JTrain
All-Conference
Up 17-7. We've been bringing 5-6, making Braxton uncomfortable and getting a few hits on him. We come out with a three-man line and they run a zone read to the right.
Randle and Compton both initially go for the running back, which seemed like a missed assignment since Whaley clearly had contain on that side. Randle pays for it by getting completely blocked out of the play and Braxton cuts up field in the gap Randle left. Compton realizes Braxton has it and turns to his right to try to cut him off, but gets blatantly pushed in the back by an OSU lineman. I'm not sure he could've gotten there, but he would have had a shot to dive and trip him up for a five yard gain, or at least tackle him from the back when Braxton later cut back to the right, had he not been pushed.
Meanwhile, Eric Martin was blitzing the "A" gap on the other side, realized the play was going the other way and tried to pull back from the lineman he had just slammed into, but got pulled down by the shoulder pads. Wasn't as blatant and it was tough for the refs to see, but still definitely holding. He would've most likely gotten a clean shot at Braxton had he not been pulled down.
Next, Braxton hits two freakish jukes, first on PJ Smith then a hop-step on Whaley. Then it was off the races, and they cut the deficit to 17-14. After that, I felt like we were a lot more timid with our playcalling on defense. We were worried about Braxton breaking off the big play, when actually our aggressive playcalling was helping us. I can't help but wonder what happens if Martin doesn't get pulled down, tackles Braxton for a 3-4 yard gain and they end up punting on that drive. We continue blitzing and Ohio State starts to play with more desperation. Beck feels less responsibility to keep up the scoring pace and calls it more conservatively in the passing game (especially on 3rd and long).
I'm not trying to blame the refs for the loss. I'm sure there were a dozen missed holdings on us as well. I just think that play was the turning point in this game, and it could have taken a really different path had that play gone differently.
Randle and Compton both initially go for the running back, which seemed like a missed assignment since Whaley clearly had contain on that side. Randle pays for it by getting completely blocked out of the play and Braxton cuts up field in the gap Randle left. Compton realizes Braxton has it and turns to his right to try to cut him off, but gets blatantly pushed in the back by an OSU lineman. I'm not sure he could've gotten there, but he would have had a shot to dive and trip him up for a five yard gain, or at least tackle him from the back when Braxton later cut back to the right, had he not been pushed.
Meanwhile, Eric Martin was blitzing the "A" gap on the other side, realized the play was going the other way and tried to pull back from the lineman he had just slammed into, but got pulled down by the shoulder pads. Wasn't as blatant and it was tough for the refs to see, but still definitely holding. He would've most likely gotten a clean shot at Braxton had he not been pulled down.
Next, Braxton hits two freakish jukes, first on PJ Smith then a hop-step on Whaley. Then it was off the races, and they cut the deficit to 17-14. After that, I felt like we were a lot more timid with our playcalling on defense. We were worried about Braxton breaking off the big play, when actually our aggressive playcalling was helping us. I can't help but wonder what happens if Martin doesn't get pulled down, tackles Braxton for a 3-4 yard gain and they end up punting on that drive. We continue blitzing and Ohio State starts to play with more desperation. Beck feels less responsibility to keep up the scoring pace and calls it more conservatively in the passing game (especially on 3rd and long).
I'm not trying to blame the refs for the loss. I'm sure there were a dozen missed holdings on us as well. I just think that play was the turning point in this game, and it could have taken a really different path had that play gone differently.
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