DEFENSE KEEPS BUCKEYES IN BCS RACE

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Before wags predict that Ohio State’s inexperienced linebackers will be fodder for USC next weekend, let me point out that it was James Laurinaitis’ successor who ultimately saved the Buckeyes from embarrassment Saturday at the hands of an underrated rushing powerhouse.

The Midshipmen of Navy, who have a knack for knocking off rated teams with their hard-to-defend-against triple option, led the nation the past three years in rushing yardage. They went to Columbus as a dubious three-touchdown underdog. On Saturday they “almost” added another Goliath to their tally.

 “Almost “ may count in horseshoes, but not at the big one on the Ohio State campus. The stopper was the defensive play of the day – anywhere in college football except maybe in Iowa - pulled off by middle linebacker Brian Rolle’s interception and runback of a potentially game-tying conversion attempt.

This Buckeye fan is not worried about our defense. If the offense has added a new wrinkle to its passing game, as quarterback Terrelle Pryor suggested last week, Navy did a great job of ironing it.

Pryor’s passing numbers, 14 of 21 for 174 yards for one touchdown against a so-so Navy defense, are respectable but not Heisman caliber.

On the ground, Dan Herron’s 72 yards and one TD, Brandon Saine’s 53 yards, and Pryor’s 30 yards and one TD kept the Bucks in the game – barely.

The mix of 26 passing attempts versus 38 rushes isn’t what I’d call a new wrinkle. With Pryor’s own mix being 21:6, Tressell isn’t pushing this talented athlete to his full potential, either as a passer or a rusher. Pryor's subdued attitude late in the game seemed to reflect some resentment. Let’s hope this was just a smoke screen and that the real wrinkle will unfold next week.

On the bright side, Saine’s speed, especially on kick returns, was impressive. The Bucks came away with good field position on most returns. Kicker Aaron Pettrey, who booted a 52-yarder as part of a trio of field goals, showed he will be a reliable replacement for Ryan Pretorius.

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