But from the what the refs said, that means the OSU defender pushed Rusk out of bounds…and should be illegal contact downfield or holding or whatever the call is for college.
Ohio State 34, Illinois 16 Postgame
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SuperMetroid
- Evanston
That clown #1 was dancing around after every play like he was Deion freaking Sanders in his prime when all he did was hold and interfere all day long
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Overall, I walk away from this game feeling more encouraged than discouraged. This wasn’t the Indiana game or even Oregon last year. We looked like we belonged.
Obviously, it sucks that we lost in large part due to mistakes and turnovers, which is a missed opportunity.
At the same time, I’d prefer to lose due to of fluke mistakes than giving up 8 yards per play while only getting 3.6 (the Indiana game). Mistakes are easier to fix than “can’t move the ball, can’t stop the ball”.
And some of the mistakes were just due to playing a team with better athletes at almost every position. We won’t see another team like that the rest of the year.
On top of that, this was likely our best defensive effort of the season. Sure, we gave up 34 points, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
We only gave up 272 yards, 4.3 yards per play to the #6 offense in the nation.
Ohio State put up 357 yards, 5.8 yards per play @Washington and 474 yards, 8.2 yards per play against Minnesota.
A lot to build on here. I’m still bullish on this team and our chances of hitting 9-10 wins.
Obviously, it sucks that we lost in large part due to mistakes and turnovers, which is a missed opportunity.
At the same time, I’d prefer to lose due to of fluke mistakes than giving up 8 yards per play while only getting 3.6 (the Indiana game). Mistakes are easier to fix than “can’t move the ball, can’t stop the ball”.
And some of the mistakes were just due to playing a team with better athletes at almost every position. We won’t see another team like that the rest of the year.
On top of that, this was likely our best defensive effort of the season. Sure, we gave up 34 points, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
We only gave up 272 yards, 4.3 yards per play to the #6 offense in the nation.
Ohio State put up 357 yards, 5.8 yards per play @Washington and 474 yards, 8.2 yards per play against Minnesota.
A lot to build on here. I’m still bullish on this team and our chances of hitting 9-10 wins.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I’m also disappointed in most press coverage of the game - ‘Ohio State Cruises’ etc. It’s as if they are only looking at the final score.
The final stats should be making people appreciate our effort (sans turnovers) and question whether tOSU is really #1. Clearly they have tremendous talent and beat us in many ways through sheer talent. But they really didn’t pressure Luke nor dominate us the way IU or Oregon did last year. No one is really doing this more in depth analysis.
The final stats should be making people appreciate our effort (sans turnovers) and question whether tOSU is really #1. Clearly they have tremendous talent and beat us in many ways through sheer talent. But they really didn’t pressure Luke nor dominate us the way IU or Oregon did last year. No one is really doing this more in depth analysis.
The Ohio state pass defenders interference was so egregious that the announcers said.the they couldn't call it.on every play. Then they continued to gush over our visitors for the entire game. I get it, reigning NC, playing outstanding ball forever. It will never be possible to have an evenly called game against them...
We have a great coach and I wouldn’t trade him. But we lack discipline and intensity
We've given them years of lack luster performances so they just expect to see us collapse hence the criticism. I'll take that chip on the shoulder as long as we can get it... Could only hear it on the radio today, but sounded great to hear Laughery rip off some nice runs!!Fox having a major meltdown because 2 OSU RB's were getting repairs on the sidelines.
Meanwhile not one mention that we were playing with our 4th string RB for a good portion of the game other than criticism of us not running the ball well.
They treat us like the Washington Generals of college football.
Special teams outside of Olano's leg and Hank's td against a inferior team have been atrocious... How have we fallen so hard in that dept since last season Michigan game?
On the false start it sounded like the ole Maryland I formation(fun). If that was the case can't believe Brian and Carey didn't call it out for what it was. All I heard was it was weird 2 fullback running back set from the radio. Please tell me it wasn't the Maryland I and they didn't miss on a formation for the first time in my life lol?
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Well this sounds positive as to their victory over us being ‘impressive’ - from espn:
‘Why they could be here: The Buckeyes now have two impressive road wins, adding Saturday's 34-16 victory at Illinois to the Sept. 27 win at Washington. The Buckeyes have defeated three straight Big Ten opponents who are all at .500 or better, including two on the road.‘
‘Why they could be here: The Buckeyes now have two impressive road wins, adding Saturday's 34-16 victory at Illinois to the Sept. 27 win at Washington. The Buckeyes have defeated three straight Big Ten opponents who are all at .500 or better, including two on the road.‘
Maybe she was so bad in previous games that the crew chief took away her flag just like Andy took away Barney's bullet when he screwed up.
blackdog
- Champaign
To be fair we employed a very similar strategy in 2022. Our DBs were super handsy and it paid off more than it hurt. College refs are just more inclined to let them play.
In this game, had we guarded them the exact way they guarded us, we're getting at minimum 4-5 extra PI calls. Just like had it been Georgia in the endzone instead of Auburn, it's 100% going to get called a touchdown.
Your helmet matters, really don't get how it's that hard to tell.
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He was the most flagged/penalized DB in the country last season with 16 of them. Once I got home I wanted to look at the play on Bostwick and the broadcaster noted it was missed. He grabbed the jersey pulling with both hands
He had 16 PIs last year that was most in the nation but only 1 called on him this season. They lady ref missed a few really bad PIs.
My wife got mad I called her "the lady ref" and said that when I told her if it was a guy ref Brett would ve been much more aggressive on the missed call on Dixon! I still think he would have! Lol . I could care less if it's a guy or a gal or the race. Just get the damn call right.
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Not gonna lie, 34-19 would've looked much better than 34-16. Won't be many teams this year playing Ohio State within two possessions. Really should've been 34-20 as there was also that two point try (although I wouldn't blame that too much).
In a day and age where the score matters more-so than ever, you should take the free style points. Really no reason not to. JMO.
In a day and age where the score matters more-so than ever, you should take the free style points. Really no reason not to. JMO.
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At the time we were moving the ball easily, so I thought “why not?”. The game was lost but making the two would have been a loud in-your-face statement to cap a great drive. It told the team we have confidence in you. They had earned the shot.
He has the power to over ride BL. If he really felt that why didn’t we do it going into the game.
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Game Thoughts:
(1) I wholeheartedly agree with Robert's post-game about how this was actually a sneaky closer game on paper. Ohio State is still in a different class, and the turnovers put them in advantageous spots but maybe the Buckeyes punish Illinois with more yards/explosive without them, but it could have been a sweat. (PGWE of 13% doesn't necessarily agree with me)
(2) The punting mistake is still frustrating. Knowing the backup snapper is in the game, there has got to be more awareness of a low snap and the consequences.
(3) One season thought, now that Illinois is hitting their first bye. Being 5-2 should have been the goal reaching this bye. Plenty of frustration because of how Illinois lost to Indiana, but you're 5-2 and you are not playing another ranked team until 2026. Let's take a zoomed out view of the Illinois schedule (Using SRS since it's updated now)
Western Illinois (NR) - looking like a bad FCS team
Duke (29th) - 4-2. Will win at least 7 games, likely a 8-4/9-3 team.
Western Michigan (81st) - 4-3 and haven't lost since leaving Champaign. Current favorite to win MAC.
Indiana (4th) - 6-0. Juggernaut and slack-jawed with what Cig has done.
USC (11th) - 5-1. Just whipped Michigan. Likely a 9-3 team.
Ohio State (1st) - 6-0. Juggernaut.
Going forward
Washington (17th). 5-1 team that has a lot of similarities on paper as USC. Hardest game remaining by a mile. Win this game? 10-2 is really possible.
Rutgers (62nd). 3-3 and they are all offense/no defense.
Maryland (42nd). 4-2. Better than expected but starting to take on water.
Wisconsin (92nd). 2-4. Flaming dumpster fire and very unlikely that Fickell is coaching this game.
Northwestern (61st). 4-2 and have played well since September started. No offense/all defense.
(4) I'm really impressed with the blocking since USC. It's a noticeable step forward. The pass blocking is really, really good. Priestly was about the only lineman that struggled. JC Davis has been really good since that Duke first half. Only allowing five pressures in a game where Altmyer threw 44 times against the best defense in the country? Absolutely!
(5) Rusk played 34 snaps against Ohio State. Previous high for the season was 12. If he's turned the corner and can be at least passable in pass blocking, this offense might find yet another gear. On the flip side, we might see Arkin's snap counts continue to fall because of the run blocking struggles. Based on his PFF grades, I'm wondering if he injured himself in the WMU game.
(6) I'm liking the idea of starting the game with Valentine and bringing in Feagin on the 2nd or 3rd drive. But no idea how Valentine's knee is doing or if Valentine can pass block well enough to avoid restricting the play calls. Also, I refuse to give up on Aidan. Valentine can make the most of terrible blocking, Feagin can always gain 2-3 yards but also seems impossible for him to run for longer than 8 yards. Aidan is somewhere in between.
(7) Dylan Rosiek needs to stay healthy all year.
(8) Ohio State had 35 carries for 109 yards. It was their worst rushing performance since week 1 against Texas.
(9) Matt Bailey had an awesome first half. Ohio State was scheming up options for Clare (banking on that 2024 Purdue tape) and it just wasn't available. They changed tactics in the second half.
(10) This was the best defensive performance since South Carolina. I was really impressed with the defense shutting down the running game and taking away explosives in the passing game.
(1) I wholeheartedly agree with Robert's post-game about how this was actually a sneaky closer game on paper. Ohio State is still in a different class, and the turnovers put them in advantageous spots but maybe the Buckeyes punish Illinois with more yards/explosive without them, but it could have been a sweat. (PGWE of 13% doesn't necessarily agree with me)
(2) The punting mistake is still frustrating. Knowing the backup snapper is in the game, there has got to be more awareness of a low snap and the consequences.
(3) One season thought, now that Illinois is hitting their first bye. Being 5-2 should have been the goal reaching this bye. Plenty of frustration because of how Illinois lost to Indiana, but you're 5-2 and you are not playing another ranked team until 2026. Let's take a zoomed out view of the Illinois schedule (Using SRS since it's updated now)
Western Illinois (NR) - looking like a bad FCS team
Duke (29th) - 4-2. Will win at least 7 games, likely a 8-4/9-3 team.
Western Michigan (81st) - 4-3 and haven't lost since leaving Champaign. Current favorite to win MAC.
Indiana (4th) - 6-0. Juggernaut and slack-jawed with what Cig has done.
USC (11th) - 5-1. Just whipped Michigan. Likely a 9-3 team.
Ohio State (1st) - 6-0. Juggernaut.
Going forward
Washington (17th). 5-1 team that has a lot of similarities on paper as USC. Hardest game remaining by a mile. Win this game? 10-2 is really possible.
Rutgers (62nd). 3-3 and they are all offense/no defense.
Maryland (42nd). 4-2. Better than expected but starting to take on water.
Wisconsin (92nd). 2-4. Flaming dumpster fire and very unlikely that Fickell is coaching this game.
Northwestern (61st). 4-2 and have played well since September started. No offense/all defense.
(4) I'm really impressed with the blocking since USC. It's a noticeable step forward. The pass blocking is really, really good. Priestly was about the only lineman that struggled. JC Davis has been really good since that Duke first half. Only allowing five pressures in a game where Altmyer threw 44 times against the best defense in the country? Absolutely!
(5) Rusk played 34 snaps against Ohio State. Previous high for the season was 12. If he's turned the corner and can be at least passable in pass blocking, this offense might find yet another gear. On the flip side, we might see Arkin's snap counts continue to fall because of the run blocking struggles. Based on his PFF grades, I'm wondering if he injured himself in the WMU game.
(6) I'm liking the idea of starting the game with Valentine and bringing in Feagin on the 2nd or 3rd drive. But no idea how Valentine's knee is doing or if Valentine can pass block well enough to avoid restricting the play calls. Also, I refuse to give up on Aidan. Valentine can make the most of terrible blocking, Feagin can always gain 2-3 yards but also seems impossible for him to run for longer than 8 yards. Aidan is somewhere in between.
(7) Dylan Rosiek needs to stay healthy all year.
(8) Ohio State had 35 carries for 109 yards. It was their worst rushing performance since week 1 against Texas.
(9) Matt Bailey had an awesome first half. Ohio State was scheming up options for Clare (banking on that 2024 Purdue tape) and it just wasn't available. They changed tactics in the second half.
(10) This was the best defensive performance since South Carolina. I was really impressed with the defense shutting down the running game and taking away explosives in the passing game.
Wasn't bothered by going for the two. I just thought not taking the FG on the last play (1:06 remaining) isn't great for marketing purposes.
They allowed them to push and grab all game. They only called it unless they absolutely had to
We were playing to win. Not for style. I think all the decisions were correct at the time they were made.
What I do think people need to take into consideration when it comes to the points is this: we scored the same amount of points against OSU as their next two highest points allowed COMBINED. And we did it while holding them to their third lowest offensive score.
Literally everything that we could have done yesterday to guarantee we lost that game, we did. And we still put up the best results against OSU than maybe any team except Texas (you could make an argument for Washington). the mistakes were frustrating, but we did well considering.
Learn, and win in two weeks.
That is one of two points that give us a first down, no question, and the refs blew that.
The other is that the ruling on the field was a catch, and there needs to be unquestionable proof on the replay to overturn the call. Based on the numerous replays I saw, the receiver brought both of his feet back inbounds, the outside one was very partially on the line, but then he elevated for the ball, and to me, that foot rose so that his toe was all that was on the ground, and the toe was clearly in bounds, not touching the line, so he is now back inbounds, and then catches the ball. At a minimum, this video is not enough to overturn the original call being a catch, imvho.
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