IDLE WEEK 1

 

The Ohio State Buckeyes have their first idle week this week after coming through a top 5 matchup, a gimme, and a decent in-state foe unscathed. 

Teams usually work on fundamentals during off weeks, and it gives a chance for banged-up players to heal.  Coach Ryan Day has made it a point to be ready for a moderately more difficult stretch of the schedule.  The Buckeyes will start conference play next week at Washington and of the next four games, three will be on the road.  This off week gives Ohio State a chance to rest, a chance to reset, and a chance to return to the fundamentals that have built this program into a perennial national title contender.

The first three games have produced the expected (Jeremiah Smith) and pleasant surprises (Bo Jackson) on offense.  After outdueling the ballyhooed Arch Manning in the opener, Julian Sayin has, for the most part, taken care of the ball.  Sayin has completed 56 of his 71 throws for 779 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.  As expected, Jeremiah Smith has been the main target, leading the way with 20 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns.  Carnell Tate has stepped up with 12 catches for 219 yards and three scores and so has Brando Innis with his five catches for 37 yards.  The TE position has also yielded positive results.  The three tight ends (Will Kacmarek, Jelani Thurman, and Max Klare) each have four receptions, and one touchdown and CJ Donaldson leads the running backs in catches with three.  Bo Jackson has burst on the scene; in his appearance against Grambling State and Ohio University, his burst of speed and shifty moves have resulted in the team lead with 217 yards, averaging a whopping 12 yards per carry.  CJ Donaldson has shown a lot of power inside, churning out 151 yards and two touchdowns and the starter, James Peoples, has gotten 126 yards, averaging over five yards per carry.

A pleasant surprise on defense has been the play of Arvell Reese who currently leads the team in tackles with 20 to go along with his two pass break ups and two sacks.  Reese played an important part in stopping the Texas ground game.  So did Jaylen McClain with his 17 tackles.  Caden Curry, Kayden McDonald, and Sonny Styles have also played important parts in the front seven, each with 14 tackles.  Jermaine Matthews Jr. and Caleb Downs have led the way in the secondary.  Each have an interception, both coming in crucial times during games and Riley Pettijohn has shown signs of stardom.

The Buckeyes will spend the off week working on red-zone offense, which took a step back last week against Ohio University and work on better consistency in the ground game that they will need as they enter conference play.