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OHIO STATE vs. OREGON
Buckeyes offense no secret to Ducks January 1, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...(Pryor) "The coaches have a pretty good game plan. We're going to try to mix it up." That's what the Ducks expect. When Stanford beat Oregon 51-42 for the Ducks' only Pacific-10 Conference loss, the Cardinal ran for 254 yards and passed for 251...When Oregon's players watched video of Ohio State, they saw a team that ran for more than 200 yards in each of its last five games and passed primarily with the intention of hitting a game-changing play. "They're all about ball control," Oregon safety T.J. Ward said. "They want to run, run, run the ball, then hit you with the big play when you least expect it. They want to get you in the box or get you worried about Terrelle and the other running backs and then -- bam -- hit you deep on a play-action (pass)."..."
Ohio State Buckeyes facing an Oregon team that's unpredictable December 31, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...in this showdown between the established, five-time Big Ten champions and the upstart, upset Pac-10 champs, sizzle equates to substance...When Ohio State played Southern California the past two seasons, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and USC coach Pete Carroll offered a contrast between Midwestern conservatism and SoCal surfer relaxation. But then the teams took the field and ran similar versions of a pro-style offense with power running. This time, Ohio State's opponent plays as wide open as it acts...Tressel has proven his way works. But on this one New Year's Day, from the jerseys to the coaches to the entire program, either old school or new age will gain an edge...Confusion is the plan, uncertainty the goal, both for opposing defenses and sometimes for the Ducks' own offense. The Ducks will accept a breakdown that causes a 6-yard loss on one play because a mistake by the defense might lead to a 60-yard touchdown on the next play. Can you imagine Tressel living with that?..."
Tressel, Kelly Give Final Rose Bowl Updates: Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly and Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel met with the media this morning for the final time before the game. Tressel had some good news regarding the OSU injury situation
Four Downs: How Doug Lesmerises sees the Ohio State-Oregon Rose Bowl when the ball is snapped December 31, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "First down:Cameron Heyward, Ohio State defensive lineman...Or "Mr. Heyward," as Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich preferred to call him...The Buckeyes' defensive line that so frightens Helfrich has been the strength of the team all season, everything on the defense keyed by the pressure of the front four. But the Oregon offense will neutralize that to some extent, first with its option looks, which include unusual pitch men. That will force the tackles to make tough reads on plays, not just the defensive ends as with most zone-read offenses. And then the Buckeyes have to be careful to contain quarterback Jeremiah Masoli while they are attacking him...
Second down: Eddie Pleasant, Oregon outside linebacker. At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, the sophomore is the smallest member of either front seven, 14 pounds lighter, for instance, than Ohio State middle linebacker Brian Rolle..."But every offensive line is vulnerable to speed."...Off the edge, Rowe and Pleasant should be the ones trying to apply pressure to Terrelle Pryor. They'll do the same dance as the Ohio State defense, trying to balance pressure with containment...
Third down: Ed Dickson, Oregon tight end..."I keep talking about the tight end," Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said, as he kept talking about Dickson, "but he's as impressive a tight end as we've seen, as far as catching the ball and blocking. He's really talented." At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Dickson is a matchup problem for any defender...So watch for the Ducks to run play-action and then attempt to take advantage of that with throws to this big target...
Fourth down: Devin Barclay or Aaron Pettrey, Ohio State kickers...You can't run two kickers out there at once, unless Jim Tressel has some version of a Wildcat trick formation as it relates to kicking field goals. So a decision must be made...Depending how the game unfolds, this could be nothing or it could be something. But think about the added intrigue if Ohio State is preparing to kick a crucial field goal late in the game and no one is certain which kicker will be trotting out to do it...."
Ten Pressing Questions: OSU vs. Oregon December 31, 2009 Source: Bucknuts.com - Steve Helwagen writes: "...1. How will Terrelle Pryor play at quarterback for the Buckeyes?...3. Will the Buckeyes be able to establish the run against Oregon’s front seven?...5. With the OSU offensive line back to full strength, can the Buckeyes exploit their size advantage?...6. Can the OSU defense contain Oregon’s dynamic quarterback Jeremiah Masoli?...7. How will the Buckeyes handle the tailback tandem of LaMichael James and LeGarrette Blount?..."
Buckeyes have questions on special teams December 31, 2009 Source: ESPN - "...Sound special teams are a given at Ohio State, but the team has more question marks than usual in the third phase heading into its matchup against Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game... There's some haziness at place-kicker as well as on punt and kickoff returns...Lamaar Thomas remains Ohio State's top option on kick returns, and one of the team's top running backs, Brandon Saine or Dan Herron, will occupy the second spot..."I'm not excited about the way I've been given this opportunity," said Thomas, who could also be a bigger factor as a receiver Friday. "I'm truly going to miss those guys, Ray and Duron, but it is going to be an opportunity that I'll be able to showcase some things. I'm excited about that."..."
Notes from Kelly-Tressel news conference:"...Two of Ohio State's last three losses -- Sept. 12 against USC and the 2009 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against Texas -- came in games where the defense allowed a late score and lost a lead. Fatigue likely played a role in both games, as USC ran 17 more plays than Ohio State (72-55) and Texas ran 23 more plays (87-64). Ohio State should win the time-of-possession battle against Oregon, but the Ducks' offensive pace could be tough to match. "When you leave your defense on the field that long against good football teams, there is going to be a wearing factor," Tressel said. "I know this: chasing Oregon around will make them tired, too, so it's going to be a great challenge."..."
Some Ducks Throw Jabs At Ohio State Secondary December 31, 2009 Source: Columbus 10TV.com - "...A few Oregon players indicated they have the upper hand on offense, and that the Ohio State secondary is suspect, 10TV's Dom Tiberi reported. "I won't say it on film, but we just know that everybody has that weakness, that chink in their armor," said Oregon wide receiver D.J. Davis."You're smiling confidently," Tiberi said. "Yes, I am," Davis said..."In some games that we watched their safeties tend to jump the run a little bit," (TE Ed) Dickson said. So there's a little play action there. Basically, they're not perfect."."
Five Key Factors December 31, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ken Gordon lets you know what five key factors are in this game...CONTROL THE TEMPO...ALL ON THE LINE...SIT ON SHORT ROUTES...WIN THE MONEY DOWN...LOOSE VS. PRESSURE"
Rose Bowl Predictions December 31, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Everyone takes a shot at picking the winner between Ohio State and Oregon...A few predictions for Friday's Rose Bowl game between Ohio State and Oregon
Game Predictions December 31, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...including one from former Duck & Charger Dan Fouts..."
Rose Bowl Media Day Notebook December 30, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "Aaron Pettrey says he is ready to go. Now the only question is whether or not Jim Tressel will call on him...
Apparently the Buckeyes are close to settling in on a new No. 3 receiver, and it just so happens he is their old No. 3 receiver. "It feels great to be in the rotation, to be the third receiver," junior Taurian Washington said Wednesday during media day...Along with Thomas and Washington, Ohio State will reach out to non-receivers like Jake Stoneburner and Brandon Saine to help fill the void left by Carter and Small’s absence. Stoneburner only caught two passes during the regular season, but he has seen a dramatic jump in his workload since the Buckeyes learned they would be down two players in the passing game for the Rose Bowl. "Definitely during practice I’ve seen my role increase a lot more," said Stoneburner, who had already seen his playing time increase at the tight end spot late in the season...
On Monday, Oregon players and coaches said they feel like their team is the best conditioned team in the country. Ohio State safety Jermale Hines would like to put that to test. While he admits they Ducks must be in good condition to run the hurry-up, no huddle offense the way they do, Hines said he would stack the Buckeyes against anyone. "I feel we’re up to par with anyone’s conditioning." A number of Ohio State’s players have talked about an increased focus on conditioning this December, with Doug Worthington calling it the "Run for the Roses." "It’s a run we do every day after practice for conditioning," Hines said. "It’s very different. We do backpedal, run, basically until your tongue falls out."..."
"We're going to prepare for everything, but I anticipate a lot more running than throwing the ball. I don't think in the past month that Pryor has got any better at his passing game." - Oregon Defensive tackle Brandon Bair...they will try to pressure Pryor, who they don't believe is a threat in the passing game.
Buckeyes, Ducks have little in common December 31, 2009 Source: Associated Press - "...If the Buckeyes are tired of talking about anything, it's their three straight postseason losses in BCS bowl games, including last year's Fiesta Bowl following national championship games in the previous two seasons. Ohio State's senior class could go out as the winningest in school history with a victory - but a loss would leave those seniors with four Big Ten titles, but no postseason wins..."
No Outside Practice on Team Media Day Wednesday December 30, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "...persistent rains Wednesday morning in Los Angeles soaked the practice fields and prompted the cancellation of Ohio State's scheduled afternoon practice at the Home Depot Center. Following a team media day at the media headquarters, the Marriott Los Angeles Downtown, the Buckeyes returned to their hotel late Wednesday morning for team meetings before the originally scheduled 1:15 p.m. practice. The team learned then that a decision had been made not to practice outdoors because of the weather. The team still used the time available to prep for the game. The Buckeyes used some of the giant conference room and meeting room space in the lower level of the Marriott for numerous offensive, defensive and position meetings..."
Number of Buckeyes playing final college game uncertain December 30, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Five senior starters should take the field for Ohio State in Friday’s Rose Bowl, but the Buckeyes could wind up having to replace several other starters in 2010 and having to rebuild one of the best defenses in the country...Jermale Hines (is considering leaving)...Defensive ends Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson, and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa are the Buckeyes most often discussed as early-entry candidates..."
Tuesday at the Rose Bowl: Defense Meets the Media December 29, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "...Representing the Buckeyes at the media headquarters for early morning interviews were team captains Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington, plus leading tackler Ross Homan and defensive coordinator Jim Heacock...The four Buckeyes who met with the media know Masoli, who is 5-11 and 220 pounds, will be a challenge to contain. Here's what they had to say about him..."
Pryor Restraint? December 28, 2009 Source: ESPN - "Terrelle Pryor's potential has never been questioned. But what version of the Ohio St. QB will Oregon see in the Rose Bowl?...Terrelle Pryor will always be the story at Ohio State, but will the sophomore quarterback be the solution to the Buckeyes' BCS bowl woes? Or, better yet, will Ohio State allow Pryor to be the difference-maker? Pryor certainly wants to be..."
It's not magic, but Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli has made defenses disappear all season December 29, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The cameras will tell the story. If the TV guys can't figure out which Oregon player has the ball in the Rose Bowl, viewers at home will know Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is having his way with the Ohio State defense. "If we can get the cameraman confused, we know we're doing something right," Masoli said Tuesday..."
Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg discusses defending Oregon’s potent offense with Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock.
No stars, lots of production for OSU December 29, 2009 Source: ESPN - "Jim Heacock made a statement Tuesday that would have drawn eye rolls or blank stares back in August. "The strength of our defense," Heacock said, "is the defense."...The fact that Heacock can make the statement just days before the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi is the significant part. Team defense isn't just some vague goal for Ohio State. It's a fact backed up by 12 games of evidence..."
In the nickel: Not surprisingly, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said the Buckeyes should play mostly a nickel defense against Oregon, which should mean less time on the field for senior linebacker Austin Spitler and more time with safeties Kurt Coleman, Anderson Russell and Jermale Hines out there together. (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Ohio State gears up for 'conditioning test' December 29, 2009 Source: ESPN - "...No offense in college football tests a defense's conditioning level quite like the Ducks, who operate in a no-huddle, spread attack that stresses speed both before and after the ball is snapped. Oregon's pace makes it hard for defenders to communicate the correct play, make substitutions or simply line up in the right place..."
Oregon unimpressed with Pryor's passing prowess December 29, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Is Pryor talented? Are they worried about him making a big play with his feet in the Rose Bowl? Of course. But in general, Ducks defenders looked at Ohio State's statistics, watched Pryor on video and shrugged rather than shivered.
"We're going to prepare for everything, but I anticipate a lot more running than throwing the ball," defensive tackle Brandon Bair said. "I don't think in the past month that Pryor has got any better at his passing game. Maybe he has, but I know their running game is solid, so I don't see why they would go away from that."
Ducks defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti was asked how he thought Pryor responded to blitzing and pressure. "It seems like it rattles him a little bit," Aliotti said, then hesitated. "But if I say any more, I may have to kill you."
Rather than arch his back and spit defiance, Pryor agreed with Aliotti's assessment. "Going by statistics, that's a true statement, it has (bothered me)," Pryor said. "That's on third downs, though. When they send a full-out blitz on me, it has rattled me -- not rattled me, but going from the numbers, I haven't completed that many balls on third down when blitzes were coming. "We'll be better at it this game, so I hope they do bring pressure."..."
Herron, Saine seek returns December 29, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - " Not only are Brandon Saine and Daniel Herron competing for playing time as the running back in Ohio State's offense for the Rose Bowl, they're also vying for one of the kickoff return spots open because of the suspension of senior Ray Small..."
Notes and video from Ohio State Rose Bowl prep December 28, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "*Dane Sanzenbacher said he expected DeVier Posey to be the No. 1 punt returner against Oregon in the Rose Bowl in the absence of Ray Small. Posey, Sanzenbacher and Jordan Hall were all fielding punts at practice today.
* Hall joined Lamaar Thomas deep on several kickoff returns, taking the spot typically occupied by Small, who, as a reminder, did not make the trip after being suspended for violating team rules.
*Terrelle Pryor was asked several times about considering Oregon as one of his final schools before deciding on Ohio State. Part of his interest in Oregon should have been obvious. "All that Nike stuff," Pryor said with a smile. "I would probably have gotten in trouble taking all that Nike stuff. They have Nike all over the place. They have, what, like 20 million uniforms?"
* Jaamal Berry is playing the role of Oregon leading rusher LaMichael James on scout team, while Jermil Martin is bigger back LeGarrette Blount. Third-string quarterback Kenny Guiton has been serving as Jeremiah Masoli, but OSU defensive lineman Doug Worthington said the Buckeyes have also used wide receivers as Masoli at times to simulate his speed.
(Video of) The Buckeyes practicing at a sports complex in Carson, Calif..."
Terrelle Pryor says he's been playing with partial tear in knee ligament December 28, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "... Terrelle Pryor said this morning he has been playing with what he called a partial tear in his PCL, his posterior cruciate ligament. "I have a little partial thing in the back of my leg, a little partial tear in the back of my leg, PCL," Pryor said during an interview session to preview the Rose Bowl. "I was just fighting it and fighting it and trying to get better. But I can't really think about it. I've got to put every injury I have, I've got to put them at the back of my head."...This is the first time that any knee injury had been connected to Pryor. He wouldn't specify which knee it is or say whether he may need surgery. "I'm hurting everywhere," Pryor said. "But it doesn't really matter. I'm just trying to fight it and trying to keep working and get better. I don't have time to worry about injuries." The Buckeyes have practiced twice in California and will hold their third practice this afternoon. "Yesterday I was kind sluggish," Pryor said. "My leg was a little tired. I feel a lot better today and I feel like I have a lot more energy for practice." (Also video: Pryor talks about choosing to play at Ohio State instead of Oregon..."
The Buckeyes practiced on Sunday at the sprawling Home Depot Center athletic complex. Check out Jim Davidson's photos and the video of sights and sounds from the practice field.
A Meet the Media & Boys and Girls Club Day December 28, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "Monday in Southern California was another pleasant day with temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s for the Ohio State Buckeyes to conduct a two-hour practice session. The team returned to practicing in shorts and helmets after a hard-hitting day in full pads on Sunday. Media was allowed to photograph and film about 20 minutes of the practice session. Included in the contingent was the ABC announcing crew for the game: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstriet and Lisa Salters. After practice the Buckeyes returned to the team hotel. The players then had a night to take in the sights and sounds of aspiring comedians at The Hollywood Improv. Members of the Challengers Boys & Girls Club out of Los Angeles stopped by practice and had an opportunity to meet and shake hands with the team...Listen: Boom and Brandon and Terrelle and Dane Audio - View Photos ..."
Flying V: Ducks’ Tempo Provides New Challenge for OSU Defense December 27, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "The 2009 Ohio State defense has seen just about everything...And yet what they face in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day will be an entirely new challenge for an Ohio State defense that has only one player (Lawrence Wilson) who has played in winning bowl game. "With the misdirection there's zone options, there's zone reads. They exploit defenses by people jumping in the wrong gaps. That's how they get their big plays," captain and 2009 team MVP Kurt Coleman said of Oregon’s zone-read option attack...But it’s not the speed of the players that has Coleman and the Buckeyes worried as much as it is the speed of the Oregon offense as a whole..."
Defense must be able to match Oregon's pace, not just speed, in Rose Bowl December 27, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...Austin Spitler said the Buckeyes worked on getting caught off-balance during their practices in Columbus. The practiced substituting, getting back-and-forth between their base and nickel defense, in a hurry. They practiced for the times when they know they won't be ready.
"You just never know when they'll pop up there and snap the ball and it'll be difficult to get the call," Spitler said. "We practiced every situation. They have such different ways to make plays, with spreading you out and then bringing you back in and using misdirection, we have to be simple in what we do and just attack."...Spitler and Coleman may be forced into calling the defense when there isn't time to get word in from the sideline. The numbers show just how Oregon wears down opponents by shifting back-and-forth between a no-huddle and look-look offense, when the Ducks quickly get to the line of scrimmage and then look to the sideline for their play. For Oregon, the tag of quickest offense in the country doesn't refer to the speed of their players, but the speed of their play-calling. Take these stats. Oregon ranks 115th in the nation in time of possession, but seventh in scoring. Oregon is 27th in yards per play..."
What Ohio State Might Do To Slow Oregon December 26, 2009 Source: Associated Press - Buckeyes must turn up heat on Ducks...Ohio State must stop run, slow pace, pressure the QB...To limit the Ducks' hurry-up, anything-goes, spread attack, the Buckeyes have four major objectives:
—Stifle the run. James, a redshirt freshman scatback, is averaging 123 yards a game and Masoli another 60. LeGarrette Blount, the starter a year ago who was suspended for half the season for punching a BYU player in the opener, adds an intriguing element because of his size and strength (6-foot-2, 246 pounds)...
—Slow the pace. The Ducks frequently go no-huddle to pose personnel problems for a defense, or to simply wear it down...
—Pressure Masoli. A strength of the Buckeyes all year has been its active, aggressive front wall. It has posted 22 sacks, but more than that many of the game-turning plays of the season were initiated by a lineman getting in the face of the opposing quarterback...
—Play keepaway. Ohio State's offense has moved the ball in fits and starts most of the season, but it cannot afford to repeatedly give up the ball after short series..."
On-field experience with Oregon, OSU makes Purdue an interesting Rose Bowl barometer December 22, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...On Oct. 17, Purdue upset Ohio State, 26-18. On Sept. 12, the Boilermakers took Oregon to the wire on the road, losing, 38-36, after failing on a two-point conversion with 1:01 to play...Oregon beat both teams that Ohio State lost to this season. But that doesn't mean the Ducks have all the answers.
"If Ohio State does things right, one of the things they want to use is their power run game," Purdue senior linebacker Jason Werner said by phone last week. "Ohio State definitely has the power to do it, so they can take advantage of their size. We were able to stop their power run because our defensive line played its best game all year."...The Boilermakers ran for 170 yards on the Ducks in their game. "We were able to run the ball and that opened everything up in the passing game," (Purdue senior quarterback Joey Elliott) Elliott said. "They're a fast team all over, and they like to bring a lot of pressure. If you're able to gash them up the middle and get a running back on a safety pretty quick, you can get some big gains."...
One place where Elliott noticed a major speed difference was in Ohio State's favor, though. He said Oregon's inside linebackers were more run-stuffers, while offering high praise for OSU middle linebacker Brian Rolle. "The difference in the defenses is that [Rolle] is more of a speedy guy. That guy is one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten," Elliott said...
For Werner, that's where the teams are different -- not in their talent, but how they use it. "Oregon seems to utilize their speed a little bit more with their sets and their route combinations," Werner said. "They're different because they're more spread out, where Ohio State is a little more the power game. I'm not saying Ohio State doesn't have speed, but the way Oregon runs their offense, they focus on their speed more."...
What Purdue did, shifting its defensive line before the snap and getting four-man pressure while containing Pryor, forced the quarterback into four turnovers. Oregon certainly has watched that many times. Purdue has a lot to teach both sides..."
Defense working on quickness to slow no-huddle December 20, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "In its preparations for playing Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, Ohio State has, by all accounts, been moving quickly. The Buckeyes have to. To prepare for Oregon's speedy offense directed by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, Ohio State's scout team and occasionally its No. 1 offense have been snapping plays in quick succession to test the defense.
"It's difficult," cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said last week. "The difficult part is getting the call in, getting set and communication. "There's a lot of confusion. We have to make sure we get the call in, we're not confused, and we communicate before the snap. We do that, and we'll be all right." Oregon's spread option sometimes looks like a high-speed version of the one West Virginia ran a couple of years ago under coach Rich Rodriguez, who is now at Michigan, and quarterback Pat White. The Ducks' no-huddle puts a premium on defenders' awareness.
"That's what the no-huddle does," safety Kurt Coleman said. "It throws you off because they run a fast-paced offense, and it won't allow you to substitute or allow you to get the right play called. "It will try and break your concentration, but our coaches have talked about staying poised, and we have been conditioning a lot.""
Expect a run for the roses December 20, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Buckeyes will rely heavily on ground game of Herron, Pryor, Saine..."
Oregon defense rises to occasion December 18, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Think Oregon football, and one of the first things to come to mind is what's on the sides of the helmets: "O," which seems to stand for Often Outrageous Offense. But Ducks begins with a "D," and Ohio State fans should not forget that: As required by the rules of the game, Oregon also plays a little defense. Though not consistent, the defense has found ways to make a play or two when it mattered to help Oregon's run to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, where it will play Ohio State.
Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel has seen enough of the Ducks on tape to know what's coming, and he has his offense -- maligned this season for being inconsistent and sometimes ineffective in the passing game -- gearing up for the challenge. The Oregon defense often did it by gambling, blitzing or otherwise taking its game up a notch when needed. "They want to exert pressure on you," Tressel said..."
Jim Tressel hints that Rose Bowl will feature a more unleashed Terrelle Pryor December 15, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State's bowl plan last season turned Terrelle Pryor into a part-time receiver in the Fiesta Bowl. The plan for the Rose Bowl this season might be to simply turn him into a complete quarterback again. As the Buckeyes ground their way to a Big Ten title, rushing for at least 225 yards in each of their final five games, the reliance on the tailbacks in the rushing attack was accompanied by Pryor's diminishing role in the offense, a change precipitated by an ankle injury that really limited him in the 10th and 11th games of the season, victories over Penn State and Iowa that locked up a Rose Bowl bid...
A fully healthy, locked-in, confident Pryor would remind Kelly of the player he tried to bring to Oregon, and it wouldn't be a bad thing for the Buckeyes to see, either. "He is running now as fast as he ever has," senior tackle Jim Cordle said. "I didn't realize [his ankle] was quite that bad. We saw him getting extra treatment in November. He did his best to not show any weakness. He's definitely running like he always has and that's good."..."
Pryor off limits to talk about Rose Bowl December 14, 2009 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State protects Terrelle Pryor off the field, too. The sophomore quarterback was not allowed to speak with reporters Monday during the Buckeyes' media day for their upcoming Rose Bowl appearance. It follows a trend set by coach Jim Tressel, who likes to shield his underclassmen from the media as much as possible...Even though Ohio State has finished fall quarter and no classes were scheduled, Pryor was not among the nine players who talked about the bowl game Monday...On Monday, Tressel said Pryor is not satisfied with how he played this season. "He is an extreme perfectionist, and so the only way he would have been happy at the end of the regular season was if we were 12-0, (he) completed every pass and he scored 94 touchdowns and threw for another 100. That's just him," Tressel said..."
Oregon has victories over OSU's losses December 17, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Since Oregon, Ohio State's Rose Bowl opponent, defeated USC and Purdue, that means the Buckeyes don't have much of a chance against Oregon, right? Ohio State lost to USC and Purdue earlier this season, so reporter Chris Hansen of The Register-Guard wanted to bring this to our attention, especially since Ohio State's two losses were by a combined score of 44-33 to the Trojans and Boilermakers — two teams Oregon defeated by a combined score of 85-56. Oregon defeated Purdue 38-36, but Oregon dominated USC 47-20. Oregon finished with 613 yards of offense.
Hansen writes: Boilermaker coach Danny Hope recently offered up his opinion of the two Rose Bowl opponents to The Sporting News. "They’ll match up very well," Hope said. "I guess whichever offense has a chance to get hot will be a difference maker. Both have good defensive football teams. Ohio State might be a little bit bigger. Oregon has exceptional quickness on the defensive side. Both clubs have an offense that when it’s hot, it’s awfully good and has great potential. It will be decided on which offense executes the best or which quarterback gets hot."
Is Ohio State's defense really worthy of its high standings vs. the pass? December 19, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...Some of the touchdowns allowed by the Ohio State secondary this season are easy to remember. The 10-yarder in the final three minutes by Iowa that forced overtime. The two by Purdue in the Boilermakers' upset. The 85-yarder that started Navy's furious comeback in the opener. Yet the Buckeyes allowed only 10 TD passes all season, the ninth fewest in the country. They intercepted 23 passes, second-most in the country..."
SERIES RECORD • TThe Buckeyes are 7-0 all-time against the Ducks, having last played in 1987. The first meeting was the 1958 Rose Bowl where No. 2 Ohio State
edged the Ducks, 10-7. This is OSU's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1997 when the Buckeyes defeated Arizona State, 20-17, Jan. 1, 1997. The Buckeyes are 6-7 all-time in 13 previous Rose Bowl appearances.
• Last Meeting: 1987, a 24-14 Ohio State victory in Columbus in the second game of the season and the final season under former head coach Earle Bruce.
• After playing five times over a 10-year stretch, the Ducks and Buckeyes have only faced each other twice over the past 41 seasons (1983, ‘87).
BOWL OVERVIEW:
• This is a classic matchup of the Ducks' sixth-rated rushing offense versus the Buckeyes' fifth-rated rushing defense, but so often it is the less obvious considerations -- such as Oregon's fast but undersized defense versus Ohio State's physical but inconsistent offense -- that decides things.
SILVER BULLETS:
• The Ohio State defense is averaging 5.9 threeand-outs per contest this season, second in the nation in that statistic behind TCU (6.5).
• Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five categories in 2009: rushing defense (5th), total defense (5th), scoring defense (5th), turnover margin (4th) and pass efficiency defense (7th). Ohio State ranks 16th among the NCAA leaders in pass defense.
COMMON OPPONENTS:
• If this season's common opponents are an indicator, though, Oregon may have an edge. Ohio State's losses -- to USC and Purdue -- both came against teams the Ducks defeated. Buckeye's two losses were by a combined score of 44-33 to the Trojans and Boilermakers — Oregon defeated both by a combined score of 85-56. the Ducks defeated Purdue 38-36 and dominated USC 47-20; they finished with 613 yards of offense in that game.
BCS & BOWLS:
• The Buckeyes are making their fifth consecutive BCS bowl appearance. Ohio State has an 18-22 record in bowl games, dating back to the 1921 Rose Bowl, where the
Buckeyes were defeated 28-0 by California. The Buckeyes have appeared in 11 different bowl games. The Buckeyes are 4-3 in seven BCS game appearances.
Ohio State holds a 14-19 record in bowl games played on New Year’s Day or later.
• Under Jim Tressel, Ohio State is 4-4 in bowl games.
OHIO STATE VS. THE PAC-10:
• Ohio State is 50-25-2 overall against the Pac-10. The Buckeyes have faced every conference school at least twice in football. In regular season games, Ohio State is 44-18-2 against the Pac-10.
BUCKEYES IN THE GOLDEN STATE:
• The Buckeyes are 16-14-1 all-time in games played in the state of California. Ohio State’s first game there was a 28-0 loss to California in the Rose Bowl concluding the 1920 season. The first Ohio State win in California came in 1941, when Paul Brown’s first OSU club won 33-0 at Southern Cal.
THE SENIOR CLASS:
• The 19-member 2009 senior class enters the Rose Bowl game with a 43-8 record, four Big Ten titles, four wins over Michigan, two trips to the BCS title game and four BCS bowl invitations to its credit since 2006. The most previous wins by an Ohio State senior class? 43, in 1995-98, 2002-05 and 2005-08.
FEWEST POINTS:
• Ohio State has allowed 146 points through 12 games this season, an average of 12.1 per game. The record for the fewest points allowed in a season
in the Tressel era is 166, both in 2006 and 2007
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS:
• Ohio State is 130-104-12 all-time when facing
a ranked opponent, and 40-41-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel,
the Buckeyes are 36-13 overall and 12-6 on the road against ranked teams.
COACH TRESSEL'S RECORD:
• Jim Tressel, Ohio State Head Coach since 2001 and three-time National Coach of the Year, is 93-21 in 9 seasons at Ohio State; 228-78-2 in his 24th season overall. He is 4-4 in bowl games and 3-3 in BCS bowls at Ohio State. Tressel is vs. Michigan: 8-1and 59-13 vs. the Big Ten.
TV: ABC 5:10 p.m. ET:
• Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters.
OREGON AT A GLANCE:
• Oregon is 4-2 against its last six top 10 opponents, including a 2-0 mark this season.
• The Ducks are one of only five teams in the FBS to face five top 25 teams to date in 2009 and have the best record of that group at 4-1. Six of UO’s ‘09 foes are ranked in the final BCS standings.
• Oregon will be appearing in it’s fifth Rose Bowl Game and first since Jan. 1, 1995, and is 1-3 all-time. UO’s lone win was a 14-0 shutout of Pennsylvania in 1917. The Ducks are 0-2 vs. Big Ten schools in the Rose Bowl.
• Oregon’s Danny O’Neil holds the Rose Bowl record for passing yards with 456 vs. Penn State in 1995. Shy Huntington shares the interception mark with three in 1917 vs. Penn.
BCS HISTORY:
• Oregon is making its second trip to a BCS bowl game since the series’ inception in 1999. The Ducks first appearance was at the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, when they defeated Colorado, 38-16. The Ducks would have gone to the Rose Bowl that season, but it was the host game for the BCS championship.
TOUGHENING UP:
• The Ducks had the ninth toughest schedule in the country - No. 2 among Pac-10 schools - based on cumulative opposition. UO opponents combined to post a record of 76-52 (.594) against FBS foes. Only Mississippi State played teams with more combined victories (78) than Oregon.
VS. THE TOP 10:
• Since 1999, the Ducks are 8-8 against top 10 opposition, including wins in four out of the last five.
BYE LOVE:
• With its victory vs. Oregon State Dec. 3, Oregon improved to 18-2 in the regular season when coming off a bye week since 1995.
RUNAWAY CHAMPS:
• Despite the fact that the Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl bid came down to the final game of the regular season in the Civil War, the Ducks became the first team since Washington in 1991 to win the conference championship by more than one game in the final standings.
TD & RUSHING MACHINE:
• Jr QB Jeremiah Masoli has rushed for a touchdown in all but three of his 11 appearances this season, giving the Bay Area native at least one score in 14 of his last 18 games. He has 22 career TDs in 23 games as a Duck and is now Oregon’s all-time scoring leader at the quarterback position with 132 points, breaking Joey Harrington’s (1998-01) previous mark of 118. • With 55 rushing yards at Stanford Nov. 7, Masoli passed Dennis Dixon as the most prolific rushing quarterback in UO history. Masoli now has 1,377 rushing yards for his career. Dixon amassed 1,208 yards between 2004 and 2007. Masoli is also tops among all Pac-10 players and 14th in the nation in points accounted for with an average of 14.73 per game (27 TD: 12 run, 15 pass).
KING JAMES:
• LaMichael James has put together the top season by a freshman running back in Oregon football history. The redshirt from Texarkana, Texas, has established frosh records for most yards in a single game (183 vs. USC) and season (1,476), as well as the most 100-yard games (9).
• With two more rushes of 20-plus yards vs. Oregon State Dec. 3, FR RB LaMichael James now has 20 such runs on the season to lead all FBS players. James also leads the nation total rushing yards against top 25 (AP) teams with 582.
BARNER BREAKS KICK RETURN MARK:
• Fr RB Kenjon Barner has set a new Oregon record for kickoff return yards in a single season with 898 on 37 returns. He broke Chris Oldham’s former mark of 765, set in 1988.
THE MAGNIFICENT 11:
• Thanks in large part to a tremendous effort from all 11 defensive positions in wins over Cal (Sept. 26), Washington State (Oct. 3) and UCLA (Oct. 10), Oregon held three consecutive opponents to less than ten points for the first time since 1980.
HEAD COACH:
• Chip Kelly, the first year head coach, has led the Ducks to a 10-2 season and 8-1 conference record. He will join the man he succeeded as UO’s head coach - Mike Bellotti - as the only men to lead the Ducks to a bowl game in their first year at the helm of the program. Kelly was named Pac-10 coach of the year in his first year on the job. He is only the fourth coach in conference history to lead his team to 10 victories in his first Pac-10 season.
Ohio State Rose Bowl Press Conference Transcript December 14, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - Coach Tressel: "...I personally have not seen that much film yet because we've been hard at the recruiting and also I had a chance to go to New York City and see Chris Spielman get inducted...but I can tell you that looking at their schedule, the Pac-10, I thought, was very strong top to bottom and when you play Boise State and Utah as well, they had a heck of a schedule. And obviously scored a lot of points. Saw them on TV a couple times. Their tempo -- it's one thing to watch the film when I think the cameraman stops in between the plays, but when you watch them live and it's rolling, they have a heck of a tempo. They fly around on defense and so we've got a lot of work to do to prepare and we have a good, solid week this week. We went this morning and we'll have a lifting/video-type day tomorrow and we'll go again Wednesday, and Thursday will be like Tuesday, and then we'll go Friday, Saturday and Sunday and finish up on Monday, hopefully with a game plan set to go before we head home for the holidays, and then we leave on Christmas night, head to Pasadena and get ready for the great week at the Rose Bowl. Questions?..."
Updates: Coach Tressel on the team health: "Pretty good. Haven't had guys out. Everyone's been practicing. Jamaal Berry still isn't back with that hamstring, he's been on the side a little bit. Aaron Pettrey's been back kicking a little bit. He expects to be ready to go, which he's a couple weeks ahead of schedule...Jermale Hines? He's been practicing. Our guys had about 10 days in there where they really didn't have that much practice, so they seem to be in good shape...Dexter Larimore is good, he’s doing fine." Jim Cordle said that Mike Brewster is still taping his injured ankle, but only as a precautionary measure. Brewster, Justin Boren and JB Shugarts are all healthy and practicing, although Boren may have a minor procedure done after the bowl game.
Senior kicker Aaron Pettrey could be cleared to start practicing with the team as early as today, sources said, which means he could play in the Rose Bowl. Pettrey was considered a long shot to return for the bowl game, but he said two weeks ago that his knee was doing well, and since then, he has been kicking on the side during practice. Even if Pettrey is allowed to kick against Oregon, Barclay is expected to handle kickoffs. Pettrey was injured on a kickoff play when a New Mexico State player hit him below the waist.
(Sources: OSU Official Site/The Ozone/Columbus Dispatch)
Suspensions create opportunities: "As Ohio State jumped into its practice yesterday, there was still a rotation at the receiver positions. The names, though, are different. That's because Taurian Washington and Lamaar Thomas were backing up starters DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher, with Grant Schwartz taking a few turns, too. Senior Ray Small and freshman Duron Carter were the main backups in the regular season, but both were recently suspended and didn't make the trip for the Rose Bowl. "Taurian and Lamaar have been the ones getting most of the reps," coach Jim Tressel said after the team arrived. "And they've felt all along they should be playing anyway, so we'll find out."..." (Source: Columbus Dispatch 12/28/09)
Oregon's strength plays into Ohio State's December 13, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "In a word association game, Ohio State linebacker Austin Spitler was asked to react to Oregon. He didn't hesitate. "Explosive."
Being quick to react is good for Spitler, because it will be a key for the Buckeyes defense in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Oregon's offense, directed by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, was the power behind the Ducks' rise to the Pacific-10 Conference championship -- just like Ohio State's defense was the backbone of its Big Ten title. In fact, Ohio State's defense seems designed to stop Oregon's aim on offense: to befuddle and frazzle the opponent. That point isn't lost on Ducks coach Chip Kelly.
"I've watched every (Ohio State) game so far, and they never seem like they're out of position," Kelly said. "I think that's indicative of two things: their athletic ability and their coaching. "There's very, very, very few big plays. You look at the big-play cutup (on video) -- it doesn't take you very long to look at the big-play cutup because there aren't very many that can be had against these guys." Here is the matchup on paper:..."
Tressel concerned about Ducks' speed December 8, 2009 Source: Toledo Blade - "..."They have speed everywhere," Tressel said about the Ducks, who scored better than 35 points nine times this season, including the last six games in a row. "They play with such tremendous tempo and passion.'' After scoring just eight points while opening the season with a loss at Boise State, Oregon has been on an offensive binge ever since. The Ducks score almost 38 points per game and average 425 yards of offense per game. "I know one thing: We better get in shape,'' Tressel said. "We're going to have to be in tremendous shape. It's going to be a great challenge. Our defense has done a good job all year, and I know they'll prepare hard."...
"The thing that you know that they bring to the table is that at every level and every stage, you've got to defend it all," Tressel said. "You've got to defend the running backs, who have been extraordinary. The quarterback is a guy who can hurt you bad with his speed and his arm. The receivers do a great job on the quick throws, and they do a great job on the deep throws."...Tressel, speaking in a national conference call Sunday night, said he has a lot more to learn about Oregon before the Buckeyes can formulate a detailed game plan for the Ducks in the Rose Bowl, but the speed element is one thing he is already certain about..."
Rose Bowl Fast Facts: • OSU will wear white and has the west bench
• Tressel’s last trip was in 1985 has an assistant
• Buckeyes Practice Facility: Home Depot Center in Carson, CA (http://www.homedepotcenter.com)
• Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2010: All time Buckeye great John Hicks, who started in three Rose Bowl games.
• Coin Toss: Rose Parade Grand Marshall Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (Source: The Ozone)
Rose Bowl Capsule: Ohio State will win if: Its defensive ends can disrupt QB Jeremiah Masoli and Oregon's offense. The Ducks have averaged 40.4 points per game since a season-opening loss to Boise State. Backs LaMichael James and LeGarrette Blount are game-breakers, but everything flows through Masoli.
Oregon will win if: The Ducks avoid mistakes with the ball. Despite all the points, UO gives up the ball twice per game on average. Ohio State picked off 23 passes this season, second only to Texas, and can swing the game with some turnovers. (Source: Sporting News)
Category
Terrelle Pryor
Jeremiah Masoli
Passing Efficiency Rating
RNK #66 - 128.04
RNK #49 - 133.70
Passing Total Yards
RNK #88 - 1828 yds/Int 10
RNK #71 - 2066 yds/Int 5
Passing YdsPG
RNK #96 - 152.3
RNK #69 - 187.8
Rushing Total Yards
RNK #93 - 707 yds
RNK #89 - 659 yds
Rushing YdsPG
RNK #93 - 58.9
RNK #89 - 59.9
Points Responsible For
RNK #38 - 11.7
RNK #14 - 14.7
QBs Masoli, Pryor add flavor to 96th Rose Bowl December 31, 2009 Source: Associated Press - "...Although Masoli and Pryor are two of the most athletic quarterbacks in the nation, their pedigrees are nearly as contrasting as the offenses they run..."
Still growing as OSU's quarterback, Terrelle Pryor's goal for Oregon: 'We'll get better at it' December 28, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...his first move to quarterback came in eighth grade...Five seasons after taking the position full time, Pryor is preparing for the midpoint of his college career. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said every sophomore comes to a realization that they're starting the back half of their college lives. A 20-year-old who's still a relative novice at his position will officially be a veteran by the time he walks off the field after Friday's Rose Bowl against Oregon. Pryor will do it wishing he'd found his home on the field more quickly, very aware of the progress that other college quarterbacks, such as Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen, made while growing up behind center. Even though Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith didn't come to Ohio State as a full-time quarterback, he did it with a background as a quarterback playing muni ball in Cleveland..."
Time to perform: Days of Pryor growing into QB job are running short December 27, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "For Terrelle Pryor, the 96th Rose Bowl will be the last game of his sophomore season and the first game of the rest of his career. Even his coach says Pryor can't claim beginner's status anymore. Much more is expected from the former No. 1 national prospect of the 2008 recruiting class when the Buckeyes take on Oregon on Friday..."
When Masoli starts, Ducks win December 29, 2009 Source: ESPN - "Jeremiah Masoli doesn't look the part. But when the Oregon quarterback starts, the Ducks just win..."
Ducks QB Masoli quick on trigger December 27, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Oregon's fast-paced offense keeps junior on the attack...Tough as that might be on quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, he revels in that rapid tempo because he knows it's tougher on opposing defenses..."
Rose Bowl preview: Oregon QB Masoli outshines Pryor so far December 26, 2009 Source: Statesman Journal - "The comparisons are inevitable. Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli vs. Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor...Masoli, a junior, will be leading the Ducks into their first Rose Bowl game since the 1994 season. Pryor, a sophomore, will be playing in his second BCS game in as many years. Both signal callers can change the complexion of a game with their arm and legs. But there is no bond between the two..."
Kelly: Pryor’s Decision Worked out for Both of Us December 7, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel and Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly have already had one head-to-head competition with Jim Tressel coming out the winner. Today, Kelly sounds a little like he's glad Tressel won. ..There was a time when Chip Kelly was envious of Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel. Back in 2008, when Kelly was only the offensive coordinator at Oregon, the two coaches faced off in a recruiting battle for the nation’s No. 1 prospect with Tressel and the Buckeyes coming out on top for the services of five-star quarterback Terrelle Pryor...Looking back, however, Kelly considers Pryor’s decision to play in Columbus to be a blessing in disguise because it led him to Oregon’s current quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, who led the Ducks to a 10-2 record this season..."
Will Ohio St. vs. Oregon in the Rose Bowl be a game worth your while? CFN tells you: This Bowl Could Be Great Because ... USC isn't in it. This is the first time Ohio State has been in the Rose Bowl under Jim Tressel, but it'll have a big task to deal with against a hot Oregon ground game that gets LeGerrette Blount back in the mix to go along with LaMichael James and QB Jeremiah Masoli. For the Buckeyes, this could be the showcase breakout game for Terrelle Pryor to launch a big 2010.
This Bowl Could Suck Because ... it's a bad matchup for an Ohio State team that hasn't shown the firepower this year to scare the Ducks. The last Big Ten win in Pasadena was Wisconsin's 17-9 victory over Stanford in the 2000 game.
The Initial Knee-Jerk Reaction ... Ohio State has to win this game. It's not playing USC, it's not playing in a national championship, and it's not playing a 2008 Texas team that belonged in the national championship. It's just Oregon, and if OSU loses, it'll be a long, long offseason at a program with a fan base known for overreacting. (Source: CollegeFootballNews.com)
Poll: Will Ohio State defeat Oregon in the Rose Bowl? December 7, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The Ohio State Buckeyes have lost three straight bowl games, and they have been outscored, 103-59, in those contests. Will the streak end in the Rose Bowl against Oregon? Cast your vote: (Results as of December 8) Yes, because it's not an SEC team 5%, No, the Big Ten remains overrated 13%, No, Oregon has too much speed 41%, Yes, this is the Buckeyes year 39%" (Updated 12/27/09)
Oregon soars after early season troubles December 9, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...On Sept. 3, Kelly's 16th-ranked Oregon Ducks were manhandled by Boise State, 19-8. A disappointing night turned disastrous when running back LeGarrette Blount punched a taunting Broncos player after the game, instantly becoming the latest poster boy for bad behavior. So much for Kelly easing into his first head coaching job. But Oregon weathered the storm. The Ducks lost only one more game en route to the Pacific 10 title and a Rose Bowl meeting with Ohio State. "Sept. 3 was a bad day for this program," Kelly said in a conference call yesterday. "But it didn't define this football program. You kind of dust yourself off and pick yourself up and go out and see if you can change things...
The game figures to be notable for the teams' contrasting styles. Oregon averages 37.7 points, seventh-best in the nation. After the Ducks' recruiting of Terrelle Pryor proved unsuccessful, they signed Jeremiah Masoli to play quarterback. He's been more than just a consolation prize. Showing adeptness with his arm and feet, Masoli leads an imaginative offense that will test Ohio State's rugged defense.Like Ohio State, Oregon is short on superstars. Only tight end Ed Dickson was named first-team All Pac-10. But Kelly declined when asked to name other deserving players, saying team goals take precedence..."
Oregon won't need to earn respect from OSU; Buckeyes already wary of high-speed Ducks December 7, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "It's a different BCS bowl -- the Rose instead of the Fiesta. It's a different opponent -- Oregon instead of Texas. It's a different type of offense -- big plays with zone-read runs instead of quick passes from the spread. But Ohio State's story for the next month is the same as it was during bowl season a year ago. Can the Big Ten's best defense slow down a high-octane offense?...
Last season, Texas was averaging 43.9 points and 476.4 yards a game, ranking in the top 10 in the nation in both categories entering the Fiesta Bowl...Now comes Oregon, averaging 37.8 points (seventh in the nation) and 424.7 yards per game (25th). The Ducks have been held under 30 points twice -- in their season-opening 19-8 loss to Boise State and in a 24-10 win over UCLA. In their last six games, they averaged 42.8 points. "They are lightning," OSU coach Jim Tressel said..."
Line: Oregon by 4. Sagarin difference: Oregon by 5.08.
Bowl records: Ohio State 18-22, Oregon 9-13. Series: Ohio State leads 7-0 (won last meeting 24-14 in 1987).
The Buckeyes' defense has carried the team with LB Ross Homan and S Kurt Coleman stepping into key roles. They'll have their hands full with Ducks QB Jeremiah Masoli and freshman sensation TBLaMichael James, who are able to exploit small holes. Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor (knee) will play but might not have the mobility that makes him a dual threat, so the Buckeyes must establish their power game with TBs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron.(Source: USA Today)
Gameday+ December 31, 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, Ohio State spotlight: Terrelle Pryor, Play of the Week: Zone Read Option, Game Predictions, including one from former Duck & Charger Dan Fouts & more"
December 31, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State beat reporter Doug Lesmerises talks about what to look for in Friday's game between Ohio State and Oregon."
Rose Bowl Preview: #8 Ohio State vs. #7 Oregon January 1, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...The 1-2-3 tailback punch of LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and LeGarrette Blount is as good as perhaps anywhere in the nation...Thanks in part to the run-first style of play Chip Kelly’s Ducks operate in, the offensive line is a smaller, quicker bunch that does not give up many sacks...The good news is the Ducks have a decent, but not great secondary. They’re especially young at safety and as alluded to above, when Oregon is forced to stack the box or blitz more than they’d like to, opportunities will be there. USC had them, but Barkley couldn’t get it done. Stanford also had them and took full advantage of them..."
Ohio State vs. Oregon December 31, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "Tony Gerdeman's preview of the OSU vs. Oregon game...The surprise of the season for Oregon has been the emergence of redshirt freshman running back LaMichael James, who didn’t start seeing the ball extensively until the third game of the season. It’s not a coincidence that those first two games were a loss to Boise State and a two-point win over Purdue. Once inserted into the starting lineup, however, there was no doubt that he was a superstar in the making...The Ducks have a big-play, quick-strike offense--yet it’s still mainly ground-based. Nearly 20% of their runs go for 10 yards or more. And nearly 20% of their first down runs do the same. The latter number leads the nation, by the way. Overall, Oregon is sixth in the nation in rushing, averaging 236.1 yards rushing per game..."
Reece Davis, Jesse Palmer, Mark May and Lou Holtz preview the Rose Bowl-ESPN
Oregon and Ohio State come up Roses December 6, 2009 Source: ESPNU - "This is a classic matchup of the Ducks' sixth-rated rushing offense versus the Buckeyes' fifth-rated rushing defense, but so often it is the less obvious considerations -- such as Oregon's fast but undersized defense versus Ohio State's physical but inconsistent offense -- that decides things. And Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who almost went to Oregon, will get a close-up look at an offense that might have better fit his skill set..."
2010 Rose Bowl - Oregon Ducks Preview December 28, 2009 Source: Buckeye Planet - Analysis and more, including: ...Quarterbacks
: Masoli is the latest QB to master the spread option attack and successfully develop into a potent weapon both rushing and passing the football. His passing numbers aren't that much different than last season, but he made better decisions during most of the season, took far fewer sacks, and finds himself playing in the Rose Bowl as a result. He threw for over 2000 yards and 15 TDs, while limiting himself to only 5 INTs and 9 sacks, which are very impressive numbers for a QB who is on the move a lot. ....Oregon Offensive Preview...Defensive Preview...Special Teams Preview..."
2010 Rose Bowl - Ohio State vs. Oregon December 29, 2009 Source: College Football News - "...Oregon will win if ... it gets up early. The last thing Ohio State needs is to try to mount any sort of a comeback by throwing the ball. The Oregon secondary is a strength, the Buckeye passing game finished last in the Big Ten and 106th in the nation, and with a lead, the Duck attack can do what it does best and run the ball to grind out the game...Ohio State will win if ... the running game cranks out big yards and the team wins the turnover battle. Ohio State’s biggest advantage is its bulk and its toughness. Oregon can be shoved around, and Ohio State will certainly try by barreling the ball with both Dan Herron and Brandon Saine, and it needs to control the clock and keep Oregon’s O off the field...CFN Prediction: Ohio State 26 … Oregon 24 ..."
Rose Bowl 2010: Oregon Vs. Ohio State December 28, 2009 Source: Scout.com - "KEY MATCHUPS: Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli vs. OSU S Kurt Coleman and LB Ross Homan...Masoli has only thrown five interceptions in 285 attempts this season, but he has thrown one in each of the Ducks' last three games. Coleman is the Buckeyes' team MVP and reigning ball hawk with a team-leading five interceptions, but Homan is the more deceptive player on defense. He has followed in the footsteps of James Laurinaitis as a linebacker who gets deep drops in pass coverage. He has great hands, proven by his four interceptions, including a big one in the Rose Bowl-clinching win against Iowa.
OSU QB Terrelle Pryor vs. Oregon S Javes Lewis and S John Boyett...Pryor's elusiveness can make life miserable for safeties, because they must guard against his ability to make plays using his legs and his arm. Oregon's safeties are young -- Lewis is a sophomore and Boyett is a redshirt freshman -- and neither has seen a dual-threat quarterback like Pryor. The safeties are Oregon's top two leading tacklers, combining for 155 stops and four interceptions.
Oregon RB LaMichael James vs. Ohio State LB Ross Homan -- James is a waterbug who excels at cut-back runs in the Ducks' read-option, rushing for 123.0 yards per game, eighth-best in the country. Homan leads Ohio State with 96 tackles and is adept at plugging those cut-back lanes that lead to so many big plays for Oregon..."
Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Defense v Ohio State Offense December 27, 2009 Source: Buckeye Football Analysis - "In my final preview, I'm going to look at how Oregon's Defense performed this year against their opponents, and then consider their match-up with Ohio State..." (Also Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Defense: Scheme and Personnel... Oregon Offense: Matchups...Oregon Offense: Personnel...Oregon Offense: Scheme)
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=27d01a12-b7e7-44ee-bf40-da312fb754e4&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videocentral" target="_new" title="Fearless Predictions: Rose Bowl">Fox Sports' Rose Bowl Preview</a> Fox Sports' Petros Pakadakis Previews the Rose Bowl and says the Buckeyes have no chance
Oregon Preview: Offense, final prediction December 30, 2009 Source: We Will Always Have Tempe - "Alright, let's get this out of the way first: Oregon is not going to get "exposed" by a top-10 defense, it has faced athletic, competent defenses before, and it has done well against them. Boise State was not a "fluke" per se, but it's impossible to deny that the Oregon offense has progressed since then. It's not the most balanced of attacks, but it doesn't have to be when it averages 236 yards on the ground. I feel safe in saying that just slowing down Oregon's offense will be the biggest challenge Ohio State's defense has confronted this year. Is it up to the task? Well, the match-ups are roughly even across the board, but there are a few to worry about. Let's take a look at them..." Also Oregon Preview: Defense
Ohio State-Oregon: Rose Bowl Preview December 28, 2009 Source: The Bleacher Report - "...Three reasons Oregon will win: 1. Jeremiah Masoli...2. Oregon’s rush defense...3. Oregon’s Playmaking ability...Three reasons why Ohio State will win: 1. Ohio State’s defense...2. Oregon’s secondary...3. Ohio State’s past BCS performances...Expect Ohio State to take a more balanced approach on offense, trying to keep Oregon on its toes. Pryor will be an effective game manager and will make a play or two with his arm. He won’t be spectacular but he won’t be bad either. Oregon will try to soften up Ohio State’s ground game with options, down field looks, and draws. The difference in the game will be Ohio State’s physical defense which will wear down the Ducks. Ohio State will break its three bowl losing streak and send its seniors out on a high note. Ohio State 34, Oregon 27..."
Experts Having It Rough: So far there have been six bowl games, and five CBS experts picking each one. The experts combined record as of today is 9-21. Between all of them, they have only picked 9 of 30 possible picks, correctly.
Game Data: Ohio State vs. Oregon December 24, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "We have the pertinent info, depth charts, statistics and a prediction on the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl between No. 7 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State... When Oregon Has The Ball: Oregon’s running game was awe inspiring at times. Oregon is sixth nationally in rushing and seventh in scoring at nearly 38 points per game. The Ducks rolled up 391 yards rushing in their 47-20 rout of USC and 288 more in their 37-33 showdown victory over rival Oregon State. It all begins with the play of versatile quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Redshirt freshman LaMichael James set a Pac-10 freshman record with 1,476 yards and the Ducks will also have bullish 240-pound LeGarrette Blount back in the fold for the Rose Bowl...Masoli is best termed as an opportunistic passer. He only had five interceptions in 285 attempts all season so he takes care of the ball. OSU did have 23 interceptions on the season (second nationally), though, so the Buckeyes will try and force an errant toss..."
Sportsnation Poll-Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Ohio St. Source: ESPN - "Which team will win the Rose Bowl (With 242, 884 votes cast, 70% pick Oregon-Ohio only state to have majority vote for the Buckeyes-72-28%), Masoli or Pryor (63% Masoli), How will the 41 day layoff impact the Buckeyes (67% hurt)...more..." (Updated 12/27/09 - Cast your vote and see how the nation voted state by state)
Oregon Media Day; the Ducks talk about Friday's game against Ohio State December 30, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...T.J. Ward, FS: On defending Pryor…"I think we pride ourselves in team speed, so I don’t think we are too worried about his [Pryor’s] speed. It is more his size and breaking tackles. It is just rallying to the ball and wrapping him up."..."
"If Pryor came (to Oregon) I don't think Masoli would have. But I'm glad we got Masoli. He's a good dude, a great quarterback. I think he's better than Terrelle Pryor anyway." - Oregon free safety T.J. Ward
Terrelle Pryor’s size and skill make him a dangerous weapon December 26, 2009 Source: Eugene (OR) Register Guard - "He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, and at 6-feet-6, 235 pounds, Terrelle Pryor is about three inches and 10 pounds bigger than Oregon linebacker Spencer Paysinger. And, as Oregon coach Chip Kelly warned his defense recently, the Ohio State quarterback is as advertised in every way. "As an athlete, I just kind of marveled at him," said Kelly, who spent considerable time trying to recruit Pryor to Oregon. "People that big aren’t supposed to move that fast." In reviewing film of Ohio State, Paysinger said it’s Pryor’s versatility that stands out, and it’s his breakaway speed that the No. 7 Ducks seem most wary of as they prepare to play the No. 8 Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif. "It’s a unique challenge," Paysinger said. "I’d say the only person we’ve faced that has that type of ability is (Washington’s) Jake Locker. He’s guaranteed to have the ball every single play. For us to be able to stop him, we just have to read our keys."..."
Their glory days are now December 24, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The Oregon Ducks are a chic football program these days. Blessed by Nike's largesse, they are on the cutting edge in uniform design, with innovative, ever-changing color schemes. They are cutting edge on the field, as well. The Ducks' free-wheeling spread offense is the seventh most potent among Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Oregon has averaged 37.7 points this season on its way to an outright Pacific-10 Conference championship and Rose Bowl date against Ohio State on Jan. 1...Yes, these are the glory days for the Ducks. For Oregon fans, it's been a long time coming..."
Ducks lose wideout to academic issues December 23, 2009 Source: CollegeFootballTalk.com - "...backup wide receiver Jamere Holland has been declared ineligible for the Rose Bowl. According to a press release, the junior started the first two games of the year before coming off the bench in eight others, sharing honors as fifth on the team in receiving with 13 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Holland also ran the ball three times for 41 more yards. The Eugene Register-Guard reports that Holland has struggled with academics throughout his time in college football and may not be a part of the Ducks next season given those struggles..."
Can Ducks bite ‘Bullet’? December 23, 2009 Source: Eugene (OR) Register Guard - "Ohio State’s "Silver Bullet" defense has been able to keep the Buckeyes’ opponents quiet this season...Based on the minuscule numbers the Ohio State defense allowed this year, it’s hard to believe that coach Jim Tressel entered the season with concerns about how his defense would fare after losing several of its top players to the NFL draft. "We had to retool," he said. "But I think our kids have worked hard and prepared hard. We’ve had good days and days not as good." Most days, Ohio State’s "Silver Bullet" defense has been pretty darn good. In fact, based on points allowed, the current group is on pace to be the best defense Tressel has had in nine seasons in Columbus. And that’s saying something for a program that has been to three national championship games this decade...(Tressel ) "The reality is we haven’t faced someone like Oregon," he said."
Duck Football: Sunday practice update December 20, 2009 Source: Eugene (OR) Register Guard - "The Ducks were inside the Moshofsky Center this morning for a practice in helmets, like a usual Thursday, as this was the fourth day of a five-day set of workouts. Unlike a usual week, however, Oregon will be in shells on Monday and back in the Mo, rather than with no pads in Autzen Stadium, which was their Friday routine during the regular season. That will be the last workout before a three-day holiday break, prior to the Ducks’ arrival in Los Angeles on Christmas day for the Rose Bowl. "We’re going to be off until the 26th, so we’ll bang tomorrow for a little bit," UO coach Chip Kelly said..."
Buckeyes' line poses a hurdle for UO backs December 18, 2009 Source: OregonLive.com - "...They don't come a whole lot smarter and bigger than Ohio State's defensive front, which will pose a unique challenge to the Ducks' option game in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, an option game that Masoli has guided to near perfection in recent weeks. The Buckeyes are giving up a mere 2.7 yards per rush this season, thanks to a fairly fearsome defensive front, the strongest in Columbus since Will Smith & Co. in 2003. It's the biggest hope of Ohio State fans, having a dominant defensive line, to end the team's three-game bowl losing streak -- a loss to Oregon would tie the school record of four in a row. "They're a big, physical D-line," Masoli said. "Their D-ends are really tall, really big -- they look to get after you, real physical. So we'll have our work cut out for us."..."
Ducks not focusing on Rose Bowl just yet December 13, 2009 Source: OregonLive.com - "..."I haven't thought about the Rose Bowl, I can honestly say that," Ducks freshman running back LaMichael James said. "Really, I'm not thinking about that. I'm just thinking about practice." Even though he began watching film of Ohio State the morning after the Civil War win, Oregon coach Chip Kelly hasn't spent much time focusing on the Buckeyes during recent practices. The Ducks will conclude the first portion of their Rose Bowl workouts today before taking Tuesday and Wednesday off. "We won't really start our game plan in earnest until Thursday," Kelly said..."
Oregon’s explosive offense top in Pac-10 Conference December 8, 2009 Source: Oregon Daily Emerald - "LeGarrette Blount’s return to the playing field gives the Ducks yet another offensive weapon...The Ducks (10-2, 8-1 Pacific-10 Conference) finished the season as the top-ranked scoring and rushing offense in the conference as they put up 37.7 points per game on 236.1 yards rushing. Redshirt freshman running back LaMichael James concluded the regular season with 1,476 yards (123 per game) and 14 touchdowns on 215 carries, while junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli followed closely behind with 12 rushing touchdowns on 659 yards and 115 carries..."
Masoli is a team captain...Second-team Pac-10 all-conference quarterback...performances down the stretch at Arizona and vs. Oregon State were reminiscent of some of school's best comebacks in recent memory. Masoli has passed for 2066 yards and rushed for 796. He ranks #36 in total offense averaging 247.7 yards per game. He ranks #49 in passing efficiency. Masoli has rushed for a touchdown in all but three of his 11 appearances this season, giving him at least one score in 14 of his last 18 games. He has 22 career TDs in 23 games and is now Oregon’s all-time scoring leader at the quarterback position with 132 points, breaking Joey Harrington’s (1998-01) previous mark of 118. With 55 rushing yards at Stanford Nov. 7, Masoli passed Dennis Dixon as the most prolific rushing quarterback in UO history. Masoli now has 1,377 rushing yards for his career.Masoli is also tops among all Pac-10 players and 14th in the nation in points accounted for with an average of 14.73 per game (27 TD: 12 run, 15 pass).
Pac-10's Offensive Freshman of the Year...school's first freshman on record to earn the team's Most Outstanding Player...ranks eighth in the country in rushing (123.0 avg.) as the nation's third-leading freshman and seventh in total rushing yards with 1,476, which is 2nd in the PAC 10...The Ducks' first freshman to ever eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a single season...eclipsed the Pacific-10 Conference's freshman one-season rushing record with 166 yards in latest outing vs. Oregon State...James has eclipsed the 100-yard mark nine times as a rookie, including the final seven games of the regular season. He is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and has run for 14 touchdowns, the third-most in one season at UO. He is the second Duck to receive the Pac-10’s freshman award and first on offense...The College Football Performance Awards has named James as its National Freshman Performer of the Year.
#83 Ed Dickson POSITION: TE
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 243
CLASS: Sr
All-Pac-10 1st team, the only Duck to be named...2009 John Mackey Award Watch List (nation’s top tight end)...one of four Oregon players named to the Rivals.com All-Pac-10 First Team...In 2009 Dickson is 2nd on the team in receptions, behind WR Jeff Maehl who has 53, with 42 for 551 yards for an average of 13.1 yards per catch and 45.9 yards per game. Dickson has scored 6 TDs, which is equal to Maehl's...he is the top receiver at the tight end position in Oregon history. The senior has 124 career receptions and 1,557 receiving yards, breaking Josh Wilcox’s former marks of 103 and 1,416, respectively. Dickson’s 124 grabs are the ninth-most among all receivers in UO history.
All-Pac-10 2nd team...Matthews is 3rd on the team in tackles with 72 and has 4.0 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Tallied a career single-game best 12 tackles (seven unassisted) against Purdue and shared team lead with eight tackles vs. Arizona State. In 2008 he was part of the Pac-10’s top team in terms of tackles for loss, ranking third on the Ducks with 13.0 for 44 yards. Matthews played as a true freshman in the first 11 games and earned a start at Arizona before a shoulder injury prevented him from appearing in either the Civil War or the Sun Bowl. Father, Clay, was a 19-year NFL veteran, a Cleveland Brown most of his career, and USC All-American. His brother, also Clay, played for USC and now starts for the Packers.
#39 Will Tukuafu POSITION: DE
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 262
CLASS: Sr
Tukuafu is a team captain...All-Pac-10 2nd team...2009 Ted Hendricks Award Watch List (nation's top DL)...Tukuafu is now ranked among the top 10 players in UO history when it comes to tackles for loss. With 6.5 on the season, Tukuafu has 32.5 in his three-year career to rank ninth. He also has 2.5 sacks.
Where's The Beef? December 27, 2009 Source: Bucknuts.com - "They went to Disneyland on Saturday and did the Beef Bowl at Lawry's Sunday night.
Above we have video interviews with Tressel as well as seniors Jake Ballard and Kurt Coleman. They discuss the team's preparations in California so far, the decision by Florida coach Urban Meyer to take a leave of absence, who the big eaters on the team are and what it will take on Friday for the Buckeyes to pull off a win against Oregon..."
A few miss Beef Bowl: Most Ohio State players took part in last night's Beef Bowl at Lawry's The Prime Rib restaurant, an annual event before the Rose Bowl. "In December of '84, I remember coming here and being very well-fed," Tressel said. "It is one of the great traditions of the Rose Bowl." Several players did not get to participate, though, because they didn't bring dress pants on the trip. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
"I'm a Duck fan; sorry, Mickey. Get your boy Donald up here and we could get everyone fired up." - Oregon coach Chip Kelly, with Mickey Mouse standing by his side, when it was his turn to address the crowd at the welcoming ceremony at Disneyland.
In this photo, above, released by Disneyland, Ohio State’s coach Jim Tressel, left, and Mickey Mouse stand in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., during the team’s first official game week appearance prior to the 96th Rose Bowl college football game to be played on Jan.1, 2010, in Pasadena. (AP Photo/Disneyland,Paul Hiffmeyer)
Ohio State football team seeks balance of work and play: "...After arriving Christmas Day, the Buckeyes worked out Saturday morning, lifting and doing a walkthrough for about an hour and then practicing for an hour, before getting the full traditional Rose Bowl welcome on Saturday afternoon..." (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Several Buckeyes spoke at the arrival press conference at Disneyland on Saturday. You'll never guess which Buckeye emulated Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli. Find out in the-Ozone videos.
Buckeyes Arrive on West Coast December 26, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "Two charter planes carrying approximately 180 members of the Rose Bowl-bound Ohio State football contingent arrived in Los Angeles just before midnight Dec. 25 (about 9 p.m. Pacific Standard Time) after an approximate four and one-half hour flight from Rickenbacker Airport. The two charters - Buckeye 1 and Buckeye 2 - left a rainy Rickenbacker at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
On board the two Miami Air flights were players who are from the Columbus, Ohio area (about 30 were on Buckeye 1; others were flying in from their respective home areas), Coach Jim Tressel and the team's coaching staff and their families, team administrators, doctors, managers, trainers, video and equipment staff. Additional Athletics Department staffers on the trip who have daily responsibilities with the team included Director of Athletics Gene Smith and members of the department's development, communications, business and ticket offices...
After perhaps the smoothest landing those on Buckeye 2 ever experienced, the travelers were charter bussed to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, home of the Buckeyes for the next eight days. A Few More Travel Notes and First Impressions:..."
Disneyland Welcomes Rose Bowl-Bound Ohio State and Oregon Football Teams Saturday, December 26 December 23, 2009 Source: PR Newswire - "...The No. 8 BCS-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 7 BCS-ranked Oregon Ducks will make their first official appearances of the Rose Bowl Game week at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 26, in a ceremony at the holiday-themed Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle at Disneyland. Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel, Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly and members of both teams will appear in the Castle ceremony with Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis, Mickey Mouse and the Disneyland Band. Among the Ohio State players will be Buckeyes defensive back Kurt Coleman, linebacker Austin Spitler, defensive lineman Doug Worthington and center Jimmy Cordle. Featured Oregon players in the ceremony will be Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, offensive lineman Jordan Holmes, defensive end Will Tukuafu and cornerback Walter Thurmond III. Following the ceremony, coaches and key players will be available for media interviews in front of the Castle, and then will experience popular Disneyland attractions such as Matterhorn Bobsleds..."
Ohio State seniors Ray Small and Rob Rose likely won't be with the Buckeyes when they take on Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Sources close to the program yesterday said the two, as well as sophomore running back Bo DeLande, would be ineligible because of a violation of team rules. Neither the school nor coach Jim Tressel has issued an official statement on the matter, which indicates it might not be final. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 12/21/09)
Boarding House Bulletin: Rose, Wells Eligible December 17, 2009 Source: Bucknuts.com - "...a source has informed Bucknuts that Rose and Wells have been cleared academically. They were able to win some type of appeal, re-take a test or turn in make-up work. Rose, a senior, will be eligible to play on Jan. 1 and provide depth on what is one of the nation's best defensive lines (if not the best)...As for Wells, the sophomore is redshirting this year (he played as a true frosh last year) but he will be able to make the trip and at least dress for the Rose Bowl.
Carter not eligible confirmed by OSU Official Site: "Ohio State freshman wide receiver Duron Carter will not be involved in the Buckeyes’ Rose Bowl game with Oregon in Pasadena Jan. 1."
Source: Carter, Rose to miss Rose Bowl. December 14, 2009 Source: ESPN - "Ohio State wide receiver Duron Carter and defensive end Rob Rose are ineligible to play in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi against No. 7 Oregon, a source tells ESPN.com. Carter ranks third on the team in receiving yards (176) and tied for fifth in receptions (13). He appeared in all 12 regular-season games as a true freshman and served as the team's No. 4 wideout behind DeVier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher and Ray Small. Rose played in 11 games as a reserve for the Buckeyes, recording 10 tackles, three for loss, and two sacks. A team spokeswoman couldn't confirm Tuesday that both Carter and Rose are out for the game. Ohio State faces Oregon on Jan. 1 (ABC, 4:30 p.m. ET) in Pasadena, Calif...Carter is the son of former Ohio State and NFL star receiver Cris Carter, who is an ESPN NFL studio analyst.
BUCKEYES Rose Bowl History
Date
Winner & Score
Opponent & Score
MVP
1997
Ohio State 20
Arizona State 17
Joe Germaine, OSU, QB
1985
USC 20
Ohio State 17
Jack Del Rio, USC, LB & Tim Green, USC, QB
1980
USC 17
Ohio State 16
Charles White, USC, TB
1976
UCLA 23
Ohio State 10
John Sciarra, UCLA, QB
1975
USC 18
Ohio State 17
Pat Haden, USC, QB & John McKay, USC, SE
1974
Ohio State 42
USC 21
Cornelius Green, OSU, QB
1973
USC 42
Ohio State 17
Sam Cunningham, USC, FB
1971
Stanford 27
Ohio State 17
Jim Plunkett, Stanford, QB
1969
Ohio State 27
USC 16
Rex Kern, Ohio State, QB
1958
Ohio State 10
Oregon 7
Jack Crabtree, Oregon, QB
1955
Ohio State 20
USC 7
Dave Leggett, OSU, QB
1950
Ohio State 17
California 14
Fred Morrison, OSU, FB
1921
California 28
Ohio State 0
Harold Muller, California, E
Ohio State Rose Bowl recaps: Game synopsis and box score for each of the Buckeyes thirteen previous Rose Bowl games. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
