During games periodically, I'll write down thoughts about games as they take place, and share them with you, the readers, to help break down major plays in the games, as well as familiarize you with the players you'll see all season and potentially on Sundays in the NFL. All the thoughts are in chronological order.
Ohio State vs. Illinois:
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Ohio State QB Braxton Miller runs into RB Dan “Boom”
Herron on a running play; he’s still getting the kinks out clearly, being a
freshman. Even as a Wolverines fan, I
look forward to seeing how big of a jump forward he takes next year.
-
4 passes were thrown in the first quarter, all
by Illinois. OSU ran the ball 15 times
and scored 3 points while keeping the Illini off the scoreboard. Ideally, they want Miller’s pass attempts
under 20 each game at this point.
-
What a tremendous sideline catch on a deep ball
by A.J. Jenkins. Every team knows the pass
game is running through him, but no one can stop him.
-
Dan Herron has really added a little bit extra
to this offense. He’s quite obviously
their best offensive skill player at this point.
-
Miller’s arm is inspiring absolutely no
confidence in the passing game. His
passes are wobbly and he’s not comfortable in the pocket.
-
Ron Zook blows game management 101 again, he had
the chance to get the ball back without 40 seconds left in the half and at
least attempt to get a field goal, but opts to save his three timeouts. Someone should tell him timeouts don’t
rollover after halftime.
-
Nathan Scheelhaase completely misses a curl
route to A.J. Jenkins, picked off by Ohio State. Dan Herron punches it in and puts Ohio State
up 10-0. Great bounce-out by
Herron. Looks like it’s windy in
Champaign, Illinois, as Scheelhaase’s throw floated farther than he
anticipated.
-
By the numbers: OSU has run 33 plays. 30 rushes,
3 passes.
-
A.J. Jenkins is a polished route runner and
great pass-catcher. He snatches
everything that comes his way. He didn’t
get much national pub last year as he only had 746 yards, but he had already
eclipsed that figure before today’s game on a mere 46 catches thanks to the
development of Nathan Scheelhaase. He’ll
be playing on Sundays, and probably for a while. He doesn’t come across as a #1 receiver, but
could definitely profile as a solid #2 receiver down the road.
-
Braxton Miller has dropped back 7 times. 4 times he was sacked, and the other 3 times
he threw incompletions. How does the
Illini defense allow him to run for 35 yards on a QB Draw? Illinois’ players need to know the situation;
Ohio State has no passing game whatsoever.
-
Scheelhaase bobbles a shotgun snap and is
tackled at his own 4, because he was looking to his receivers before he even
caught the snap. That should be the end
of the Illini’s possession.
o
Except for the fact that they have A.J.
Jenkins. Scheelhaase steps up in the
pocket and throws a dart to A.J. Jenkins right at the marker on the sideline,
first down Illini. Big throw by
Scheelhaase.
-
A.J. Jenkins with a solid catch, and loses the
ball. OSU recovers the fumble. Illinois is shooting themselves in the foot
right now, with two turnovers in the second half.
-
By the Numbers: Ohio State has run 42 plays. 39
rushes, 3 passes.
-
Braxton throws a pass, and it’s the first
completion of the day, a touchdown to TE Jake Stoneburner. 17-0 Ohio State; that should be it for
Illinois’ chances of winning.
-
Illinois finally gets into the endzone. 3 yard pass, 17-7.
-
Illinois forces a punt and has the ball back
near the 50 with about 4 minutes left.
This game isn’t quite over yet as Illinois also has all three of their
timeouts.
o
Just as I type that, on the first Illini play,
Scheelhaase forces the ball downfield and throws it short of his receiver. Ohio State CB Travis Howard picks it off, and
that may be it for Illinois’ hopes of winning.
OSU forced 3 turnovers in the 2nd half, which ended up being
the key to this game.
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