My Thoughts.....NEBRASKA

          

            

                        Before sitting down to write my Nebraska post game, I reflected on how hard it would be to find something to nit-pick about.  A pair of pick-sixes highlighted the defensive effort.  Damon Webb got it all started with his first interception of the year,  His interception was run back 36 yards to the end zone on the third play of the game.  Malik Hooker’s pick six went 48 yards and I marveled at how he looked like a running back, flowing his blocks and zigging and sagging his way to the end zone.  It was Hooker’s fifth interception this year and his second touchdown.  Hooker has been all over the field all season, as he is just one tackle short of the lead (second only to Raekwon McMillian’s 54) and with five tackles for loss.  If Hooker is not first-team All-B1G, there’s something wrong.   

The pair of pick-sixes moved Ohio State's total to six on the season, which is a new school record. Five different players have registered interceptions returned for touchdowns this year for the Buckeyes.  I noticed a slight change in the nickel packages that seemed to make a difference.  After getting toasted by Northwestern’s Austin Carr a week ago on third downs at the expense of Damon Webb and Damon Arnette, the Ohio State defensive coaching staff decided to put the most experienced DB, Gareon Conley on the slot receiver while Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward manned up on Nebraska’s outside receivers.  What it did was give the Buckeyes a chance to have their best three cover corners on the field together. The Huskers completed a few passes, but nothing that really had much of an impact on the game.  Arnette again had an issue or two but the real story was Denzel Ward taking what looked like increased reps and making the most of it. Ward probably played his best game as a Buckeye posting three pass breakups and three tackles,  and if he can do what he did yesterday,  the Buckeye pass defense shouldl be in great shape.

Curtis Samuel touched it 13 times (8 rec, 5 rush) and garnered 178 total yards with two touchdowns. He would've had more, but Coach Meyer called off the dogs with the game out of hand.  His big play was his 75-yard touchdown grab on the opening play of the 2nd half and rightfully so as it captured just how dangerous Samuel can be out of the slot.  The offensive game plan was to find new ways to get him the ball, as I noticed a new version of a jet sweep play.  Barrett lined up directly under center for one of the few times this season and fed Samuel on a modified version of the shotgun jet sweep we've seen in the past. The timing of the handoff was perfect and the formation with Barrett under center looked to catch Nebraska off guard as Samuel easily got the corner and picked up positive yardage whenever they ran it.  J.T. Barrett was sensational posting a career-high 26 completions, 329 total yards and four more touchdowns giving him 94 career touchdowns responsible for.  He also made significant improvement in the downfield passing game; his only poor throw was when he overthrew a wide open Mike Weber out of the backfield on what would’ve been a sure touchdown.  It was probably his best game at distributing the ball, as Barrett himself only carried the ball eight times.  Mike Weber showed a blend of power; on one third down run, he was met in the backfield and managed to power his way through a tackle to pick up a first down.  Demario McCall came on in relief and was actually the leading rusher for Ohio State with 73 yards.  His speed and shiftiness is a good compliment to Weber’s power running.  

Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong went down on the sideline after being tackled by Malik Hooker. The Nebraska quarterback was briefly knocked unconscious and taken to OSU Hospital.  I was certainly happy and relieved when Armstrong came jogging back onto the field in the second half in street clothes.  It was quite a scene, with the Ohio State fans around me giving him a standing ovation.  I was also witness to a few Ohio State special teamers meeting with Sam Foltz’s parents during the pre game.  Sam Foltz was the Nebraska punter who tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in July.  They presented the parents with a specially decorated helmet with Foltz’s number on it.  I also saw Foltz’s name and number hung at several stadium entrances.  There were things more important than a football game.

The Buckeyes travel to College Park on Saturday to face Maryland and then to East Lansing to take on a struggling Michigan State team, before returning home to face Michigan with all the marbles on the line.  At the risk of looking ahead, I think it’s safe to say that Michigan’s play has been very impressive, but they have not faced a team with so many offensive and defensive playmakers as the Buckeyes have.