Antonio Pittman averaged just under 10 yards per carry. 11 different players caught passes including two Ginn touchdowns. Smith completed 70% of his passes and still doesn’t have a 2006 interception to his name. OSU didn’t fumble the ball. The defense had three interceptions. They stuffed the running game of UC as the Bearcats only rushed for 56 yards. Quinn Pitcock had a career-high three sacks. Eddie George was celebrated at halftime with a Hall of Fame induction. The skies were blue. Could it have been any better?
It could have been better in the first half. The team appeared a bit sluggish early on as the Bearcats took the lead in the first quarter. UC pressured OSU’s quarterback and remained consistent in their passing game. Visions of a 2002 UC nail-biter were creeping into the stadium. But great teams don’t let anything keep them from winning.
In my mind, that is why the Buckeyes are special this year. They didn’t let a rowdy Texas crowd beat them. The missed field goal on the opening series didn’t beat them last week either. The Richardson “helmet-to-helmet” officiating nightmare didn’t beat them. The 8:00 PM kickoff time didn’t beat them, nor did the heat.
This week, Mark Dantonio’s insight into Jim Tressel’s mind didn’t affect them. The early wake-up call for a noon kickoff didn’t disrupt the W-L column.
Nothing keeps great teams from winning. If you want to find excuses, there are plenty of them out there. A broken down bus, an equipment fiasco, an injury, bad weather…nothing should keep you from winning.
Two guys that should pick up confidence from that game would be Aaron Pettrey and Rory Nicol. Pettrey was a new man. It looked like his kickoffs were shot out of a cannon and he left no doubt on his field goals and PAT’s. It appears he has found his rhythm. Rory Nicol should be a big time player at OSU. I see this guy being All-Big Ten and an NFL draft pick before it is said and done. He has great size but his athleticism and feet are what make the difference. He had three catches against UC. Look for Rory to become a bigger and bigger piece to the offensive puzzle as the year rolls on. Look for Rory’s name to get more and more pub as his career rolls on.
Buckeye Leaves…
Quinn Pitcock – Great explosiveness beating his man to get to the quarterback.
Troy Smith – Not that I like seeing him get sacked, but when he does get sacked, he responds like a ferocious warrior instead of a scared little boy. Identity!
Antonio Pittman – One of the absolute best backs in the country…no doubt. Not that he wasn’t on his game against Northern Illinois, but that is two games in a row where he played extremely physical. Tone-setter.