In front of a sparse crowd of 76,540 — the lowest total in Ohio Stadium since 1971 — the Ohio State defense continued to struggle, unable to stop the Tulsa passing game. Ohio State was able to run the ball at will, but it was unable to pair that with the passing game CJ Stroud has shown over the past two weeks.
This is incredibly inconsistent football in a game that was supposed to build confidence.
More of the same
Head coach Ryan Day promised change in the Ohio State defense. And there was some: moving defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs to the coaching box, using two high safeties at times to defend the pass, using a combination of Lathan Ransom, Cameron Martinez and Ronnie Hickman.
But it’s not like anything was fixed.
The Tulsa offense took the Buckeye defense up and down the field. Tulsa junior quarterback Davis Brin had plenty of time in the pocket, allowing his receivers to find holes in Ohio State’s zone for wide-open looks, averaging X yards per completion.
Despite two tackles for loss by linebacker Cody Simon and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, both on run plays, Ohio State had no semblance of pass rush, leaving the secondary out to dry. The Golden Hurricane offense averaged 12 yards on each of its 17 pass completions in the first half, converting five of nine attempts on third down: all but one of which came on a pass play.
In one-on-one coverage, Ohio State showed potential. Hickman brought in an interception on a tipped pass from Martinez. Freshman cornerback Denzel Burke recorded a circus interception that was called back on review. It’s the middle of the field, the relationships between the safeties and the linebackers, those 10-15-yard curl routes that are killing the Buckeyes in the zone.
There’s credit to be given. Ohio State did shut down the Tulsa running game, allowing an average of 2.3 yards per rush on 27 carries. But it’s not something the Golden Hurricane offense turned to often because it didn’t need to.
Yes, Ohio State made six-straight stops — five punts and two interceptions, including a pick-six by Martinez in the fourth quarter.
But the greatest hits of the Buckeye defense are still prevalent, none more clearer than Brin’s touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Cannon Montgomery.
After two Ohio State defensive backs seemingly covered the same receiver, Montgomery broke free surrounded by four Ohio State players not even within five yards of him, allowing him to walk into the endzone.
Brin finished the day with 428 passing yards, completing 57.4 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
That's not progress. Not even close.
Is TreVeyon Henderson the No. 1 back?
When TreVeyon Henderson came out for the first play, it wasn’t too much of a surprise. Henderson and redshirt freshman Miyan Williams had been splitting carries for much of the season, a sort of 1A and 1B relationship.
As the offensive drives continued, Henderson kept seeing the field. Even redshirt junior Master Teague started to see the field, carrying the ball six times for 32 yards in the first half. Still no Williams.
Before the game, Williams was not listed on the injury report. He was dressed and ready to go on the sideline. Where was he?
Is Henderson the guy? The true freshman showed signs of promise in the first half, using his physicality to break through the middle of the Tulsa defensive line to score Ohio State’s only touchdown of the first half, while shouldering 14 of the team’s 21 first-half carries.
That success continued into Ohio State’s first offensive drive of the third quarter, taking a handoff 48 yards, slipping and sliding through the Tulsa secondary and diving for the goalline for his second touchdown of the day. It was an experienced run, impressive considering it was his third collegiate game.
Henderson finished the game with 277 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, breaking Archie Griffin’s single-game record for most yards by a freshman that he held for 49 years.
Ohio State may have found its answer at running back, the answer many thought would come at some point in 2021.
Can’t have both
CJ Stroud was a star in each of the first two games.
The Ohio State redshirt freshman threw for 778 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, especially carving up the Oregon defense for 484 yards — second most in a game in team history.
Did it matter what the running game did? Not really. Stroud was on.
But when Henderson took the lead of Ohio State’s offense against Tulsa, Stroud was really nowhere to be seen. The redshirt freshman struggled, completing 15-of-25 passes for 185 yards. He recorded two turnovers: an interception and a lost fumble.
The Ohio State offense has been unable to provide a true balance of both the run and pass. When Stroud shines, the running game seems to falter, and vice versa. Day seems to like riding the hot hand, and it’s worked early for his offense. But it’s at the risk of becoming one dimensional over the course of a single game.
Thayer Munford injury
Ohio State had another key injury disrupting its game plan.
In the first quarter, redshirt senior offensive guard Thayer Munford left the game with an apparent injury to his right leg. Munford was helped off the field, walking gingerly on his right leg and left the sideline.
Redshirt junior Matthew Jones replaced Munford at left guard and the Ohio State rushing attack seemed to continue to find success, ending the day with 7.9 yards per rush.
But with senior safety Josh Proctor already done for the season after a fractured right leg, Ohio State can’t afford to lose any more of its key pieces on either side of the ball.
Thayer Munford returned to the field in the second half, in street clothes with a walking boot.
This is incredibly inconsistent football in a game that was supposed to build confidence.
More of the same
Head coach Ryan Day promised change in the Ohio State defense. And there was some: moving defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs to the coaching box, using two high safeties at times to defend the pass, using a combination of Lathan Ransom, Cameron Martinez and Ronnie Hickman.
But it’s not like anything was fixed.
The Tulsa offense took the Buckeye defense up and down the field. Tulsa junior quarterback Davis Brin had plenty of time in the pocket, allowing his receivers to find holes in Ohio State’s zone for wide-open looks, averaging X yards per completion.
Despite two tackles for loss by linebacker Cody Simon and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, both on run plays, Ohio State had no semblance of pass rush, leaving the secondary out to dry. The Golden Hurricane offense averaged 12 yards on each of its 17 pass completions in the first half, converting five of nine attempts on third down: all but one of which came on a pass play.
In one-on-one coverage, Ohio State showed potential. Hickman brought in an interception on a tipped pass from Martinez. Freshman cornerback Denzel Burke recorded a circus interception that was called back on review. It’s the middle of the field, the relationships between the safeties and the linebackers, those 10-15-yard curl routes that are killing the Buckeyes in the zone.
There’s credit to be given. Ohio State did shut down the Tulsa running game, allowing an average of 2.3 yards per rush on 27 carries. But it’s not something the Golden Hurricane offense turned to often because it didn’t need to.
Yes, Ohio State made six-straight stops — five punts and two interceptions, including a pick-six by Martinez in the fourth quarter.
But the greatest hits of the Buckeye defense are still prevalent, none more clearer than Brin’s touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Cannon Montgomery.
After two Ohio State defensive backs seemingly covered the same receiver, Montgomery broke free surrounded by four Ohio State players not even within five yards of him, allowing him to walk into the endzone.
Brin finished the day with 428 passing yards, completing 57.4 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
That's not progress. Not even close.
Is TreVeyon Henderson the No. 1 back?
When TreVeyon Henderson came out for the first play, it wasn’t too much of a surprise. Henderson and redshirt freshman Miyan Williams had been splitting carries for much of the season, a sort of 1A and 1B relationship.
As the offensive drives continued, Henderson kept seeing the field. Even redshirt junior Master Teague started to see the field, carrying the ball six times for 32 yards in the first half. Still no Williams.
Before the game, Williams was not listed on the injury report. He was dressed and ready to go on the sideline. Where was he?
Is Henderson the guy? The true freshman showed signs of promise in the first half, using his physicality to break through the middle of the Tulsa defensive line to score Ohio State’s only touchdown of the first half, while shouldering 14 of the team’s 21 first-half carries.
That success continued into Ohio State’s first offensive drive of the third quarter, taking a handoff 48 yards, slipping and sliding through the Tulsa secondary and diving for the goalline for his second touchdown of the day. It was an experienced run, impressive considering it was his third collegiate game.
Henderson finished the game with 277 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, breaking Archie Griffin’s single-game record for most yards by a freshman that he held for 49 years.
Ohio State may have found its answer at running back, the answer many thought would come at some point in 2021.
Can’t have both
CJ Stroud was a star in each of the first two games.
The Ohio State redshirt freshman threw for 778 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, especially carving up the Oregon defense for 484 yards — second most in a game in team history.
Did it matter what the running game did? Not really. Stroud was on.
But when Henderson took the lead of Ohio State’s offense against Tulsa, Stroud was really nowhere to be seen. The redshirt freshman struggled, completing 15-of-25 passes for 185 yards. He recorded two turnovers: an interception and a lost fumble.
The Ohio State offense has been unable to provide a true balance of both the run and pass. When Stroud shines, the running game seems to falter, and vice versa. Day seems to like riding the hot hand, and it’s worked early for his offense. But it’s at the risk of becoming one dimensional over the course of a single game.
Thayer Munford injury
Ohio State had another key injury disrupting its game plan.
In the first quarter, redshirt senior offensive guard Thayer Munford left the game with an apparent injury to his right leg. Munford was helped off the field, walking gingerly on his right leg and left the sideline.
Redshirt junior Matthew Jones replaced Munford at left guard and the Ohio State rushing attack seemed to continue to find success, ending the day with 7.9 yards per rush.
But with senior safety Josh Proctor already done for the season after a fractured right leg, Ohio State can’t afford to lose any more of its key pieces on either side of the ball.
Thayer Munford returned to the field in the second half, in street clothes with a walking boot.
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