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DBB's Weekly Statistical Breakdown
It's time for my weekly comparison of how the Bucks and their opponent are performing relative to their opponents' averages.
Based on your feedback, this week I'll focus on differential output with head-head figured out. In other words, factor the game against you OUT of your opponents' averages, and how did you do compared to THAT?
For comparison purposes, I'll also post the numbers that include the head-head matchups.
Northwestern OFFENSE GAINS/SCORES
OSU OFFENSE GAINS/SCORES
Things to note:
Differential Offense/Defense factors in the quality of the opponent. With this in mind:
Now let's use these numbers to attempt a comparison.
Recall that Method 1 takes each team's Defensive average and adds the other team's differential offense. Method 2 takes each team's Offensive average and subtracts the other team's differential defense.
Method 1:
Northwestern yards: 280.22 (avg OSU D) + 118.72 (Northwestern O) = 398.94 Yards
Northwestern points: 15.00 (avg OSU D) + 10.33 (Northwestern O) = 25.33 Points
OSU yards: 494.44 + 26.85 = 521.29 yards
OSU points: 32.00 + 7.52 = 39.52 points
OSU Wins: 40-25 (521 yards to 399)
Method 2:
OSU yards: 401.22 (avg O) + 70.57 (Northwestern D) = 471.79 Yards
OSU points: 31.67 (avg score) + 0.43 (Northwestern D) = 32.10 Points
Northwestern yards: 508.11 - 175.56 = 404.55 yards
Northwestern points: 33.89 - 19.25 = 14.64 points
OSU Wins: 32-15 (472 yards to 405)
Interestingly, Method 1 (15 points) and Method 2 (17 points) bracket the Las Vegas spread for the game.
When you factor in the Buckeyes' late improvement on offense, and their recent performance against defenses better than Northwestern's...
Buckeyes: 49-17, one Wildcat TD in garbage time.
It's time for my weekly comparison of how the Bucks and their opponent are performing relative to their opponents' averages.
Based on your feedback, this week I'll focus on differential output with head-head figured out. In other words, factor the game against you OUT of your opponents' averages, and how did you do compared to THAT?
For comparison purposes, I'll also post the numbers that include the head-head matchups.
Northwestern OFFENSE GAINS/SCORES
- 106.03 yards more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored in)
- 9.24 points more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored in)
- 118.72 yards more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored out)
- 10.33 points more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored out)
- 62.96 yards more than opponents gain on average (head-head factored in)
- 0.39 points more than opponents score on average (head-head factored in)
- 70.57 yards more than opponents gain on average (head-head factored out)
- 0.43 points more than opponents score on average (head-head factored out)
OSU OFFENSE GAINS/SCORES
- 23.78 yards more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored in)
- 6.68 points more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored in)
- 26.85 yards more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored out)
- 7.52 points more than opponents give up on average (head-head factored out)
- 156.39 yards fewer than opponents gain on average (head-head factored in)
- 17.14 points fewer than opponents score on average (head-head factored in)
- 175.56 yards fewer than opponents gain on average (head-head factored out)
- 19.25 points fewer than opponents score on average (head-head factored out)
Things to note:
- Northwestern posts their offensive numbers, in part, by playing at a faster pace than everyone else. They average 12 more offensive snaps per game than the Buckeyes.
- Northwestern's defense suffers for the same reason. They have been on the field for over 14 plays per game more than the OSU defense.
Differential Offense/Defense factors in the quality of the opponent. With this in mind:
- The Wildcat defensive improvement of late is all about the opponents. Differential defense was -81.5 yards vs. Iowa.
- The Buckeye improvement on offense isn't all about the quality of opponents. Differential offense is 72.54 yards/game over the last 3 games. That's 2.7 TIMES better than the season as a whole.
Now let's use these numbers to attempt a comparison.
Recall that Method 1 takes each team's Defensive average and adds the other team's differential offense. Method 2 takes each team's Offensive average and subtracts the other team's differential defense.
Method 1:
Northwestern yards: 280.22 (avg OSU D) + 118.72 (Northwestern O) = 398.94 Yards
Northwestern points: 15.00 (avg OSU D) + 10.33 (Northwestern O) = 25.33 Points
OSU yards: 494.44 + 26.85 = 521.29 yards
OSU points: 32.00 + 7.52 = 39.52 points
OSU Wins: 40-25 (521 yards to 399)
Method 2:
OSU yards: 401.22 (avg O) + 70.57 (Northwestern D) = 471.79 Yards
OSU points: 31.67 (avg score) + 0.43 (Northwestern D) = 32.10 Points
Northwestern yards: 508.11 - 175.56 = 404.55 yards
Northwestern points: 33.89 - 19.25 = 14.64 points
OSU Wins: 32-15 (472 yards to 405)
Interestingly, Method 1 (15 points) and Method 2 (17 points) bracket the Las Vegas spread for the game.
When you factor in the Buckeyes' late improvement on offense, and their recent performance against defenses better than Northwestern's...
Buckeyes: 49-17, one Wildcat TD in garbage time.
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Wow....another digruntled little snot who didn't get an offer at a real school, so now he's gonna show us that we should have gone after him. Just like all the players on Miami(OH) and Minnesota, right? My favorite part of the "article"....
nice and misleading. Hope the little lad doesn't feel too bad when his ass is burried in the ground.
I like these guys because they give our guys just a little more reason to show WHY Ohio State took them instead.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
scout.com (free)
11/9/05
11/9/05
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tressel Looks Ahead To Senior Day At Luncheon
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Jim Tressel
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Dave Biddle
Assistant Editor
Date: Nov 8, 2005
Saturday's game against Northwestern will mark the final game at Ohio Stadium for 16 Buckeye seniors. At his weekly press luncheon, OSU coach Jim Tressel talked about Senior Day, the recruitment of Northwestern tailback Tyrell Sutton, the strong play of OSU quarterback Troy Smith, whether Mike Kudla should have been redshirted a couple years ago, and more.
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Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel reviewed the Buckeyes’ 40-2 win over Illinois and looked ahead to this Saturday’s match-up against visiting Northwestern (noon, ABC) at his press luncheon on Tuesday.
Saturday will mark the final home game for 16 OSU seniors. The group has been a part of a lot of big games at Ohio State and all but linebacker Anthony Schlegel were part of the Buckeyes’ 2002 national championship season.
Saturday will be an emotional time and no one knows it better than Tressel.
“It is senior week and it's huge for the 16 guys playing their last game,” Tressel said. “There are some guys sitting in this room that have been in that boat and they understand that once you get to the stadium that last time, that's it. And that's something that you never forget.”
Tressel is usually focused on the game during warm-ups. But he admits his seniors will be on his mind Saturday morning.
“When you're going through a senior festivity like that and you see a guy, they run like a hundred yards,” Tressel said. “When Mo Hall came running out there, you can almost flashback almost to the first time you met him, what he's meant to the program, what he's gone through, and what he's done, and his winning touchdown against Michigan, and the winning touchdown against Illinois, and his kickoff return that broke open the Penn State game a year ago. And that kind of all flows through your mind.
“For a moment you allow yourself not to think about today, because, you know, that's not why we have that ceremony.”
Ohio State has won four straight games, the last three with comfortable margins. Expectations were high for the Buckeyes coming into the season and Tressel was asked if the team is now playing up to its capabilities.
“Well, we don't spend much time reflecting on the big picture,” he said. “You know, we'll look at this play, and did okay on that play, and didn't do as well on that play. I've enjoyed their worth ethic throughout. You know I said preseason, I'd never seen a group work like that in the summer.
During the preseason camp, excellent, handled some adversity, we didn't do some things we thought we were capable of and came up short. No one batted an eye, just went back to work.”
Tressel was asked if it’s good for the Buckeyes to play a quality opponent like Northwestern this week to keep them from looking ahead to the big game against Michigan next week.
“I think that's a good thing, and it's usually that way, because we're playing in the Big Ten,” he said. “Usually when you're in week 10, it doesn't matter who it is. Last year it was Purdue. That's a pretty good team. The year before it was Purdue and we won that in overtime or something. And the year before that, it was Illinois and that was an overtime game. So, in the Big Ten, you're going to have to stay focused.
And if anyone is looking out beyond Northwestern, we've got a problem.”
When Mark Dantonio was OSU’s defensive coordinator from 2001-03, one of the staples of the defense was that it made good halftime adjustments and always played better in the second half.
First-year defensive coordinator Jim Heacock also has a knack for the halftime adjustments. It’s been hard to move the ball in the second half against the Buckeyes this season.
“I know this: a good defense gets better as the game goes,” Tressel said. “A good defense gets better the closer you get to their goal line, that's one thing. I don't know much about defense, but that's one thing I really believe. As you get a handle, ‘OK, I've seen that play, they got seven yards. The next time I see it, they're only going to get four. The next time I see it, they're only going to get two.’ That's what a good defense does. The older you get, the more you can do that. I would like to think we've had better second halves, I can't swear to it, but I would like to think we have.”
If the Buckeyes want to have a good defensive performance this week, they will need to contain Northwestern senior quarterback Brett Basenez and true freshman tailback Tyrell Sutton.
Sutton is from Akron and Tressel was asked if he’s a good fit in Northwestern’s offensive system.
“Oh, Tyrell Sutton would be a good fit in anyone's system,” Tressel said. “He’s tough, competitive, and everyone has seen what he's done. Every team would love to have a guy like him.”
Well, maybe in retrospect, but Northwestern is the only Big Ten team that loved him enough to offer him a scholarship. In other words, OSU, Michigan, Penn State, Minnesota and other schools that like to recruit this region, all swung and missed.
“I think if I had to look back, I would say his was more of a timing issue than anything,” Tressel said. “And that's, you know, you have to tip your cap to Northwestern. That's one of the difficult things in recruiting in this day and age, is the accelerated pace that recruiting has. And one of the most difficult things we have in Ohio is that we have so many people come in here so early and talk to our sophomores and juniors, not illegally, you know, but legally, and have them at camp and have them at their schools and so forth. And the accelerated pace of people getting offered scholarships and so forth, that's one of the battles in recruiting right now.”
Tressel was pressed as to what exactly he meant by a “timing issue.”
Does he mean Northwestern was the first to offer Sutton a scholarship?
“They were early, yeah, they did a good job,” he said.
There must be something in the water in Akron these days. Ohio State sophomore tailback Antonio Pittman – who is sitting on 978 rushing yards right now – hails from Akron Buchtel. Chris Wells – an OSU verbal ranked as the top running back in the country – is from Akron Garfield. Sutton prepped at Akron Hoban.
Tressel could not comment on Wells directly, but he did have a few things to say about the community of Akron and the running back talent coming out of that area.
“In our history, we've had guys from Akron, and they've been all over the country,” he said. “I think it goes back to that same question, when people ask about the number of kids from Ohio that play all over the country, you know, Akron is right in the heart of it, from the standpoint it's culturally important. You know, that's something that those kids grew up 15 miles from the NFL Hall of Fame, they grew up an hour and a half, hour and 45 from Three Rivers (in Pittsburgh) and 45 minutes from Browns Stadium. And they hear about it every day, read about it every day, they have great high school coaching. That's why we're fortunate. Every day we should give thanks that we're located in Ohio.”
Ohio State junior quarterback Troy Smith is currently fourth in the country in passing efficiency with a rating of 165.1. Tressel was asked what Smith is doing well, and what he still needs to work on.
“Probably the biggest area that I've seen him grow in is his comfort and command of playing that position,” Tressel said. “You have to work at it so hard, and you have to understand that people are going to do different things each week. And you have to try to learn the evolution of someone's defense, it's not simply they're going to line up this way against this formation. And why have they -- where is Santonio (Holmes), you know, maybe that's why, or what personnel group do we have on the field. I've been really pleased with his work ethic to gain that command.
“He's always been highly competitive. And he continues to be so. An excellent leader just by the nature of how much it means to him.”
Another player having an excellent season is senior defensive end Mike Kudla. He is second on the team with 6.5 sacks and seems to play better each week. Kudla did not play much his first two seasons in the program and Tressel was asked if he would have liked to redshirt Kudla one of those years if he could do it all over again.
“Next year, I would say yes,” Tressel said. “He can -- he contributed on our team his true freshman year. And I'd love to have everyone red-shirted. I've been voting for the five-year eligibility, because I'd love to have guys here for five years, get their master's degree and then go to the NFL. We're just thankful for every moment.”
The Players’ View
Last year’s 33-27 loss to Northwestern in overtime is still fresh in Kudla’s mind. Ohio State had not lost to the Wildcats since 1971 and the Buckeyes are hoping to begin a new streak this year.
“You think of last year’s game and how poorly we played and I think that just sits in your mind,” Kudla said. “That’s one of the games that we kind of thought about all summer working out.”
One might think it must be difficult for OSU’s players to not look ahead to next week’s match-up against Michigan, but Kudla says that is not the case.
“Oh no,” he said. “All focus is on Northwestern, especially after what happened last year. There’s no way you can bypass them and start thinking about next week. That’s one of the biggest thing about this team is the focus. Each week, we’re able to lock in on one team. Even the first week, we had Miami and of course we had Texas the next week, but all of our focus went to Miami. That’s just one of the great things is that we can focus and lock in.”
Northwestern has one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten in senior Brett Basenez.
“He’s a great quarterback,” Kudla said. “We’ve played against him the past couple of years and he’s got the experience. He’s been in big games. And his ability to be elusive and be smart… he’s a smart guy. He won’t take the sack and he’ll throw it away and he knows where his receivers are and he knows that offense. He’s a great athlete.”
The Wildcats’ have only given up five sacks in Big Ten games – a credit to their offensive line and Basenez.
“That’s a huge challenge,” Kudla said of pressuring the quarterback. “It’s just another week and we have another big challenge ahead of us and you’ve got to take that as an opportunity. We know up front we have to get pressure on the guy and kind of take him out of his comfort zone.”
Kudla was asked just how good Ohio State’s defense is playing at this point of the season.
“I think we’re improving,” he said. “Something different each week happens and we take that challenge and we respond to it. We always say we just need to keep getting better every week and every day at practice.”
But after three straight blowout wins, are the Buckeyes satisfied with the way they are playing?
“I don’t think we’re satisfied,” Kudla said. “If we were undefeated right now, I think we’d feel better about it. Yeah, we had two losses, but from there you couldn’t be happier with the way we responded. We’ve took some big challenges and we’ve come out with some big victories. So, with that, we’re happy with everything that has happened.”
For Kudla and the other 15 seniors, Saturday will mark their final game at Ohio Stadium. It will be an emotional pregame.
“It’s been neat to be a part of that and see some of the things from the past couple years when guys played their last game here,” Kudla said. “You see how much it means to them and now you’re in this point and you see how much it means to us. Coming in here and playing with all these guys and the relationships that we’ve built over the past couple years, it’s just a special thing. And to play in the ‘Shoe every week like that, it’s a tremendous honor and it’s so special and you don’t understand until you’re there and you get to be a part of it. It’s been a great couple of years here. So, you can’t regret anything. It’s an honor to be here.”
* Senior kicker Josh Huston is enjoying a good season and has been named a semifinalist for the Groza Award, given annually to college football’s top kicker. (OSU’s Mike Nugent won the award last year.)
“It’s a great honor just to make that list,” Huston said. “I’m excited and hopefully I can make the rest of my kicks and make it to the top three. That was the goal I set at the beginning of the year. I wanted to be in Orlando and hopefully win it. So, I’m in a good position, I just have to put the rest of them through.”
In last week’s 40-2 win over Illinois, the Fighting Illini scored their lone points on a botched extra point attempt from OSU. A.J. Trapasso had trouble handling the snap, an Illinois player scooped up the ball and Huston tried to run him down. It looked like Huston was going to make the tackle, but he was pushed from behind by another Illinois player. However, no clipping penalty was called and Illinois was awarded the two points.
“I don’t play enough to really realize that I got clipped,” Huston said. “I was running and stuff happens so fast out there. I was running as hard as I could and all of a sudden I was on the ground and I was bent over and my hands were on my knees. I was like, ‘Man, I’m tired.’ And someone came up to me and said, ‘You got clipped on that.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I got clipped.’
“I’m catching flack from you guys and I already got it from the defense for ruining the shutout.”
Nugent was a former quarterback in high school and actually enjoyed mixing it up at times. The same could be said about former OSU punter Andy Groom. But Huston is not in that camp.
“I’m an athlete, but I’m not a football player,” he said with a laugh. “I played soccer in high school and I think scored the most goals in the state my senior year. But, I was never a football player. Tackling guys is not my forte, but I ran him down.”
Players of the Week
Tressel also named the Buckeyes’ players of the week at the luncheon.
The awards went to Huston (special teams), Kudla (defense), Smith (offense), Doug Datish (Jim Parker offensive lineman) and Marcus Green (attack force).
The scout team players of the week included: Joe Gantz (special teams), Doug Worthington (defense) and Rob Schoenhoft (offense).
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ABJ
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Sutton still thinking of OSU
Recruiting issues, Saturday's game on Wildcat freshman's mind
[SIZE=-1]By Marla Ridenour[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sportswriter[/SIZE]
<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - Northwestern freshman tailback Tyrell Sutton started out trying to say the right thing.
``I'm not going into the game with a personal vendetta,'' Sutton said. ``It's the same as meeting Iowa or Northern Illinois.''
But during a conference call Monday, Ohio's 2004 Mr. Football eventually let slip how he really feels about not being recruited by Ohio State. While he set a state rushing record with 9,426 yards and scored 117 career touchdowns at Hoban, the only other Big Ten school to offer him a scholarship was Illinois.
The knock on Sutton was his size. He's listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds. Asked what he wanted to say to those who thought he was too small to play big-time football, Sutton said: ``Come look at me now. If you don't want me, I'm going to make you wish you did want me.''
Asked if Ohio State showed any interest, he said, ``No, none.'' And it sounded like it still rankles him.
``To get passed up by your home-state college, it doesn't make any sense,'' Sutton said. ``They had an opportunity for four years to try and pursue me.
``Of course I got letters, but they were letters they send to every prospect across the country. Nothing from Jim Tressel or a coach.''
Sutton will get a chance to prove OSU coach Jim Tressel wrong Saturday, when No. 10 Ohio State (7-2, 5-1) hosts No. 25 Northwestern (6-3, 4-2). Sutton ranks sixth in the nation in scoring with 102 points (17 touchdowns) and is tied for seventh in rushing with 120.6 yards per game.
Totalling 1,085 yards with two games remaining, Sutton has recorded five games with at least 100 yards and two with 200, including his career-best 244 yards on 29 carries and three scores against Wisconsin.
``Against Ohio (University) he made two consecutive spin moves, I don't think either guy got within three yards of him,'' Northwestern senior quarterback Brett Basanez said. ``He's the human highlight film.''
For its class of 2005, OSU pursued running backs Jason Gwaltney (6-1, 230 pounds) from North Babylon, N.Y., and Maurice Wells (5-10, 185) from Jacksonville, Fla. Gwaltney opted for West Virginia, while Wells is trying to establish himself as No. 2 at OSU behind Antonio Pittman.
Tressel said Tuesday that it wasn't a matter of Sutton not fitting in the Buckeyes' system.
``Tyrell Sutton would be a good fit in anyone's system,'' Tressel said. ``He is tough, competitive, and everyone has seen what he's done. Every team would love to have a guy like him.''
Asked if it came down to Sutton's size, Tressel said: ``I would say his was more of a timing issue than anything. You have to tip your cap to Northwestern. They were early; they did a good job.''
It won't be easy for Sutton to get the last laugh, at least this year. Ohio State boasts the nation's third-best rushing defense (76.6 yards per game) and has allowed only one 100-yard rusher -- Minnesota's Laurence Maroney (25 carries for 127 yards, nine carries for 13 yards in the second half).
But OSU senior defensive end Mike Kudla said Sutton isn't like the league's other backs.
``He's shifty, not so much of a pounder,'' Kudla said. ``He's elusive. He likes to get in the open field and find the cutbacks. He's a spin runner who's able to break tackles and get big yardage.''
With Sutton carrying a huge chip on his shoulder, Northwestern coach Randy Walker worries about Sutton's state of mind Saturday.
``I hope he doesn't get too carried away with it,'' Walker said. ``I don't think anything outside the normal framework of emotions is usually good.''
Notebook
Tressel declared assistant head coach and receivers coach Darrell Hazell ``probable'' for the Wildcats. Hazell was taken ill before Saturday's game against Illinois and spent the night in the OSU Medical Center for observation.... Kicker Josh Huston was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 21 and the winner on Dec. 8.
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Sutton still thinking of OSU
Recruiting issues, Saturday's game on Wildcat freshman's mind
[SIZE=-1]By Marla Ridenour[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sportswriter[/SIZE]
<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - Northwestern freshman tailback Tyrell Sutton started out trying to say the right thing.
``I'm not going into the game with a personal vendetta,'' Sutton said. ``It's the same as meeting Iowa or Northern Illinois.''
But during a conference call Monday, Ohio's 2004 Mr. Football eventually let slip how he really feels about not being recruited by Ohio State. While he set a state rushing record with 9,426 yards and scored 117 career touchdowns at Hoban, the only other Big Ten school to offer him a scholarship was Illinois.
The knock on Sutton was his size. He's listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds. Asked what he wanted to say to those who thought he was too small to play big-time football, Sutton said: ``Come look at me now. If you don't want me, I'm going to make you wish you did want me.''
Asked if Ohio State showed any interest, he said, ``No, none.'' And it sounded like it still rankles him.
``To get passed up by your home-state college, it doesn't make any sense,'' Sutton said. ``They had an opportunity for four years to try and pursue me.
``Of course I got letters, but they were letters they send to every prospect across the country. Nothing from Jim Tressel or a coach.''
Sutton will get a chance to prove OSU coach Jim Tressel wrong Saturday, when No. 10 Ohio State (7-2, 5-1) hosts No. 25 Northwestern (6-3, 4-2). Sutton ranks sixth in the nation in scoring with 102 points (17 touchdowns) and is tied for seventh in rushing with 120.6 yards per game.
Totalling 1,085 yards with two games remaining, Sutton has recorded five games with at least 100 yards and two with 200, including his career-best 244 yards on 29 carries and three scores against Wisconsin.
``Against Ohio (University) he made two consecutive spin moves, I don't think either guy got within three yards of him,'' Northwestern senior quarterback Brett Basanez said. ``He's the human highlight film.''
For its class of 2005, OSU pursued running backs Jason Gwaltney (6-1, 230 pounds) from North Babylon, N.Y., and Maurice Wells (5-10, 185) from Jacksonville, Fla. Gwaltney opted for West Virginia, while Wells is trying to establish himself as No. 2 at OSU behind Antonio Pittman.
Tressel said Tuesday that it wasn't a matter of Sutton not fitting in the Buckeyes' system.
``Tyrell Sutton would be a good fit in anyone's system,'' Tressel said. ``He is tough, competitive, and everyone has seen what he's done. Every team would love to have a guy like him.''
Asked if it came down to Sutton's size, Tressel said: ``I would say his was more of a timing issue than anything. You have to tip your cap to Northwestern. They were early; they did a good job.''
It won't be easy for Sutton to get the last laugh, at least this year. Ohio State boasts the nation's third-best rushing defense (76.6 yards per game) and has allowed only one 100-yard rusher -- Minnesota's Laurence Maroney (25 carries for 127 yards, nine carries for 13 yards in the second half).
But OSU senior defensive end Mike Kudla said Sutton isn't like the league's other backs.
``He's shifty, not so much of a pounder,'' Kudla said. ``He's elusive. He likes to get in the open field and find the cutbacks. He's a spin runner who's able to break tackles and get big yardage.''
With Sutton carrying a huge chip on his shoulder, Northwestern coach Randy Walker worries about Sutton's state of mind Saturday.
``I hope he doesn't get too carried away with it,'' Walker said. ``I don't think anything outside the normal framework of emotions is usually good.''
Notebook
Tressel declared assistant head coach and receivers coach Darrell Hazell ``probable'' for the Wildcats. Hazell was taken ill before Saturday's game against Illinois and spent the night in the OSU Medical Center for observation.... Kicker Josh Huston was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 21 and the winner on Dec. 8.
Upvote
0
Cleveland PD
TO COLUMBUS VIA AKRON
Rushing fraternity
Wednesday, November 09, 2005Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Akron running backs will be all over Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Ohio State sophomore Antonio Pittman will start for the Buckeyes, Northwestern freshman Tyrell Sutton will start for the Wildcats and Ohio State recruit Chris Wells will be in the stands.
If only the three of them, who grew up playing football and basketball with and against each other, would have ended up in the same backfield.
"That would have been crazy," said Wells, a senior at Garfield High. "I don't know any teams that have three running backs like that. I think we could have squeezed enough carries in there."
The steadily improving Pittman, from Buchtel High, needs 22 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Wells finished his season with more than 2,000 yards as one of the top recruits in the country. Sutton, the reigning Mr. Ohio out of Archbishop Hoban, is breaking records in purple.
He has rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns, both Northwestern freshman records. Listed at 5-9, 190 pounds, Sutton is ideally suited to the Wildcats' spread offense, where he admits he's small enough to hide behind his linemen while picking his way through holes. At Northwestern, he's showing skills that interested Ohio State, but not soon enough.
"Tyrell Sutton would be a good fit in anyone's system," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "He is tough, competitive and everyone has seen what he's done. Every team would love to have a guy like him."
Northwestern hit Sutton early and hard in recruiting. He committed to the Wildcats the summer before his senior year, while much of the other interest in him was coming from Mid-American Conference schools hoping he'd play defensive back. Ralph Orsini, his high school coach, said Ohio State came calling later in his senior year, and Notre Dame showed interest the week before he signed. By then, Sutton had gotten to know Northwestern's players and campus, and it was too late.
"For someone to have all these accolades for four years, and you get passed up by the hometown college, it really doesn't make sense," Sutton said of Ohio State. "They had the opportunity for four years to try and pursue me.
"I've always had the attitude if you don't want me, I'll make you wish that you did want me."
Those who saw Sutton didn't need until his senior season to know what kind of player he was.
"I think there are a lot of schools wishing they would have jumped up to the plate and offered him," said Bob Sax, Wells' coach at Garfield who coached against Sutton. "He's one of the best backs I've ever seen in high school. He had tremendous balance, he was powerful and he had a quick burst - all he needed was a little crack [in the line], and he shot through."
It didn't take long for Sutton to showcase those skills in college. Taking over in the opener against Ohio University, he rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, immediately wowing senior quarterback Brett Basanez and offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar.
"Coach Dunbar and I were watching game film and saying, 'Man, that kid is good,' " Basanez said. "Against Ohio, he made two spin moves, and I don't think either guy got within 2 yards of him. He might be the human highlight."
Sutton has put on a show nearly every week, from his 214 yards and four touchdowns against Northern Illinois to 112 yards and two touchdowns against Penn State to 244 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin. Those performances are very familiar.
Sax specifically remembers a play from Sutton's senior year of high school when he got hit near the sideline, right in front of Sax, put his hand down to steady himself and gained another 6 yards.
"I thought, 'I can't believe this kid just did this,' " Sax said.
Sax thinks Ohio State has done pretty well with the two Akron runners it did corral. Delone Carter of Copley is another Akron back that caught Ohio State's attention, but he already has committed to Syracuse.
"I never had any doubts about Pittman," Sax said. "I wish Ohio State would run him more, which they seem to be doing the last couple games. But he has a great burst of speed and great vision, and he's not afraid of contact.
"I think Chris brings different things to the table than those two guys. He's 6-2, 230 and can put the muscle on you. He's a punishing runner and can really give you those 3 or 4 yards a pop and be a handful to bring down."
Wells said he gave himself a week off after the end of his football season, but now he's back in the weight room. Watching what Sutton has done as a freshman makes Wells wish he was in Columbus now.
"It gives me encouragement and makes me want to hurry things up," Wells said. "I'm ready to be down there and line up on the field with those guys."
Saturday, he'll still have to watch two old friends proving how close Akron is to the Big Ten. Sutton said he isn't bitter that he'll be wearing a visiting uniform, thinking he may have turned down Ohio State even if they had recruited him sooner.
"I guess with the success I'm having, the entire city of Akron is upset, but that doesn't matter to me," Sutton said of Ohio State's late pursuit of him. "People can say what they want to say, but they can't try and put me there, because Tony Pittman is a phenomenal back. He's getting the job done, so they should be happy with the job he's doing over there."
"There's not a chip on my shoulder. All I can do is suck it up and play for the Wildcats."
Michigan kickoff:
The kickoff at Michigan for the final regular season game has been set for the traditional 1 p.m.
Huston a semifinalist:
The Buckeyes' Josh Huston is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza award, given to the nation's top kicker.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748
TO COLUMBUS VIA AKRON
Rushing fraternity
Wednesday, November 09, 2005Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Akron running backs will be all over Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Ohio State sophomore Antonio Pittman will start for the Buckeyes, Northwestern freshman Tyrell Sutton will start for the Wildcats and Ohio State recruit Chris Wells will be in the stands.
If only the three of them, who grew up playing football and basketball with and against each other, would have ended up in the same backfield.
"That would have been crazy," said Wells, a senior at Garfield High. "I don't know any teams that have three running backs like that. I think we could have squeezed enough carries in there."
The steadily improving Pittman, from Buchtel High, needs 22 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Wells finished his season with more than 2,000 yards as one of the top recruits in the country. Sutton, the reigning Mr. Ohio out of Archbishop Hoban, is breaking records in purple.
He has rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns, both Northwestern freshman records. Listed at 5-9, 190 pounds, Sutton is ideally suited to the Wildcats' spread offense, where he admits he's small enough to hide behind his linemen while picking his way through holes. At Northwestern, he's showing skills that interested Ohio State, but not soon enough.
"Tyrell Sutton would be a good fit in anyone's system," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "He is tough, competitive and everyone has seen what he's done. Every team would love to have a guy like him."
Northwestern hit Sutton early and hard in recruiting. He committed to the Wildcats the summer before his senior year, while much of the other interest in him was coming from Mid-American Conference schools hoping he'd play defensive back. Ralph Orsini, his high school coach, said Ohio State came calling later in his senior year, and Notre Dame showed interest the week before he signed. By then, Sutton had gotten to know Northwestern's players and campus, and it was too late.
"For someone to have all these accolades for four years, and you get passed up by the hometown college, it really doesn't make sense," Sutton said of Ohio State. "They had the opportunity for four years to try and pursue me.
"I've always had the attitude if you don't want me, I'll make you wish that you did want me."
Those who saw Sutton didn't need until his senior season to know what kind of player he was.
"I think there are a lot of schools wishing they would have jumped up to the plate and offered him," said Bob Sax, Wells' coach at Garfield who coached against Sutton. "He's one of the best backs I've ever seen in high school. He had tremendous balance, he was powerful and he had a quick burst - all he needed was a little crack [in the line], and he shot through."
It didn't take long for Sutton to showcase those skills in college. Taking over in the opener against Ohio University, he rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, immediately wowing senior quarterback Brett Basanez and offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar.
"Coach Dunbar and I were watching game film and saying, 'Man, that kid is good,' " Basanez said. "Against Ohio, he made two spin moves, and I don't think either guy got within 2 yards of him. He might be the human highlight."
Sutton has put on a show nearly every week, from his 214 yards and four touchdowns against Northern Illinois to 112 yards and two touchdowns against Penn State to 244 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin. Those performances are very familiar.
Sax specifically remembers a play from Sutton's senior year of high school when he got hit near the sideline, right in front of Sax, put his hand down to steady himself and gained another 6 yards.
"I thought, 'I can't believe this kid just did this,' " Sax said.
Sax thinks Ohio State has done pretty well with the two Akron runners it did corral. Delone Carter of Copley is another Akron back that caught Ohio State's attention, but he already has committed to Syracuse.
"I never had any doubts about Pittman," Sax said. "I wish Ohio State would run him more, which they seem to be doing the last couple games. But he has a great burst of speed and great vision, and he's not afraid of contact.
"I think Chris brings different things to the table than those two guys. He's 6-2, 230 and can put the muscle on you. He's a punishing runner and can really give you those 3 or 4 yards a pop and be a handful to bring down."
Wells said he gave himself a week off after the end of his football season, but now he's back in the weight room. Watching what Sutton has done as a freshman makes Wells wish he was in Columbus now.
"It gives me encouragement and makes me want to hurry things up," Wells said. "I'm ready to be down there and line up on the field with those guys."
Saturday, he'll still have to watch two old friends proving how close Akron is to the Big Ten. Sutton said he isn't bitter that he'll be wearing a visiting uniform, thinking he may have turned down Ohio State even if they had recruited him sooner.
"I guess with the success I'm having, the entire city of Akron is upset, but that doesn't matter to me," Sutton said of Ohio State's late pursuit of him. "People can say what they want to say, but they can't try and put me there, because Tony Pittman is a phenomenal back. He's getting the job done, so they should be happy with the job he's doing over there."
"There's not a chip on my shoulder. All I can do is suck it up and play for the Wildcats."
Michigan kickoff:
The kickoff at Michigan for the final regular season game has been set for the traditional 1 p.m.
Huston a semifinalist:
The Buckeyes' Josh Huston is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza award, given to the nation's top kicker.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748
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Cleveland PD
Buckeyes still remember what happened at Northwestern in 2004
<table class="byln" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="428"> <tbody><tr valign="bottom"> <td class="byln" width="328">11/8/2005, 7:56 p.m. ETBy RUSTY MILLER
The Associated Press</td><td width="3"> </td><td width="97">
</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The newest signs on the walls of Ohio State's practice facility don't have clever maxims or inspirational sayings on them. All they say is "33-27."
That was the score, in overtime, a year ago when Northwestern beat the Buckeyes to send Ohio State spiraling to an 0-3 start in the Big Ten.
It's not as if the 10th-ranked Buckeyes, who host Northwestern in a key conference showdown on Saturday, need to be reminded.
<script language="JavaScript"></script> <noscript> </noscript>"We remember that game clearly," defensive end Mike Kudla said on Tuesday. "You get up there and you get embarrassed like that. It just kind of sits with you."
Ohio State came into Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill., unbeaten in three games and ranked No. 7 in the nation. But the Wildcats moved the ball up and down the field at will.
"I just remember us coming out and being flat — not clicking defensively or offensively," kicker Josh Huston said. "I remember them driving on us and thinking, 'Our defense is better than this.' I kept thinking, 'They're going to stop them this time.' It just never happened."
Northwestern twice led by 10 points, with the Buckeyes tying it at 27-27 on Justin Zwick's 21-yard pass to Santonio Holmes with 1:54 left in regulation.
The Wildcats then scored on Noah Herron's 1-yard plunge in overtime to capture their first win at home against Ohio State since 1958. It was also Northwestern's first win over Ohio State anywhere in 33 years.
"Well, the results of the game are put away, and everyone knows them, and everyone knows how they feel about it," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "We'll obviously use the technical part — why did it happen, what didn't we do, what did they do well — all of those things. But it's not something we'll spend a whole bunch of time on because we're a different team than then and they're a different team from back then."
Just like last year, the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) enter this game with a high-powered offense and a defense that has given up a lots of yards and points.
Ohio State (7-2, 5-1), riding a four-game winning streak, would earn at least a share of the Big Ten title with a win over the Wildcats and a victory at Michigan in the regular season finale.
Northwestern coach Randy Walker still thinks the stakes are high for his team even though it trails front-running Penn State (9-1, 6-1) and Ohio State by a game with just two games left.
"We are in November, playing for a bowl game," said Walker, a native Ohioan who was the head coach at Miami (Ohio) from 1990 to 1998. "To me, we are still in the championship hunt. Maybe no one else believes it, but I believe it and the kids believe it."
<script language="JavaScript"></script> <noscript> </noscript>The Wildcats and quarterback Brett Basanez are ranked seventh in Division I-A in passing offense, averaging 319 yards a game. With that, they've added a solid ground game led by freshman Tyrell Sutton, third in the conference with 121 yards per game.
A year ago, Sutton was selected as Ohio's high school Mr. Football by The Associated Press, but slipped off to Northwestern because he wasn't pursued by Ohio State. He has already rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
Ohio State is led by tailback Antonio Pittman. He needs just 22 yards to reach 1,000 for the season.
Sutton and Pittman are from Akron, Ohio, and both have been looking forward to squaring off for bragging rights.
The Buckeyes appear to have a clear advantage on defense, ranking first in the conference and seventh in the nation in total defense. They are No. 3 in the land against the run.
"They are very impressive on that side of the ball," Walker said. "They run to the football extremely well. They are big and physical and they do not give you much breathing room. We are going to have to execute very well."
Buckeyes still remember what happened at Northwestern in 2004
<table class="byln" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="428"> <tbody><tr valign="bottom"> <td class="byln" width="328">11/8/2005, 7:56 p.m. ETBy RUSTY MILLER
The Associated Press</td><td width="3"> </td><td width="97">
</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The newest signs on the walls of Ohio State's practice facility don't have clever maxims or inspirational sayings on them. All they say is "33-27."
That was the score, in overtime, a year ago when Northwestern beat the Buckeyes to send Ohio State spiraling to an 0-3 start in the Big Ten.
It's not as if the 10th-ranked Buckeyes, who host Northwestern in a key conference showdown on Saturday, need to be reminded.
<script language="JavaScript"></script> <noscript> </noscript>"We remember that game clearly," defensive end Mike Kudla said on Tuesday. "You get up there and you get embarrassed like that. It just kind of sits with you."
Ohio State came into Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill., unbeaten in three games and ranked No. 7 in the nation. But the Wildcats moved the ball up and down the field at will.
"I just remember us coming out and being flat — not clicking defensively or offensively," kicker Josh Huston said. "I remember them driving on us and thinking, 'Our defense is better than this.' I kept thinking, 'They're going to stop them this time.' It just never happened."
Northwestern twice led by 10 points, with the Buckeyes tying it at 27-27 on Justin Zwick's 21-yard pass to Santonio Holmes with 1:54 left in regulation.
The Wildcats then scored on Noah Herron's 1-yard plunge in overtime to capture their first win at home against Ohio State since 1958. It was also Northwestern's first win over Ohio State anywhere in 33 years.
"Well, the results of the game are put away, and everyone knows them, and everyone knows how they feel about it," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "We'll obviously use the technical part — why did it happen, what didn't we do, what did they do well — all of those things. But it's not something we'll spend a whole bunch of time on because we're a different team than then and they're a different team from back then."
Just like last year, the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) enter this game with a high-powered offense and a defense that has given up a lots of yards and points.
Ohio State (7-2, 5-1), riding a four-game winning streak, would earn at least a share of the Big Ten title with a win over the Wildcats and a victory at Michigan in the regular season finale.
Northwestern coach Randy Walker still thinks the stakes are high for his team even though it trails front-running Penn State (9-1, 6-1) and Ohio State by a game with just two games left.
"We are in November, playing for a bowl game," said Walker, a native Ohioan who was the head coach at Miami (Ohio) from 1990 to 1998. "To me, we are still in the championship hunt. Maybe no one else believes it, but I believe it and the kids believe it."
<script language="JavaScript"></script> <noscript> </noscript>The Wildcats and quarterback Brett Basanez are ranked seventh in Division I-A in passing offense, averaging 319 yards a game. With that, they've added a solid ground game led by freshman Tyrell Sutton, third in the conference with 121 yards per game.
A year ago, Sutton was selected as Ohio's high school Mr. Football by The Associated Press, but slipped off to Northwestern because he wasn't pursued by Ohio State. He has already rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
Ohio State is led by tailback Antonio Pittman. He needs just 22 yards to reach 1,000 for the season.
Sutton and Pittman are from Akron, Ohio, and both have been looking forward to squaring off for bragging rights.
The Buckeyes appear to have a clear advantage on defense, ranking first in the conference and seventh in the nation in total defense. They are No. 3 in the land against the run.
"They are very impressive on that side of the ball," Walker said. "They run to the football extremely well. They are big and physical and they do not give you much breathing room. We are going to have to execute very well."
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Sounds like he has a grudge......I am sure when Saturday is done he will be wishing even more he was recruited by Ohio State.
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0
Cleveland PD
Rivalry reaches Summit
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
The Northwestern-Ohio State game Saturday brings together two of the finest running backs ever to come out of Summit County — Tyrell Sutton and Antonio Pittman.
Each is performing splendidly in his first full season as a collegiate featured back.
Northwestern’s Sutton, a freshman from Archbishop Hoban, has rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ohio State’s Pittman, a sophomore from Buchtel, has rushed for 978 yards and four scores. Each has accounted for more than 1,100 total yards.
Sutton ranks as Ohio’s all-time rushing leader with 9,426 yards. As a senior, he gained more than 3,200 yards and scored 38 total touchdowns.
Pittman began his prep career at Barberton before transferring to Buchtel for his final two seasons. As a junior in 2002, Pittman gained more than 2,000 yards and scored 35 total touchdowns. Hampered by a toe injury as a senior, he still managed 1,300-plus yards.
Nov. 16, 2002, Sutton and Pittman were on opposite sides in a Division III regional championship game at Barberton’s Rudy Sharkey Stadium. Those in attendance never will forget the circumstances surrounding Hoban’s 28-26 victory.
Buchtel, the top-ranked team in Ohio, led, 26-14, with 4:38 left after Pittman scored from 2 yards. It was Pittman’s fourth touchdown; he finished with 225 yards on 29 carries.
Sutton’s 5-yard run with 2:45 remaining made it 26-21. He finished with 109 yards on 20 carries. Sutton, however, fumbled deep in Buchtel territory with 1:31 to play, seemingly securing victory for the Griffins.
Instead of taking the safety after three straight kneeldowns, Griffins quarterback Steven Walker was trapped and tackled at his 12 with eight seconds left. Hoban then scored on the next play, a pass from Tom Sitko to Erin McGough, to win it.
— Dennis Manoloff, Tim Rogers
Rivalry reaches Summit
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
The Northwestern-Ohio State game Saturday brings together two of the finest running backs ever to come out of Summit County — Tyrell Sutton and Antonio Pittman.
Each is performing splendidly in his first full season as a collegiate featured back.
Northwestern’s Sutton, a freshman from Archbishop Hoban, has rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ohio State’s Pittman, a sophomore from Buchtel, has rushed for 978 yards and four scores. Each has accounted for more than 1,100 total yards.
Sutton ranks as Ohio’s all-time rushing leader with 9,426 yards. As a senior, he gained more than 3,200 yards and scored 38 total touchdowns.
Pittman began his prep career at Barberton before transferring to Buchtel for his final two seasons. As a junior in 2002, Pittman gained more than 2,000 yards and scored 35 total touchdowns. Hampered by a toe injury as a senior, he still managed 1,300-plus yards.
Nov. 16, 2002, Sutton and Pittman were on opposite sides in a Division III regional championship game at Barberton’s Rudy Sharkey Stadium. Those in attendance never will forget the circumstances surrounding Hoban’s 28-26 victory.
Buchtel, the top-ranked team in Ohio, led, 26-14, with 4:38 left after Pittman scored from 2 yards. It was Pittman’s fourth touchdown; he finished with 225 yards on 29 carries.
Sutton’s 5-yard run with 2:45 remaining made it 26-21. He finished with 109 yards on 20 carries. Sutton, however, fumbled deep in Buchtel territory with 1:31 to play, seemingly securing victory for the Griffins.
Instead of taking the safety after three straight kneeldowns, Griffins quarterback Steven Walker was trapped and tackled at his 12 with eight seconds left. Hoban then scored on the next play, a pass from Tom Sitko to Erin McGough, to win it.
— Dennis Manoloff, Tim Rogers
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DDN
11/9
Cats' defense gets ball back for potent offense
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Defense may still be the cornerstone of championship teams, as the adage goes, but Northwestern is proving that stopping opponents isn't a necessity for becoming a contender.
<!--endtext-->
<!-- inset --> <!--begintext--> The Wildcats are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten despite being rated 117th out of 117 Division I-A teams in total defense.
They gave up an astonishing 773 yards in a 52-21 loss at Arizona State this season and are surrendering 494.4 yards per game.
But thanks to their potent offense — which is rated seventh nationally — the Wildcats can move within one game of first place in the conference by upsetting Ohio State (7-2, 5-1) on Saturday (noon on ABC).
"I think in their first three games, there were some extraordinary numbers against them," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "Sometimes when that happens, you never catch up. (But) I haven't put a whole bunch of focus on the whole-year thing. I've looked at the Big Ten."
Really? Northwestern's defense hasn't exactly been impregnable in Big Ten play, either, having given up an average of 483.2 yards in conference games.
But Tressel was quick to point out that the Wildcats lead the Big Ten in turnover margin (plus-eight), generating a league-high 24 takeways.
"Maybe the second-most dear number to me is turnover margin," said Tressel, who places a team's net-punt average slightly higher. "And they're ranked No. 1 in the conference ... and we're last. And that's something that on Saturday cannot end up that way, because the team that wins the turnover margin typically wins the game."
Northwestern won for the first time in the series since 1971 last year, prevailing, 33-27, in overtime. That alone may be enough to keep the Buckeyes from peeking ahead to Michigan.
"All our focus is on Northwestern, especially with what happened last year," defensive end Mike Kudla said. "The biggest thing about this team is our focus. We're able to lock in. Look at our first game against Miami. We had Texas after that, but I think we were still locked in on Miami."
Asked if he could name the Buckeyes' opponent next week, Kudla deadpanned: "I'd have to look at the schedule."
Basanez 'sorry'
Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez backtracked after criticizing Iowa for cheap shots during a 28-27 win Saturday.
A helmet-to-helmet hit by linebacker Chad Greenway on Basanez gave the Wildcats a first down at the 9-yard line during its winning drive.
"That's how they were playing all game," Basanez said afterward. "They were trying to get us out of our game by grabbing face masks, hitting guys late, hitting guys in the head. I guess that's how they teach football down there."
But the fifth-year senior apologized during a conference call with Ohio media Tuesday.
"I didn't mean to degrade or attack them," he said. "They are a good football team and played extremely well. There were just a couple things I didn't like. But I'm real sorry for what I said."
11/9
Cats' defense gets ball back for potent offense
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Defense may still be the cornerstone of championship teams, as the adage goes, but Northwestern is proving that stopping opponents isn't a necessity for becoming a contender.
<!--endtext-->
<!-- inset --> <!--begintext--> The Wildcats are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten despite being rated 117th out of 117 Division I-A teams in total defense.
They gave up an astonishing 773 yards in a 52-21 loss at Arizona State this season and are surrendering 494.4 yards per game.
But thanks to their potent offense — which is rated seventh nationally — the Wildcats can move within one game of first place in the conference by upsetting Ohio State (7-2, 5-1) on Saturday (noon on ABC).
"I think in their first three games, there were some extraordinary numbers against them," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "Sometimes when that happens, you never catch up. (But) I haven't put a whole bunch of focus on the whole-year thing. I've looked at the Big Ten."
Really? Northwestern's defense hasn't exactly been impregnable in Big Ten play, either, having given up an average of 483.2 yards in conference games.
But Tressel was quick to point out that the Wildcats lead the Big Ten in turnover margin (plus-eight), generating a league-high 24 takeways.
"Maybe the second-most dear number to me is turnover margin," said Tressel, who places a team's net-punt average slightly higher. "And they're ranked No. 1 in the conference ... and we're last. And that's something that on Saturday cannot end up that way, because the team that wins the turnover margin typically wins the game."
Northwestern won for the first time in the series since 1971 last year, prevailing, 33-27, in overtime. That alone may be enough to keep the Buckeyes from peeking ahead to Michigan.
"All our focus is on Northwestern, especially with what happened last year," defensive end Mike Kudla said. "The biggest thing about this team is our focus. We're able to lock in. Look at our first game against Miami. We had Texas after that, but I think we were still locked in on Miami."
Asked if he could name the Buckeyes' opponent next week, Kudla deadpanned: "I'd have to look at the schedule."
Basanez 'sorry'
Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez backtracked after criticizing Iowa for cheap shots during a 28-27 win Saturday.
A helmet-to-helmet hit by linebacker Chad Greenway on Basanez gave the Wildcats a first down at the 9-yard line during its winning drive.
"That's how they were playing all game," Basanez said afterward. "They were trying to get us out of our game by grabbing face masks, hitting guys late, hitting guys in the head. I guess that's how they teach football down there."
But the fifth-year senior apologized during a conference call with Ohio media Tuesday.
"I didn't mean to degrade or attack them," he said. "They are a good football team and played extremely well. There were just a couple things I didn't like. But I'm real sorry for what I said."
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0
buckeyeboy
Still fortitudinous
Looks like some things never change.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/football/cs-0511010237nov01,1,5679778.story?coll=cs-college-print
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sandgk
Watson, Crick & A Twist
The most revealing part of that article - about the scoreline after Sutton's fumble...
Remember now Walker is talking of how NW would be able to fare at that point against a relatively weaker TTUN Defense.
That speaks volumes about Walker's concerns for his squad's productivity on offense and their general weakness on Defense. That kind of talk has to filter into a team's self image, candid perhaps, but this does nothing to bouy their spirits in the face of a quality Offense and a better Defense this Saturday.
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