Ohio State came out last Saturday against Nebraska and was able to do everything that it wanted to do with long explosives plays and consistent running by quarterback Braxton Miller and tailback Carlos Hyde. The Buckeyes went up 27-6 into the third quarter and looked like a new team compared to the team that travelled to Miami or played Michigan State at home. They could run the table with one tough game against Wisconsin on the schedule, but then came the collapse.
First Braxton Miller was stripped of the ball as he was going down at the end of a run. Then he sprained his ankle on the next OSU drive and wasn’t able to return for the remainder of the night. The defense which has been the strong part of Ohio State’s game this year couldn’t stop the dual headed attacked of Nebraska liked they had for the first 2 1/2 quarters of the game.
The Buckeyes were shocked and couldn’t believe they had let 28 straight points be scored against them when all was said and done. Joe Bauserman had come in to relieve Miller and couldn’t complete a pass to anyone playing in the game. Taylor Martinez caught fire finishing with 191 yards through the air and two touchdowns. While Martinez and Rex Burkhead tore through the ground defense gaining over 220 yards compared and a score a piece rushing.
Now the Buckeyes hope gaining one additional piece to the offense in running Boom Herron will be enough to play 60 minutes of great football on the road against Illinois. Last week they got back left tackle Mike Adams and wide receiver Corey Philly Brown. Hopefully by the Penn State game they will have all of their eligible players on the field. Saturday’s game starts at 3:30 in Campaign.
Ohio State v Nebraska 2011 Highlights