Closer than I thought it would be. Buckeyes looked so-so again on offense and very good on defense.

I'm surprised they more than covered.

Can I just say how much I hate noon games? Made it even worse that it was actually an 11 o clock start for them. 3:30 or later from now on please. Barrett didn't look bad IMO, INT wasn't his fault and he looked much more poised than Cardale has when forced to throw from the pocket. Looked to me like the offense was holding a little bit back though. I'll take 28-3 every day of the week though. Good win especially with MSU and Mich. lurking.

They are just not quite there on offense. Defense is fine. I keep waiting for them to explode on offense and just has not happened yet. We will see the next couple of weeks if they are holding things back on offense or if they are simply not that good. Offensive line was not sharp today in pass blocking but did a good job opening holes for Zeke. I am also concerned about the kicker. If they need a big FG to win a game, I have no confidence in him.

 

I hate to sound so negative. A 25 point road victory in conference is not bad. However, the offense has been a disappointment to me all year.

Kicking as been a two year problem.

 

Time to find the best kicker in state and bring him to Columbus.

Pre-season is over.

 

The real season begins this week against MSU.

 

Win 5 and get another National Championship!

Just got back from the game about a half hour ago. Some initial thoughts...

 

Zeke could've run for 250 yards if they wanted to give it to him. Illini absolutely had no answer for the Bucks running attack.

 

Considering the past week or so that he's had, JT was okay. The wind seemed to be a factor for both teams heading towards the horseshoe. The big pass plays that were hit, were going the other way.

 

While he was out there quite a bit, Braxton Miller had maybe two touches all game. In fact, it seemed like they didn't run the fly sweep hardly at all (by comparison to previous games).

Also, as to the kicking game...this was the first game I've seen Sean Nuerenberger out there this year. Willoughby was still there, and handled the kickoffs, but Sean did all of the placekicking. Didn't hear a reason for this, though.

Also' date=' as to the kicking game...this was the first game I've seen Sean Nuerenberger out there this year. Willoughby was still there, and handled the kickoffs, but Sean did all of the placekicking. Didn't hear a reason for this, though.[/quote']

 

Willoughby can't hit from long.

Willoughby can't hit from long.

 

The field goal that was missed was like 23 yards or so...don't know that I'd classify that as "long". :lol2:

The field goal that was missed was like 23 yards or so...don't know that I'd classify that as "long". :lol2:

 

That was Nuernberger kicking you asked why they changed.

The field goal that was missed was like 23 yards or so...don't know that I'd classify that as "long". :lol2:

 

Field goal was from left hash and that creates quite an angle in the college game. Sometimes those are just as tough as 50 yarders, and in this case it was. Definite area of concern.

That was Nuernberger kicking you asked why they changed.

 

Yes, I asked why they changed. Hasn't Willoughby handled all the kicking duties so far this year? You said he couldn't hit from long. But this was about as short as a kick could get. So, were they just trying to get Nuernberger some game reps in case they have a long FG try in the next couple of weeks?

Yes' date=' I asked why they changed. Hasn't Willoughby handled all the kicking duties so far this year? You said he couldn't hit from long. But this was about as short as a kick could get. So, were they just trying to get Nuernberger some game reps in case they have a long FG try in the next couple of weeks?[/quote']

 

Going into the Illinois game Willoughby was relieved of his duties as PK and was only on Kickoffs.

Going into the Illinois game Willoughby was relieved of his duties as PK and was only on Kickoffs.

 

Thank you. That's what I was asking. Hadn't heard anything.