#11 Buckeyes 38, Toledo 0

 
Photo: AP/Amy Sancetta

Against one of the top offensive attacks in the nation, the Buckeyes did what the Browns have not yet been able to do in Cleveland Browns Stadium, pitch a shutout. Terrelle Pryor rebounded with a strong effort, and the Buckeyes accumulated over 500 yards of total offense as they rolled over the Rockets in a pseudo-road game with a mostly pro-Buckeye crowd.

OSU M.I.A.- Out of action today for the scarlet and gray were RT Jim Cordle and P Jon Thoma. Cordle, who was injured in the USC game, will miss the next 3-4 weeks due to a ankle injury. Sophomore J.B. Shugarts started in his place. Thoma missed the game with the flu, and redshirt freshman Ben Buchanan handled the punting duties.

419 deep threat - It is apparent that Ohio State's most capable deep target is not Devier Posey or Duron Carter as Chris and I had anticipated; it's Dane Sanzenbacher. Sanzenbacher caught two touchdown strikes from Pryor on the first two Buckeye drives, including a 76-yard bomb where he created some serious separation on the third play of the game. Dane racked up 125 yards in all on five receptions to go with the two scores. He has had a big play in each of the first three games factoring in a 38-yard reception against Navy and a 56-yard catch against USC. Dane is the team's leading receiver with 240 yards.

Grounding the air attack - After touching up the Colorado Buffaloes for 54 points last week, many expected the UT spread attack to give the Buckeyes some matchup issues. However, this defense has shown its VAST improvement over last season, especially on the defensive line. The upperclassmen are playing like they have received the message loud and clear. The OSU D forced Toledo to punt 11 times in their 13 possessions, including 6 three and outs. The other two possessions resulted in turnovers which I'll get to later. The Rockets were held to just 211 total yards and 30 yards rushing. Standouts from this game include Kurt Coleman (forced fumble, 6 tackles), Brian Rolle (8 tackles), and Cameron Heyward (3 tackles, sack). Rocket QB Aaron Opelt finished 22-of-45 for 197 yards with 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. In anyone's eyes, it was an astoundingly excellent effort for the Buckeye defensive unit.

That little guy can run! - The little guy I'm referring to is true freshman RB Jordan Hall. The 5'10 (yeah right!), 190 pounder was Terrelle Pryor's high school running back, and he saw his first game action today. In mostly mop-up duty, Hall sliced through what was most likely a tired Toledo defense with relative ease. He picked up multiple first downs and tallied 44 yards on his seven carries. With Boom Herron and Brando Saine not exactly lighting the world on fire, perhaps Hall can earn some meaningful carries in Big Ten action that kicks off starting next week.

In-Saine-ity - I don't want to overlook Brandon Saine's output too much though, considering it's much better than last year's virtual zero. Saine looked quite sharp on one drive in particular when he gained 31 yards on a run and 16 yards on a reception. At one point, Saine got the ball on five of six plays during that drive. I feel that Saine's development has been hindered somewhat by how he's been used. He is the type of back who needs to get the ball in space, to the outside, and on screen passes; he is not an up-the-middle, between-the-tackles runner. Brandon accumulated 63 yards on 11 touches today, and his big play potential and change of pace will be needed in the coming weeks.

Pryor's great throws - Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been under a lot of scrutiny this week for his play against USC, and some of it is certainly fair criticism and well-deserved. However, people need to compliment the still-developing quarterback when he succeeds as well. Today was one of those largely positive days for TP as he threw for 262 yards, ran for 110 yards, and accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing). Pryor's highlight reel play other than the bomb to Dane was his 3rd-and-6 scramble out of the pocket for 43 yards as he made several Toledo tacklers miss.

Pryor's no-nos - There were, however, some horrific head-scratching decisions made by Pryor today as well. The first was after he broke a would-be sack and bombed an up-for-grabs toss that was picked by UT. The next one came from under-throwing his receiver in double coverage. In just his 13th start, Pryor is still VERY MUCH a work in progress, but he has such big play capability and incredible speed that the coaching staff must continue to help him make better decisions. That means taking an occasional sack instead of throwing a pick, and it sometimes means throwing the ball away instead of losing big yards on a scramble. I have faith that Pryor will continue to improve, and that by the time the Bucks' toughest remaining test, Penn State, comes around, he'll be vastly improved over where he is at this time.

Small sighting - Ray Small made a return from the doghouse to the offensive attack as he caught his first passes of the season, two of them for 47 yards. Small is now getting 3rd/4th wide receiver reps along with Duron Carter, and Taurian "Oops.. dropped it" Washington is seeing less and less action. Small also handled the punt return duties for the second straight game.

Offensive line trading places - With the injury to Cordle, J.B. Shugarts started at right guard, but two other offensive linemen saw some extended time in the first half. Sophomore Mike Adams, who was suspended for the first two games reportedly, got some reps at left tackle in relief of Andy Miller. Also, Andrew Moses got some time at left guard when Justin Boren had to leave the game to get his ankles re-taped. That shifting on the line led to some blown protection and several penalties. In fact, the Buckeyes' coaching staff has got to be downright disgusted with the 12 penalties that cost them 70 yards.

Saving the Goose Egg - Just as the Rockets were knocking on the door of the endzone, OSU came up with a fantastic play to preserve the shutout. That big play came courtesy of safety Kurt Coleman, who stripped Toledo receiver Eric Page at the goal line as he was falling into the endzone. Ross Homan recovered, and the call was upheld on the review as the Buckeyes dodged the Rocket score. Coleman has shown time and again this year a knack for creating big turnovers, by way of both forced fumbles and interceptions.

The Buckeyes move to 2-1 on the season, and they open the Big Ten season at home against the Illinois Fighting Illini next Saturday afternoon.

O-H-I-O!

Kirk