Getting Back to the Bruising Basics
One of the characteristics of Urban Meyer’s Ohio State football program is that after a loss, the team tends to get back to pounding the ground with the running game.
In 2016, after two games being held under 200 yards rushing, which culminated in the heart-breaking loss at Penn State, the Buckeyes finished out their Big Ten campaign by rushing for over 200 yards in their final five conference games. In 2015 after the Michigan State loss, the Buckeyes rushed for 369 yards the following week against Michigan, and 285 yards in the bowl game against Notre Dame.
Which brings us to last week. Following the baffling loss to Iowa, the Buckeyes put 335 yards rushing on Michigan State, announcing to the college football world that they could still run the ball when they wanted to.
“I feel like after a loss you want to get back to what you’re good at and establish the run game,” quarterback J.T. Barrett said. “It definitely helps out with who we are in play-action pass and making our shots downfield. So just getting back to who you are, whether it be fundamentals or even when it comes to offensively and defensively making calls and things like that. So all of that intertwines.”
Urban Meyer has said that the offensive line was the best unit on the field for the OSU offense last Saturday, and Barrett wholeheartedly agrees.
“Offensive line, I mean, when you play like that, really makes my job a whole lot easier,” he said. “I think one of the main things with them is changing the line of scrimmage. Those linebackers, they usually shoot the gap, Michigan State. So it’s hard to get double teams on those guys. But being that they were getting so much push off the ball with the D-linemen, it was a great thing for them. So they met the backers instead of on the line of scrimmage, they met them three yards downfield. And our running backs did a great job making that unblocked defender miss and got some big hits.”
A Very Busy Senior Day
Saturday is Senior Day for Ohio State and the Buckeyes will be honoring 19 departing players.
• SAF Clay Raterman from Dublin, Ohio
• LB Jackson Hayes from Dublin, Ohio
• DB Cin’quan Haney from Dayton, Ohio
• DB Trevon Forte from Youngstown, Ohio
• WR Elijaah Goins from Concord, N.C.
• DL Nick Seme from Wadsworth, Ohio
• TE/FB Zach Turnure from St. Louis, Mo.
• QB Stephen Collier from Leesburg, Ga.
• SAF Erick Smith from Cleveland, Ohio
• DL Michael Hill from Pendleton, S.C.
• TE Marcus Baugh from Riverside, Calif.
• SAF Damon Webb from Detroit, Mich.
• DL Tracy Sprinkle from Elyria, Ohio
• OL Jamarco Jones from Chicago, Ill.
• DL Jalyn Holmes from Norfolk, Va.
• LB Chris Worley from Cleveland, Ohio
• OL Billy Price from Youngstown, Ohio
• DL Tyquan Lewis from Tarboro, N.C.
• QB J.T. Barrett from Wichita Falls, Texas
Among that number are seven fifth-year seniors, which have become increasingly rare under Urban Meyer.
“We’re very close to this group of seniors,” Meyer said. “There will be, once again I haven’t thought about it much and there will be the right time to have those conversations, but it’s very well documented the respect and love we have for these guys because it’s the first time we’ve had a couple of fifth-year seniors who have decided to stay throughout their journey, and we’re going to treat them right. And best way to treat them right is go win this game.”
Of course, listed last is quarterback J.T. Barrett, who will leave Ohio State as the school’s most productive quarterback of all time. And he’ll leave with more than that.
“I love J.T. J.T. is a member of the Meyer family and the Buckeye family for the rest of his life,” Meyer said. “And I just want him to play really well and do the best we can to prepare him to play very well.”
Zach on the Attack
One of the players walking on senior day is linebacker Zach Turnure. You may not know much about Turnure, but if you’ve watched the Buckeyes, you’ve seen him.
Turnure has been one of the constants on Ohio State’s sometimes-maligned kick coverage unit. Urban Meyer is quick to point out that those issues have nothing to do with Turnure’s play.
“Great player. He’s not been the problem. He’s been part of the solution,” Meyer said. “And he is a tough guy. I love that kid. His family should be very proud of who he is. He’s on scholarship now and it’s not because of a gift. It’s because he’s earned that. He’s one of our most productive players on the team. Even when you see him not making a tackle he’s usually creating enough chaos that someone else makes it. He’s a stud. I love that kid.”
