‘07 Buckeyes Better Than ‘06?

Highlights of Ohio State @ Penn State - 2007

Last year, Ohio State struggled to put Penn State away. OSU was the home team and found itself losing 3-0 at halftime. Late into the fourth quarter, OSU held a one-score lead (14-6).

This year, OSU traveled into Happy Valley to face a Penn State team that has been dominate at home. In the five home games leading up the OSU game, PSU had coasted to victories in all five. Two of the blowouts were against quality Big Ten opponents (Iowa 27-7 and Wisconsin (38-7). Again prior to the OSU game, PSU had outscored its opponents at home 200 to 48.

Game time arrived this Saturday and OSU fans were worried after PSU scored on its first possession. On that drive, the Nittany Lions didn’t have any trouble moving down the field. Running back Rodney Kinlaw scored on a 12-yard run.

During Penn State’s first two possessions, Buckeye fans saw their defense allow gaping holes in the running game for the first time this season.

After seeing those gaping holes, I have to admit I got worried.

However, the Buckeyes’ offense allowed me to relax.

After PSU took a 7-3 lead on Kinlaw’s touchdown run, OSU quarterback Todd Boeckman threw a perfect deep ball to receiver Ray Small. The play went for 60 yards and set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Boeckman to receiver Brian Robiskie.

On the ensuing possession, PSU drove it down to the OSU 38-yard line. A Vernon Gholston sack on third down forced the Nittany Lions to punt.

Pinned back inside their own 10, the Buckeyes drove 91 yards on 15 plays in route to another touchdown. At the end of the drive, OSU faced a third-and-four when the team was called for holding. That set up a tough third-and-14 from the PSU 16-yard line. Boeckman tossed a screen to receiver Brian Hartline, who with offensive tackle Alex Boone leading the way took it in for the touchdown.

At that point, I got the feeling this game was over. OSU cruised the rest of the way to a 37-17 victory over PSU.

Boeckman finished with 253 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 19 of 26 and was intercepted once.

Chris Wells pounded out 133 yards on 25 carries. Maurice Wells added 55 yards on 13 carries.

On defense, linebacker James Laurinaitis struggled. He missed tackles and PSU set up its blocking schemes to take him out of the game.

With PSU concentrating on Laurinaitis, fellow linebacker Marcus Freeman stepped up his play. Freeman finished with 14 total tackles (10 solo and two for loss) and forced a fumble.

OSU had won the time of possession battle - 37:52-to-22:08.

Three (LB Dan Connor, LB Sean Lee, CB Lydell Sargeant) different Nittany Lions finished with over 10 tackles. Conner had 18 and had an interception.

The Buckeyes looked impressive Saturday night, but are they better than the ‘06 team?

There are three more games left, including home games with Wisconsin and Illinois. Then that road game at Michigan to end the season.

Note:

The Wisconsin at Ohio State game will be at noon on the Big Ten Network. Personally, I thought it should be on ABC at 3:30 p.m.

Coming soon: I will preview the Buckeyes basketball season