Now that lingering effects of Burbon Street have finally eased their grip, the screams of “woo pig” are slipping from memory and Solomon Thomas can lay claim to his first interception it’s time to take a look at a Sugar Bowl that will surely go down as a classic.
Did somebody say defense?
I could of sworn that I heard someone say that Auburn hadn’t seen a defense like Ohio State’s. During the first half, the Buckeyes did exactly what they needed to do forcing Mallett to throw under pressure resulting in more than a few dropped passes. The Buckeyes sacked Mallett three times in the first half and although he put up a few yards, this was not the Mallett we’d heard about.
Although the Arkansas fans I talked to seemed at a loss for the sudden inability to catch a pass, I can’t believe that the pressured throws didn’t have something to do with it. Mallet’s obviously got an arm and although it was hard to judge from the stands, I would bet that Mallet lost a little of the touch he’s known for when staring down the throat of an angry Cameron Hayward.
O.K., the layoff may have had an impact also but no more than it did when compared to Ohio State’s sudden ability to drop the ball.
Although I don’t have the first half stats, it appeared that the 400-yard-Ryan-Mallet-is-absolutely-amazing passing game we’d heard so much about was in serious trouble. Maybe it was the dropped passes but it seemed like Arkansas was turning to the running game much more than they wanted to during the first half.
Even though injuries and complacency took their toll in the second half, they still held Mallet to only 24/47 with an average of 5.9 yards per pass. They also held them on third down conversions with Arkansas only converting on 5 of 16 tries.
These are the boys I’ve been telling you about
During the first half, it also appeared as though Arkansas hadn’t seen an offense like Ohio State’s either. By the end of the first half, the Buckeyes had racked up 338 yards with Pryor throwing for 203 of those yards. As usual, Pryor kept it entertaining making big yards on the broken play stepping out of bounds just across the first down line (except for one very crucial first down where he came up short).
As much as I hate to see a play go south, it sure was fun watching 2-3 Arkansas defenders falling in his wake as he floats away from them.
Also have to give credit to the offensive line. The Buckeyes made it through the game without giving up a sack. Pryor was also did a good job of throwing it away when he needed to.
Mr. Nail…Meet Mr. Coffin
I’m never one to complain about a win but do we really need to make them this exciting? The second half played like classic Tressel Ball. Our high flying offense suddenly switched to a very conservative running game that wasn’t converting. Instead of sitting back we should have gone for the kill. When you’ve got an 18 point lead, they can’t win if you keep scoring
Note the empty seats during award ceromony. Amazing quick they got out of there.
One of the biggest problems with sitting back was that it allowed for a huge momentum swing. I spent a day and a half leading up the game listening to that damn pig sooie thing and I honestly didn’t hear it once during the first half. It wasn’t until the second half that I realized that a solid two-thirds of the stadium was filled with Arkansas fans. I don’t think the Buckeyes realized how much they had silenced the crowd during the first half. I know I sure didn’t.
Kicking game…really?
Can anyone remember the last time Ohio State gave up a blocked punt? And the punts we did get off sure weren’t anything to write home about. Arkansas’ final four drives of the game started from withing their own 48 including the final blocked kick on the OSU 18. (They only managed 39 yards on those final four drives.)
There was a day when we used to drop punts inside the 10 yard line–just like Arkansas did to us all night.
You’d never know it at the time but that was an onside kick in the first quarter. Although it didn’t work, I have to give Tressel credit. Arkansas was definitely having trouble getting settled in. A quick strike after the quick touch down would have been devastating.
Injuries took their toll
It was so painful to watch Chimdi Chekwa go out on a golf cart in the first quarter. I can’t imagine how painful it was for him. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around there were a lot of defenses faces we didn’t know too well. Quick, anyone have stats for Dominic Clark or Christian Bryant?
Travis Howard stepped in to replace Chekwa and found himself out with an injury. Jermey Hines also missed a few plays due to injury. And I didn’t even realize that Pryor hurt his ankle until the day after the game.
Heck, our man Thomas who caught the game winning interception doesn’t play that much.
The ESPN Five
Would someone please let ESPN know that there are more than five players on the Ohio State football team. Apparently EPSN felt that it wasn’t possible to talk about the game without breaking out the stats of the suspended Buckeyes. This of course coming from a network that would have lost considerable ratings if the five were held out of the Sugar Bowl.
Razorback Force
This is only my third bowl game so my sampling may be skewed but at the 02/03 national championship game, Miami brought about 12 fans. Florida did better in the national championship game in Glendale but it wasn’t overwhelming. Arkansas was at the Sugar Bowl in force. It wasn’t until I saw the cars and realized that they were within driving distance that I knew this game would be different.
Don’t ever tell me the SEC doesn’t have an advantage in the Southern Bowl games.
They’re a cheeky bunch
For the most part, the Arkansas fans were great but wow, were they confident. As I’ve said repeatedly, I really don’t understand where that confidence was coming from. Although it was in fun, we could barely walk through the hotel or get on an elevator without hearing how we were going to get beat (although we were staying at the Arkansas headquarters).
I also found out they were very nice until you started talking specifics of the game. It’s at that point that the SEC sense of entitlement kicks in and you’re lost in a world of strength of schedule and who knows what else. For the most part I avoided it. I really got a kick out of the chants of “SEC..SEC” coming from the Arkansas fans. Again, it’s not like they had anything to do with it. I think the response of “BCS Virgin” was better but hey, I’m biased.
One young Arkansas lady in particular stands out. She had that classic southern politeness as a group of us shared a post game drink somewhere on Bourbon Street. All of a sudden she looked at me and said, “This was our game to lose.” Naturally, in my continued amazement at Razorback confidence I made the mistake of asking her, “At what point in a 28-10 game did you make that decision?”
Let me just say that I’m glad her boyfriend was a nice guy as our conversation seemed to come to a rather abrupt end.
Although I wasn’t at the BCS Championship against LSU, most Ohio State fans describe being all but run out of town by LSU fans. Most described drinks being thrown at them among other things and just sort of gave up on the post game festivities. To both Arkansas and Ohio State’s credit, their were plenty of Hog fans out after the game enjoying all that New Orleans has to offer.
Is there anyone who didn't get a picture with Buckeyeman?
Oh…and New Orleans
Sorry Pheonix but you’ve got nothing on the Sugar Bowl. This was my first trip to New Orleans and I have to admit, it’s something you just have to experience. To think that Buckeye fans thought the Sugar Bowl was a let down.
Thanks Razorbacks
Let me wrap up with a big thanks to all the Razorback fans who joined the discussion. Up until now, I’d pretty much given up hope on the SEC. Once we get you guys past that strength of schedule stuff, you’re a great foil. Please don’t be strangers.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I thought most of the Hogs would have been put on the barbaque spit, for the after game parties.
I really enjoed the first half knowing how the team normally comes out in the second half and blows the game wide open. Then we get the ball to start the second half, and what do my eyes behold Tressel ball. Three run and out, next possession three run and punt. That when I lost it closed the windows and started my tirade. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The Hogs were loading the box and hardy a single pass. All the pressure was put on TP to run, Herron was for the most part absent the second half. I knew we were initiating Tressel ball and it was going to be a long half.
The injuries were devasateing, there were players on the field whom I did not have clue who the were. It was a good thing Hayward (with a bad wing), Latamore, and the D-line kept the pressure on. I would have picked Heyward as the game MVP.
It was kind of disenchanting listen to the ESPN idiots talking about the suspended five. I didn’t here Mark May make any comments on the game, it must have broke his heart to talk about OSU winning.
Those are my thouts of the game Jim. I’m glad you had a chence to go and had a good time. I have been to New Orleans, once when I was is the Navy many years ago and new it was party town USA. I’ll be waiting for your comments on Mondays game, wich I hope Oregon pulls their magic and beats Auburn. One more thing, whats your take on the New Years day pounding of the Big Ten? I think Penn State got hosed by some bal calls, Northwestern actually played a good game considering Dan Persa was out. What happend to MSU? They played like crap, maybe the didn’t care being they go the shaft by the Big Ten and the polls. They beat Wisconsin, but yet the were considered the 3rd place team. Wisconsin lost but held a TCU team, who was scoring in the 40 point range to twenty plus points.
Now we sit back and have a long wait until next the fall, Bah Humbug.
Of course the seats were empty shortly after the game.
SEC speed, and all that.
AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Nice one Mali.
(And good to hear from you. I’ve obviously missed out on the past few web casts. Given the options, the I’m afraid the decision to sit them out wasn’t all that difficult.)
Lols, Jim. Perhaps the young lady you had the brief conversation with came to the conclusion of “This was our game to lose” after the blocked punt, in which every single Buckeye fan watching had this gloomy feeling of losing another BCS game to an SEC member.
I’m pretty sure at that point, everyone there had pretty much put 28-10 behind them, including you.
So for one minute, it was Arkansas game to lose. I’m pretty sure she meant that Arkansas was somehow a heavy favorite.
Funny, in that last minute or so my frustration had nothing to do with losing to an SEC school. I keep trying to tell you that the SEC just isn’t all that important to us.
What you saw in that second half Gonozo was the Tressel Ball we’ve been talking about. Did you notice how Pryor suddenly stopped throwing and play after play is a run up the middle. Somehow Tress makes it work but it is a horrible thing to watch.
Oh, I see. So it had absolutely nothing to do with Arkansas playing better defense in the second half, it was Tressell ball. That’s the reason you only scored 3 points in the second half.
OK, gotcha.
Do you realize that makes about as much sense as you proclaiming Mallett threw his passes in a “panic”? Yeah, right. Like that’s the first time he’s ever seen that kind of pressure.
GonzoHog ….. the game is over and in the books. Put your saber away my friend.
Nothing personal to anyone, Tony, but it sounds to me like some of the Buckeye faithful are trying sesperately to find a way NOT to give credit to Arkansas for making that comeback in the second half. They wanted the blowout, so now the reasoning as to why they didn’t get it has to be scewred at bit.
The bottom line is, if the Hog WRs catch any 3 of those 6 passes they dropped or if a STs defender (True Freshman) picks up that blocked punt and runs, Ohio St.losses the Sugar Bowl.
I cannot emagine the excuses being made on this blog had that happened. It would have sounded like a broken record from now until next bowl season. I mean after all, the Buckeyes won, but excuses still have to be made in their behalf? Come on, man!!!
GonzoHog …… I was on this blog when they lost to Wisconson this year. I can attest that they took the loss like men and did not make any excuses for losing.
Here is a link to the blog posting after that loss: http://www.thebuckeyeblog.com/ohio-state-bcs-10/
I have to admit that my friends at tOSU accepted the loss with great humility and class. So, in short ….. I don’t agree with your assumption that this group of guys would sit around making excuses. On the contrary ….. they become some of the most critical observers of tOSU and its players/coaches.
Or of course if the refs had stopped forward progress like they should have instead of letting them back him five yards into the end zone, that picked up punt would have been for overtime, not the win. We could go on like this all day…
Thank you for reminding me of that post Wisconsin post Tony. I had forgotten that one. I really like the illustration of Brutus offing himself and the hole suicide watch thing (if I don’t say so myself).
I’m honestly thinking there’s an entitlement amongst southern fans. Arkansas, Miami, etc.
Just take your L.
Um….returning the block punt would only have put Arkansas up by two. It would not have let Arkansas win the game. Hall consistently got 30+ yards on kickoffs. Pryor showed if needed he could get 12+ yards a carry. With 1:14 left in the game, how could these two factors, plus the emergence of a TE passing attack automatically show that Ohio State had no chance to get into field goal range?
And you know Pryor would have been playing that last minute with a vengeance.
Shoulda coulda woulda, if if if, but it didn’t happen. Bottom line Arkansas didn’t.
You’re right, carl, it didn’t happen, because Arkansas’s WRs and STeamers didn’t execute. Nothing was forced. End of discussion.
Way to go Tony, you are so right. The links speask for it’s self.
Go Ducks.
Anyone who doesn’t understand the Senator’s approach to a three score lead at half, doesn’t understand the last ten years of philosophy behind Ohio State football. Congratulations to Arkansas for coming back and making it a tight game, but it was seriously expected of them to do so if they were a good team at all.
Thank you backing me up Peeep. The biggest problem with the Senator’s approach in the second half is that it relies so heavily on the punt. When Tresselball is kicking on all cylinders, the punt is almost an offensive play.
But instead of long punts backing them into their own zone, we we were determined to give Arkansas the ball on the 50 (or better when you factor in blocked punt).
For those who don’t know how Coach plays with a three touchdown lead, here’s basic Tresselball in a nutshell:
Conservative running plays up the middle become the norm. Don’t do anything that might chance a turnover. Take the three and out, get a good punt and back them into the end zone. Defense holds them deep giving us good field possession. Repeat process. Eventually, offense gets good enough field position, breaks out a run or two and slowly adds points to board. Defense wins game. Offense hangs in.
It’s great when it works but if something goes wrong (bad punts), it can make for a very exciting game.
Jim,
Remember the very first play of the game? A classic of example of “if something goes wrong”
Remamber how Ohio St. got their first TD? There’s another one.
Mistakes can be made at anytime of a ballgame, not just late in the game while protecting a lead.
If those 2 plays alone had been a catch (possible TD) and the Hogs recover the fumble (which they should have) The game is off to totaly different beginning, but you’re right, we can do this all day.
GonzoHog —
I believe you will take the suggestion to review the cardiac-arrest-inducing “Tressel Ball” in detail.
I had this game confirm my last emotional hurdle as a Buckeye Faithful — the (my) desire for a ‘killshot’ — is not, will never be, until Hades-freezes-over-gonna-happen possibility. It will be, conservative ball control, punt it back (and hope to gain field position) and, “Take three knees and shake hands” kind of game endings.
Not what Wisky did their last several regular season games.
Not even to scUM.
Too much class in the Vest. (…and, that is why HE is a good FIT for our program!)
Tony, WTF happened? I went out and bought a yellow duck shirt, and tonight I will have a burning cerimony and reduce it to ashes. Fourth and one and you couldn’t get in the end zone. Now you know how we felt losing two of the dam championship games. I know your in mourning, have faith my friend it will get better. What ever you do don’t fall on your sword.
Gonzo,
I was at the Sugar Bowl and witnessed and appreciated the great comeback attempt by Arkansas. However, the excuses about the dropped passes are ridiculous. If, if, if. If Buckeyes drop their TD passes they lose. But guess what, we didn’t. If the true freshman runs the blocked punt in Arkansas wins. If Mallett doesn’t throw a pick(because of a great defensive call and play I might add) maybe Hogs score sometime later and maybe win. Bottom line: 31-26 win for the Bucks. Keep making up the excuses.
I have read most all posts to this thread and by and large they are well done, and well intentioned, I am not a young man, I have been watching and playing College Football for more than 60 years. As such after many years of dissapointments and frustration that go with being a huge fan, I believe that I too can comment fairly. First I am an Ohio State Fan, I live in Ohio, secondly I am not so foolish as allow the emotion of being a fan cloud my better judgement.
Couple of Points: OSU was not playing a conference, they were playing a team that is a member of a conference. I grow concerned when so much emphasis is placed on beating a representative of one conference. We cannot allow that to distract us. Each game is equally important no matter who it is or what conference is represented. I know you understand that; how important was beating Toledo ?? Huge, if you dont believe it imagine what would have happened if the Bucks had lost. Remember Mi and App State ? we dont want to go there. I have seen the power of individual conferences swing to and fro many times, During the seventies the Then Big Eight was practically unbeatable. The Big Ten has had its moments as well, I can also remember the Big Ten being referred to as the Big Two and Little eight for years in those same Seventies and into the eighties.
On a similar tact. Arkansas is a second tier SEC team, they have never won an SEC Championship and for that matter have never played for one. They were third in the Western Division of the SEC this year. When Lou Holtz was the Head Coach in the Seventies and Eighties, I am not sure but I don’t think they ever won a Southwest Conference Championship.
Please don’t misunderstand my intent in this writing, it’s only to offer a caution, and a reminder that we need to be winning National Championships, the only way to do that is to beat every team, it will be much more important now under the new format, there will be no three way ties, and whoever wins the Big Ten (read Bucks) will have to play and win it outright, which should help in the polls and will also require one more win against a quality opponent each year, in many cases perhaps a rematch, although that does not seem to happen that often in other conferences that have a Championship game.
Keep up the good work.