictions, including one from Mark Cuban who picks the Hoosiers & more"
Preview: #12 Ohio State at Indiana October 2, 2009 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...An even tougher assignment may be in the hands of Bill Lynch’s secondary, as the Bucks could look to get the pass going after a heavy dose of the run last weekend. Ray Fisher of Cleveland Glenville has emerged as the unit’s best player and is a standout special teams player on kick and punt returns, having already returned one kick for a score this season. He will have his hands full though, as will fellow secondary players Austin Thomas, Nick Polk, and Richard Council, as the Buckeyes go five deep at receiver and two deep at tight end. On Special Teams, the Hoosiers have their biggest weapon in Fisher, but their kicking game is pretty solid as well..."
Ohio St.-Indiana Preview October 1, 2009 Source: ESPNU - Coach Jim Tressel has been very impressed with his defensive unit, including its showing in the loss to the Trojans. "When you can control the trenches, which thus far we've done a pretty good job with that, you've got a very good chance," he said. "(Then) you've got guys in the back end that are very disciplined and do what they're supposed to do. They know that the other guys are going to be putting some pressure on the opposing quarterback."...Indiana (against Michigan) had four go-ahead scores -- including Darius Willis' 85-yard run midway through the fourth quarter -- and outgained Michigan 467-372, but it gave up a touchdown with 2:29 left and suffered its seventh loss in its last eight games against Top 25 teams..."
2009 Indiana Hoosiers Game Preview October 1, 2009 Source: Buckeye Planet - Analysis and more, including: ...Wide Receivers: The Hoosiers run quite a bit of talent out onto the field at the receiver position. The most versatile appears to be (Tandon) Doss, who after limited duty last season has burst onto the scene to lead the team in receiving overall and in each game thus far. He showed off all of his talents against Michigan, catching 5 passes for 104 yards and adding 41 yards and a score on the ground in only 3 carries. He also had 8 catches for 125 yards against Eastern Kentucky, 6 for 85 against Western Michigan, and 7 for 60 against Akron, so he has been a focal point of the passing attack since the opening whistle...Indiana Offensive Preview...Defensive Preview..Special Teams Preview..."
Ohio State (3-1) at Indiana (3-1) October 1, 2009 Source: College Football News - "Why Indiana might win: The Hoosiers are showing some decent pop and aren’t beating themselves. IU’s talent level isn’t good enough to hang with the better teams unless there are a slew of takeaways, and no turnovers, and so far the defense has done its part forcing five fumbles and picking off five passes. Ohio State is strong in turnover margin, but it’s not going to get many, if any, freebies. More importantly, the IU offense showed it could produce with a strong performance against Michigan last week with 260 passing yards from Ben Chappell, and 152 rushing yards and a 85-yard scoring dash from …Who to watch: … redshirt freshman DariusWho to watch: … redshirt freshman Darius Willis. The star recruit of last year was redshirted, but he ripped up the scout team and was by far the best back on the roster. A Indiana state champion sprinter in high school, Willis showed off his wheels last week with 152 yards and two scores on just 16 carries against the Wolverines. Only given three carries in the first two games, he was unleashed over the last two games and has the potential to be IU’s game-changer for the next four years...What will happen: Indiana might not be the worst team in the Big Ten, but Ohio State has a habit of making teams look that way. The Buckeye defense will continue to be a brick wall, while Terrelle Pryor and the OSU running game will be decent enough to control the game from the start. CFN Prediction: Ohio State 34 … Indiana 7..."
IU prepared for OSU’s Pryor October 2, 2009 Source: Indiana Daily Student - "..."Pryor is an interesting guy because you don’t see him get tackled very often," Lynch said. "Eventually you can kind of corral him out of bounds, but he does not go down very often. He’s so strong that he can straight-arm defensive lineman." IU co-defensive coordinator Brian George said he has seen only one player in college football with similar natural skill to Pryor: former Texas quarterback Vince Young. "His ability to not only throw the ball, but to run the ball, brings a whole new dimension to what they do," George said. "We need to continue to do a better job being assignment-sound. We have to bring it up another notch this week."... "
Indiana hopes to change history vs. No. 9 Buckeyes October 2, 2009 Source: Chicago Tribune - "After 125 years of college football, Indiana is trying to start a new legacy against No. 9 Ohio State. The Hoosiers want to write a new chapter in this decidedly lopsided series and they're hoping Memorial Stadium on Saturday night will be filled with more red-clad Hoosiers fans than red-clad Buckeyes fans. Yes, it's a chance to change all those pesky perceptions about Indiana football. "This is a program that is getting better," Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. "We are going to urge the students to sell out their section and the others because this really is a showcase game for us."... "
Head Coach Bill Lynch's Weekly Press Conference September 29, 2009 Source: IU Official Site - ""Ohio State is obviously a great football team. I think the first thing from a statistical standpoint you look at is their defense. They have shut out their last two opponents and effectively stopped USC...They are just so sound in what they do defensively so that is the first thing that jumps out at you. Offensively, [Terrelle] Pryor jumps out at you. He is a tremendous athlete of physical size that you are not used to seeing at quarterback with his kind of mobility...On who Pryor reminds him of: "I said this to the staff the other day. I coached against Daunte Culpepper twice when he was in college. Daunte Culpepper has that kind of size and mobility that Prior has. As Daunte got further into the NFL, he wasn't quite the runner, but in college he was a load. Just watching Prior on film reminds me of Culpepper. I can personally say I have coached against Culpepper." ... "
Buckeyes QB gets Hoosiers’ attention September 30, 2009 Source: Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette - "Pryor poses threat passing, running...Fresh off its just-miss outing against Michigan, IU has to prepare for Pryor and No. 9 Ohio State. "He is a tremendous athlete," Lynch said during his weekly news conference Tuesday at Memorial Stadium. '(He has) a physical size (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) that you are not used to seeing at quarterback with his kind of mobility."... "
OHIO STATE: Five Days and Counting September 28, 2009 Source: HoosierNation.com - "Hoosier Nation begins its day-by-day preview of Saturday night's match-up with Ohio State. Today, we look at five numbers to note about the contest with the Buckeyes...5 – sacks allowed by Indiana and Ohio State this season - combined. The Hoosiers have yielded a NCAA-low two sacks this year...62.5 – percent of Ohio State’s offensive plays that have been runs, making the Buckeyes the second-most run-oriented offense in the Big Ten behind Michigan (63.4 percent)... "
Tickets for IU-Ohio State Game in High Demand September 28, 2009 Source: Indiana Official Site - "Less than 1,000 student tickets remain and just over 5,000 reserved seats will be on sale for Indiana's Saturday night football game with No. 9 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m..."
Ohio Connection: Sixteen Hoosiers hail from the state of Ohio. Chris Banks (Alliance), Larry Black, Jr., (Cincinnati), Ted Bolser (Cincinnati), Javon Cornley (Columbus), Mitchell Evans (West Milton), Ray Fisher (Cleveland), Kyle Kozak (Columbus), Brad Martin (Marion), Pat McShane (Stow), Adam Replogle (Centerville), Tyler Replogle (Centerville), Rodger Saffold (Bedford), Pete Saxon (Plain City), Damon Sims (Cincinnati), Jarrod Smith (Fairborn) and Eric Thomas (Cleveland) all came to Bloomington from the Buckeye State. Source: Indiana Official Site
Kirlew is tied for sixth nationally with 2.12 tackles for loss per contest and leads the Big Ten in tackles-for-loss with 8.5. Selected a first team All-Big Ten defensive lineman by Athlon Sports, Lindy's and Sporting News preseason magazines ... rated the eighth-best defensive end in the country by Lindy's ... non-stop motor turned in All-America season in 2008 ... great pass-rusher and good against the run ... team leader and one of hardest-working Hoosiers will start at right end ... missed spring practice due to sports hernia. 2008 Honors: One of six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award ... voted first team All-Big Ten by the conference media and second team by the league's coaches
Middleton has 15 tackles, 5.5. tackles for a loss and 3 sacks in four games. He registered six tackles (4 solo) and a career-high 2.5 TFLs (-7 yards) at Michigan, including two sacks (-7 yards) for his seventh career multi-sack game...... secured several preseason honors, including first team All-America selection, All-Big Ten and a Bednarik/Nagurski Award candidate by Sporting News ... second team All-America selection and a first team All-Big Ten pick by Athlon Sports and Lindy's ... rated as the best pass rusher in the Big Ten and the fourth-best defensive end in the country by Lindy's ...
The Hoosier offense is led by junior QB Ben Chappell, who is 84-130-4 for 944 yards, 3TDs, and anaverage of 236 yards per game. In 2008 he played in 11 of 12 games and started three times ... threw for 1,001 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions ... completed 52.3 percent of passes (80-of-153) and carded a 111.95 efficiency rating ... started at Illinois, against Northwestern and Wisconsin ... led team to victory over No. 22 (BCS) Northwestern, throwing for one TD, a 43-yarder, and rushing for another ... went 21-of-34 (61.8) for a career-high 219 yards...
