| 31 October 2010
Speaking of defense, this one looked like it got its swagger back. It slapped Minnesota in the mouth on every play. It was a dominating performance by the defensive line with John Simon having his best game as a Buckeye. I was thinking that even before his touchdown run. He was getting penetration consistently and just reeked havoc all game. Nathan Williams found his mojo again. He was very active and involved. I thought he played a very disciplined game, something that has caused him problems at times in his career. If you watch the game again watch the push we get consistently up front.
What a game by Brian Rolle. He played so well especially considering he got hurt early on. Sweat is outstanding at the line of scrimmage but still needs some work in coverage.
There is not alot to be unhappy about in a 52-10 win but it is hard to look at the secondary and not get a little nervous, in particular with the Iowa Hawkeye receivers arriving in just a few weeks. Torrence laying on the field made my heart skip a beat. We can't afford any more injuries in the back seven. We are down to a two-deep of scholarship players in the secondary. Any of the starters go down and the staff has a decision to make. Burn a redshirt or put a walk-on in the two-deep.
Aaron Gant has been very solid at strong safety. I don't think he is as athletic as Orhian Johnson but he plays his position. He does not hesitate to attack the ball or the ball carrier. That Gant, a fifth year senior who has never smelled the field with the game on the line, is in there at all shows how short of bodies we are. I don't know what to say about Johnson. We have a week off. I would use this week to find a better situation but I don't know what we can do about it. I would like to at least try Jermale Hines at free safety but we have nobody to step in at the Star. I I don't think Hines could be a good free safety. I am not sure of his ball skills but I think he would be better than Johnson, and right now that is enough. The Dispatch is talking about Christian Bryant being out for the year. I had not heard that before. If true it puts us in a bad situation. Johnson is not reading the game well, look at the first pass of the second half for a perfect example, and is slow to react. He was attacked all day. Deep down the middle was where Minnesota made their big passing plays. What Iowas receivers will do to Johnson is something I do not want to think about.
The offensive line was outstanding again. I like that we committed to the run again this week. I know one of the big discussions will be about the running backs. Herron is playing great football. Think Hall or Berry or Hyde would do better? I think they are more talented. Whether they would be better or not is something we will not find out as long as Herron is playing this well. Look for the hole. It is not hard with Herron in there. Just follow him. He is seeing the hole quickly and hitting it hard. He is not going down with first contact and is always falling forward. I fully understand the desire to go with the more explosive guys like Hall and Berry. I am a big back fan so I get wanting to go with Hyde. The way Herron is running the ball I would not want to go with the maybe while the sure thing is playing so well.
Zack Boren is the best fullback since Jamar Martin and I would say he is better because he is just as effective as a blocker but can do some damage with the ball in his hands. He is moving people like a lineman out there and seems to love every minute of it.
Who is this kid wearing number 8? Or who was the impersonator wearing number 8 a few times this year? This kind of game is what had us thinking Posey could decide to go early before the season started. He had a great game. He seemed focused like he has not been all year.
I think we saw the best special teams performance of the year. Take away the missed 21-yard field goal and we saw better coverage and a great blocked punt that got us a touchdown. Special teams touchdowns are hard to overcome. Jordan Hall is impressing me greatly as a kick returner.
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