Mistakes on Offense Dooms Outstanding Effort By Buckeye Defense

Coming into the rematch of Ohio State and USC, many questioned how much the youth of Matt Barkley would affect the game, but few questioned the youth of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. And as it always does, the ignored factor loomed large in this game.

Buckeye fans had been treated to stories galore about Pryor's improved throwing motion, accuracy, and pocket presence, and at the start of the game it was on full display as the Trojans seemed content to let Pryor throw.

Pryor stood tall in the pocket, stepped into his throws, and despite an early interception, he completed several big passes to set up the early Ohio State scores.

The Ohio State defense play an absolutely amazing game, completely shutting USC down for the first 28 mins of the game. The defensive line was the star of the effort, with their seven seven-deep rotation up front the Bucks were able to disrupt almost every Trojan offensive play.

But the rest of the defense is not getting enough credit. The secondary played outstanding holding the USC wide receivers to just seven catches in the game. They also played excellent second level tackling, not allowing the long TD runs that have killed Ohio State in the previous top five losses.

The linebackers also looked outstanding in this game, really did an excellent job of taking on that USC offensive line and helping to contain the running game. The defense also showed excellent conditioning, not showing the kind of fatigue you'd expect to see from a defense that spent the majority of the game on the field.

Even as the defense turned in possibly the effort of the year, the Ohio State Buckeyes needed just one offensive drive in the second half for a score and the offense could not deliver.

Pryor regressed as a quarterback before our very eyes in the second half. He was clearly locking on to a receiver before he ever left the huddle. On several plays USC left a Ohio State slot receiver uncovered at line, basically giving the Bucks a three-to five-yard completion and not singe pass went to those slot receivers.

At one point on the final Ohio State possession, Duron Carter was completely open, waving for the ball and Pryor never even saw him, locked in on the triple covered deep route.

Pryor also stopped using his scrambling ability to its fullest. When faced with a rush in the first half, he rolled out of the pocket and was able to deliver several passes to the check down receivers for a modest gain. In the second half, when faced with a rush Pryor threw the ball up falling onto his back foot.

The question many Ohio State fans are asking is why Tressel kept putting in the hands of Pryor? Why didn't he kick the ball there? Why did he kick the ball there and all the other outraged fan questions?

In the end, the players are to blame, not the coaches. On the ground, Boom Herron turned in a tremendous effort but only averaged 2.4 yards per carry, while the Trojan running backs McKnight and Johnson averaged 4.1 yards per carry.

Ohio State could not run the ball in any short yardage situation, the Trojan defense was very stout in short yardage and also very aware of the Pryor draw in short yardage. Any coach is nervous about a 4th-and-2 when his team has failed consistently on 3rd-and-1.

In the end what produced points in the second half for Ohio State was punting the ball and pinning USC deep. It resulted in the five points garnered by the safety and resulting FG.

It looked very similar to the Navy game in the respect once the momentum shifted towards the Trojans, the young Buckeyes on offense panicked for the second straight game.

Throughout the game, Ohio State dominated field position and they needed one offensive drive in the second half to seal the game and the offense could not deliver.