Once in a while the Dispatch has some decent insight for those of us that don't pay $49.95 (usually $77) for info, even though I would expect the coaching staff to make some changes after a performance like Penn State as the article mentions. Also, even though Barton might not play this week I'm glad to see that he is listed as day to day which leads me to believe the knee injury isn't too bad. Get well soon Barton... we need you for some depth on that line.
Link
Struggling offense has wrinkles up its sleeve
Friday, October 14, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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With Ohio State last in the Big Ten in total offense and last in scoring going into its game against Michigan State on Saturday, the Buckeyes have not stood pat in practice this week, receivers coach Darrell Hazell said.
"We’ve changed some things formationally that will help us, I think," Hazell said yesterday. "We’ll try to move the ball around in different places, without giving up too much information right now. But we’re going to do some things a little bit different than we did last week."
One reason is that Michigan State is different on defense than Penn State, which frustrated Ohio State last week in a 17-10 loss. Another reason is that the Michigan State offense leads the Big Ten in total yards and scoring.
Even if Ohio State leads the conference in total defense and scoring defense, "We need to put the ball in the end zone," Hazell said. "We need to hold up that end of the deal and get some points on the board, because (the Spartans) are a real explosive offense and have scored a lot of points this year."
Information , please
Paul Haynes has not been subjected to questioning about Michigan State. Even though the first-year defensive backs coach similarly served the Spartans a year ago, he said that doesn’t make him an expert on them.
Under coach John L. Smith, Haynes said the Spartans tweak their system based on the opponent. Which is why the information Haynes has to offer is "not so much about the scheme, but personnel, like what this guy is like, what this guy likes to do," Haynes said.
Yet he has posted offensive stormwarning signs with the Buckeyes.
"Their mentality is they’re going to put as many points on the board and as many yards as they can," Haynes said. With quarterback Drew Stanton, the Big Ten passing leader, "They feel comfortable throwing the football, but again they have been running the ball very, very well."
This time a year ago, he was plotting for the Spartans, though a late catchand-run by Ted Ginn Jr. saved the day for the Buckeyes.
"As a coach, it was the same thing; you’re sitting there preparing — the coaching part is no different," Haynes said. "The weirdness of it (this week) going against my old team, it was the same weirdness (last year) going against a team I grew up loving. So it was kind the same deal, just reversed."
Wait and see
Hazell said yesterday that the status of right tackle Kirk Barton, who suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter at Penn State, was day to day. Coach Jim Tressel indicated earlier that likely means freshman Alex Boone will make his first start. Boone played the second half at right tackle last week.
